'Trickster' episode 2 spoilers: Edogawa Ranpo novel adapted into anime, features Gackt as villain's voice

A friendship that began with a promise to kill. This was exactly what defined Kensuke Hanasaki and Yoshio Kobayashi's first meeting in Tokyo MX's newest anime series, "Trickster."

Based on the 1930s detective novels by Edogawa Ranpo titled "The Fiend with Twenty Faces" and "The Boy Detectives Club," the series sets the narrative in a futuristic Tokyo and features 15-year-old Hanasaki forging a friendship with the mysterious 14-year-old Kobayashi.

This meeting eventually leads to the uncovering of the deep connection between Detective Kogorou Akechi and his archnemesis, the criminal known as The Fiend with Twenty Faces.

According to The Bitbag, the second episode of the anime series will immediately hint at this connection. When the various characters' lives intertwine in surprising turns, they will find themselves getting dragged into the underlying conflicts of the rivalry between Akechi and Twenty Faces. Just what kind of past these two shared will eventually be revealed as the series progresses. But how exactly do their lives relate to the two teenagers that seemed to be at the core of the anime series' narrative?

The first time Hanasaki met Kobayashi, he knew he had to know more about the boy, despite Kobayashi's persistent demands to be left alone. It turned out that a mysterious mist that seemed to envelope him whenever he's physically threatened was keeping the boy alive for years. All he wanted to do was die, but the mist wouldn't let him.

In an attempt to get Kobayashi to join The Boys' Detective Club, Hanasaki promised the white-blond boy that he himself would grant his wish and kill him if he'd only agree to join the club and help protect the city.

But will Hanasaki really be able to fulfill this promise if and when Kobayashi does decide to join his club?

The anime ended by revealing Twenty Faces, who is voiced by famous Japanese star, Gackt. He is also the voice behind the anime's opening theme, "Kimi dake no Boku de Iru kara" ("Since There's Just You in Me").

Meanwhile, Anime News Network reported that a two-part prequel to the anime series will be released in December and will feature the past stories of Akechi and Twenty Faces and The Boys' Detective Club prior to Hanasaki and Kobayashi's meeting.

"Trickster" airs on Tuesdays at 1:05 a.m. JST on Tokyo MX.