Kanako Ohno is a central figure in the Genshiken narrative, eventually becoming the fourth president of the university club dedicated to modern visual culture. Her background is somewhat unique among the group, as she was raised in the United States from the third grade onward and graduated from an American high school before joining the Genshiken at the beginning of the fall term. This upbringing provides her with a firm grasp of English, a trait she shares with another member of the cast.

In terms of personality, Kanako is typically portrayed as soft-spoken, polite, and easily embarrassed in everyday social situations. However, this reserved demeanor transforms dramatically when the subject turns to her primary passions. She becomes surprisingly vocal, upfront, and competitive, particularly regarding cosplay, which stands as her most visible hobby. Her enthusiasm for dressing as characters and putting her creations on display is a defining trait that serves as a foil for other characters who are initially resistant to the club's activities. Her other major interest is yaoi, though her specific tastes are highly specialized, focusing on stories involving muscular, middle-aged, and often exceedingly bald men. This preference, sometimes referred to as oyajicon, is a fetish she feels only the accepting environment of the Genshiken would embrace without ridicule.

Motivations for Kanako are driven almost entirely by her love for cosplay and her desire to share that joy with others. She joins the Genshiken specifically because it is a space where her unique interests are accepted. Her decision to accept the role of club president comes from a suggestion by her friend Saki that she could effectively transform the organization into a cosplay study group. Later, she passes this presidency on to the character Chika Ogiue.

Kanako's role in the story is multifaceted. She quickly becomes the Genshiken's main attraction at student fairs, using high-quality costumes sewn personally by fellow member Souichirou Tanaka, with whom she begins a romantic relationship. She also acts as a catalyst for other characters, actively but gently encouraging Saki Kasukabe and later Chika Ogiue to participate in club activities and explore the world of cosplay and fandom. Her close friendship with Saki is particularly significant; Saki was the first person to discover Kanako's preference for older men, and their bond helps bridge the gap between the otaku members and the more "normal" outside world.

Throughout the series, Kanako exhibits notable development. While she is confident in her hobbies, she is initially nervous about revealing her specific tastes. Over time, she gains greater confidence, eventually taking on a leadership role as club president and acting as a supportive "fujoshi older sister" to newer, more insecure members like Ogiue. In later parts of the manga, it is revealed that she is not actively job hunting after college, as she is waiting for her boyfriend, Tanaka, to complete his additional schooling, implying she plans to become a housewife or assist him in his future career. Her abilities are centered on her passion for cosplay, where her natural talent for modeling and performing, combined with her striking figure and long black hair, make her the club's most effective public presence. She also holds a strong personal principle against cosplay sex, feeling it betrays the characters being portrayed, though she indicates having found a personal loophole for characters originating in adult content.