As a child, Tatara Totsuka was abandoned by his biological parents in a park and later adopted by a childless couple. When the marriage collapsed, Totsuka was left with his adoptive father, a gambler, and the two lived in poverty. During this time, Totsuka developed the habit of immersing himself in new hobbies before quickly abandoning them, one of which included studying grasses and plants, sometimes eating them in place of meals they could not afford. His indifferent outlook often created distance between himself and his father, who once called him “cold-hearted.” Totsuka remained unbothered by such remarks, showing little visible reaction to hardship. By the time of his father’s death, he had already become acquainted with Mikoto Suoh and Izumo Kusanagi.

From middle school onward, Totsuka admired Mikoto deeply, following him everywhere in hopes of one day joining his side. When he was ten years old, he encountered a mysterious man by a lakeshore who told him that one day he would meet his “King.” Totsuka carried this idea with him, and when he literally crashed his bicycle into Mikoto, he felt certain he had found the person he was destined to follow. For years before Mikoto’s ascension as the Red King, Totsuka addressed him as “King.”

Not long after, Totsuka was hospitalized following a street fight. When Mikoto and Kusanagi came to visit him, Totsuka eagerly greeted Mikoto as “King” and expressed his wish to serve under him. Despite Kusanagi’s warning that following them would only bring him trouble, Totsuka insisted on his devotion. Eventually, Mikoto accepted him as part of HOMRA, alongside Kusanagi, marking him as one of the clan’s earliest members.

As part of HOMRA, Totsuka became a familiar presence at the bar, often napping on its couches and supporting Mikoto in his role as King. When Mikoto grew frustrated about being viewed as a King, Totsuka reassured him that his powers existed to protect the people he cared about, gently redirecting Mikoto’s worries. Totsuka also developed a passion for photography and videography, often documenting HOMRA’s activities to “keep memories alive.”

During HOMRA’s growth, Totsuka was present when Shōhei Akagi sought to join the clan. He recorded the initiation ceremony, explaining the importance of capturing the moment for posterity. Though Shōhei’s relationship with another member, Bandō, later caused tension, Totsuka supported them both and joined in HOMRA’s eventual rescue of the two, along with Shōhei’s childhood friend, from a gang hideout.

Totsuka continued to be an encouraging presence among the members. During a baseball game, he attempted to photograph Yō Chitose, who refused out of embarrassment, and later became involved in helping Chitose escape from the ability-user Maria Yubikiri. Alongside Masaomi Dewa, he aided in pulling Chitose away from danger and later listened in as Kusanagi revealed details about Maria’s past.

Throughout these events, Totsuka’s role as HOMRA’s emotional center grew clearer. He was not a strong fighter like other members, but his optimism, warmth, and ability to connect with others became invaluable to the clan’s cohesion and identity.

Tatara Totsuka is depicted as a slim young man with light brown hair neatly combed to neck length and brown eyes. His HOMRA insignia is located on his left shoulder blade.

His clothing style is relatively simple and understated. He is most often seen wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with an upturned collar, paired with blue or brown pants and dark shoes. At times, he adds a dark coat over this attire. Totsuka also accessorizes with a fang-shaped necklace, two bracelets on his left wrist, and an earring in his left ear, which he pierced as he grew older.

Tatara Totsuka is characterized by his calm, easygoing, and friendly nature. He is consistently optimistic, a trait that he displayed even as a child, and his approachable demeanor allows him to engage easily with both friends and strangers. His charisma made him well-liked within HOMRA, where he often acted as a unifying presence among its members.

Despite this warmth, Totsuka was described in his childhood as somewhat “cold-hearted,” as he rarely displayed outward distress for himself or others. This emotional detachment stemmed from a lack of strong attachments early in life, though his perspective changed significantly after meeting Mikoto Suoh, to whom he devoted himself.

Totsuka enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies, often experimenting with new interests such as cooking or bonsai care. He was musically talented, with skills in both singing and playing the guitar. His most defining pastime, however, was his passion for photography and videography. He frequently recorded daily life and took snapshots of important events, explaining that he enjoyed preserving memories and moments through his camera.

As a member of HOMRA, Totsuka wielded the Red Clan’s aura, though he was widely regarded as the weakest among his clansmen in terms of raw combat ability. Despite this, he demonstrated several unique applications of his flame manipulation:

Red Aura
Like all Red Clansmen, Totsuka possessed the red aura, though his control was limited to minor tasks compared to stronger members.

Flame Manipulation
Totsuka’s greatest strength lay in his ability to shape flames into elaborate designs, often forming images such as butterflies or phoenixes. This precise control contrasted with the destructive nature of most Red Clan techniques.

Amputation
His flames were sharp and accurate enough to perform amputations. Although Totsuka disliked using this ability, he occasionally threatened to remove limbs to coerce information from enemies. This same technique could also be adapted for utility, such as breaking locks.

Pacification
Totsuka possessed the rare ability to calm Mikoto Suoh’s flames when the Red King became enraged. This made him invaluable within HOMRA, serving as a stabilizing presence for both Mikoto and the clan as a whole.

Camera
Totsuka was rarely seen without his camera, which he used to record daily life and events around HOMRA. He often added commentary to his recordings, reflecting his habit of documenting important moments and preserving memories of his clan.