Tanaka's a perceptive, dignified individual whose loyalty to the Phantomhive house and its head is unwavering. He previously served Vincent Phantomhive as a butler; however, after sustaining severe injuries on the twins' tenth birthday, he presently does a limited amount of work. Nevertheless, when needed to substitute Sebastian Michaelis as the butler, he performs his duties efficiently and without delay. He has a wealth of experience at his disposal and thus is a dependable adviser to the head of the Phantomhive house. He's calm and stern and will admonish Ciel Phantomhive, whose well-being is his paramount concern, if he finds that Ciel is displaying weakness as the head. Despite his age, Tanaka remains an exemplary fighter; he once, via Baritsu, effortlessly subdued a man who attempted to harm Ciel. He's exceptionally skilled in wielding a katana, having sliced a bullet in two with it. Tanaka's favorite tea is Gyokuro.Tanaka was present when Ciel's family was murdered, and he had attempted to warn Ciel to escape. In doing so, an unseen attacker stabbed him from behind, severely injuring him. He was treated at the Royal London Hospital where Angelina Dalles worked. Ciel and Sebastian went to him, and Tanaka was amazed that Ciel was still alive. He then gave Sebastian his pocket watch, which he said has been passed down from one Phantomhive butler to the next.