Jirō Yakuin
Jirō Yakuin |
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| Kanji: | 薬院 次郎 |
| Romaji | Yakuin Jirō |
| Statistics | |
| Age: | 19 |
| Birthday: | December 26, 2003 |
| Height: | Unknown |
| Portrayed by: | |
| Japanese: | Seiichiro Yamashita |
| English: | Ben Balmaceda |
Jirō Yakuin (薬院 次郎, Yakuin Jirō), is the main male protagonist of the manga series More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers (Fūfu Ijō, Koibito Minam). He is a second-year high school student who finds himself reluctantly paired up with Akari Watanabe in the Marriage Practical, a school program where students are forced to act as married couples. Jirō’s main goal throughout the series is to form a romantic relationship with his childhood friend, Shiori Sakurazaka, and he is willing to do anything, including pretending to be happily married to Akari, to achieve this goal.
Despite the complex relationship dynamics that develop throughout the story, Jirō’s internal struggle between his feelings for Shiori and the increasingly strong bond he forms with Akari serves as the core emotional tension of the series. Jirō’s personal growth and romantic confusion are key themes in his character arc, as he navigates his feelings for both girls while balancing his duties in the Marriage Practical.
Background
Appearance in Anime
Jirō Yakuin’s background is shaped by his close bond with Shiori Sakurazaka, his childhood friend, whom he harbors romantic feelings for. They share a long-standing friendship, which has led Jirō to develop strong feelings of affection for Shiori over the years. However, during the Marriage Practical, Jirō is forced to pair up with Akari Watanabe, a girl he has not been close with previously. Despite this forced pairing, Jirō remains determined to be with Shiori and works hard in the Marriage Practical, hoping it will eventually lead to him being closer to Shiori.
Jirō’s main conflict throughout the story revolves around his romantic feelings for Shiori and his growing connection with Akari, which complicates his emotions and decisions. His drive to reach his goal of being with Shiori creates tension in his relationship with Akari, even as they begin to develop an understanding of one another.
Appearance
Jirō Yakuin has a standard high school appearance, with short black hair and a typical student uniform. His physical features are relatively average, as he is depicted as an ordinary-looking teenager, which contrasts with his more complex emotional and romantic struggles. While Jirō may not stand out visually compared to other characters, his character is defined by his inner conflicts and determination to reach his goal.
His nonchalant expressions and occasionally blank face reflect his often internalized nature, as he tends to focus more on his thoughts and goals rather than his outward appearance or the social environment around him. However, as the series progresses and his feelings become more complicated, subtle changes in his expressions highlight his emotional growth.
Personality
Jirō Yakuin is a determined, hard-working, and somewhat stubborn character, especially when it comes to his goal of being with Shiori Sakurazaka. His primary personality trait is his strong will to achieve what he wants, even if it means enduring the awkward and sometimes uncomfortable situation of being paired with Akari Watanabe in the Marriage Practical. Jirō’s feelings of loyalty to Shiori and his desire to make her his romantic partner drive much of his actions and internal conflicts.
Though he can seem distant or indifferent at times, especially in relation to Akari, Jirō’s character is sensitive, especially when it comes to his emotional attachment to Shiori. As the series progresses, Jirō’s interactions with Akari help him open up emotionally, and his growing empathy and understanding toward her reveal a more complex and caring side to his personality.
Jirō’s personality is marked by his internal conflict he is constantly battling his feelings for Shiori while also growing more emotionally invested in Akari. His evolution as a character involves learning to balance his feelings and recognizing that relationships and love are not always as simple as he initially thought.
Role in the Story
Beginning the Marriage Practical: Jirō enters the school’s Marriage Practical with the expectation of being paired with Shiori Sakurazaka, but is instead assigned to Akari Watanabe, a lively and attractive girl far outside his comfort zone. Initially uncomfortable and reluctant, Jirō agrees to cooperate with Akari so they can both achieve high enough scores to switch partners.
From Awkward Partners to Something More: As Jirō and Akari begin living together, their clashing personalities lead to comedic misunderstandings and personal conflicts, but also unexpected moments of vulnerability and connection. Jirō finds himself drawn to Akari’s sincerity and emotional depth, even as he continues to pine for Shiori.
Romantic Turmoil and Personal Growth: Jirō’s emotional world becomes more complicated as he begins to develop genuine feelings for Akari, forcing him to confront the gap between his past infatuation and present reality. He wrestles with loyalty to his childhood crush versus the authenticity of his growing bond with Akari, creating a central emotional tension in the story.
Relationships
Akari Watanabe: Jirō’s Marriage Practical partner. Though he initially sees her as a temporary teammate, Akari becomes someone he grows to understand, trust, and possibly love. Their cohabitation challenges both of them to grow emotionally, with Jirō becoming more assertive and emotionally aware through their shared experiences.
Shiori Sakurazaka: Jirō’s childhood friend and first love. Shiori is kind, gentle, and reserved, representing a safe and idealized image of romance for Jirō. His desire to re-pair with her motivates his early actions, but over time he begins to question whether his feelings for her are rooted in nostalgia or true connection.
Minami Tenjin: A classmate and Akari’s initial love interest. Though Jirō sees him as a rival at first, he gradually learns to respect Minami’s integrity. Their dynamic plays a subtle role in Jirō’s emotional maturation.