Joe Buttataki is a highly specialized internal affairs investigator for the DWMA, known for his uncanny ability to detect lies through soul perception.
He's an investigator for the DWMA, but he wasn't always a detective; he's said to have been a Meister in his past.
Joe is only called upon by Lord Death himself for the most sensitive missions: sniffing out traitors from within the academy.
His position is part-time and kept under wraps, as his presence alone would signal that Lord Death suspects someone, causing a major drop in morale.
Soul Perception
Joe can feel the slightest waver in a person's soul wavelength, making him a human lie detector.
All he needs to do is place a hand on someone's chest to know instantly if they're telling the truth.
Ultra Soul Perception
Just before his death, he unlocked a powerful new skill, "Ultra Soul Perception."
This incredible ability was strong enough to bypass a witch's Soul Protect, a feat normally considered impossible.
Marie Mjolnir
He is the ex-boyfriend of Marie Mjolnir, a fellow DWMA member.
The relationship ended because Joe's soul perception ability was becoming stronger, and he feared he would eventually see through everything about her, leaving no privacy or mystery between them.
Justin Law
Justin Law viewed Joe's powerful soul perception as a major threat and ultimately became his murderer.
He earned his name by referring to the internal traitors he hunts as "moles."
The Madness Investigation
Joe was summoned by Lord Death, who had grown worried that Franken Stein was succumbing to madness.
His mission was to interrogate the teachers and Death Scythes who had participated in the battle on Lost Island to find the source of the unease.
Untimely Demise
While on his way to meet Marie at a restaurant they had booked, he was ambushed and killed by Justin Law.
In his final moments, his powers awakened to a new level, allowing him to pierce a witch's Soul Protect.
With this newfound "Ultra Soul Perception," he sensed the presence of seven witches. He also felt the terrifying wavelength of madness swirling through Death City, filling him with dread at the world's darkness.
Post-Mortem Revelations
The information he discovered right before his death was later revealed by Medusa Gorgon, who had witnessed the events surrounding his murder.
In the Anime
The anime adaptation takes a different route with his character, making significant changes to his story.
Unlike in the manga, Joe Buttataki survives and remains alive until the very end.
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