Overview
| Summary | “Jicchan no na ni kakete!” means “I swear on my grandfather’s name!” in Japanese. It’s a dramatic phrase used before revealing the truth or solving a mystery, often by a young detective-type character in Japanese pop culture. The line signals confidence, justice, and respect for one’s family legacy. |
| Japanese Writing | じっちゃんの名にかけて（じっちゃんのなにかけて） |
| Genre | Detective Drama Catchphrase / Pop Culture Quote |
| Typical Age Group | 20–40 years old (those familiar with 1990s–2000s Japanese detective fiction) |
| Audience | Fans of mystery stories, anime/manga enthusiasts, |
| Popularity | ★★★☆☆ Still recognized in Japan as a nostalgic catchphrase from popular detective fiction. It occasionally appears in memes, parody, or homage scenes. |
| Relevance | ★★★☆☆ |
| Usability | ★★★★☆ |
| When to Use | When you’re about to dramatically reveal the answer to a riddle or mystery—serious or silly. Perfect for jokes among friends who enjoy detective tropes. |
| How to Use | Point forward with strong conviction and say: “Jicchan no na ni kakete!” Use a serious expression and pause for dramatic effect. Bonus points if you follow with a detailed explanation of “who the real culprit is.” |
| Cultural Note | This phrase became popular through a fictional teen detective in a Japanese mystery series, where the character would honor his late grandfather—a legendary detective—by swearing on his name before solving each case. The phrase has since become a symbol of dramatic mystery-solving in Japanese pop culture. |
Original performance
You can hear a similar phrase at about 21:56 in this YouTube video.