OVA
Description
Ryuichi Sakuma is the lead vocalist for the legendary band Nittle Grasper, alongside Tohma Seguchi and Noriko Ukai. He initially departed the band for a solo career in America, meeting his manager K there, before returning to Japan three years later to reform Nittle Grasper. This reunion established him as a professional rival, yet friend, to Shuichi Shindo, vocalist of Bad Luck.
His personality exhibits a distinct duality. He typically displays a childlike, naive demeanor, often carrying and talking to a pink stuffed rabbit named Kumagoro (Mr. Bear in English translations), a gift from K containing a tracking device. This playful, hyperactive side contrasts sharply with his cool, mature, and intensely focused persona during musical performances, where he transforms into a "vocal god." Characters note similarities between his childlike aspects and Shuichi's personality.
His serious side surfaces during performances, moments of anger or distress, or when making significant points, often startling observers. This complexity extends to his romantic feelings, explored in *Gravitation EX*. His serious personality explicitly expresses lust and possessiveness towards Shuichi, declaring "Shuichi was his" and that obstacles like Eiri Yuki would be "eliminated," while his childlike side claims to only desire Shuichi's voice, creating internal conflict about his true intentions.
A notable incident in *Gravitation EX* involves Ryuichi kissing Shuichi, recorded by Reiji for her movie, causing Eiri's jealousy. The kiss's motivation remains ambiguous: interpretations include childlike scheming (possibly to bring Shuichi and Yuki closer), genuine infatuation, or simply acting under direction. His serious side later affirms feelings for Shuichi.
Within the *Gravitation: Lyrics of Love* OVA, Ryuichi demonstrates perceptiveness beyond his childish facade. Overhearing conversation about Shuichi's depression over Yuki writing lyrics for Nittle Grasper, he travels to Shuichi's family home. He intervenes by throwing Kumagoro at Shuichi and offers to let Bad Luck perform Yuki's song "Shining Collection" instead of Nittle Grasper, showing respect for Shuichi's talent and struggles. Later, during Nittle Grasper's performance of the song at the Tokyo Bay Music Fest, he invites Shuichi on stage to sing it with him, facilitating reconciliation between Shuichi and Yuki.
His background includes being raised in Japan but achieving fluency in English during his time in America, while conversely noted as weak in Japanese, particularly with vague characters. Tatsuha Uesugi, Eiri Yuki's younger brother, develops an intense obsession with him. The character is reportedly based on Hiroyuki Takami of Access, with Tohma Seguchi based on Daisuke Asakura. His birthday is June 4.
His personality exhibits a distinct duality. He typically displays a childlike, naive demeanor, often carrying and talking to a pink stuffed rabbit named Kumagoro (Mr. Bear in English translations), a gift from K containing a tracking device. This playful, hyperactive side contrasts sharply with his cool, mature, and intensely focused persona during musical performances, where he transforms into a "vocal god." Characters note similarities between his childlike aspects and Shuichi's personality.
His serious side surfaces during performances, moments of anger or distress, or when making significant points, often startling observers. This complexity extends to his romantic feelings, explored in *Gravitation EX*. His serious personality explicitly expresses lust and possessiveness towards Shuichi, declaring "Shuichi was his" and that obstacles like Eiri Yuki would be "eliminated," while his childlike side claims to only desire Shuichi's voice, creating internal conflict about his true intentions.
A notable incident in *Gravitation EX* involves Ryuichi kissing Shuichi, recorded by Reiji for her movie, causing Eiri's jealousy. The kiss's motivation remains ambiguous: interpretations include childlike scheming (possibly to bring Shuichi and Yuki closer), genuine infatuation, or simply acting under direction. His serious side later affirms feelings for Shuichi.
Within the *Gravitation: Lyrics of Love* OVA, Ryuichi demonstrates perceptiveness beyond his childish facade. Overhearing conversation about Shuichi's depression over Yuki writing lyrics for Nittle Grasper, he travels to Shuichi's family home. He intervenes by throwing Kumagoro at Shuichi and offers to let Bad Luck perform Yuki's song "Shining Collection" instead of Nittle Grasper, showing respect for Shuichi's talent and struggles. Later, during Nittle Grasper's performance of the song at the Tokyo Bay Music Fest, he invites Shuichi on stage to sing it with him, facilitating reconciliation between Shuichi and Yuki.
His background includes being raised in Japan but achieving fluency in English during his time in America, while conversely noted as weak in Japanese, particularly with vague characters. Tatsuha Uesugi, Eiri Yuki's younger brother, develops an intense obsession with him. The character is reportedly based on Hiroyuki Takami of Access, with Tohma Seguchi based on Daisuke Asakura. His birthday is June 4.