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Yūichi Aizawa
Yūichi Aizawa
Voiced by: Atsushi Kisaichi (JP - Toei anime), Tomokazu Sugita (JP - KyoAni anime), Miwa Yasuda (JP - child), Chris Patton (EN - teenager), Shannon Emerick (EN - child)
"They're called miracles because they do happen, even when things seem hopeless."
The protagonist. At the beginning of the story, he has just returned to the town where he used to spend his vacations as a kid for the first time in seven years in order to stay with his aunt, Akiko, while his parents are out of the country. However, he has practically no memory of the time he spent there all those years ago. As time goes by, he gradually learns why that is, but little does he know that he has a long, painful journey ahead of him...
- Accidental Pervert: He once entered the bathroom while Makoto was taking a bath. And rather than leaving, he jokes about trying to get in with her.
- Adaptational Attractiveness: In the original visual novel he's a Featureless Protagonist whose face isn't fully shown in cutscenes where he does appear, and he's rather plain-looking in the 2002 anime, but he's made◊ much◊ more◊ attractive in the 2006 anime.
- Adaptational Nice Guy: The 2006 anime sands down some of Yūichi's rougher edges, dialling back his more cynical and smug moments somewhat, while portraying him as a more empathetic guy from the get-go.
- All-Loving Hero: A little more cynical version, but when you get past his snarky attitude, he's a very loving person.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: Or rather Borrowed Verbal Tic, as he mutters "Uguu" in Episode 16.
- Conveniently Seated: Yūichi sits in the second-to-last seat along the left windows. Three of his closest friends, including his cousin, all sit in the three seats directly adjacent to him. His seating next to the window is also particularly more convenient to the story as it allows him to see Shiori in the courtyard whenever she appears.
- Deadpan Snarker: He can be very sarcastic and is prone to making snarky remarks towards the various heroines. This is especially the case in the 2006 anime, where he's voiced by the same voice actor as Kyon from Haruhi Suzumiya, another notable example of the trope.
- Death by Despair: Narrowly averted. Overcome by the weight of knowing that he is the cause of the majority his love interests' misery and having forgotten about them along Ayu's Dead All Along moment, he collapses under the snowstorm, prepared to die to join Ayu. Makoto saves him from freezing to death.
- The Dulcinea Effect: Has shown a distinct willingness to get involved (with very little concern for the potential negative effects on his own happiness or mental health) in the problems of girls he barely knows. It causes him no end of grief, especially in the case of Mai, where it's potentially dangerous for his physical well-being as well.
- Easy Amnesia: He doesn't remember much about the town at all. For good reason, it turns out.
- The Faceless: The visual novel hides any facial features he may have, best demonstrated in this CG with Makoto and Mishio
- Fatal Attractor: He often jokes about attracting girls with psychological problems or on the verge of death.
- Forgotten First Meeting: It turns out he knows all of the main girls except Shiori from childhood. However, due to the traumatic events that occurred back then, he doesn't remember. More details about each are provided below.
- The Gadfly: His life appears to consist mainly of trolling his various love interests.
- Get a Hold of Yourself, Woman!: Snaps Mai out of her Heroic BSoD after Sayuri gets attacked by demons.
- Ghost Amnesia:
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He has his moments of seeming rather cynical, loves messing with the girls' heads and occasionally comes across as smug or condescending, but, on the whole, he's a pretty decent, charming sort of guy.
- KidAnova: He had built the foundations of his harem by the time he was ten, which was probably the universe's way of rewarding him for all the unpleasantness that's about to happen.
- Nephewism: He goes to live with his aunt at the start of the story because his parents are leaving home for an extended period of time and would rather have him live with Akiko until graduation than be home by himself.
- New Transfer Student: In the beginning of the series, he gets transferred into Nayuki's class.
- Oblivious to Love: Has been like this in regards to Nayuki's feelings for seven years.
- Official Couple: By the end of the anime, Yūichi has officially become a couple with Ayu.
- One Head Taller: He's a full head taller than the short Ayu, his main love interest in the anime.
- The Prankster: He enjoys teasing and pulling pranks on everyone he meets. This is especially apparent with Makoto, who often tries to prank him in return, but he's good at turning the tables on her.
- Real Men Hate Sugar: Claims to, at any rate. He's initially pleased by the fact that Akiko's jam isn't sweet, but is somewhat less pleased after he actually tries it.
- Repressed Memories: Of Ayu's injury and of the town as a whole, due to the trauma that incident caused.
- Savvy Guy, Energetic Girl: He is a calm and laid-back guy while Ayu is an easily excitable Genki Girl and Makoto is a carefree prankster. Less pronounced with Nayuki, Shiori and Mai though.
- Secret-Keeper: He's the only one who knows about Mai's Demon Slaying escapades and refuses to let Sayuri or anyone else know about this in spite of the trouble they cause.
- Selective Obliviousness: In the end, he realizes that his own amnesia is also caused by this.
- Shut Up, Hannibal!: His quote at the top is in reference to Shiori's own cynical quote, he truly believes that Shiori will pull through and he wants her to realize that as well.
- The Snark Knight: He's the male hero, but also pretty damn snarky.