The Daughter of 20 Faces

The Daughter of 20 Faces, or Nijū Mensō no Musume, was produced by the animation studio Bones and aired in 2008. It is based on a light novel series by Shinji Kitamura, which reimagines the classic fictional thief character created by Edogawa Ranpo. Set in an alternate version of 1930s Japan, the story centers on a young orphan named Chiko who is rescued by the gentleman thief known as 20 Faces and eventually becomes his protégé.

The series is noted for its distinct departure from the gritty aesthetic often associated with Bones' other works, favoring a more classic, storybook-inspired visual style to match the period setting. Directed by Nobuo Tomizawa, the production sought to capture the atmosphere of early 20th-century adventure literature, balancing episodic heist narratives with a character-driven coming-of-age arc. Upon its release, it was recognized for its nostalgic tone and its faithful adaptation of the light novel's whimsical, yet occasionally poignant, thematic elements.