WARNING: This page may contain unmarked spoilers. Beware if you are not updated with the manga.
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Main Cast
Ayumu Tanaka
Voiced by: Yohei Azakami, Hiroki Yasumoto (2019 commercial), Yoshimasa Hosoya (2021 commercial)
- Brutal Honesty: Ayumu is rather blunt, direct, and straightforward with what he has to say. He'll only avoid being this way whenever Urushi confronts him about his feelings for her.
- Character Title: When Will Ayumu Make His Move?
- Childhood Friends: Is this with Takeru, Sakurako, and Rin.
- The Comically Serious: Says the bravest and self-assured things with the most neutral expression he can fathom. He has a face of iron.
- Determinator: Ayumu is determined to defeat Urushi in a game of shogi in order to confess his feelings to her. He's additionally dedicated to how victory comes around, as he refuses to claim victory through any other means such as a handicap, as winning with such does not feel the same for him. His determination finally bears fruit in Chapter 224 when he beats Urushi in a game with no handicaps and both confess to each other.
- First-Name Basis: Becomes this with Urushi in Chapter 36.
- Hidden Depths: Ayumu was initially against the idea of obtaining more members to legitimize the Shogi club, as that would mean less time together with just him and Urushi. However, he's become okay with it now as the addition of Rin to the club roster made the Shogi club legitimate.
- Like Brother and Sister: This is how Ayumu views his relationship with Rin, seeing her as a little sister to him.
- Lovable Jock: He's quite athletic, but he's also very polite and respectful to others.
- Love Epiphany: Inverted in Chapter 164, when Ayumu realizes that Rin was signaling that she likes him during their time at the beach, the test of courage, and at the Summer Festival. The face he makes when it finally clicks is priceless
◊. - Meaningful Name: The kanji for Ayumu's first name (歩) is shared with that of the pawn (歩兵) in shogi.
- No Social Skills: Downplayed. While Ayumu's no idiot by any means, he's also not very socially adept, coming off as rather odd or awkward.
- Not So Above It All:
- Ayumu turns out to be an Animal Lover, especially towards Urushi's pet cat, Kin.
- One wouldn't think it on initial appearances, but Chapter 135 revealed that he enjoys Sentai shows.
- One Head Taller: Ayumu stands quite literally a head taller than Urushi.
- Perpetual Frowner: Dude's not very given to smile, and sports a determined scowl throughout the story. This does not mean he's an unfriendly person, however.
- Saying Too Much: He accidentally revealed to Urushi's parents his goal to confess to her after he beats her in a game of shogi in Chapter 167. When he realizes his mistake, he starts sweating like mad.
- Spirited Competitor: Coming from the kendo club in junior high, Ayumu possesses a competitive spirit like his Takeru and Rin.
- The Stoic: Ayumu has one hell of a poker face, which for Urushi is incredibly hard to break.
Urushi Yaotome
Voiced by: Kanna Nakamura, Yuka Iguchi (2019 commercial), Konomi Kohara (2021 commercial)
- Affectionate Nickname: Miku refers to Urushi as "Uru".
- Appearance Angst: She's really self-conscious about her bust and height, lamenting that not only is she not well-endowed as compared to others such as Maki, but also the fact she's been standing at a height of 149 cm note since junior high and hasn't grown since. To add salt to the wound, her exact height is actually 149.7 cm.
- Aren't You Going to Ravish Me?: A tame example. Urushi is more than aware that Ayumu likes her, but despite her attempts and teases, Ayumu is immovable at his goal of defeating her in order to finally confess to her... not that the dude's made of iron, mind you, since he's frequently at the brink of doing it.
- Authority in Name Only: Urushi claims to be the Shogi club president, but the club itself is not recognized by the school as she and Ayumu are its sole members when they require four to be formally recognized. When Takeru and Rin join the club, Urushi's status as president becomes legitimate.
- Covert Pervert: Without a doubt, Urushi has quite a dirty mind, and doesn't exactly do a good job trying to hide it. In Chapter 182, she learns Ayumu was at Rin's house in the previous chapter to check on her and play shogi, but with each question she asks the two about it, their replies only make her think of... something else.Rin: Although it was my idea, Tanaka-san was the one that kept insisting, we kept each other company until the sun set.
Urushi: *internally* No wait... they're talking about shogi!
Ayumu: Rin, you were also rather enthusiastic about it.
Rin: Is that so?
Urushi: *internally* C'mon brain, let's try and not misunderstand here! - Didn't Think This Through: In Chapter 128, she, Rin, Ayumu put on some old costumes found in the club room, with Urushi's being a cat. Embarrassed, she proposes a game of shogi to determine who takes off their costume first, thinking it'll be easy considering her experience... only to realize she can't win as her large cat gloves make her unable to even grab the pieces.
