TV-Series
Description
Kirie Motoba is a high school classmate and close friend of Umaru Doma in the anime Himōto! Umaru-chan R. She is a petite girl, standing only 139 centimeters tall, with a birthday on March 15. Kirie has dark hair that she typically ties into a ponytail, with a few characteristic spiky ends that stick out, and sharp, dark eyes that often give her a somewhat intense or menacing look. She usually wears her school uniform with black tights.
At first glance, Kirie can appear hostile or intimidating to those who do not know her well. This is largely a misunderstanding caused by her extreme shyness and social awkwardness. In reality, she is an introverted and anxious person who has great difficulty talking to others, to the point where she is only comfortable conversing with very young children. Her nervousness often leads to blunders or unexpected actions, especially when she is around people she admires. Her sharp gaze, which made her seem angry or aloof, was actually just her secretly watching Umaru because she wanted to become friends but was too timid to approach her.
Kirie’s role in the story is primarily that of a loyal and somewhat quirky friend to Umaru. The initial misunderstanding about her being hostile is cleared up when she goes to Umaru’s apartment to return a dropped student ID card. There, she encounters Umaru in her lazy, indoor "Himouto" form, which Kirie mistakes for a separate person—Umaru’s younger sister, whom she calls "Komaru". Completely charmed by this small, childlike persona, Kirie becomes devoted to "Komaru," addressing her as Master and happily spending time playing video games and serving her. This unique arrangement allows Kirie to become a constant presence in the Doma household and a trusted friend to Umaru, who can be her true self around Kirie without suspicion.
Kirie’s key relationships extend to other main characters as well. She initially views her classmate Nana Ebina as a rival for Umaru's attention, but they eventually become good friends. Kirie is also the only person who notices Ebina’s romantic feelings for Umaru’s brother, Taihei, and becomes a supportive ally for her. Her relationship with the energetic Sylphynford Tachibana also starts competitively, as Kirie sees her as a rival for Umaru, but their shared interests, athleticism, and admiration for Umaru eventually help them get along. Kirie is the younger sister of Takeshi Motoba, also known as "Bomber," who is a coworker of Taihei Doma. Their sibling relationship is volatile and often violent, as Kirie finds her brother’s overbearing and foolish behavior annoying and frequently beats him up, especially when he eats her homemade cookies. However, it is implied she does not genuinely hate him, and flashbacks suggest they were closer in childhood.
Throughout the series, Kirie undergoes noticeable development. She starts as a lonely outcast, feared by her classmates after a public fight with her brother at the entrance ceremony. By forming bonds with Umaru, Ebina, and Sylphynford, she slowly overcomes her isolation and her shyness begins to lessen. Her classmates’ impressions of her improve after she participates in school events like the sports festival. Despite her progress, she remains a reserved and somewhat awkward person, but she is no longer an outsider.
Regarding her abilities and interests, Kirie is surprisingly athletic despite her small stature. She is a member of the swim team and has achieved a third-place ranking in a metropolitan tournament. She also practices kendo, taught by her father. Another of her notable abilities is a running gag in the series where she seems to be able to completely conceal her presence, becoming nearly invisible to others. Contrary to her tough exterior, Kirie secretly loves cute things and fish. Her dream is to become a picture book author, and she writes under the pen name "Kirinrin". She is considerate and expresses her affection through actions, such as making handmade cookies or good-luck charms for her friends.
At first glance, Kirie can appear hostile or intimidating to those who do not know her well. This is largely a misunderstanding caused by her extreme shyness and social awkwardness. In reality, she is an introverted and anxious person who has great difficulty talking to others, to the point where she is only comfortable conversing with very young children. Her nervousness often leads to blunders or unexpected actions, especially when she is around people she admires. Her sharp gaze, which made her seem angry or aloof, was actually just her secretly watching Umaru because she wanted to become friends but was too timid to approach her.
Kirie’s role in the story is primarily that of a loyal and somewhat quirky friend to Umaru. The initial misunderstanding about her being hostile is cleared up when she goes to Umaru’s apartment to return a dropped student ID card. There, she encounters Umaru in her lazy, indoor "Himouto" form, which Kirie mistakes for a separate person—Umaru’s younger sister, whom she calls "Komaru". Completely charmed by this small, childlike persona, Kirie becomes devoted to "Komaru," addressing her as Master and happily spending time playing video games and serving her. This unique arrangement allows Kirie to become a constant presence in the Doma household and a trusted friend to Umaru, who can be her true self around Kirie without suspicion.
Kirie’s key relationships extend to other main characters as well. She initially views her classmate Nana Ebina as a rival for Umaru's attention, but they eventually become good friends. Kirie is also the only person who notices Ebina’s romantic feelings for Umaru’s brother, Taihei, and becomes a supportive ally for her. Her relationship with the energetic Sylphynford Tachibana also starts competitively, as Kirie sees her as a rival for Umaru, but their shared interests, athleticism, and admiration for Umaru eventually help them get along. Kirie is the younger sister of Takeshi Motoba, also known as "Bomber," who is a coworker of Taihei Doma. Their sibling relationship is volatile and often violent, as Kirie finds her brother’s overbearing and foolish behavior annoying and frequently beats him up, especially when he eats her homemade cookies. However, it is implied she does not genuinely hate him, and flashbacks suggest they were closer in childhood.
Throughout the series, Kirie undergoes noticeable development. She starts as a lonely outcast, feared by her classmates after a public fight with her brother at the entrance ceremony. By forming bonds with Umaru, Ebina, and Sylphynford, she slowly overcomes her isolation and her shyness begins to lessen. Her classmates’ impressions of her improve after she participates in school events like the sports festival. Despite her progress, she remains a reserved and somewhat awkward person, but she is no longer an outsider.
Regarding her abilities and interests, Kirie is surprisingly athletic despite her small stature. She is a member of the swim team and has achieved a third-place ranking in a metropolitan tournament. She also practices kendo, taught by her father. Another of her notable abilities is a running gag in the series where she seems to be able to completely conceal her presence, becoming nearly invisible to others. Contrary to her tough exterior, Kirie secretly loves cute things and fish. Her dream is to become a picture book author, and she writes under the pen name "Kirinrin". She is considerate and expresses her affection through actions, such as making handmade cookies or good-luck charms for her friends.