Hanako Katsuta, known as Hana-chan among Chikuseisou dormitory residents, is a third-year high school student. She is the daughter of a shop owner in the local shopping district near Kansei University, with chin-length light-brown hair featuring square bangs that cover her forehead and brown eyes.

Hanako exhibits an energetic and helpful personality, maintaining friendly ties with the Kansei University track team. She regularly supports their training by cycling alongside runners to time their laps and offer encouragement. Her frequent interactions with the Jō twins highlight a close companionship within the group.

Her cooking skills are notably limited. A temporary stint handling meal preparation at Chikuseisou resulted in food poisoning for most residents, sparing only Kakeru Kurahara and Prince. This incident cemented her reputation for culinary mishaps.

Per the original novel, Hanako harbors romantic feelings for Kakeru Kurahara, though the anime adaptation leaves this unaddressed. Her design diverges across media: the manga depicts long dark hair as in the novel, while the anime features short light-brown hair.

Her name carries symbolic weight—"Hanako" blends characters for leaf/vegetable, greens, and child, while "Katsuta" combines victory and field. Her role centers on providing logistical and moral support to the track team during training and competitions, contributing to their efforts without competing.

No significant character development or expanded backstory appears in official adaptations, including the anime, novel, manga, or live-action film. Her portrayal consistently emphasizes supportive functions and interactions with the main cast.