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Mitsubishi Academy
Shiori Honda
Shiori Honda
Shiori Honda, 26 years old. A plain, common, and a little bit destitute English teacher, whose hobbies consist of cleaning and saving money, and whose dream is to become a happy bride and build a happy family. At least until she gets possessed by the ghost of Jimi Hendrix on her 27th birthday, and now has only one year to become a rock legend.
- Abusive Parents: Shiori's father has been physically violent with at least three of his children.
- Clark Kenting: As Jo-Z. In spite of her disguise being an afro wig and a mustache drawn on with sharpie, the only time a person found out was when they were directly told the secret.
- Corner of Woe: Is known to retreat into these in her more self-deprecating moments.
- Doing It for the Art: In-Universe example. One of several divides between Shiori and Subaru. For Subaru, music is serious business, but Shiori does it because she loves it.
- Dull Eyes of Unhappiness: The night of the band's first performance was pretty rough on Shiori.
- Fantasy-Forbidding Father: Shiori's dad hates musicians, and forbids Shiori from pursuing her passion for music.
- Graceful in Their Element: Shiori is clumsy, awkward, and nervous... except when she's playing guitar.
- Grew a Spine: It takes a while, but Shiori eventually becomes confident enough to stand up to Subaru.
- Missed the Call: Her brother Jouji is the one who actually performs the ritual to summon Jimi, but for whatever reason, she ends up paired with Jimi instead.
- Missing Mom: After Jouji leaves the family in massive debt, Shiori's mother ends up hospitalized from overwork trying to pay it off, and she has yet to show up in the manga.
- Paper-Thin Disguise: Shiori's alter-ego, Jo-Z. The disguise is comprised of an afro wig and a mustache drawn with marker.
- Power at a Price: The Crossroads deal: Experience transcendent musical technique by getting possessed by a music legend, but if you fail to become a legend yourself before you turn 28, your soul is forfeit.
- Shrinking Violet: She has an obvious crush on Hino, but becomes a quivering disaster the second she gets any attention from him.
- Strict Parents Make Sneaky Kids: Shiori's dad has a strict "no music" policy, leading Shiori, a 27-year-old woman, to practice under a blanket in her room, climb out of windows, and sneak out to gigs.
- Wake-Up Call: The band's first performance is an absolute disaster.
Aoshima Subaru
Aoshima Subaru
The authoritarian director of Mitsubishi Academy's orchestra club, the primary rival/tormentor of Shiori.
- Dramatic Shattering: During her battle with Shiori over Mitsuoka, Subaru punches out a window with a single blow.
- Drill Sergeant Nasty: Her training includes hurling food, screaming in people's faces, and ejecting musicians from the orchestra for minor slip-ups.
- Hidden Depths: While her disgust of Shiori initially comes off as a Love Triangle with the two of them and Hino, it's slowly revealed that it's more because of her intense pride as a musician; she gets angry seeing Shiori think she can make music with passion alone, when Subaru knows more than anyone the insane amount of work and talent it requires. When the club actually makes a song worth listening to, she begins to respect them and the effort they put in.Subaru: Shiori-sensei runs a band, I run an ensemble. In their own ways, they interfere and conflict with each other, and they have different genres in mind. But we're both musicians in the "engaging with music" way. I'm honestly secretly waiting in excitement for Shiori-sensei's performance now that she's prepared for it.
- Misery Builds Character: Subaru puts her students through absolute hell.
- Sadist Teacher: While presenting a bubbly facade to most of the other teachers, within the walls of the orchestra club room she becomes a cruel and wrathful god. Hurling food, screaming in her students faces, physically attacking them, forcing them to practice until they bleed. Subaru expects perfection, and doesn't tolerate anything less.
- Signature Instrument: Subaru's history as a musician is a cautionary tale in regards to this trope. Her first instrument is a trumpet, and after learning the instrument all the way up to high school, her band conductor makes her switch to sax. After working her ass off to learn sax and even getting a solo performance at a music festival, the next big music competition focuses on trumpets instead. She ends up horribly disillusioned at how making the "ideal" orchestra means she might not get to shine as an individual.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: Could be considered one. She believes in an "ideal" orchestra, and pushes her students to perform at their best. Her methods, though...
Akane Isuzu
Akane Isuzu
A former member of Mitusbishi Academy's brass band, she plays the saxophone in the club.
- Motor Mouth: She tends to over-explain when asking for a favor.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: During her training arc, Subaru dresses down both her performance and her personality for being hollow.
- Shrinking Violet: Formerly this, she forced herself to become a Genki Girl and Extreme Doormat to escape the loneliness. Her meek tendecies still pop up fairly often, however.
