Yusaku’s full appearance.

Yusaku Kitamura sports striking dark blue-green hair that harmonizes beautifully with his eyes. At school, he’s often seen in the crisp Ohashi High School uniform or the sporty attire of the Softball Team, showcasing his dedication to both academics and athletics. When off-duty, he prefers a laid-back style, typically opting for comfortable pants paired with a casual t-shirt. His height is unassuming, fitting in perfectly with the typical stature of a second-year high school student, yet his presence stands out among his peers.

Not much is revealed about Yusaku Kitamura’s background, but it is noted that he shares a childhood friendship with Ami Kawashima. Their history adds an intriguing layer to his character, hinting at a deeper connection that influences their interactions throughout the series.

Yusaku and Taiga.

Taiga Aisaka
From the outset of the series, Taiga’s feelings for Yusaku are evident, particularly highlighted by her attempt to secretly slip a love letter into his bag. However, a twist occurs when the letter mistakenly lands in Ryuuji’s possession, setting off the main storyline in which Ryuuji helps Taiga get closer to Yusaku. Taiga’s initial effort to confess her feelings directly to Yusaku ends in confusion, as she unintentionally mentions Ryuuji multiple times, leading Yusaku to believe she only seeks friendship.

Taiga’s various attempts to connect with Yusaku include snapping photos of him, which often turn out blurry due to her nervousness. Ryuuji eventually catches on to Taiga’s awkwardness around Yusaku, and she confides in him that she turned Yusaku down a year prior but has since developed genuine feelings for him. During a trip to Ami’s beach house, Ryuuji encourages Taiga to spend time with Yusaku by having him tend to her stomach ache. After the cultural festival, they finally share a dance, but when Yusaku dyes his hair in a rebellious move against his student council responsibilities, Taiga realizes she can’t uplift him as he has done for her, leading to an emotional breakdown.

As Taiga refocuses on her relationship with Ryuuji and encourages him to pursue Minori, she steps back from her pursuit of Yusaku. Upon her return from suspension, Yusaku humorously prostrates himself before Taiga, pleading with her not to engage in further fights over him. At a ski resort, while being rescued by Ryuuji, Taiga inadvertently reveals her feelings for Ryuuji while talking in her sleep, leading to misunderstandings among the group.

Ami Kawashima
Ami and Yusaku share a history as childhood friends, with Yusaku fully aware of her true personality beneath her façade. He demonstrates genuine concern for her well-being, even seeking Ryuuji and Taiga’s assistance in encouraging Ami to embrace her authentic self. Ami, in turn, displays a keen understanding of Yusaku’s motives, particularly regarding his decision to dye his hair, although she does not support that choice. Additionally, she has a connection to Yusaku’s family, as she is acquainted with his grandmother.

Minori Kushieda
Although there is no romantic interest between Minori and Yusaku, they maintain a cordial relationship, largely stemming from their roles as captains of their respective softball teams. During their time at Ami’s beach house, the two bond over playful ideas to spook Ryuuji and Taiga.

Yusaku and Ryuuji.

Ryuuji Takasu
Yusaku and Ryuuji share a close friendship that blossomed in the previous academic year, with Yusaku being the first to reassure Ryuuji that his intimidating appearance does not reflect his true character. Yusaku leans on Ryuuji for support during tough times, including a night spent at Ryuuji’s apartment after a rough encounter with Taiga.

Sumire Kano
Yusaku’s relationship with Sumire began when she persuaded him to join the student council after Taiga rejected him. This involvement eventually led to Yusaku developing feelings for her, which he expressed during his campaign for class president. Despite his heartfelt declaration, Sumire turned him down, leading to an emotional moment for Yusaku as he grappled with her impending move to America for her studies. In a dramatic turn of events, Taiga confronts Sumire, prompting her to confess her own feelings for Yusaku, revealing that she initially turned him down to prevent him from following her abroad.

In the series’ finale, Yusaku is given another chance to pursue Sumire, as it is revealed that he plans to study in America after graduation, setting the stage for potential future developments in their relationship.

Maya Kihara
Maya is notable for harboring a crush on Yusaku and is also the only character, aside from Ami, who refers to him by his first name, “Maruo,” due to his resemblance to a character fromChibi Maruko-chan. Despite her feelings, Yusaku remains unaware of Maya’s interest, as they have had minimal interaction throughout the series.