Bookman

"I have no name. Just call me Bookman."

- Bookman introducing himself.

Bookman (ブックマン, Bukkuman) is the head member of the Bookman clan and an Exorcist and member of the European Branch of the Black Order, though this affiliation only exists so he and his apprentice, Lavi, can record the world's history as it unfolds. "Bookman" is not his birth name. Bookman belonged to the Marian Unit.

Appearance
Bookman is a very short old man whose face is marked with wrinkles around his mouth and eyes. He has only a patch of white (greyish brown in the first anime) hair on his head that stands up to make the shape of a question mark, and dark black circles of makeup around his eyes, which often makes him the butt of jokes from his apprentice Lavi, who refers to him as "old panda". He also has two more smaller black circles at the upper outer side of the big ones. He wears earrings and has a strong nose as well as long, pointy ears.

When he was in his fifties he had light, straight, long hair which is combed back. He also had a light goatee.

He wears the standard exorcist uniform with his innocence attached to his fingers. His new exorcist uniform is the classic red and black one.

Personality
Bookman has a detached personality and tries to avoid forming tight bonds or connections with those around him. He offers a helping hand on multiple occasions but tries to keep from directly interfering with transpiring events. As such, he lectures Lavi often on how important it is to maintain this mindset and fears he is becoming too friendly with the Exorcists and becoming more of a fighter than an observer. At one point he even reminds Lavi that he is a Bookman and not a true Exorcist. The irony of this is that Bookman himself, has openly displayed how much he cares for Lavi and others, and has also himself directly on the front lines of many battles. One could argue that this is for self preservation, but he has also protected his Exorcist comrades on various occasions - a direct contrast to his Bookman beliefs.

Bookman has an enduring spirit.

History
The Bookman title refers to one who is entrusted by the Vatican to stay within the shadows and observe the world from a distance in order to record history. Thirty-five years ago, he allied himself with the Noah Family in order to record history. During this time, he observed the final confrontation between The Fourteenth and Mana from behind a door. Moreover, it is revealed that he had an apprentice in the past, but decades later found Lavi and decided to make him his next apprentice and successor. They traveled a lot and saw many battlefields together.

Eventually, he allied himself with the Black Order solely to witness and record important events. When he and Lavi first arrive at the Headquarters, Bookman reminds Lavi that while they will be acting as Exorcists, their first priority being observation.

Introduction Arc
At some point after Allen Walker joined the Black Order, Bookman is informed of the prophecy made by Hevlaska foretelling that the young exorcist would one day be the destroyer of time. Bookman took an interest in the boy and asked to join Marian Unit to be able to witness destiny at the forefront.

General Yeegar Falls Arc
Bookman and Lavi appear shortly after the events surrounding the Rewinding Town. He uses his acupuncture to treat Allen Walker and Lenalee Lee and introduces himself to the young exorcist. He is curious about Allen's cursed eye and Bookman takes a keen interest in Allen Walker mainly for the historical significance of his destiny. He refers to him as "The Destroyer of Time" as according to Hevlaska's prophecy, he will someday "destroy time". After explaining the role of the Bookmen, he goes to take care of Lenalee. He later kicks Lavi and expels Allen and Lavi.

Bookman then discusses about the Noah family with Komui Lee. He feels a presence and tells Komui to stay in the room as the two guards have been killed. He destroys all the Akumas in the room but one that he interrogates. The Akumas transmits a message from the earl and tries to kill Komui too fast for Bookman. Fortunately Lenalee wakes up and destroys it. At this moment Lavi and Allen burst in the room and fall on Bookman. He is not pleased.

They all take a carriage and Komui announces that general Yeegar has been killed. He assign them their next mission to protect Cross and they arrive at a train station. There Lavi draws on Allen's face while he's sleeping and Bookman hits him for this.

The Vampire from the Old Castle Arc
When Allen disappears, Bookman tells Lavi to go and find him with his "stick".

In the manga chapters, Bookman does not appear at all, but in the anime Bookman was shown, just largely not involved in the fight with Krory or Eliade. He spent most of his time carrying for an injured man in the town, hurt by a battle Allen and Lavi waged against an Akuma. In the end, he appeared to arrive to check on them both, and was in time to meet Krory and departed with the three.

Edo and Asian Branch Arc
When Allen is defeated by Tyki Mikk and believed to be dead, Bookman states that he believed the prophecy meant that Allen would someday be the one to defeat the Millennium Earl. He then goes on to add that because of this, he believes Allen is still alive. When Lavi is about to be punched by Eshi, Bookman saves his apprentice with his Innocence and manages to restrain him and then proceeds to interrogate him. However Eshi manages to break free and defeats Bookman.

When Allen returns, the Bookman is happy to see them until they are sucked into the ark. Bookman helps fend off the remaining giant akuma during Allen's time in the ark.

Noah's Ark Arc
After Lavi and the others' return from the Ark, Bookman reveals his care for Lavi, appearing emotional at his apprentice's return, visibly in tears and very angry. He returns to Exorcist Headquarters after the battle of Noah's Ark and helps defend the base against the Noah family.

