Taoka

Taoka is a member of a small village. He suspected Shinichi of murder.

Appearance
Taoka is a middle-aged man with wavy grey hair and brown eyes. He wore a brown jacket over a green flannel button up shirt. In the manga he wore a dress shirt and slacks.

Personality
Taoka is a very untrusting man, finding a young boy like Shinichi suspicious of murder. He forced Shinichi to stay until the police arrived. He was one of the few people that didn't laugh or berate Nakano for his story.

Plot
He is first seen walking along a dirt road with Naito. They greet Mitsuyo, who is with Shinichi. When Taoka questions who he is, Mitsuyo states that Shinichi is her nephew. After Naito annoys Mitsuyo, they both head on their way.

A few days later Taoka, who is riding along with someone, notices Shinichi and Mitsuyo. After exiting the car he questions if Shinichi is really her nephew. They both answer no and that he was just leaving anyway. Taoka denies Shinichi of his leave as numerous events have transpired recently; first copious amounts of garbage have been dumped nearby in the forest, then a car crash with empty vehicles was found, and now a murder. Taoka then asks Shinichi to come with him for a police line up.

Arriving at Nakano's house, Taoka brings Shinichi in and asks if this was the person that killed Kitayama. Nakano begins frantically telling them it was not a person that killed Kitayama, but a monster. Shinichi then asks Taoka where the car accident took place and is told a few kilometers from here. He questions if Shinichi knows anything about it, something he denies. After the police arrive, Taoka watches in silence as Nakano tells his story, complete with depiction of the monster. When the police ask to view the scene of the crime Taoka decides to go with them.

In the forest Taoka, Nakano, Naito and the detectives look for Kitayama's body. They soon come across his mauled and mutilated corpse, causing a slight panic. After returning home, Taoka, along with the rest of the village is asked to stay indoors and lock their homes.

The next morning the village is alerted that the monster's body had been found. Taoka is likely among the people who go and investigate.