Minori Kushieda
Minori Kushieda
| Kanji | 高須 竜児 |
|---|---|
| Rōmaji | Takasu Ryūji |
| Information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Age | 16-17 |
| Date of birth | June 23rd, 1989 |
| Horoscope | Cancer ♋ |
| Weight | 54 kg (119 lbs) |
| Height | 163 cm (5’4″) |
| Personal Status | |
| School | Ohashi High School> |
| Class | 2-C |
| Occupation | Student Worker at various part-time jobs |
| Voice Actors | |
| Japanese | Yui Horie |
| English | Christine Marie Cabanos |
| Debut | |
| Anime | Episode 1 |
| Manga | Chapter 1 |
| Light Novel | Chapter 1 |
| “ | ” | |
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— Minori Kushieda
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Appearance
Minori’s full appearance.
Minori Kushieda is of average height, with shoulder-length hair that features a medium-long fringe covering a small part of her forehead. After Episode 20, her fringe is slightly shorter. Her hair and eyes are both a striking shade of pink amaranth. She is typically seen wearing the school uniform, but she occasionally dons jeans paired with flashy blouses. During her part-time jobs, she wears the respective uniforms for each position.
Personality
Minori Kushieda is a dynamic force of nature, exuding an infectious energy that captivates those around her. As the captain of the girls’ softball club, and later the merged boys’ and girls’ team, her athletic prowess shines brightly. Minori is not just a player; she’s a motivator, inspiring her teammates with her relentless spirit and unwavering positivity. Her ability to turn setbacks into opportunities for laughter makes her a beloved figure among her peers.
Beyond the field, Minori’s industrious nature comes to light through her various part-time jobs. Whether styling mobile phones, waiting tables at a bustling family restaurant, or managing shifts at a convenience store, she pours her heart into each role. Her ambition is fueled by a desire to avoid being a burden to those she cares about. With aspirations of attending a sports university and eventually playing in the national softball league, she exemplifies determination and resilience.
Despite her vibrant exterior, Minori grapples with the constant battle of a self-proclaimed “diet warrior.” Her love for food often clashes with her fitness goals, leading to humorous yet relatable moments in her journey. Uniquely, she thrives on the thrill of fear, skillfully navigating situations that would typically leave others quaking in their boots. Whether she’s acting scared or orchestrating playful scares for friends, her adventurous spirit shines through.
While her air-headedness adds to her charm, it belies a keen perceptiveness that sets her apart. Minori is one of the few who truly sees Ryuuji for the gentle soul he is, cutting through the misconceptions surrounding him. She also remains unfooled by Ami’s innocent act, displaying a sharp intuition that allows her to unravel complex emotional dynamics. Minori’s understanding of Ryuuji and Taiga’s deep bond, despite Taiga’s attempts to push Ryuuji toward her, showcases her ability to see beyond the surface.
Underlying her cheerful demeanor, there exists a hint of sadness that Minori keeps hidden. This complexity adds depth to her character, as evidenced by her occasional nosebleeds—a physical manifestation of the emotions she works hard to conceal. Ultimately, Minori is a tapestry of contrasts: a bubbly athlete with dreams of greatness, a compassionate friend who fears being a burden, and a spirited girl who navigates the complexities of youth with a smile, even as she carries unspoken burdens.
Background
Minori Kushieda has a younger brother who is passionate about baseball, reflecting the athletic spirit that runs in their family. This sibling dynamic adds a layer of depth to Minori’s character, showcasing her support for her brother’s endeavors while balancing her own aspirations in sports.
Relationships
Taiga and Minori.
Taiga Aisaka
Minori and Taiga share a deep bond as best friends, with Minori being the only character who never faces Taiga’s violent outbursts. Their relationship is characterized by mutual affection, often calling each other by their first names. Minori even humorously suggests that she might have feelings for Taiga.
When Minori notices Taiga spending increasing time with Ryuuji, she takes them to the school rooftop and pleads with Ryuuji to take care of Taiga. However, Minori remains unaware of Taiga’s attempts to bring her closer to Ryuuji until the penultimate episode, which leads to a rare confrontation between them. Ultimately, Minori resolves her feelings for Ryuuji, showing her selflessness by supporting Ryuuji and Taiga’s budding relationship. After witnessing their plan to elope, she breaks down in tears, signifying the depth of her emotions.
Following Taiga’s transfer from Ohashi High School, Minori is initially devastated and lashes out at Ryuuji, blaming him for Taiga’s departure. However, Yusaku intervenes, helping Minori realize the truth—that Ryuuji would never let Taiga go. When Taiga reconnects by sending a picture of the night sky, Minori quickly understands its significance, reaffirming their friendship and apologizing to Ryuuji for her earlier accusations.
Ryuuji Takasu
At the beginning of the series, Ryuuji harbors a crush on Minori, which causes him to blush in her presence. Minori appears to reciprocate these feelings, displaying nervousness around him, especially during a pivotal moment when she trembles while pitching a ball. Despite this, she holds back, believing Ryuuji would be happier with Taiga. This leads her to avoid Ryuuji during Taiga’s suspension from school.
Minori confronts Ryuuji about letting Taiga’s father back into her life, illustrating her concern for Taiga. However, her inability to express her feelings causes misunderstandings, particularly when Ryuuji misinterprets her words as rejection after she avoids him at the Christmas party. Ultimately, after confronting Taiga about her attempts to draw Ryuuji closer, Minori admits her feelings but chooses to step aside for Taiga’s happiness. This decision leads her to support Ryuuji and Taiga’s decision to elope, culminating in an emotional farewell.
Ami Kawashima
When Ami transfers to Class 2-C, Minori is initially wary of her, particularly disapproving of Ami’s self-identification as an airhead. Despite this, they eventually address each other by their first names.
Their first significant interaction occurs when Ami reassures Minori that she shouldn’t feel guilty about pursuing Ryuuji, mistakenly believing that Taiga still has feelings for Yusaku. This inadvertently complicates Ryuuji’s attempts to get closer to Minori. Later, upon learning from Taiga that Ryuuji was apparently rejected by Minori on Christmas Eve, Ami conveys this information to Minori during a ski trip, prompting an angry reaction from her. Although Nanako and Maya encourage Ami to apologize, tensions escalate into a physical confrontation, causing Ami to distance herself from Minori at school.
It isn’t until Minori accepts Ryuuji and Taiga’s decision to elope that she begins to mend her relationship with Ami, breaking down emotionally in front of her and seeking reconciliation.
Yusaku Kitamura
Minori and Yusaku maintain a friendly relationship despite no romantic interest between them. As captains of their respective softball teams, they work well together and even devise playful schemes to scare Ryuuji and Taiga during their stay at Ami’s beach house.