Hikari Tsutsui
Hikari Tsutsui |
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| Japanese | 筒井 光 |
| Romaji | Tsutsui Hikari |
| Also Known As | Tsutsun (by Iroha Igarashi) Senpai (by Sumie Ayado) |
| Statistics | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Student |
| Family | Mitsuru Tsutsui (Father) Kie Tsutsui (Mother) Kaoru Tsutsui (Younger Brother) Iroha Igarashi (Wife) |
| Friends | Yuto Ito Arisa Ishino Mitsuya Takanashi Sumie Ayado |
| Debut | |
| Anime | About the Time I First Met Her |
| Actors | |
| Japanese | Teppei Uenishi |
| English | Nathan Wilson |
Hikari Tsutsui (筒井 光, Tsutsui Hikari), commonly known by his nickname Tsutsun (つっつん), is the main male protagonist of the 3D Kanojo: Real Girl series. Initially portrayed as a socially awkward and withdrawn otaku, Hikari prefers the company of anime and games over real-life interactions. He is the son of Mitsuru and Kie Tsutsui and the older brother of Kaoru Tsutsui. Despite his introverted nature and past experiences with bullying, his life begins to change after he meets and starts dating the outspoken and popular Iroha Igarashi. Through their relationship, Hikari gradually becomes more sociable, gains new friendships, and learns to navigate real-life emotions and relationships.
Personality
Appearance in Anime
Hikari Tsutsui is generally quiet and reserved, often choosing to keep to himself due to his past experiences with bullying and being misunderstood by his classmates. He spends most of his time with his only close friend, Yuto Itō, bonding over their shared love for anime and games. Hikari is often perceived as aloof or indifferent, but in reality, he is thoughtful, kind, and sincere. Despite his withdrawn nature, he demonstrates strong values and a genuine concern for those he cares about. Over time, especially after forming a relationship with Iroha Igarashi, Hikari begins to open up more, gradually overcoming his social anxiety and becoming more emotionally expressive and empathetic.
Appearance
Hikari Tsutsui is a teenage boy with dark blue hair that is neatly styled and light blue eyes. He wears square-framed glasses, which contribute to his quiet and studious appearance. His typical school uniform consists of a white dress shirt paired with a cyan tie and navy blue dress pants, reflecting the standard attire of his high school. His overall look is modest and unassuming, aligning with his introverted personality.
Plot
Hikari Tsutsui is a high school student and self-proclaimed otaku who has grown disillusioned with real-life interactions, especially with what he calls “3D girls.” Preferring the comfort of anime and video games, he lives a largely isolated life with only his fellow otaku friend, Yuto Ito, for company. However, Hikari’s world begins to shift when he is unexpectedly paired with Iroha Igarashi, a flashy and outspoken girl who defies all his expectations.
Initially skeptical and dismissive of Iroha, Hikari is surprised by her genuine kindness and persistence. Despite their contrasting personalities, the two gradually form a bond that leads to a romantic relationship. Through his time with Iroha, Hikari begins to confront his insecurities, open up to others, and develop meaningful friendships beyond his comfort zone.
As Hikari starts to experience the joys and challenges of a real relationship, he also learns that their time together may be limited because Iroha is set to move away in six months. With this looming deadline, Hikari must navigate emotional growth and personal transformation while cherishing every moment they share.
Etymology
The given name Hikari (光) translates to “light,” reflecting a possible metaphor for his personal growth and emergence from isolation as the story progresses.
His surname Tsutsui (筒井) is composed of two kanji: 筒 (tsutsu) meaning “cylinder,” “pipe,” or “tube,” and 井 (i) meaning “well” or “shaft.” While the surname itself is fairly traditional, it does not have an overt symbolic connection to his character, though it could be loosely interpreted as someone who emerges from a confined space symbolic of Hikari’s introverted beginnings and eventual emotional awakening.