Nitarō, often called Nita, is a dog who lives at the Sunshine Academy student dormitory in the anime The Kabocha Wine: Nita no Aijō Monogatari. He is owned by Madoka, the young daughter of the dormitory’s live-in caretaker, and acts as a watchdog for the building. Although the dormitory has a rule against keeping pets, Nitarō is treated as an exception. His background is that of a stray or adopted dog taken in by Madoka, and he becomes a familiar presence among the students. In terms of personality, Nitarō is lively, possessive, and prone to jealousy. He develops a strong attachment to the female lead Natsumi Asaoka, known as Eru, and regards the male protagonist Shunsuke Aoba as a rival for her affection. This leads him to behave aggressively toward Shunsuke, often barking at him or biting him on the buttocks. His motivations revolve around his fondness for Eru and a desire to keep Shunsuke away from her, which drives much of his comedic antagonism. In the story, Nitarō serves a supporting role, adding humor and warmth to the dormitory’s daily life. His notable abilities are typical canine traits: he can guard the premises, bark warnings, and use his teeth to express displeasure. A key development in the movie occurs when Nitarō brings home a puppy that closely resembles him, causing an uproar among the students. After being scolded, he tries to leave the dorm in an attempt to find a new home for the puppy, demonstrating a more responsible and caring side. His relationship with Madoka is that of a faithful pet and owner; she cares for him deeply, and he in turn protects the dorm. Through his interactions with the main characters, especially his rivalry with Shunsuke and his adoration of Eru, Nitarō contributes to the lighthearted, slapstick tone of the film while occasionally nudging the plot forward.