Mikoto Sano is laid-back and cool, often maintaining a nonchalant demeanor even in tense situations. However, he has a short temper, particularly when dealing with Haruaki’s clumsiness or cowardly antics. Sano’s personality leans towards sadistic humor, as he derives some amusement from the suffering or misfortune of those around him, most notably Haruaki. This trait is often attributed to his nature as a yakubyougami, a god of pestilence who naturally spreads bad luck to others.

Sano tends to be upfront about his disinterest in tasks or events, refusing outright if he doesn’t want to participate. An exception to this rule is his best friend, Mamekichi. Sano’s willingness to accommodate Mame’s whims even when he has no personal investment highlights his softer side. Beneath his aloof and somewhat sadistic exterior, Sano genuinely cares for his friends and occasionally shows concern for Haruaki, hinting at a protective side. While he is gradually becoming less closed-off and more amiable, his teasing and mildly sadistic tendencies remain part of his core personality.

Mikoto Sano is of average height, with shaggy, bleached blonde hair that is naturally black, and piercing blue eyes. His striking appearance often draws attention, with many commenting on his attractiveness.

He is typically dressed in the Hyakki Academy uniform, switching between the black winter uniform and the teal summer uniform based on the season. His relaxed demeanor and effortlessly cool style further enhance his overall appeal.

Mikoto Sano’s past is shrouded in mystery, with only a few details revealed through conversations with his peers. According to Mamekichi, Sano was once expelled from a school for gods, and his behavior was notably different when he first transferred to Hyakki Academy. This suggests a complicated history, possibly involving incidents linked to his nature as a yakubyougami. During the Kyoto Arc, it is hinted that an event where he accidentally broke Haruaki’s soul mirrors something that may have contributed to his expulsion, adding weight to the theory that his powers have caused significant unintended harm in the past.

As a child, Sano had a soft spot for a tanuki plushie, which he carried everywhere. This detail also connects to a teenage Haruaki, who once helped him retrieve the cherished plushie. In gratitude, Sano gave Haruaki a good luck charm, a meaningful gesture that underscores the depth of his emotions despite his reserved nature. This small but impactful moment hints at Sano’s capacity for forming lasting bonds, even as a child.

As a yakubyougami, Sano wields the ability to bring misfortune to others, though his control over this power is far from perfect. His powers often result in unintended chaos, such as blowing people’s clothes off and leaving them in their underwear, a mishap first demonstrated in Chapter 1 when he pulled Haruaki out from under the class podium. These accidents reflect the unpredictable nature of his abilities.

Despite the lack of precision, Sano can intentionally use his powers in specific situations. For instance, in Volume 2, he caused a dog to escape its owner’s grasp and chase after Haruaki. In Chapter 46, his powers took a more dramatic turn when he summoned a thunderstorm to punish his classmates for ruining the tanuki sand sculpture he had built with Mamekichi. These moments illustrate that while his abilities are often chaotic, they can be wielded deliberately under the right circumstances, especially when driven by strong emotions.

Abe Haruaki
Haruaki often irritates Sano, leading to frequent outbursts of frustration and retaliation, such as hitting or kicking him. Sano initially disliked Haruaki’s cowardly nature and tendency to cry at even minor insults or inconveniences caused by their students. However, being involved in many of Haruaki’s activities helped Sano develop a closer bond with his teacher.

During summer vacation, Sano confided in Haruaki that he was actually a god and not a youkai. Haruaki reassured him that it made no difference and expressed his desire to remain friends with Sano, regardless of his origins. This sentiment deeply resonated with Sano, who later echoed it back to Haruaki during a moment of insecurity about his teaching abilities when Ebisu, a seemingly more competent teacher, joined the school.

In the Kyoto Arc, Sano held himself responsible for Haruaki’s soul breaking into five pieces and took it upon himself to help retrieve them, demonstrating his sense of accountability and care for Haruaki.

Mamekichi Maizuna
Sano and Mame became friends during their first year, though it’s unclear how their friendship began. Sano’s fondness for small animals may have played a role in their connection. Mame has a unique ability to convince Sano to participate in activities he would usually avoid. Sano is highly protective of Mame, reacting violently toward anyone who harms him. For example, when Banmaru kidnapped Mame, Sano threatened to kill Banmaru after Mame falsely claimed Banmaru intended to harm him.

Their bond is strong, with Sano often showing physical affection toward Mame, such as hugging him after their group was reunited following the Hyakki alumni incident. Mame also has significant insight into Sano’s character, hinting at a change in Sano’s behavior since he first transferred.

Hijita Koutarou
Sano, Mame, Hijita, and Beniko form a close-knit group. They often play video games together, though Sano refuses to give Hijita his phone number, possibly due to Hijita’s obsession with girls, which Sano finds unsettling and confusing.

Zashiki Beniko
Beniko is part of Sano’s friend group with Hijita and Mame. Sano was initially reluctant to join the group on their visit to Haruaki’s home during Golden Week, intending to warn Haruaki about the impending disruption. However, after being teased by Haruaki, he allowed the group to visit.

Nyuudou Rensuke
Sano and Nyuudou share a mutual understanding and seem to get along well. Sano particularly enjoys Nyuudou’s aggressive tendencies, likely due to his own sadistic nature.

Ebisu Isaburou
Sano and Ebisu are brothers, but their relationship is strained. They have not seen each other for three years, and Sano views Ebisu as overbearing and upsetting, noting a change in his demeanor from being kind to overly controlling. Ebisu’s primary goal in joining the school is to remove Sano from the youkai environment, which Sano likely recognizes and resents.

Oota Yagorou
Sano and Oota have a friendly rapport. Oota helps Sano during fitness tests by allowing him to rest on his head, showing their camaraderie.

Mikoto Sano is a key figure in A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School, representing themes of acceptance, redemption, and personal growth. His journey as a yakubyougami striving to overcome his nature and connect with others resonates deeply with audiences, making him a compelling and memorable character in the series.