Invasion of the Black Order Arc
Bookman arrived at the 5th Laboratory just after Allen Walker. Together, they fought, Bookman using his Innocence as a shield as well as a weapon. Unfortunately Bookman was infected by the demon's attack. He then went numb, later unconscious.

After he was released from the infection, he aided the ones who were hurt. He was shocked to discover the birth of a level 4, an incident that had never been recorded by the Bookman Clan before. He was stunned, along with the others, by the Level 4's scream and disappeared when the floor was destroyed.

Destruction of the Black Order Arc
During the HQ move, Bookman is affected by Komui's experiments by giving him bunny ears, soon after Miranda accidentally spilled a potion on both him and Lenalee that made them talk like cats, he was soon affected by the Komuvitamin D.

Artificial Exorcists Arc
Bookman is last seen with Lavi, Noise Marie and Chaozii Han in China. Noah Feedler appears to battle them. Afterwards Finders and Noise find a suffering Chaozii.

Seed Of Destruction Arc
It's revealed that Bookman, along with his apprentice, are missing. He is later shown in the Noah's custody, and Sheril interrogates him to find information about the 14th, as Sheril wants to defy the Earl's orders and kill the 14th. Sheril reminds Bookman that Feedler's parasites are inside Lavi and Chaozii, and asks if he wants to lose another apprentice at his age.

Bookman remains silent, and when Tyki reports to him that Road disappeared while protecting Allen, Sheril becomes overwhelmed with rage. He demands to know more about Road's relationship with the Fourteenth. At Bookman's continued silence, he lashes out at Lavi, once more demanding information.

The Noah eventually failed in retrieving information from him and Wisely is said to be responsible for their failure.

Searching for A. W. Arc
3 months later, Bookman is said to be in the Campbell mansion when Lucia was sent by Naaga to inform her master Jo that he woke up, but still is in a great deal of pain. While Lucia notes that his apprentice isn't here and wonders if all the records of the Bookman clan will be lost if he dies here, Joe states she has a feeling that a man holding all the secrets is going to come, and Bookman awaits him.

Powers and Abilities
Skilled Acupuncturist: Using his uninvoked Innocence, Bookman can apply his acupuncture needles as they are typically applied, healing various wounds such as Allen's damaged eye and Lenalee's coma.

Martial Skills: Despite his old age, Bookman is a skilled martial artist. He is able to face a trained second exorcist like Yu Kanda and even managed to steal him his headband

Multilingualism: As a Bookman, he knows many foreign languages including a mysterious one he spoke when the Noah's ark showed itself.

Innocence
Heaven Compass (天針 (ヘブンコンパス), Hebunkonpasu): An equipment type, Heaven Compass takes the form of a large set of acupuncture needles, which Bookman keeps wrapped up in a large scroll and uses for practical as well as combat purposes.
 * Northcrime.jpgCompass Of Spells: North Crime (呪縛の針北ノ罪 (ノースクライム) Nōsukuraimu) : From a compass-looking like circle that is produced from the spell, a large amount of needles is produced, stabbing the enemy using needles, presumably immobilizing the target. While this attack can destroy multiple Level One and Two Akuma, it had trouble defeating a Level Three. However, since the attack on Headquarters, its power apparently increased as it could destroy a few Level Threes simultaneously.
 * East crime.jpgNeedles of Divine Protection: East Crime (加護の針東ノ罪 (イーストクライム) Īsutokuraimu) : Used as a protection skill, surrounding a target completely with needles in a circular shape. Bookman can also telekinetically control the needles to move around in a large bunch and act as stepping stones in the air by forming multiple clusters of needles in mid air.

Major Battles

 * Bookman VS Several Akumas
 * Bookman VS Eshi
 * Bookman and Tiedoll's team VS Giant Akumas
 * Bookman and Allen Walker VS Multiple Akumas
 * Bookman Vs Yu Kanda (training)
 * Bookman, Lavi and Chaozii VS Feedler

Trivia

 * Along with Lavi, his real name is unknown.
 * When he became a Bookman, his old name was "deleted".
 * Lavi often calls Bookman "Old Panda" because of his looks.
 * The black around his eyes is makeup.
 * Bookman is occasionally seen smoking.
 * Bookman's favourite food is pudding, and his least favourite food is bananas.
 * Bookman's hobbies are preparing medicinal herbs, taking care of his scalp, and collecting cigars.
 * He likes beautiful women, taking naps, and combat sports.
 * He dislikes losing his successor.
 * Bookman's necessities are the readiness to fulfil his mission, an enduring spirit, and tobacco.
 * According to Lavi, Bookman moves around really slowly in the morning.
 * It has been revealed that Bookman had at least one other apprentice before he chose Lavi as his successor.
 * Katsura Hoshino has stated that she will reveal the story behind Lavi's hidden eye when Bookman meets his demise.
 * Bookman is the shortest adult human character whose height is known in the series.

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