Hotaru is a player character from the online game The World, first appearing in the story.hack//Legend of the Twilight. Within the game, Hotaru’s avatar is a Wavemaster, a magic-using class. The avatar has a youthful and gentle appearance, characterized by blonde hair and a dress that is pink in the anime adaptation and green in the original manga. A notable and constant companion is a small Grunty, a creature from the game, which almost always rides atop Hotaru’s hat.

The real person behind the avatar is a teenager, approximately thirteen to fourteen years old, who lives in Boston, USA. Hotaru is of half-Japanese heritage, having a Japanese mother and an American father. A primary motivation for playing on the Japanese servers of The World is to practice and improve Japanese language skills. This leads to a somewhat formal speaking style and occasional misunderstandings of casual phrases or fast-talking characters.

The personality exhibited by Hotaru in the game is deeply kind and pacifistic. There is a strong obsession with the protection and harmony of all living creatures, which extends to refusing to attack monsters. This pacifism can put Hotaru and the party in difficult situations, as Hotaru will often plead with others not to fight, even when they are in danger. When combat is unavoidable, Hotaru relies on non-violent methods, using magical scrolls and tarot cards to immobilize enemies long enough to escape rather than to destroy them.

Hotaru’s central role in the story begins with the adoption of a sick baby Grunty. Another player had left the sick creature in Hotaru’s care, and when it falls ill, Hotaru desperately seeks a cure. Encountering the protagonist Shugo, he agrees to help. Despite the danger, they venture into a high-level area together to obtain a rare Phoenix Feather, the only remedy. After successfully saving the Grunty, the creature chooses to stay with Hotaru, cementing a permanent bond. This event forms a lasting friendship, and Hotaru becomes a trusted member of Shugo’s regular party.

Key relationships are formed through this act of kindness. Shugo, who helps save the Grunty, becomes a very close friend. Hotaru also shares a significant bond with Sanjuro, a more experienced player who acts as a protector and mentor, especially early on. The pacifistic nature of Hotaru is often a point of contrast with other party members, particularly with the fast-talking and treasure-hunting Mireille, whose enthusiasm Hotaru frequently misunderstands.

Across the narrative, Hotaru’s development is subtle but present. Initially a lone, somewhat lost player struggling with language and game mechanics, Hotaru becomes a more confident and integral member of a group. The pacifist philosophy never wavers, but Hotaru learns to support friends in non-aggressive ways during critical battles. In a notable turn, a sound drama reveals that the player behind the gentle female avatar is actually a boy in real life, a fact that surprises another character but does not change the in-game friendships. As a Wavemaster who avoids direct attacks, notable abilities are not focused on offensive magic. Instead, Hotaru’s key skills are support-based, using defensive magic and items for crowd control. The most unique ability is a deep, almost intrinsic connection to the Grunty, whose loyalty and occasional surprising transformations provide critical aid to the party.