- "Silly Me" Gesture: In line with her Genki Girl persona.
- Training from Hell: Isuzu's training arc had her willingly subjecting herself to Subaru's intense tutoring methods. Subaru pushes her until her mouth bleeds.
Neon Mitsuoka
Neon Mitsuoka
President of the school's brass band. She later joins the Light Music Club as their trumpet player and final member.
- Aloof Dark-Haired Girl: Star of the band, class idol, stoic and emotionless.
- The Comically Serious: She very rarely breaks her stony exterior, even when surrounded by the extreme personalities of the light music club.
- Creature of Habit: We get a glimpse of her practice schedule. It is... rigorous.
- Defrosting Ice Queen: Kicked off by hearing the Light Music Club's first real song, "Jack In", and seeing Isuzu not only working hard but also having fun with it, in stark contrast to Neon's perfect yet emotionless practice.
- Emotionless Girl: Eventually revealed to be the result of Subaru's intense training.
- Emotion Suppression: Mitsuoka first accepts Subaru's challenge by asking her "Please kill the person inside of me."
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Mitsuoka's mom first begins to suspect something is going on with her daughter when she starts skipping steps in her morning routine.
- Signature Instrument: Trumpet, though originally she wanted it to be the saxophone.
- What Is This Feeling?: After suppressing it for so long under Subaru's tutelage, this is Mitsuoka's reaction to rediscovering the joy of music.
Daiba Hatsunori
Daiba Hatsunori
The club's drummer and former star of the school's baseball team, he quits the team to join the Light Music Club.
- Fantasy-Forbidding Father: Hatsunori's dad wouldn't allow Daiba to even consider quitting the baseball team to join the Light Music Club, and when Daiba quit anyways, it drives a wedge between them.
- Jock Dad, Nerd Son: Downplayed. Daiba likes baseball and isn't only playing because of his father's wishes, but he's much happier in the Light Music Club.
- Walking in Rhythm: Part of Hatsunori's training is to listen to a recording of a metronome 24/7, timing everything he does to the beat.
Satsuki Meguro
Satsuki Meguro
A delinquent student who becomes the club's vocalist. Best friends with Shinobu Kawasaki.
- Abusive Parents: Meguro's father is unemployed, drunk, and occasionally violent.
- Delinquent Hair: Meguro's hair starts long and bleached, and later gets shortened to an undercut.
- Friendship Song: Daydream Believer carries special significance for Meguro and Kawasaki.
- Hidden Depths: She begins the series feeling pigeon-holed as a delinquent by her peers. No one expects her to be anything else, which is why it catches them off guard when she starts singing.
- Meaningful Name: Meguro and Kawasaki are the names of a pair of Japanese car companies, which worked as partners on a line of motorcycles.
- Parental Savings Splurge: Meguro's father mooches off his daughter's paychecks.
Shinobu Kawasaki
Shinobu Kawasaki
A weird girl, formerly of the school's occult club, who joins the Light Music Club as their keyboardist. Best friends with Satsuki.
- Creepy Loner Girl: She has a deadpan delivery, extremely long hair, and a heavy interest in the occult. Her room is intensely spooky.
- Flash Step: Has a habit of showing up behind people like this.
- Friendship Song: Daydream Believer carries special significance for Meguro and Kawasaki.
- I See Dead People: It is revealed that she has been able to see Jimi the entire time.
Prince
"Prince" Hachioji Shigeru
A flamboyant third year, who plays bass for the Light Music Club.
- Expy: Prince is very obviously based on Prin Ce. In his first appearance he was essentially a carbon copy, but in later appearances he puts on a few pounds.
- Formerly Fit: Puts on quite a bit of weight between leaving and rejoining the club.
- Frilly Upgrade: After his character development arc with Jouji, Prince returns with newfound confidence and an even more flamboyant set of costumes.
- Hidden Depths: Starts off as a one-note joke character, but when he rejoins the club he proves he's just as determined to make them a success as everyone else.
- Jack of All Trades: Prince, raised in an affluent family of jazz musicians, has been trained to play practically every instrument. He plays them well enough that he can exactly replicate the style of all of the other band members, which include a prodigy trumpet player and a women possessed by the ghost of Jimi Hendrix.
- The Nicknamer: Has outlandish nicknames for each of the band members. He even tries to workshop a nickname for Mitsuoka, only to be shot down with a "No. Just… No" Reaction.
- Self-Applied Nickname: He apparently came up with "Prince" himself.