- Does Not Like Spam: She's incapable of handling spicy foods, especially curry.
- First Kiss: Gives one to Ayumu in Chapter 151.
- First-Name Basis: Becomes this with Ayumu in Chapter 36.
- Gibberish of Love: She's so easily flustered because of how direct Ayumu is when praising her, she'll often respond with gibberish.
- Ignorance Is Bliss: Albeit Urushi is aware that Ayumu likes her, she has no idea how frequently he's been on the brink of confessing to her. She would melt if she knew. [[She finally gets to know in Chapter 224 when she's defeated in Shogi by Ayumu and the two confess]].
- The Klutz: Simply put, Urushi's absolutely terrible at doing sports-related activities or anything physical in general, such as being unable to swim, running long distances, or even playing arcade games. However, she prides herself on being average at doing sit-ups.
- Love Epiphany: Though she's definitely suspicious that Ayumu has feelings for her, it's not until Chapter 108 does she fully realize her own feelings for him as well.
- Luminescent Blush: She's extremely prone to this, especially when it comes to Ayumu's direct comments about her.
- Nervous Wreck: Urushi's really easily frightened, such as with haunted houses, jumpscares, etc.
- Not So Above It All: Though she had no understanding of it at first, watching an episode of Ayumu, Takeru, Sakurako, and Rin's favorite Sentai show eventually got her somewhat hooked.
- Passing the Torch: After graduating high school, Urushi passes on the role of Shogi Club president to Ayumu.
- Smart People Play Chess: Shogi, in this case. Taught by her late grandfather, Urushi's skill and experience in shogi is unmatched compared to the rest of the main cast. Her experience is so great, that she can play a 1v5 game of Speed Shogi against the rest of the main cast, and still win.
- Strong Family Resemblance: Her appearance takes after her mother, especially the periwinkle-colored hair.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: Urushi is the Girly Girl to Rin's Tomboy. She has long hair and is more self-conscious about her appearance, while Rin's the energetic and Passionate Sports Girl while sporting short hair.
Takeru Kakuryu
Voiced by: Tsubasa Gouden
- Absentee Club Member: Though he is a member of the Shogi club, he rarely ever shows up in favor of spending more time with Sakurako, though later chapters have him hanging around more often.
- Best Friend: Coupled with Childhood Friends. Takeru essentially serves as this to Sakurako, as he spends the most time with her. Because of this, she greatly cherishes her friendship with him, and he promises to be her friend forever until she says otherwise. By Chapter 141, this evolves into them going out as a couple.
- Beta Couple: Coupled with Childhood Friend Romance. He's always hanging around with Sakurako, which eventually blossoms into a relationship in Chapter 141.
- Butt-Monkey: Amongst the shogi club, he's often on the receiving end of a wisecrack or remark, especially when it comes to his skill in the game.
- Childhood Friends: Is this with Ayumu, Sakurako, and Rin.
- Face of a Thug: He's often told he has a scary face and combined with his Large Ham tendencies, people are sometimes put off by him. In truth, he's actually a pretty nice guy.
- Large Ham: At times, he can get boisterous and loud when speaking.
- Meaningful Name: The kanji for Takeru's last name (角竜) is shared with both the bishop (角行) and promoted rook (竜) in shogi.
- Not So Above It All: Chapter 135 reveals that he's a fan of the Sentai genre.
- One Head Taller: Like Ayumu is to Urushi, Takeru is a head taller than Sakurako.
- Pride: Takeru possesses a sense of pride when it comes to what he believes it means to be a man and will act in order to protect said pride.
- Spirited Competitor: Coming from the kendo club in junior high, Takeru possesses that competitive spirit like Ayumu and Rin, not one to back down from a challenge.
Sakurako Mikage
Voiced by: Hina Yomiya
- Beta Couple: Coupled with Childhood Friend Romance. She's always hanging around with Takeru, which eventually blossoms into a relationship in Chapter 141.
- Bookworm: In many of her appearances, she's often seen reading.
- Childhood Friends: Is this with Ayumu, Takeru, and Rin.
- Covert Pervert: Even more so than Urushi, and definitely less covert. Unlike the latter, Sakurako is far more daring with it, such as trying to get affectionate with Takeru while on library duty in Chapter 183, as well as both considering getting Takeru a love aroma as a Christmas gift and suggesting to Urushi that she wrap herself in a ribbon and gift herself to Ayumu in Chapter 193.
- Does Not Like Spam: She doesn't like green peas.
- Eyes Always Averted: She has a tendency to keep her eyes averted when talking with people, though she comes to start looking at Takeru directly more as she comes to realize her feelings for him.
- First Kiss: Gives one to Takeru in Chapter 116.
- Hypno Pendulum: Sakurako uses a coin on a string as a way to hypnotize Takeru and get him to do what she wants.
