Onionlinks

Onionlinks

Did You Know?

Docy turns out that context is a key part of learning.

Masayuki Hori

Masayuki Hori (堀 政行, Hori Masayuki), is a supporting character in the anime and manga series Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun (Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun). He is a third-year student at Roman Academy and the president of the Drama Club, known for his exceptional talent in acting and stage production. Despite his impressive performance skills, Hori’s short stature often disqualifies him from playing leading roles and makes him too prominent to serve as a background character. As a result, he takes on backstage responsibilities such as set painting and prop creation, where his dedication and creativity shine.

In addition to his Drama Club duties, Hori works as a background artist for Umetarou Nozaki’s shoujo manga, Let’s Fall in Love. In exchange, Nozaki writes scripts for the Drama Club. While Hori is reliable and hardworking, his interactions with fellow club members especially Kashima Yuu often lead to comedic situations that highlight his easily flustered and temperamental personality.

Background

https://everipedia.io/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/shibuya.jpg

Appearance in anime

Hori is a senior at Roman Academy and the well-respected president of the school’s Drama Club. From an early age, he showed a passion for theater, especially in performance and stage direction. However, his short height has been a recurring obstacle in casting, forcing him to step away from the spotlight despite his acting talent. Rather than abandon theater, Hori redirects his energy to stage design and production, becoming the behind-the-scenes force that ensures the club’s success.

He begins assisting Nozaki after discovering the manga artist’s need for background art. In a mutually beneficial arrangement, Hori agrees to work on the manga in exchange for drama scripts written by Nozaki. Despite claiming to dislike shoujo manga, Hori becomes invested in the process particularly when the drama and misunderstandings remind him of his real-life struggles with Kashima.

Photo Section with Captions

Appearance

Hori is a relatively short but fit teenage boy with neatly styled brown hair and dark eyes. His eyebrows are thick and expressive, often emphasizing his intense or annoyed expressions. As a student, he wears the standard Roman Academy uniform, but when working on sets or manga, he is often seen in casual clothes or a painting smock, with sleeves rolled up and tools in hand.

Though his height is a frequent source of frustration, Hori carries himself with confidence and authority, particularly when giving directions or managing the Drama Club.

Personality

Hori is known for being hardworking, responsible, and no-nonsense, particularly when it comes to theatrical production. He has a short temper and is easily annoyed, especially by the Drama Club’s “Prince,” Yuu Kashima, whose unpredictable and flirtatious antics frequently derail rehearsals and test his patience. Despite his stern demeanor, Hori is deeply committed to his craft and cares about the success of his club and its members.

Although he claims to be indifferent toward shoujo manga, Hori often finds himself emotionally invested in Nozaki’s storylines, especially when parallels arise between the manga and his own dramatic daily life. His quick temper, tsundere tendencies, and tendency to overreact are played for comedy, making him one of the more animated and relatable characters in the series.

Role in the Story

  • Drama Club President
    As president of the Drama Club, Hori is constantly balancing the creative and logistical needs of the group. He is a talented actor, but his inability to land leading roles due to his height leads him to focus on behind-the-scenes contributions. He is particularly known for creating elaborate stage backdrops and ensuring the smooth execution of performances.

  • Manga Assistant
    Hori becomes part of Nozaki’s manga team when the latter discovers his skill in drawing detailed backgrounds. The partnership is purely transactional at first scripts in exchange for artwork—but over time, Hori becomes more involved and emotionally invested in the creative process. He often gives feedback on character interactions, particularly when he sees reflections of his own life in the manga.

  • Chaos with Kashima
    A major source of comedy comes from Hori’s dynamic with Kashima Yuu, his Drama Club underclassman. Her charming, princely persona attracts the attention of both students and faculty, but her thoughtless behavior constantly throws the club into disarray. Hori’s reactions to Kashima’s antics ranging from yelling to physical comedy highlight his role as the straight man in their oddball duo.

Relationships

Umetarou Nozaki
Hori’s manga boss and script supplier. Their relationship is built on mutual benefit, but over time they develop a casual camaraderie. Hori often critiques Nozaki’s story ideas, especially when they unintentionally mirror real-life relationships like his own with Kashima.

Yuu Kashima
A Drama Club member who constantly pushes Hori’s buttons. Though she looks up to him and wants his approval, her over-the-top behavior frustrates him. Their dynamic is full of tsundere-like tension, and many suspect there are hidden feelings between the two despite Hori’s constant exasperation.

Chiyo Sakura
A fellow assistant to Nozaki. While they don’t interact deeply, Hori respects her work and occasionally teams up with her to manage Nozaki’s chaotic ideas.

Trivia

    • Hori is the oldest member of Nozaki’s manga team.
      • He has a hidden love for stage lighting and dramatic reveals, which sometimes clashes with Nozaki’s romantic clichés.
      • His height insecurity is a recurring gag, often leading to explosive outbursts.
      • Hori secretly enjoys seeing Kashima in traditional or historical costumes, though he denies any attraction.
      • His facial expressions are highly exaggerated in the anime, emphasizing his tsukkomi (straight man) role in many comedy scenes.
      • Despite being constantly annoyed by Kashima, he relies on her acting talent for the Drama Club’s success.

    Legacy

      • Masayuki Hori plays a vital comedic and emotional role in Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, offering a grounded yet high strung counterbalance to the eccentric characters around him. His devotion to theater, combined with his hidden vulnerability and tsundere-like relationship with Kashima, makes him one of the most layered supporting characters in the series.
        • He represents the theme of unrecognized talent—a skilled performer stuck backstage due to factors beyond his control yet he never stops contributing or leading. His chaotic yet charming dynamic with Kashima is one of the series’ highlights, and his over-the-top reactions serve as some of its best punchlines. Hori’s combination of artistic passion, leadership, and comedic timing ensures his lasting popularity among fans of the series.