- Tagalong Kid: Views himself as this initially after rejoining the club, as he's the only one who never got to do a live show with the rest of the club. Isuzu helps assure him that he's just as important as the rest of the band.
- Uncanny Family Resemblance: Prince's mom is nearly identical to her son, and is equally flamboyant.
The 27 Club
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
The legendary rock and blues guitarist. Somehow became bonded to Shiori as a crossroad spirit. For notes on the actual musician, see Jimi Hendrix.
- Brutal Honesty: Does not mince words when asked to judge the quality of a musician's performance.
- Death Amnesia: Jimi's memory of his final moments is spotty.
- In the Style of: In their jam session at the live house, Hendrix (controlling Shiori) plays his own version of Smells Like Teen Spirit.
- Mentor in Sour Armor: When it comes to teaching Shiori, he very often shoots her down and gives her a dose of reality. Mellows out a bit as Shiori comes into her own as a musician.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Delivers an absolutely devastating one to Shiori after the band's first performance. "What exactly do you see me as? Don't fuck around with a legend, you stupid goddamn child."
- Unfinished Business: Part of the Crossroads Contract is that the spirit can't pass on until they help another musician become a legend.
- You Can See Me?: Jimi is surprised to learn that Kawasaki has been able to see him the entire time.
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
The frontman, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter of the alt-rock band Nirvana. Bonded to Ford Mustang as a crossroad spirit. For notes on the actual musician, see Kurt Cobain.
- Iconic Song Request: Discussed in regards to Smells Like Teen Spirit.
- The Quiet One: Cobain doesn't speak for the first couple of chapters he appears in.
Janis Joplin
The legendary blues singer and songwriter. Bonded with Elan as a crossroads spirit.
Brian Jones
The founder of the Rolling Stones, bonded with Royce from the two-man band Glocks.
Jim Morrison
The lead vocalist of The Doors, bonded with Martin from the two-man band Glocks.
The Sixth Member (SPOILERS FOR AS-OF-YET UNTRANSLATED MATERIAL)
Amy Winehouse
Other Bands
TPOKZ
TPOKZ (Tapiocaz)
A four-man rock band consisting of Kubota (drums), Micchi (keyboard), Ryou (bass), and Coney (vocals).
- Big Eater: Ryou spends the trips between shows demanding to be taken to a laundry list of restaurants.
- Blatant Lies: Ryou's attempt to disguise his identity is ineffective at best.
- Innocently Insensitive: An offhand comment made by Ryou at a merch signing sends Prince into a spiral of self-doubt.
- Mugging the Monster: Black Bus and Shiori Experience's attempts to upstage TPOKZ during their opening sets were hilariously futile.
- An Odd Place to Sleep: The terminally sleepy Micchi will take a nap anywhere anytime, including when he's driving.
Black Bus
Black Bus
A four-man rock band consisting of Kuroi Bus (vocals and bass), Kaneko Taxi (guitar), Haitani Hire (keyboard), and Damp Matsumoto (drums).
- Aerith and Bob: Even among a cast including characters named Honda, Subaru, and Ford Mustang, these names are... unusual.
- Broken Pedestal: Kuroi was inspired to form a band after watching Jouji perform when he was in high school. When they meet years later, Black Bus is an established and successful band, while Jouji's star has long since fallen.
- Couple Theme Naming: Kuroi and Shiori's names are puns on the words "kuro" (black) and "shiro" (white).
- The Dreaded: Kuroi is tall and thin with dark hair and hollow eyes. Coupled with his band's violent reputation, he's a pretty intimidating presence.
- Fallen-on-Hard-Times Job: At night, Kuroi Bus is the intense and unpredictable leader of Black Bus. During the day, he can be found behind the counter of a cat cafe.
- Second Place Is for Winners: In spite of their strong showing, Black Bus loses in BTL and subsequently the contest for the opener spot on the upcoming TPOKZ tour. TPOKZ invites them along anyways.
- Ship Tease: Kuroi seems to develop a bit of a crush on Shiori.
- Sunglasses at Night: Both Matsumoto and his dad wear small rectangular shades 24/7.
- The Quiet One: When he isn't screaming his lungs out on stage, Kuroi seems to be a pretty shy and quiet person. When talking to strangers, he prefers to whisper into the ears of his bandmates, who relay his messages for him.
- Wake-Up Call Boss: Black Bus takes the stage after the light music club's first disastrous performance, and proceed to bring the house down. The light music club then learns that this group which so easily outpaced them were eliminated in the preliminaries of the same music competition they were planning on winning.
Gatakey
Gatakey
One of the rival bands in the BTL competition. Their group consists of a guitar, drums, and a stand-up bass.