- Not So Above It All: Chapter 135 reveals she enjoys the Sentai genre, mentioning she's been a fan since she was little.
- Shrinking Violet: She has a shy personality and is rather soft-spoken, and per her own admission, she gets nervous around new people and doesn't have many friends as a result, outside of the main cast.
- What Is This Thing You Call "Love"?: She's familiar with romance, but the idea of falling in love is something foreign to her. It's not until Takeru gives her his two cents on the matter does she begin to realize she has feelings for him as well.
Rin Kagawa
Voiced by: Haruna Mikawa
- Big Eater: Rin absolutely loves to eat. Whenever food is involved, be it physically or in her thoughts, she basically becomes an entirely different person. She's also able to consume large portions of food by herself that would otherwise require more than one person to finish. That said, just don't call her a glutton.Urushi: You just seemed different than your usual self, so I was a bit surprised...
Ayumu: Rin absolutely loves to eat.
Rin: Tanaka-san! You're making it seem like I'm a glutton... It's rather embarrassing, so please stop... I just eat as much as I like!
Ayumu: I think that's what being a glutton is though. - Broken Pedestal: Downplayed. Rin's attitude towards someone depends on which one of them is the strongest. During their time in the Kendo club, Ayumu and Takeru were stronger than her, to which she addresses them as "senpai". However, she drops the honorific after joining the Shogi club and beating them both in a game, though she is still respectful and friendly with them.
- Brutal Honesty: Like Ayumu, Rin is prone to being blunt, straightforward, and direct with her statements.
- Cannot Spit It Out: She finds it difficult to be honest with herself and her own feelings, especially when it comes to her feelings for Ayumu.
- Childhood Friends: Is this with Ayumu, Takeru, and Sakurako.
- Determinator: Rin's stubborn to a fault, but in a good sense. Whatever it is she's doing, whether it's kendo, helping Ayumu with shogi training, she'll put in all the effort she possibly can.
- Friendly Rivalry: She's Urushi's Unknown Rival, as the latter is unaware that she's aiming for Ayumu too. Still, they're very good friends.
- Hidden Depths: Her feelings for Ayumu are a major one. Unbeknownst to everyone in the main cast (until Ayumu finds out), Rin has a crush on Ayumu since junior high, and similar to his goal with Urushi, Rin once vowed to confess to him once she's scored a hit on him in kendo. However, despite giving her all, she fell short of her goal once Ayumu graduated, leaving her with regrets that stick with her even after reuniting with him in high school, which by this time, he's fixated on Urushi.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Despite having a crush on him, Rin knows she has no chance with Ayumu as he's deadset on confessing to Urushi. That said, she's happy to help him achieve this goal, though she's beginning to realize her own feelings at the same time. She lets go of these feelings in Chapter 213.
- Meaningful Name: The first kanji for Rin's last name (香川) is shared with that of the lance (香車) in shogi.
- Modesty Shorts: She wears bike shorts under her school uniform skirt, as seen in chapter 197.
- Not So Above It All: Chapter 135 reveals she's a fan of the Sentai genre just like Ayumu, Takeru, and Sakurako. She especially enjoys the explosions.
- Romantic Wingman: After confessing to Ayumu in Chapters 166 and 213 and getting turned down on both occasions, she finally lets go of her feelings for the latter and solidifies herself as this for him, fully supporting his mission to confess to Urushi.
- Spirited Competitor: Coming from the kendo club in junior high, Rin possesses Ayumu and Takeru's competitive spirit, and is very passionate about it. She values competition so highly that she addresses her clubmates based solely on their skills relative to her own, regardless of seniority, both in kendo and shogi.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: Rin is the Tomboy to Urushi's Girly Girl. She's the energetic and Passionate Sports Girl while sporting short hair, while Urushi has long hair and is more self-conscious about her appearance.
- Tomboy with a Girly Streak: Even as a tomboy, she admits to occasionally going around dressing more feminine and cuter than she normally would.
- Tsundere: A textbook example of one. When she was first introduced, she was presented as direct, aloof, and blunt at best, and downright hostile and unfriendly at worst, both while possessing a nasty attitude. Her less-than-desirable traits gradually fade away as she mellows out while with the club, though she still retains her stubbornness.
Maki
Voiced by: Kana Hanazawa
A second-year student and a friend of Urushi's.
- Best Friend: She is this to Urushi and greatly cares for her.
- Buxom Beauty Standard: Her busty figure only amplifies Urushi's A-Cup Angst.
- D-Cup Distress: Tries to make Urushi feel better about her chest in Chapter 98 by saying large breasts come with issues of their own, though this only comes off to her as bragging.
- No Full Name Given: She's the only character out of the main cast whose last name is unknown.
