Chizuru Hishiro
Chizuru Hishiro |
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| Kanji: | 日代 千鶴 |
| Romaji | Hishiro Chizuru |
| Statistics | |
| Age: | 28 |
| Birthday: | December 25, 1984 |
| Height: | 162 cm (5’4″) |
| Portrayed by: | |
| Japanese: | Ai Kayano |
| English: | Jeannie Tirado |
Chizuru Hishiro (日代 千鶴, Hishiro Chizuru), is the main female protagonist of the anime and manga series ReLIFE. A highly intelligent but socially awkward individual, Chizuru initially appears as an aloof and isolated student at Aoba High School, where she meets Arata Kaizaki during his ReLIFE experiment. Despite consistently ranking among the top students academically, Chizuru struggles with basic social interaction, leading to misunderstandings and loneliness throughout her school life.
Unknown to most of her classmates, Chizuru is actually Test Subject No. 001 of the Kantou Branch of the ReLIFE Laboratory. Having failed her first year of the ReLIFE experiment, she is granted a rare second chance to overcome her interpersonal difficulties. Her gradual emotional awakening, friendship-building efforts, and eventual self-acceptance become a key emotional focus of the series.
Background
Appearance in Anime
Before entering the ReLIFE program, Chizuru lived a solitary adult life plagued by interpersonal issues. Though extremely competent and intelligent, she was unable to maintain long-term employment due to her lack of social skills and emotional expression. Her employment history was riddled with short-term jobs, eventually rendering her unemployable.
Chosen for the ReLIFE experiment, Chizuru was transformed back into a seventeen-year-old high school student to re-experience youth and repair the social shortcomings that had derailed her adult life. Her first year in the program ended unsuccessfully, with little progress made. However, recognizing her potential, the ReLIFE Laboratory gave her a second opportunity, allowing her to attend Aoba High School for another year this time alongside Arata Kaizaki, another test subject whose influence would be pivotal to her growth.
Appearance
Chizuru has a slender build, with long black hair usually tied in a simple ponytail and sharp greenish eyes that often appear expressionless. She typically wears the standard Aoba High School uniform, consisting of a light-colored blazer, white shirt, and blue ribbon tie.
Her stoic expressions and reserved body language initially make her appear unapproachable, but as the story progresses, her smiles and emotional reactions though often awkward become more frequent and endearing.
Personality
Chizuru is intelligent, serious, and highly analytical, often approaching social situations with the same logical rigor she applies to academics. However, her extreme social ineptitude makes her come off as cold, blunt, or unintentionally rude. She struggles with expressing emotions properly and often misunderstands basic social cues, leading to awkward or humorous encounters with her classmates.
Despite her flaws, Chizuru is earnest and genuinely kind-hearted, longing for connection even if she doesn’t know how to achieve it. Over time, with the support of Arata and her friends, she becomes more open, expressive, and compassionate, working hard to rebuild the social and emotional skills she lacked in her adult life.
Role in the Story
A Second Chance at Youth: Initially isolated despite her intelligence, Chizuru slowly becomes entangled with Arata Kaizaki and other classmates. Her second chance at the ReLIFE experiment focuses on forming genuine friendships and learning to express herself beyond academic excellence.
Building Bonds: With Arata’s support and her own determination Chizuru begins forging real connections with her classmates, including Rena Kariu and Kazuomi Oga. Her growth is subtle but poignant, as she learns the importance of communication, vulnerability, and trust.
Discovering Love and Hope: Throughout the year, Chizuru develops romantic feelings for Arata, though neither realizes they are both ReLIFE participants. Their shared journey of self-improvement and mutual admiration culminates in a bittersweet yet hopeful resolution, as they strive to carry the lessons of ReLIFE into their true lives.
After the ReLIFE Experiment: Following the conclusion of her second experiment, Chizuru’s memories of her ReLIFE year are erased, but the emotional development she experienced remains within her. She later joins the ReLIFE Laboratory’s Research and Development Division, continuing the cycle of helping others while carrying the quiet strength she earned.
Relationships
Arata Kaizaki: Chizuru’s fellow test subject, classmate, and eventual love interest. Their bond grows from mutual awkwardness into deep emotional support, culminating in one of the series’ most heartfelt relationships.
Rena Kariu: Initially viewed Chizuru as a rival, but their relationship evolves into a strong and genuine friendship, helping Chizuru understand the nuances of peer interaction and emotional honesty.
Kazuomi Oga: Another classmate who, like Kariu, becomes an important figure in Chizuru’s growing social world. Oga’s straightforward personality complements her analytical nature.
An Onoya and Ryō Yoake: Members of the ReLIFE Laboratory who observe and support her experiment. Though their roles remain secret during most of the story, they quietly cheer on her progress.