Jiro Tomitake is a recurring and memorable character in When They Cry, often recognized for his friendly nature and his recurring unfortunate fate during the festival.
Jiro Tomitake has a muscular build, with a sturdy physique that stands out in the story.
He habitually wears a green hat, glasses, a sleeveless shirt, and mountain climbing pants, enhancing his outdoorsy image.
He's rarely seen without his camera, which is imagined to be tough and waterproof enough for mountain climbing.
His general appearance makes him approachable, yet also hints at a hidden side due to his solid frame and military vibe.
Tomitake is warm, cheerful, and earnest, making him well-liked among the people of Hinamizawa.
He is generally polite and reserved, particularly when interacting with women, sometimes naïve to the point of awkwardness.
Despite his genial nature, he tends to be slightly out of tune with situations, occasionally displaying a lack of awareness about the social atmosphere.
He is respectful towards the club members, often embracing their friendship even though he is older.
Tomitake has honest passions, such as wildlife photography and a notable fondness for nurses' uniforms.
Birthday: September 14.
Blood type: B.
He has been visiting Hinamizawa regularly from Tokyo since just before the Dam War, staying about a week each time.
Although he is not a Hinamizawa resident, he is widely recognized in the village due to the frequency of his visits.
Jiro Tomitake is a pen name for his photography career; his real name remains unknown.
He is believed to live somewhere along the National Railway Sobu line, though specifics are undisclosed.
Tomitake is not just a photographer—he is a highly trained military officer.
His real occupation is a liaison for the organization known as "Tokyo," holding the rank of First Lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
He is an expert marksman, previously serving as a firearms instructor in an irregular warfare unit, with skills that include precision shooting from moving vehicles.
He can pick locks, subtly demonstrated when bypassing the lock on the ritual implements storehouse.
In an emergency, he can command the elite special forces unit "Watchdogs" and has authority to request their deployment.
Tomitake’s main romantic relationship is with Miyo Takano, the head researcher of the Irie Institution.
He assists Takano out of genuine care, hoping to lessen her loneliness and be her support.
Village residents and club members see him as a friend, with club members affectionately calling him "Tommy."
His friendship network includes Irie Kyōsuke and Kuraudo Ooishi, with whom he shares moments of camaraderie and lighthearted antics.
Although he is part of official oversight for the Irie Institution, his dual role as both a supporter and monitor of Takano impacts his fate deeply.
Tomitake’s presence signals pivotal story turns due to his recurring death at the festival—he’s jokingly called the "Time Signal" among fans.
He typically dies on the fifth year of the series' string of mysterious deaths, always alongside Miyo Takano, leading to much speculation and running jokes.
He is known for his “Tomitake Flash” photography move, featured not just in the game, but also as a character song and special pachinko event.
Despite his tough exterior, game and anime bonus stories show he’s embarrassed easily when dealing with romance.
His nickname “Lisa-san” came from Irie Kyōsuke for unknown reasons.
His self-description as a “runaway train” and his occasional ability to withstand grenade blasts are recurring humorous traits in spin-offs and bonus stories.
"Tomitake Flash!"
"It's thanks to training!"
"My specialty is wildlife photography—I've never refused a request! Ahaha!"
"I knew there was a period when you needed someone's help. I wanted to be the one by your side then. Miyo... No one has died yet. Now’s our chance to fix this. We can undo it. Stop this, it doesn’t have to happen."
"You’re a lonely person…"
"Sorry I’m late… I’ve come to get you."
"You’re not as bad as you think you are. Let’s do it over. This time, let’s start your real life, Miyoko Tanashi."
"Your sins might be heavy, but it’s okay. I’m with you. Let’s atone together, for your sins as Miyo Takano. And let’s reclaim Miyoko Tanashi, together. Until that day, I’ll never leave your side…"
"The world may never forgive you. But it doesn’t matter, because I forgive you. Let’s live together. Death is not atonement. Live, seek forgiveness from the world, and start anew. Then you’ll remember who you really are, and that gentle smile you once had."
Status in Hinamizawa
He is a freelance nature photographer from Tokyo, regularly visiting Hinamizawa since before the Dam War for both work and personal reasons.
Village residents widely recognize his face and name, associating him with the festival and annual summer visits.
Military Identity
His real occupation is a military officer sent from Tokyo to audit the Irie Institution, working under the alias "Jiro Tomitake."
Tomitake’s authority includes oversight of the research and the power to request the Watchdogs Unit’s involvement, especially if anything goes awry with the institution.
The Fatal Festival and The "Time Signal"
Every year at the Watanagashi Festival, Tomitake dies in synchrony with Takano's death due to the effects of the Hinamizawa Syndrome, engineered to appear as a supernatural curse.
His death, always eerily timed, is the turning point in the various arcs, thus earning him the nickname "Time Signal" among fans and characters.
Redemption and Survival
In the culminating arcs, Tomitake’s survival becomes a sign of a happy ending, where he exposes Takano’s heartbreak and syndrome affliction, gently saving her at her lowest moment.
He ultimately acts as the one to protect and redeem Takano, forging a new beginning for her and himself.
When They Cry: Gou
Tomitake becomes a pivotal figure in Go, marking a major narrative difference by surviving the initial incidents.
Together with Takano, he escapes Hinamizawa for witness protection when she decides to expose the endgame conspiracy, breaking the series' established pattern.
He later visits Rika Furude to assure her of the successful closure of the conspiracy against Hinamizawa, symbolizing a new hope.
Official voice actor: Tooru Okawa.
Featured in several crossovers and spin-offs; his “Tomitake Flash” has become an internet meme.
His character design was inspired by the idea of a waterproof, ultra-durable camera ideal for mountain stream exploration.
Continue to edit and expand as needed; more anecdotes and details are always welcome!
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