Chizuru Yoshida
Chizuru Yoshida |
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Japanese | 吉田 千鶴 |
Romaji | Yoshida Chizuru |
Alias | Chizu (Ayane) Chizu-chan (Sawako) Chii (Toru) |
Personal Information | |
Birthday | June 1 |
Sign | Gemini |
Age | 15 (Debut) |
Gender | Female |
Height | 167 cm (5’5″) |
Weight | 53 kg (117 lbs) |
Blood Type | A |
Relatives | Chiaki Yoshida (mother) Ryu Sanada (Husband) |
Motto | “Eat until 80% full” |
Occupation | Student |
Affiliation | Kitahoro High School |
First Appearance | |
Manga | Chapter 00 |
Anime | Episode 01 |
Character Voice | |
Japanese | Yūko Sanpei |
English | Morgan Berry |
French | Justine Hostekint (Black Box), Victoria Grosbois (Netflix) |
Latin-American Spanish | Marysol Lobo |
Portrayed by | |
Movie | Misako Renbutsu |
TV series | Riho Nakamura |
“ | ” | |
— Chizuru Yoshida
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Appearance
Chizuru is a high school student with shoulder-length brown hair and dark brown eyes, often sporting a bright and cheerful smile. She is the tallest among her female friends, with a lean build and a more understated figure. Chizuru is typically seen in her school uniform, which consists of a white button-up shirt paired with a yellow vest, a blue skirt, and black knee socks. Outside of school, she favors casual attire, often wearing a red and white long-sleeved shirt with denim jeans, showcasing her laid-back yet stylish nature.
Personality
Chizuru is known for her fearless and hot-blooded personality, characterized by her strong sense of duty and justice. Unlike her friends Sawako and Ayane, she’s loud, brash, and talkative, never hesitating to speak her mind. Always cheerful and full of energy, Chizuru has a remarkable amount of fortitude, allowing her to face adversity head-on without hesitation.
Though her tough exterior often intimidates others, Chizuru also has a surprising sentimental side. She’s quick to cry—whether from fear, frustration, anger, humiliation, or sometimes even in comical situations. Academically, Chizuru isn’t the brigh student, and a running gag in the series is that she often finds herself attending school during breaks to catch up on missed assignments. She can also be oblivious to her surroundings, at times unaware of the feelings of those around her.
Chizuru has a deep love for ramen, a fact she openly admitted when she listed it as a career interest in her school questionnaire. Her friends even joke that she must have been ramen in a past life. Her favorite ramen shop,Tetsuryuken, is run by her childhood friend and neighbor, Ryu Sanada’s father, and she eventually takes a job there, further cementing her passion for the dish.
Relationships
Ryu Sanada
Ryu is Chizuru’s childhood friend, next-door neighbor, and later fiancé. They’ve been inseparable since they were toddlers, with their relationship initially resembling that of siblings. Their bond was ed after Ryu’s mother passed away in a car accident, leading to a period of depression for him. Chizuru, unable to understand his silence, showed her care by leaving his favorite food, Onigiri, at his door. This simple act brought Ryu to tears and marked the beginning of their deeper emotional connection.
Over time, Chizuru promised Ryu that she would always be by his side, but their relationship shifted when Ryu confessed his romantic feelings for her at age 16. Although initially caught off guard, Chizuru eventually realized that she had feelings for Ryu too. Despite struggles with their evolving relationship and Chizuru’s past feelings for Ryu’s older brother, Toru, they eventually began dating. Chizuru supports Ryu in his baseball aspirations, and they agree to maintain a long-distance relationship when Ryu goes to university. Chizuru works at his father’s ramen shop, confident that they will start a family and continue the business together in the future.
Ayane Yano
Chizuru and Ayane initially had a rocky relationship due to their rivalry in middle school, but things changed after Chizuru defended Ayane from some boys. Their friendship blossomed when they challenged each other in P.E. class. Though they still have minor quirks that cause friction, like Ayane’s obsession with her weight and Chizuru’s aversion to ghost stories, they have come to respect each other deeply. They are now good friends, often supporting each other, especially in times of personal struggle.
Sawako Kuronuma
Chizuru’s first interactions with Sawako were filled with fear and misunderstandings, but Sawako’s initiative to join the school’s Courage helped break the ice. Despite initial awkwardness and rumors, Chizuru and Ayane gradually became friends with Sawako, realizing her sincerity. Chizuru later confided in Sawako about her feelings for Ryu’s older brother, Toru, and the truth behind her emotional struggles. Sawako was a constant support when Chizuru faced conflicts, including her argument with Ryu. Over time, Sawako’s straightforwardness and their growing bond made Chizuru realize how special her friendships with both Ayane and Sawako were.
Shouta Kazehaya
Chizuru and Shouta were classmates in middle school, but their relationship started off on the wrong foot due to Chizuru’s attempts to set Shouta up with other girls. However, Chizuru was aware of Shouta’s feelings for Sawako and became a mediator between the two. She unintentionally gave Shouta the wrong impression about Sawako’s feelings, which led to some misunderstandings. Nevertheless, their connection remained amicable, especially as Chizuru supported Ryu in his pursuit of Sawako’s friendship.
Toru Sanada
Chizuru has always had a soft spot for Toru, Ryu’s older brother, and even dreamed of marrying him as a child. When Toru revealed that he was getting married, Chizuru pretended to be okay with it but later cried over the realization that she viewed him as an older brother. Toru, however, always saw Chizuru as a little sister, and after admitting this to Ryu, Chizuru came to terms with her feelings. After attending Toru’s wedding as a bridesmaid, she solidified her sibling-like bond with him and his new wife, especially after they had their first child.
Etymology
The name Chizuru is composed of two kanji:
- 千 (chi), meaning “thousand,”
- 鶴 (tsuru or zuru), meaning “crane” or “stork.”
In Japanese folklore, there is a legend that anyone who folds one thousand origami cranes within a year will be granted eternal good luck or a single wish. The name Chizuru may be inspired by this belief, symbolizing grace, longevity, and hope.
Her surname, Yoshida (吉田), is also made up of two kanji:
- 吉 (yoshi), meaning “lucky” or “good,”
- 田 (ta or da), meaning “field” or “rice paddy.”
Together, Yoshida could symbolize a prosperous or fortunate field, reflecting stability and good fortune.
Upon marrying Ryu, Chizuru will take the surname Sanada (真田), which consists of:
- 真 (ma), meaning “true” or “genuine,”
- 田 (ta), meaning “field.”