Hanamichi Niwa is a supporting character in the story, known for his striking duality in both appearance and personal conduct. He is an upperclassman at the school, initially presenting a tough and intimidating exterior as a karate practitioner. Beneath this rugged surface, however, lies a profound and secret passion for traditional Japanese dance. This conflict stems from his background: as a child, he was an accomplished and passionate dancer who even received formal accreditation for his skills at a very young age. An unmentioned incident in his past, however, caused him to give up dancing entirely.

In an effort to reject his artistic past and appear more conventionally masculine, Hanamichi abandoned dance to learn karate, striving to become what he considered the manliest version of himself. Despite this, his core personality never aligned with the aggressive persona he tried to project. He is eventually revealed to be what is known as camp straight, meaning that his natural, genuine personality is gentle, graceful, and closer to feminine stereotypes. His decision to build a macho façade was heavily influenced by a previous girlfriend who reportedly viewed him as a sister figure rather than a romantic partner, leading him to overcompensate.

Within the story, Hanamichi is identified by the protagonist as a critical potential recruit for the kabuki club. The protagonist believes it is a waste for Hanamichi to have abandoned his dancing talent. His motivation shifts when he is observed dancing alone; the performance is so majestic and natural that it suggests he would be exceptionally suited for onnagata, the female roles in kabuki theater. This discovery prompts a significant development for Hanamichi: he decides to stop pretending to be a manly man and chooses to embrace his authentic, more feminine side, fully committing to his artistic passion.

Hanamichi possesses a notable ability in traditional dance. Even after years of dedicating himself to karate and suppressing his past, his innate talent remains undiminished, resurfacing when he practices in private. His movements are described as beautiful and refined, demonstrating a level of skill that sets him apart from average performers. This technical prowess becomes a key asset for the kabuki club, as his background in dance gives him a significant advantage in mastering the stylized movements required for kabuki performance, particularly female roles.