Haruo Yaguchi is depicted as a boy with little aptitude in academics, sports, or the arts. His grades consistently rank among the lowest in his class, and he often jokes that gaming is his only real talent, something he whimsically claims could be his future career. Despite his general lack of skill in other areas, Haruo is capable of working hard when motivated, as seen when he studies diligently to enroll in the same high school as Akira Ōno.

Haruo has a remarkable ability, even from a young age, to intuit Akira’s thoughts and feelings by reading her subtle facial expressions and body language. However, he is notably clueless when it comes to matters of romance. While his affection for Akira is clear, he fails to grasp the depth of feelings that Koharu Hidaka has for him, inadvertently fueling her determination to win his heart.

In the manga, Haruo’s insensitivity is toned down compared to the anime. He is portrayed as more straightforward, carefree, and unexpectedly kind in his interactions not only toward Akira but also toward Koharu. Although he does not reciprocate Koharu’s romantic feelings, he values her companionship and shows consideration for her emotions, even if he remains largely oblivious to how deeply she cares for him.

Haruo Yaguchi is a young boy with short black hair and a generally plain, unremarkable appearance. He shows little to no interest in fashion and typically wears whatever clothing his mother buys for him. As a result, his outfits are often described by his friends as “lame-looking” or unstylish.

The only period during which Haruo pays attention to his appearance is during high school, when he frequently visits game centers in Shibuya. During this time, he adopts the local style by dressing in black clothing that reflects the popular trends of the area, allowing him to blend in with the gaming crowd.

Akira Ōno
Haruo’s relationship with Akira Ōno began on rocky terms, as he initially felt frustrated by her seemingly flawless abilities in both life and gaming. After being decisively defeated by her in Street Fighter II, he began to view her as a worthy rival. Over time, through repeated encounters at arcades and shared gaming experiences, their bond deepened into a genuine friendship.

Despite Akira’s mute nature and occasional violent outbursts particularly when expressing jealousy, frustration, or fear, their connection strengthened through their mutual love of games. A pivotal moment in their relationship occurs in Episode 3 (“ROUND 3”) when Haruo rushes to the airport to see Akira off before her departure to the United States. He gives her a ring he won from a claw machine, a gesture that moves Akira to tears as she embraces him. Akira later wears the ring on a chain around her neck as a keepsake, symbolizing her enduring affection and memory of Haruo.

Koharu Hidaka
Haruo meets Koharu at school, and they quickly develop a friendly relationship. Haruo introduces her to the world of arcade gaming, sparking her own passion for video games. Although Haruo remains unaware of Koharu’s growing romantic feelings for him, he values her companionship and enjoys spending time with her.

Namie Yaguchi
Haruo shares a warm and playful relationship with his mother, Namie. Their interactions often resemble those of close friends or siblings. Namie grants Haruo considerable freedom but scolds him when his school performance suffers. She supports him during difficult moments, such as when he studies for the Jōran Kōkō entrance exam, and encourages his relationship with Akira. Namie also teases Haruo about his popularity with girls, much to his embarrassment.

Makoto Ōno
Haruo gets along well with Akira’s older sister, Makoto, who supports his connection with Akira. A casual gamer herself, Makoto often joins Haruo at arcades or visits his home, making it easy for them to bond over shared interests. She recognizes Haruo’s genuine care for Akira and respects him for his sincerity.

Haruo Yaguchi is passionate about nearly every genre of video games, though he particularly excels at and enjoys fighting games, with Street Fighter being his standout favorite. He often gravitates toward characters he feels confident controlling, typically favoring lightweight or agile fighters. In the early stages of his gaming life, he was known to use repetitive and sometimes unfair tactics such as Guile’s defensive “turtling” strategy but he began to move away from such methods after his first encounter with Akira Ōno, whose skill and integrity as a player inspired him to improve.

Throughout the series, Haruo is shown to own an extensive collection of gaming consoles, including:

NEC PC Engine

NEC PC Engine GT

Nintendo Famicom

Nintendo Super Famicom

Nintendo Game Boy

SNK Neo Geo CD

Nintendo Virtual Boy

Sega Saturn

Nintendo AV Famicom

His deep enthusiasm for gaming defines much of his identity and relationships throughout the story.