At the beginning of the series, Sōtarō Kanō is portrayed as a loner with a deep-seated fear of girls. This fear originates from his childhood, when his father instilled in him the belief that women were fragile and should be avoided. As a result, he chose to enroll at Seika High School when it was still an all-boys institution. However, with Misaki Ayuzawa’s efforts to increase female enrollment, Sōtarō opposed her plans by using his hypnosis skills to sabotage the student council’s tasks and hinder her progress.

After failing to hypnotize both Misaki and Takumi Usui, he was assigned to work alongside female students as a punishment. Through this experience, he gradually realized that women were not as fragile as his father had led him to believe. This shift in perspective became evident when he attempted to help a girl with a fear of boys by using hypnosis. Though his attempt failed, his presence still allowed her to overcome her fear, reinforcing his changing views on gender dynamics.

Over time, Sōtarō formed a close friendship with Shōichirō Yukimura, whom he initially associated with due to his delicate and traditionally feminine appearance. He often noted that Yukimura exuded a “female aura,” which helped him gain confidence when interacting with women. Their friendship deepened, leading them to spend more time together, including activities like hiking in the mountains.

Sōtarō also became aware of the romantic tension between Misaki and Takumi. He was initially confused by Takumi’s statement that dating a girl could be troublesome, misinterpreting it as a lack of seriousness about Misaki. However, over time, he realized Takumi’s genuine love and devotion to her.

Sōtarō Kanō is a tall and well-built young man with spiky dark blue-black hair and violet eyes. He wears black-framed glasses, which contribute to his somewhat reserved and aloof appearance. His usual attire consists of a white hoodie, often worn with the hood up, layered under his Seika High School jacket.

Sōtarō Kanō was raised by his father, a former professional wrestler. During his early childhood, his father became abusive toward his mother, leading her to leave the family when Sōtarō was only four years old. This experience deeply impacted him, instilling a fear of hurting others, particularly women. As a result, he developed a strong aversion to interacting with girls and resolved to keep his distance from them. This belief ultimately influenced his decision to enroll at Seika High School, which was originally an all-boys institution.

Misaki Ayuzawa
Initially, Sōtarō sees Misaki as a threat to his belief system, actively working against her efforts to introduce more female students. Over time, he develops respect for her determination and acknowledges her strong leadership and fairness.

Takumi Usui
Sōtarō finds Takumi difficult to understand, especially regarding his feelings for Misaki. He misinterprets Takumi’s laid-back attitude, thinking he is not serious about relationships, but later realizes that Takumi truly cares for Misaki.

Shōichirō Yukimura
Yukimura becomes Sōtarō’s closest friend, initially serving as a “safe” figure due to his gentle and feminine demeanor. Over time, their bond deepens, leading to a strong and meaningful friendship. In the manga’s epilogue, they are revealed to be dating ten years later, showing that their relationship evolved into a romantic one.

His Father
A major influence on his childhood trauma, Sōtarō’s father’s abusive behavior toward his mother led to his deep fear of women. As he grows, Sōtarō begins to reject his father’s ideology, forming healthier relationships with those around him.