Hiroaki Ogata is a supporting character introduced during the Dark Moon drama arc. He is a young television director, twenty-seven years old, whose real name is Date Hiroaki. He deliberately uses the professional name Ogata, as he is the son of Hirotaka Ogata, a highly respected and famous director known for creating the classic drama Tsukigomori. The Dark Moon project is a modern remake of his father's most famous work, and Hiroaki has personally chosen to helm this difficult production as a direct challenge to step out of the shadow of his father's legacy and prove his own worth as a director.

In terms of personality, Hiroaki initially comes across as timid, quiet, and physically frail. He speaks with a weak voice, has a fair-skinned and neat appearance, and is prone to health issues like spasms or hyperventilation when under extreme stress. This delicate exterior leads characters like his childhood friend, Haruki Asami, to worry about him constantly. However, this insecure demeanor is only one side of his professional identity. As a director, he is known on set as an NG ghost, a term that reflects his obsessive perfectionism and strict standards. He is not afraid to order cut after cut, demanding repeated and exhausting retakes from actors until he achieves the precise performance he envisions. This strictness applies to all actors, including the accomplished Ren Tsuruga and the newcomer Kyoko Mogami, revealing a deep-seated determination and a fierce commitment to his artistic vision that lies beneath his fragile surface.

Hiroaki's primary motivation is to surpass his father's masterpiece, Tsukigomori, and to free himself from the crushing feeling that all his own works are mere inferior copies. He has bet his entire reputation as a director on the success of Dark Moon. This immense psychological pressure is the source of his anxiety and physical symptoms, as he is constantly haunted by the fear of failure and of being forever compared to his legendary parent. He is supported in this struggle by his producer, the formidable Lory Takarada, who serves as a tough mentor, reminding him of his goals and pushing him to make difficult decisions for the sake of the project. Heijiro Date, his father, remains an off-screen but ever-present influence that defines Hiroaki’s personal and professional struggles.

His key relationships are primarily within the production of Dark Moon. His connection with the lead actors, Kyoko Mogami and Ren Tsuruga, is particularly pivotal. He finds an unexpected source of inspiration in Kyoko, whose daring and unorthodox interpretation of the villainous Mio breaks the mold of the original character. Kyoko’s courage to create something new rather than simply imitate the past directly reignites Hiroaki’s own lost sense of purpose, helping him to reclaim his director's vision. Ren Tsuruga also provides crucial support, both as a professional who takes the director's challenges seriously and as a stabilizing presence during moments of intense personal crisis.

Throughout the Dark Moon arc, Hiroaki undergoes significant development. He begins as a director paralyzed by self-doubt and the overwhelming legacy of his father, unable to assert his own creative identity. A major turning point occurs when he witnesses Kyoko’s powerful performance. This inspires him to challenge veteran actress Hiroko Iizuka to similarly break free from her established interpretation of her role, demonstrating to everyone on set that the weak and hesitant director is no longer present. This marks his emergence as a confident leader capable of guiding his cast to new heights. This development cements his role not merely as a plot device but as a character who, like Kyoko and Ren, is striving to overcome his own personal demons in the competitive world of entertainment.