TV-Series
Description
Mao Natsukawa is Hikari Kamijou's childhood friend and next-door neighbor. He attends Aikoh Academy alongside Hikari, Hazuki Shiina, and Takaaki Ooishi. Serving as the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Mr. D, Mao aspires to global musical recognition. His band crafts original music for Hikari's rhythmic gymnastics routines, forging a professional and personal partnership that profoundly shapes her performances. The emotional dynamic between them directly impacts her athletic execution: tension causes inconsistencies, while harmony elevates their collaborative success.
Mao conceals deep romantic feelings for Hikari behind teasing or sarcasm, struggling to express them openly. His personality blends quiet introspection with occasional temper outbursts, reflecting choleric and melancholic traits. Despite Hikari's initial obliviousness to his affection and her own feelings for Takaaki, Mao remains steadfastly loyal, supporting her athletic ambitions while grappling with jealousy over her focus on Takaaki.
Within the manga's narrative, Mao undergoes significant development. After Hikari confides in him upon discovering Takaaki and Hazuki's engagement, weary of secondary status in her affections, he temporarily distances himself. This separation prompts Hikari to recognize her love for him. Defying competition rules at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Mao sings an Italian love song live during her routine. The act culminates in their reunion, with the manga concluding ambiguously on competition results but implying a committed romantic future as they leave the arena.
The anime adaptation presents divergent elements. Introduced as an original character, Mao was later integrated into the manga from its fourth volume. Due to the anime's premature cancellation, his storyline remains unresolved, concluding with a brief epilogue showing him pursuing his music career abroad without explicit romantic resolution with Hikari. The anime omits key manga plot points, including Mao's emotional confrontation with Hikari and their Olympic-era reconciliation.
Mao's relationships extend beyond Hikari. He maintains an unexpected friendship with Takaaki, occasionally offering emotional support during Takaaki's paternal conflicts. Mao also interacts with international rivals like Maria Lenova, who socializes with his bandmates. His role as Hikari's composer remains consistent across both manga and anime, with his music symbolically tied to her growth; piano renditions of series theme songs are diegetically incorporated into her routines.
Mao conceals deep romantic feelings for Hikari behind teasing or sarcasm, struggling to express them openly. His personality blends quiet introspection with occasional temper outbursts, reflecting choleric and melancholic traits. Despite Hikari's initial obliviousness to his affection and her own feelings for Takaaki, Mao remains steadfastly loyal, supporting her athletic ambitions while grappling with jealousy over her focus on Takaaki.
Within the manga's narrative, Mao undergoes significant development. After Hikari confides in him upon discovering Takaaki and Hazuki's engagement, weary of secondary status in her affections, he temporarily distances himself. This separation prompts Hikari to recognize her love for him. Defying competition rules at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Mao sings an Italian love song live during her routine. The act culminates in their reunion, with the manga concluding ambiguously on competition results but implying a committed romantic future as they leave the arena.
The anime adaptation presents divergent elements. Introduced as an original character, Mao was later integrated into the manga from its fourth volume. Due to the anime's premature cancellation, his storyline remains unresolved, concluding with a brief epilogue showing him pursuing his music career abroad without explicit romantic resolution with Hikari. The anime omits key manga plot points, including Mao's emotional confrontation with Hikari and their Olympic-era reconciliation.
Mao's relationships extend beyond Hikari. He maintains an unexpected friendship with Takaaki, occasionally offering emotional support during Takaaki's paternal conflicts. Mao also interacts with international rivals like Maria Lenova, who socializes with his bandmates. His role as Hikari's composer remains consistent across both manga and anime, with his music symbolically tied to her growth; piano renditions of series theme songs are diegetically incorporated into her routines.