Ushio Arakawa is a high school student and shamisen player competing in the Matsugorou Cup. He enters the competition radiating confidence and a touch of arrogance, openly critiquing fellow performers. His playing captivates audiences, defined by a signature "Arakawa twang" technique created through rapid hand slides along the strings, generating palpable excitement and admiration.

Initially isolated, Ushio's involvement in shamisen sparks a journey toward greater social connection. His encounter with Setsu Sawamura acts as a catalyst, opening him to collaboration and shared musical experiences. This shift culminates in forming bonds with peers and joining the school's shamisen club, a step he had previously resisted.

Central to Ushio's approach is his musical philosophy, encapsulated in his belief: "Music is meaningless without the soul." While specific details about his family background, upbringing, or experiences outside the depicted events are not provided in the available materials, his path illustrates a transition from individualistic performance to active participation in a communal artistic environment.