The Daughter of 20 Faces

The Daughter of 20 Faces, originally titled Nijū Mensō no Musume, began as a manga series written by Shinji Ohara and illustrated by Petruti, first serialized in Comic Flapper starting in 2005. It serves as a modern reimagining of the classic Japanese mystery character The Fiend with Twenty Faces, originally created by author Edogawa Rampo. The narrative shifts the perspective to Chiko, a young girl who is rescued by the enigmatic master thief and taken into his band of eccentric outlaws, blending themes of adventure, coming-of-age, and early 20th-century aesthetic charm.

The series is noted for its evocative visual style, which draws heavily on the Taishō period atmosphere while maintaining a distinct manga sensibility. The design of the characters and the caper-focused storytelling garnered enough positive reception to inspire a 22-episode anime adaptation by studios Bones and Telecom Animation Film in 2008. While the series remains a niche entry in the mystery genre, it is well-regarded by collectors for its polished character dynamics and its affectionate tribute to Rampo’s legendary literary villain.