The invention discloses a charging apparatus and method and an image forming apparatus and method. The charging apparatus includes: a charging member that has a discharge face causing discharge between the charging member and a to-be-charged member having a charge retention part to hold a charge, and comes in contact with the to-be-charged member so as to charge upon the application of voltage; and an adjusting unit that adjusts an angle between the to-be-charged member and the discharge face.