Akiya Shirakawa, born Hiroshi Atarashi on September 17, is the anointed successor to the illustrious title of Shirakawa Kaou XV—a Living National Treasure and kabuki legend. As a scion of the esteemed Misatoya Acting House, he adopts the Shirakawa name, mastering the Aragoto style’s dynamic, superhuman roles to uphold centuries-old traditions. His relationship with Sarasa Watanabe, the series’ protagonist, intertwines romance with the camaraderie of shared childhoods, deepened by their mutual devotion to theater. Sarasa’s reverence for kabuki, ignited by Shirakawa Kaou XV’s iconic Soga Gorō/Sukeroku performance, binds her fate to Akiya, who now carries that legacy forward.

The name Shirakawa (白川) blends “white” and “river,” while Akiya (暁弥) draws from “dawn” and “to be,” symbolizing his emergence as a torchbearer. Familial webs link him to Sarasa through her biological father, Shirakawa Kaou XV, whose eldest daughter, Shiori Atarashi, becomes Akiya’s kin via her marriage to actor Kōsaburō Shirakawa—solidifying his position in the acting house’s intricate succession.

Though reserved, Akiya’s quiet resolve in preserving kabuki’s heritage mirrors his disciplined artistry. His bond with Sarasa oscillates between tender intimacy and the solemn duty of his role, embodying the tension between personal yearning and the weight of a storied name.