TV-Series
Description
Akihiko Usami, often nicknamed Usagi, is a central figure in the story. He is a famous and highly successful novelist, having won the prestigious Naomori Award at a very young age and graduated at the top of his class from Teito University's law school. He comes from an extremely wealthy and dysfunctional family, which includes a complicated relationship with his father, Fuyuhiko, and a half-brother, Haruhiko. Despite his privileged upbringing, Akihiko has a deep-seated loneliness, having spent much of his childhood isolated and finding solace in writing. His past includes a traumatic experience of being molested by a male tutor, an event that is referenced as a contributing factor to his complex personality.
On the surface, Akihiko often projects an image of a mature, dignified, and intellectual man. However, this facade masks a personality that is, in many ways, remarkably childish, brash, and reckless. He is notoriously bad at meeting deadlines, causing endless frustration for his editor, Eri Aikawa, and his publisher, Ryuuichiro Isaka. He can be rude, overbearing, and incredibly possessive, especially regarding his partner, Misaki Takahashi, from whom he dislikes being separated. He has a habit of spending extravagant amounts of money on whimsical items, such as stuffed bears, trains, and pets like marimo and eels, which he often fails to care for himself. This obsession with collecting toys and "commoner" items is driven by a desire to reclaim a lost childhood and experience a normal life. Despite his fame, he is largely apathetic toward his public success, believing his novels will outlast any fleeting recognition.
Akihiko's motivations are deeply rooted in his emotional history. For a long time, he harbored an unrequited love for his friend, Takahiro Takahashi. His decision to tutor Takahiro's younger brother, Misaki, was initially a favor to the man he loved. However, a pivotal moment occurs when Misaki, upon learning of Takahiro's engagement, cries not for his brother but for the pain Akihiko must be feeling. This act of empathy allows Akihiko to see Misaki in a new light, and he quickly realizes his feelings have shifted. From that point forward, his primary motivation becomes his relationship with Misaki, whom he sees as the person who can heal his past wounds and bring warmth into his life. He has explicitly stated that his writing style changed as a result of being with Misaki, evolving from something sad and depressing to softer and more enjoyable.
Akihiko serves as one of the three main romantic leads, with his relationship with Misaki forming the core "Romantica" storyline. His role is that of the experienced, if emotionally stunted, older partner to the younger, often flustered Misaki. He is a prolific author of both mainstream literary fiction and boys-love novels, which he writes under the pseudonym Yayoi Akikawa. These BL novels were originally inspired by his feelings for Takahiro but later become based on his life and relationship with Misaki. His personal history is intertwined with other characters, most notably his childhood friend Hiroki Kamijou, who was once in love with him. Akihiko and Hiroki maintain a complex friendship, and Akihiko is generally supportive of Hiroki's relationship with Nowaki Kusama.
The development of Akihiko Usami is centered on his emotional growth through his connection with Misaki. Initially portrayed as a lonely man nursing a long-held, one-sided love, he gradually opens up and learns to accept genuine affection. His father described him as a fragile child who absorbed others' words and actions too deeply, a trait that led him to distance himself from people. His relationship with Misaki forces him to confront this fragility and become more grounded. While he remains possessive and his "perverted" tendencies, as Misaki calls them, are a constant source of comedy and tension, he consistently places Misaki's needs and well-being above his own. In moments of crisis, he displays a mature and calming side, capable of reassuring Misaki and reaffirming his commitment to their future together.
Notable abilities of Akihiko include his prodigious talent as a writer, which has brought him both critical acclaim and commercial success. He is also highly intelligent, as evidenced by his academic achievements in law. Despite his wealthy background, he has learned to perform some household tasks, such as cooking curry and certain desserts, after training with his cousin, Kaoruko. His primary defining traits, however, remain his literary genius and his obsessive, all-consuming love for Misaki, which drives most of his actions throughout the series.
On the surface, Akihiko often projects an image of a mature, dignified, and intellectual man. However, this facade masks a personality that is, in many ways, remarkably childish, brash, and reckless. He is notoriously bad at meeting deadlines, causing endless frustration for his editor, Eri Aikawa, and his publisher, Ryuuichiro Isaka. He can be rude, overbearing, and incredibly possessive, especially regarding his partner, Misaki Takahashi, from whom he dislikes being separated. He has a habit of spending extravagant amounts of money on whimsical items, such as stuffed bears, trains, and pets like marimo and eels, which he often fails to care for himself. This obsession with collecting toys and "commoner" items is driven by a desire to reclaim a lost childhood and experience a normal life. Despite his fame, he is largely apathetic toward his public success, believing his novels will outlast any fleeting recognition.
Akihiko's motivations are deeply rooted in his emotional history. For a long time, he harbored an unrequited love for his friend, Takahiro Takahashi. His decision to tutor Takahiro's younger brother, Misaki, was initially a favor to the man he loved. However, a pivotal moment occurs when Misaki, upon learning of Takahiro's engagement, cries not for his brother but for the pain Akihiko must be feeling. This act of empathy allows Akihiko to see Misaki in a new light, and he quickly realizes his feelings have shifted. From that point forward, his primary motivation becomes his relationship with Misaki, whom he sees as the person who can heal his past wounds and bring warmth into his life. He has explicitly stated that his writing style changed as a result of being with Misaki, evolving from something sad and depressing to softer and more enjoyable.
Akihiko serves as one of the three main romantic leads, with his relationship with Misaki forming the core "Romantica" storyline. His role is that of the experienced, if emotionally stunted, older partner to the younger, often flustered Misaki. He is a prolific author of both mainstream literary fiction and boys-love novels, which he writes under the pseudonym Yayoi Akikawa. These BL novels were originally inspired by his feelings for Takahiro but later become based on his life and relationship with Misaki. His personal history is intertwined with other characters, most notably his childhood friend Hiroki Kamijou, who was once in love with him. Akihiko and Hiroki maintain a complex friendship, and Akihiko is generally supportive of Hiroki's relationship with Nowaki Kusama.
The development of Akihiko Usami is centered on his emotional growth through his connection with Misaki. Initially portrayed as a lonely man nursing a long-held, one-sided love, he gradually opens up and learns to accept genuine affection. His father described him as a fragile child who absorbed others' words and actions too deeply, a trait that led him to distance himself from people. His relationship with Misaki forces him to confront this fragility and become more grounded. While he remains possessive and his "perverted" tendencies, as Misaki calls them, are a constant source of comedy and tension, he consistently places Misaki's needs and well-being above his own. In moments of crisis, he displays a mature and calming side, capable of reassuring Misaki and reaffirming his commitment to their future together.
Notable abilities of Akihiko include his prodigious talent as a writer, which has brought him both critical acclaim and commercial success. He is also highly intelligent, as evidenced by his academic achievements in law. Despite his wealthy background, he has learned to perform some household tasks, such as cooking curry and certain desserts, after training with his cousin, Kaoruko. His primary defining traits, however, remain his literary genius and his obsessive, all-consuming love for Misaki, which drives most of his actions throughout the series.