Junichirou Kubota
Junichirou Kubota |
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| Kanji: | 久保田 淳一郎 |
| Romaji | Kubota Jun’ichirō |
| Statistics | |
| Age: | 16 |
| Birthday: | October 31 |
| Height: | 1.85 m |
| Portrayed by: | |
| Japanese: | Kaito Ishikawa |
| English: | Ricco Fajardo |
Junichirou Kubota (久保田 淳一郎, Kubota Jun’ichirō), is the deuteragonist of Tomo-chan wa Onnanoko!. He is Tomo Aizawa’s handsome childhood friend, whom she has harbored romantic feelings for. However, Junichirou remains oblivious to Tomo’s feelings, seeing her more as one of the boys. This dynamic leads to much of Tomo’s frustration, as she struggles with the unrequited love she feels for him. Junichirou’s character adds a layer of humor and tension to the series, especially as Tomo tries to navigate her feelings while interacting with him.
Despite his lack of awareness about Tomo’s romantic interest, Junichirou is a well-rounded character with a kind and laid-back personality, making him an enjoyable and charismatic presence in the series.
Background
Appearance in Anime
Junichirou Kubota grew up alongside Tomo Aizawa, and the two have been close childhood friends for years. Their deep bond stems from their shared history, having spent much of their time together, often engaged in various activities that most would consider “boyish.” While Tomo developed romantic feelings for him over time, Junichirou’s perception of her remained unchanged—he simply saw her as one of the guys.
As they both grew older, Junichirou continued to maintain his easygoing, boyish image of their relationship, not realizing that Tomo’s feelings had evolved into something deeper. This unintentional oversight causes Tomo a great deal of frustration, as she tries to convey her feelings to him without success. Despite this, Junichirou remains an important part of Tomo’s life and plays a crucial role in her emotional journey.
Appearance
Junichirou is a tall, handsome young man with a relaxed and confident demeanor. His sharp features and calm presence make him naturally attractive, drawing attention wherever he goes. His black hair is usually kept short and neatly styled, which complements his overall clean-cut look. His expressive eyes and easy smile add to his charm, further making him the object of affection for many, including Tomo.
Typically, Junichirou wears casual clothing that matches his laid-back personality, often opting for comfortable yet stylish outfits. He exudes an effortless coolness, though his appearance also reflects his unawareness of the romantic tension surrounding him, particularly with Tomo.
Personality
Junichirou is easygoing, friendly, and somewhat aloof when it comes to romantic matters. He has a great deal of charm, which makes him popular among his peers, yet he is not fully aware of the attention he attracts, especially from Tomo. His laid-back attitude allows him to navigate most situations with ease, and he treats Tomo with the same casual camaraderie he does with his other friends.
Although he is often oblivious to Tomo’s feelings, he is genuinely caring and supportive of her, just as he is for others. He sees Tomo as someone he can trust and rely on, but he struggles to recognize the subtle romantic cues she gives him. Junichirou’s personality is one of natural charm mixed with an innocent ignorance of the emotions of others, making him a character who adds both humor and tension to the story.
Role in the Story
Oblivious to Romance: At the start of the series, Junichirou is entirely oblivious to Tomo’s romantic interest. He treats her like a close male friend, unaware of how his casual physical interactions or teasing comments affect her emotionally.
Slow Realization: As Tomo, Misuzu, and Carol begin encouraging Tomo to be more openly feminine, Junichirou starts to notice changes not just in Tomo’s appearance but also in his own reactions to her. He begins to feel jealous when other boys show interest in her and slowly recognizes that his feelings may be more complicated than simple friendship.
Emotional Shift: Junichirou’s journey is marked by quiet introspection and subtle shifts in behavior. He starts to value Tomo’s femininity, notices his growing desire to protect her in a different way, and struggles with the realization that he may be falling for someone he always viewed as a best friend.
Relationships
Tomo Aizawa: Tomo is Junichirou’s best friend and eventual love interest. He initially treats her like one of the boys, unaware of her romantic feelings. However, over time, his protective instincts and emotional closeness evolve into something deeper. Their relationship forms the core of the series’ emotional development.
Misuzu Gundou: Junichirou and Misuzu share a complicated friendship. They’ve known each other for a long time, and while they often clash, Misuzu sometimes acts as a catalyst for Junichirou to reflect on his relationship with Tomo.
Carol Olston: Carol occasionally interacts with Junichirou and makes cryptic, offhanded remarks about his relationship with Tomo. While not especially close, Carol observes Junichirou with a surprising amount of insight.