An Onoya
An Onoya |
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| Kanji: | 小野屋 杏 |
| Romaji | Onoya An |
| Statistics | |
| Age: | 26 |
| Birthday: | May 27, 1986 |
| Height: | 153 cm (5’0″) |
| Portrayed by: | |
| Japanese: | Reina Ueda |
| English: | Kristen McGuire |
An Onoya (小野屋 杏, Onoya An), is a major supporting character in the anime and manga series ReLIFE. Initially introduced as a third-year transfer student at Aoba High School, An appears to be a cheerful and clumsy classmate of Arata Kaizaki. However, it is later revealed that she is an undercover agent from the ReLIFE Laboratory, assigned to monitor the participants of the ReLIFE experiment.
While she was originally intended to be Kaizaki’s direct supporter, a change in plans positioned her as the supervisor for Chizuru Hishiro (Subject No. 001), making her an integral part of both protagonists’ journeys toward personal growth and reintegration into society.
Background
Appearance in Anime
An is an employee of the ReLIFE Support Division, working under Ryō Yoake. Highly capable yet occasionally mischievous, An was trained to supervise subjects undergoing the ReLIFE experiment a program that gives struggling adults a second chance by reverting them physically to teenagers for a year-long high school experience.
Though she initially posed as a fellow transfer student to blend in and observe Kaizaki, she was reassigned to Chizuru Hishiro’s case, monitoring her adaptation and growth. An plays a subtle but essential role in both Kaizaki’s and Hishiro’s developments, offering support, encouragement, and occasional nudges in the right direction when needed.
Appearance
An has a youthful and lively appearance, fitting her cover as a high schooler. She sports light brown hair tied into two low pigtails and bright amber eyes that reflect her mischievous and playful nature. Her school uniform consists of the standard Aoba High attire, though her casual demeanor often gives her a relaxed, approachable aura.
Outside of school, during her work as a ReLIFE agent, she dresses more maturely, usually in casual professional clothing, but retains her energetic and upbeat personality.
Personality
An is energetic, cheerful, and playful, often acting younger than she looks, which makes her blend in seamlessly with actual high school students. She enjoys teasing others especially Ryō Yoake and often uses her bubbly personality to deflect suspicion about her true role.
Despite her outward clumsiness and tendency to act carefree, An is highly competent, observant, and empathetic. She genuinely cares about the subjects she oversees and is committed to helping them succeed in their ReLIFE experiments. Her occasional mischief masks a deep understanding of emotional struggles and human behavior, making her an effective, if unconventional, support agent.
Role in the Story
Introduction as a Transfer Student: An is introduced alongside Kaizaki as a new transfer student at Aoba High School. She quickly integrates into the friend group and becomes known for her clumsy but lovable nature.
Revealing Her True Identity: As the story progresses, it is revealed that An is not a real student, but a ReLIFE supervisor. She was initially intended to be Kaizaki’s support agent but was reassigned to Chizuru Hishiro after a last-minute change. Despite this, An continues to support both Kaizaki and Hishiro from behind the scenes.
Supporting Chizuru Hishiro: An’s primary assignment becomes helping Hishiro grow socially and emotionally, given Hishiro’s struggle with communication and forming connections. An subtly encourages Hishiro’s interactions with others, particularly her budding relationship with Kaizaki, playing a critical role in the emotional breakthroughs that define the series.
Relationships
Ryō Yoake: An’s direct superior at the ReLIFE Laboratory and a fellow field agent. Their relationship is playful yet professional, with An often teasing Ryō about his uptight demeanor. Despite their banter, An deeply respects Ryō’s abilities and dedication.
Arata Kaizaki: Though not his official support agent, An cares about Kaizaki’s progress and subtly helps guide him when possible. She often interacts with him casually, maintaining her “clueless student” façade while offering strategic emotional support.
Chizuru Hishiro: An’s main subject during the ReLIFE experiment. An works diligently to help Hishiro overcome her social awkwardness, encouraging her to reach out, make friends, and express her emotions. Their relationship evolves from distant observation to quiet mentorship.