
Mitsuo Yanagisawa
Mitsuo Yanagisawa |
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Kanji | 柳澤 光央 |
Rōmaji | Yanagisawa Mitsuo |
Alias | Yana-san (by everyone) |
Statistics | |
Gender | Male |
Age | 18-19 |
Hair Color | Dark Blue (Formerly) Blonde (Currently) |
Eye Color | Light Blue |
Relative(s) | Chinami Oka (Former Love-interest) Linda (Current Love-interest) |
Occupation | Law student |
Affiliation | University Film Club |
Debut | |
Anime | Episode 1 |
Portrayal | |
Japanese | Kaito Ishikawa |
English | Adam Gibbs |
Mitsuo Yanagisawa (柳澤 光央, Yanagisawa Mitsuo) is a freshman studying law at a private university in Tokyo. He is the former romantic interest of Kouko Kaga and the best friend of Banri Tada in the Golden Time series.
Personality

Appearance with Blonde Hair
Mitsuo Yanagisawa is generally a kind and well-mannered individual with a mature outlook. However, he can be easily distracted, particularly when dealing with unexpected situations, such as realizing he is being followed.
Initially, he finds Kouko Kaga’s personality overwhelming and bothersome. Despite this, he acknowledges their long-standing friendship and occasionally expresses concern for her well-being. This is evident when he sends messages checking on her safety after she is “kidnapped” by a religious cult.
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Appearance
Mitsuo Yanagisawa is a handsome young man with dark blue hair, styled with long strands falling over his face, and light blue eyes.
In Episode 7, following his rejection by Chinami Oka, he cuts his hair slightly and dyes it blond. He maintains this hairstyle for the remainder of the series.
Background
Mitsuo comes from a wealthy family and was childhood friends with Kouko Kaga, who had a long-standing crush on him. Hoping to escape Kouko’s persistent romantic pursuit, Mitsuo enrolled in a different university than she originally planned, only for her to unexpectedly transfer and continue chasing after him.
At university, Mitsuo meets Banri Tada, with whom he quickly forms a strong friendship. As he navigates his romantic troubles and tries to establish his own identity, Mitsuo finds himself caught between his past with Kouko and his evolving relationships with new people.
Relationships
Banri Tada
Mitsuo’s best friend and main confidant. He trusts Banri with personal struggles and concerns, and their friendship is one of the strongest bonds in the series.
Kouko Kaga
His former childhood friend and persistent admirer. While Mitsuo rejects Kouko’s romantic advances, he still cares for her as a friend, occasionally checking in on her well-being.
Chinami Oka
The girl Mitsuo has a crush on, but who ultimately rejects him. Their relationship is a turning point for Mitsuo’s character development, forcing him to reassess his emotional expectations.
Linda (Nana Hayashida)
Though not as deeply connected as with Banri or Kouko, Mitsuo respects and acknowledges Linda as a friend within their social circle.
Legacy
Mitsuo Yanagisawa serves as a realistic portrayal of a young adult navigating relationships, identity, and independence. His romantic missteps, comedic moments, and deep friendships make him an essential part of Golden Time, contributing to both the drama and humor of the series.
Whether as Banri’s loyal best friend, Kouko’s reluctant childhood companion, or a young man searching for his place in the world, Mitsuo remains a relatable and compelling character, adding depth to Golden Time’s exploration of love, friendship, and self-discovery.