Haruka Hashida stands 189 cm tall, sporting long black hair typically braided to waist-length, dark purple eyes, and pointed ears. He favors a black turtleneck and light gray pants, often adding a lab coat while painting. He gives varying reasons for his braids: telling Yatora Yaguchi it makes him appear more serious, while explaining to Maki Kuwana it keeps hair out of his way during work. He exhibits an eccentric, cheerful personality often regarded as strange by peers due to his intense passion for art, described as an "art fetish." Despite an aloof and sometimes teasing demeanor, particularly towards Yotasuke Takahashi, he actively socializes and maintains friendly relationships. He speaks in a Kansai dialect and possesses extensive art history knowledge, frequently visiting museums to study works while openly expressing disinterest in artists like Picasso. He believes art preferences are subjective, comparing art to "food that’s not edible" and noting "expensive food isn’t necessarily tasty." Hashida first appears during Yatora and Yotasuke’s cram school period, inviting himself to their museum visit. He impresses Yatora with his analytical approach, emphasizing observation and theory over emotion. He later criticizes Yotasuke for leaving cram school, calling him "spoiled and stubborn." His development is highlighted in the "Saeki’s Drawing Class" arc, where he assists Yatora at an art school. His primary motivation is observing children’s uninhibited creativity before they "lose interest in art." He bonds with Sae, a student struggling with self-doubt. When Sae abandons painting despite his efforts, he experiences personal failure and dismisses teaching as a career. This arc reveals his tendency to mask insecurities; he confesses to Sae he feels inadequate compared to peers like Yotasuke and Yatora, viewing their talents as superior. Hashida maintains a complex friendship with Yotasuke, nicknaming him "Sekai-kun" despite Yotasuke’s visible discomfort. He also forges a meaningful connection with Yatora, who values his artistic insights despite initially finding him peculiar. Hashida’s social network extends widely, with acquaintances across art institutions exceeding even Geidai students. Background details indicate he attended high school with Yotasuke and later studied oil painting at Tama Art University. He comes from a family with three sisters. He employs unique methods to sustain inspiration, such as eating snacks matching the mood of his current artwork. His name, written as 橋田遥, combines "bridge" (橋), "rice field" (田), and "distant" (遥).