Kevin Yamagata is a neisei Japanese-American comic book artist; author of the popular detective series 'Billy Bat'. When he learns he may have unconsciously copied the character from an image he saw while serving as a translator in occupied Japan, he returns to Japan to seek permission to use the Billy Bat character from its original creator. Once in Japan, Kevin finds himself embroiled in a string of murders and finds that his Billy Bat comic is somewhat of a prophecy, as events and details he has drawm in his comic start to mirror real life.

Kevin's Japanese name is Kinji Yamagata (山縣金持) and he is said by others to resemble actor Ryo Ikebe. He was born in Orange County, California on November 26, 1923. His parents were both originally from Niigata.