- Playful Cat Smile: Maki is often shown with this type of expression, emphasizing her playful personality.
- Romantic Wingman: Having the most romance knowledge than anyone else in the main cast, Maki is easily able to read the atmosphere when it comes to someone's feelings for another, especially Ayumu and Urushi, and later Takeru and Sakurako. Additionally, she's more than happy to help out both parties when needed.
Supporting Cast
Urushi's family
Urushi's father
Voiced by: Fumihiko Tachiki
- Amazingly Embarrassing Parents:
- Though he looks scary and imposing, he has a childlike side to him. He does not take Urushi's claim of Ayumu being her boyfriend well. When she reveals this was a lie, he was relieved because he genuinely believed the two were going to have a kid.Urushi's father: I had even braced myself for the worst-case scenario. I was ready to hear you tell me you were having a kid.
Urushi: Don't get any funny ideas! - When he and his wife bump into Ayumu during a jog, he engages in a game of shogi, prepared to "destroy this kid". However, his wife and Ayumu's talk about Urushi kept freaking him out internally:Urushi's father: *internally* Just now did I miss something!? Are you trying to tell me something!? Tanaka-kun!?
- Though he looks scary and imposing, he has a childlike side to him. He does not take Urushi's claim of Ayumu being her boyfriend well. When she reveals this was a lie, he was relieved because he genuinely believed the two were going to have a kid.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Before Urushi was born, he was trying to become a pro shogi player, but this ended up falling through, resulting in him giving up the game. Played for Laughs when it turns out that the entire reason he quit was because Urushi defeated him in a game when she was three years old (albeit with her grandfather’s help). As Urushi's mother put it, he was sulking over this... for over a decade.
- Good Parents: In spite of his imposing presence and initially strict demeanor, he's actually much kinder than one would think. When Urushi reveals the truth about her being in the shogi club, he tells her not to worry about him and do what she pleases. Additionally, when he believed she and Ayumu were dating, he refused to hear them out because he was concerned for his daughter, believing she was getting married. Once it was cleared up, he was more than willing to hear her out.
- One Head Taller: He is the tallest character in the entire cast, being half a head taller than Ayumu and his wife, and absolutely dwarfs Urushi. He's so comically tall to the point where he can't fit through doorways without bumping his head.
- Smart People Play Chess: Before Urushi was born, he was aiming to become a shogi pro. Even after quitting the game, he hasn't lost his touch, achieving a swift victory over Ayumu despite giving the latter an 8-piece handicap.
- Unnamed Parent: While he's made a few appearances, his name is currently unknown.
Urushi's mother
Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara
- Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: When she first meets Ayumu, her first immediate thought is that they're getting married.Urushi's mother: Oh! Who's this young man?
Ayumu: Nice to meet you. My name is Ayumu Tanaka.
*Beat*
Urushi's mother: ... so when's the ceremony?
Urushi: Mom!
Urushi's mother: Oh, no ceremony? - Eyes Always Shut: She's often depicted in the manga with her eyes closed. Even when they are open, it's only just barely open.
- Nice Girl: She is the more open and enthusiastic of the two parents.
- Shipper on Deck: She becomes this for Urushi and Ayumu the moment she met the latter.
- Strong Family Resemblance: Much of her appearance passed onto Urushi, more so than her father did.
- Unnamed Parent: While she's made a few appearances, her name is currently unknown.
Kin
- Cute Kitten: Her presence was enough to evoke an unusually cheery and affectionate response out of Ayumu, who would otherwise retain a stoic front.
- Meaningful Name: The kanji for Kin's name (金) is shared with that of the Gold General in shogi.
- Uncatty Resemblance: Upon first meeting her, Ayumu notes that she resembles Urushi in many ways, including looks and smarts.
Other Characters
"Manager"
Voiced by: Masaki Terasoma
- Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": He's never referred to by name, only by titles such as "Manager".
- Friendship Denial: He has a history with Urushi's grandfather, whom she used to accompany to the restaurant to play shogi when she was little. He insists that they were not friends and that they were merely stuck with each other.
- Tsundere: He's a Grumpy Old Man with a bad mouth who dislikes that his restaurant has been used as a "shogi den" by Urushi and the Shogi club. That said, he's not mean to them in any way, as he more or less tolerates them provided that they eat while they play. When they get enough members to become an official club and later place 16th in their first ever tournament, he actually praises them.
Miku and Hinano
Miku is voiced by: Eri Suzuki
Hinano is voiced by: Yuki Kudo
- Cute Little Fangs: Played Straight and Played With. While Miku is consistently depicted as having one in the manga, its presence in the anime is barely visible in various scenes.
- Eyes Always Closed: Hinano is depicted as this.
- Those Two Girls: For as little they actually appear in the series outside of the School Trip Arc, these two are never seen without the other.
