Kyo Soma is a young man cursed by the spirit of the cat, an animal excluded from the Chinese zodiac according to legend because the rat tricked it into missing the divine banquet. This curse causes him to transform into an orange cat whenever he is embraced by someone of the opposite sex, though he also possesses a more horrifying true form, a monstrous and foul-smelling creature that emerges if the prayer bead bracelet on his left wrist is removed. He is a tall, physically fit teenager with bright orange hair and sharp orange eyes, and he often leaves his school uniform unbuttoned, preferring loose clothing that does not restrict movement. Abandoned by his biological father and having lost his mother to a death widely believed to be suicide, Kyo was taken in and raised by Kazuma Soma, a kindhearted martial arts master who became his adoptive father. This traumatic past left him deeply mistrustful, short-tempered, and prone to lashing out with blunt, sometimes cruel remarks as a defense mechanism. He channels his pain into an intense rivalry with Yuki Soma, the rat spirit, whom he blames for his suffering and is determined to defeat in combat. Despite his abrasive exterior, Kyo is fiercely protective of those he cares about, refuses to harm girls, and carries an enormous burden of guilt and self-loathing. His life begins to change when he moves into Shigure Soma's home and meets Tohru Honda, a kind and accepting girl who adores the cat of the zodiac. Through her persistent warmth, Kyo gradually lets down his walls, confronting his trauma, learning to accept affection, and falling deeply in love with her. Over time he grows calmer and more emotionally mature, reconciling with Yuki and finding the courage to apologize for his past rejections. He trains rigorously in karate and dreams of opening his own dojo, a goal he pursues after the curse is broken. In the end, he marries Tohru, builds a family, and moves away to continue his martial arts career, having finally found self-worth and peace.