Ito Hikiotani is a central female character from the anime Punch Line. She is a sixteen-year-old girl whose name is a pun on the term HikiOtaNEET, a portmanteau that encapsulates her defining traits as a hikikomori, an otaku, and a NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). Her life took a drastic turn due to her past experiences; after being relentlessly bullied at school following a misunderstanding involving a teacher giving her a ride home, she became too frightened to attend classes. This trauma led her to drop out of school and develop severe social anxiety and agoraphobia, causing her to withdraw almost entirely from society. Her own parents became embarrassed by her situation, leading to her moving into the Korai House apartment complex, where her cousin, Lovera Chichibu, took her in and looked after her.

As a shut-in, Ito spends the vast majority of her time locked in her darkened apartment. Her days are consumed by playing online games, browsing the internet, and caring for her beloved pet, a small bear cub named Muhi. Her personality is a direct reflection of her isolation. She is often blunt, rude, and avoids interacting with her other housemates, a behavior that stems from her underlying social anxiety disorder rather than genuine misanthropy. Despite her withdrawn nature, she shows a deeply caring and even motherly side when looking after Muhi. She is also a stereotypical otaku, with a known fondness for video games, anime, and boys' love (yaoi) genres. Her social anxiety is compounded by a lack of self-confidence and a fear of forming friendships, rooted in the belief that people will dislike her if they learn the truth about her past. She intentionally cultivates a facade, wanting others to see her as a cheerful, confident girl who is simply lazy and has an unhealthy internet addiction, rather than perceiving her as a weak victim of bullying.

Ito's primary motivation throughout the story is to protect her secluded existence and avoid the painful social situations she fears, but a deeper motivation lies in her desire for connection and to be seen differently. She secretly admires Mikatan Narugino, both as a famous idol and as the superhero Strange Juice, and is shocked when Mikatan sincerely calls her a precious friend. This moment becomes a catalyst for change. A significant part of her backstory involves a misguided act of revenge: she uploaded an online video listing the names of her bullies as "this year's victims," intending it as a harmless prank to scare them. The video went viral, and a malevolent individual later used it as a hit list, adding Ito's own name and beginning to murder the students on it. This event places her at the center of the story's mystery and leads to her becoming a target alongside the other residents of Korai House.

Her key relationships are primarily within the Korai House. She shares a close friendship with Yuta Iridatsu, the ghostly protagonist, which begins when they bond over being killed by the same skilled player in an online game. They often play games together in her room, and she feels comfortable enough with him to hint at her troubled past, implying a significant level of trust. Her relationship with Mikatan is transformative. Initially, Ito is taken aback by Mikatan's friendly advances, unable to believe that someone she idolizes would genuinely want to be her friend. However, after Mikatan stops her from meeting a potential killer and bursts into tears while insisting they are friends, Ito confesses her entire history of bullying and her role in uploading the video, breaking down in the process. Mikatan embraces her and promises to protect her, solidifying a deep and supportive bond between them.

Ito undergoes a dramatic character development. Spurred by the support of her friends and the climactic events surrounding the threat to Earth, she begins to overcome her social anxiety. By the end of the series, she has started attending school again, walking hand-in-hand with Mikatan, demonstrating a newfound confidence. She is able to join her friends on social outings like picnics and concerts, and even feels comfortable enough to go swimming in a public pool while standing up to her former bullies, showcasing a complete turn from her previous reclusive and fearful state. Regarding notable abilities, Ito does not possess any superpowers. Her skills lie in her proficiency with online gaming and her encyclopedic knowledge of otaku and internet culture. However, she demonstrates a moment of decisive physical action by angrily knocking out a teacher who was the serial killer, proving she is capable of bravery when protecting those she cares about.