Kōtarō Higashino is a supporting character in the anime Handa-kun. He is a student at the same high school as Sei Handa and a member of the school's track team, where his exceptional speed earns him the nickname Dash. His background is rooted in a middle school encounter: Handa beat him in a race, which deeply affected Higashino. This defeat became a driving force, motivating him to improve his running ability and seek a rematch. His determination is so strong that he deliberately turned down recruitment from an elite high school in order to attend the same school as Handa, with the goal of eventually defeating him. However, despite his intense desire to challenge Handa directly, Higashino finds himself too intimidated by Handa's presence and reputation to actually confront him. This internal conflict defines much of his role in the story. He appears primarily as a rival figure, but his rivalry is largely one-sided due to his hesitance. In terms of relationships, his connection to Handa is central; he observes Handa from a distance and struggles with his own admiration and fear. He does not have close ties with other major characters such as the Handa Force. His character development revolves around this unresolved competitive drive; he remains trapped between his ambition and his intimidation, never quite overcoming his nerves to face Handa outright. His notable ability is his running speed, which makes him a top athlete. Beyond this, he does not exhibit other special skills. His personality is characterized by a mix of determination, obsession, and timidity, making him a unique presence among the series' cast of characters.