- Scary Stitches: Their band has a zombie theme, with the band members wrapped in bandages and wearing face paint to emulate stitches and patches of decayed skin.
Red Tide Wide
Red Tide Wide
One of the rival bands in the BTL competition. They are a punk band consisting of Akagi (lead vocals), a guitar, a bass, and drums.
- Walking Shirtless Scene: Akagi seems to be allergic to shirts.
Drill Hills
Drill Hills
One of the rival bands in the BTL competition. They are a hip-hop group consisting of a vocalist and a DJ.
- Cute Little Fangs: She's short with a cutesy effect, but it doesn't take much for her to bare her fangs.
- Rejecting the Consolation Prize: Reject's the TPOKZ's offer to join the tour even though they lost the competition, instead promising to earn their spot fair and square next time.
Other Characters
Hino-sensei
Hino
Coach of the school's soccer team. Shiori has a massive crush on him.
- Love Triangle: Hino is the target of both Shiori's and Subaru's affection.
- Nice Guy: Not a single person at the school has a single bad thing to say about Hino.
- Put on a Bus: While he featured prominently in early chapters, even being the second named character to be introduced, as the scope of the story expands he appears less and less.
Coach Hatsunori
Coach Hatsunori
The coach of Mitsubishi Academy's baseball team, as well as Daiba Hatsunori's father.
- Anti-Nepotism: Coach Hatsunori doesn't give his son any special treatment while he was a member of the baseball club. If anything, he was harder on him than the other players.
- Follow in My Footsteps: When Kubota quit the baseball team to pursue music, Coach Hatsunori began grooming his son to take Kubota's place, and carry them to the nationals win he feels he was robbed of. Unfortunately for him, his son followed in Kubota's footsteps too closely, quitting the baseball team for the same reason.
The Principal
The Principal
- Accidental Misnaming: Constantly gets Shiori's name wrong.
- Cynicism Catalyst: Was a big rock n' roll fan when he was younger and idolized Jimi, but was so badly disillusioned by Jimi's death he developed a hatred of rock music.
- Non-Standard Character Design: When compared to the more realistic proportions of the rest of the cast, his tiny stature and perfectly round head stand out.
Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
An American guitarist, who formed a crossroad contract with Kurt Cobain.
- Fashionable Asymmetry: His fishhook earring was a... gift.
Jouji Honda
Jouji Honda
Shiori's older brother, who tried and failed to summon Jimi Hendrix at the crossroad.- Accidental Misnaming: Keeps calling Ford "Pinto", to the latter's chagrin.
- Glory Days: Looks back on his band days longingly.
- Grass is Greener: His initial motivation for pursuing a career in music.
- I Coulda Been a Contender!: He'd like to think so, at least.
- I Have No Son!: In a surprising subversion, in spite of everything Jouji's dad hasn't disowned him.
- Imagine Spot: Upon returning to Japan, Jouji imagines himself being greeted by a swarm of adoring fans.
- More Powered Protégé: By his own admission, Prince is leagues ahead of him in terms of musical ability.
- Refused by the Call: When he learns about the Cross Road ritual, he leaves behind everything to go to America and perform it...not realizing it's pointless for him, since he's over 27, which is implied to been why Jimi ended up being bond to Shiori instead.
- Rockers Smash Guitars: Invoked. Jouji moves to smash his guitar to prove he is like a real rock star, but can't bring himself to do it, because the guitar is the only thing he has left.
- Uncertified Expert: In spite of being a failed musician, he still has some valuable lessons to impart to Prince.
The Manager
The Boss
An elderly and sinister music executive who intends to create the ultimate rock band with the spirits of every rock legend who died at 27.- Bad Boss: Reacts to any failure by his subordinates, no matter how minor, with sudden, casual violence. When one candidate for the crossroads contract fails to summon anyone, he kills them immediately and then kneecaps the goon who recruited him. Later, he stabs one of his men with a fork for spilling his drink.
- Corrupt Corporate Executive: Said by Ford to have controlled the American music industry from the shadows for years.
- Good Scars, Evil Scars: Has a sizable burn scar on his right temple.
- Loony Fan: Appears to be this for Jimi; out of all the musicians in his planned band, he has a special interest in Jimi. He even has a giant mosaic of Jimi covering the ground of his estate.
- No Name Given: As of Volume 14, his name has never been said.
- Spooky Séance: The Boss's plan is to do these systematically, forcing musician after musician to perform the Cross Road ritual until a spirit appears.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Musicians that fail to summon a spirit at the crossroad tend not to last very long.
- He treats the people working for him as equally expendable.
