Makoto Tachibana stands tall and muscular, 183 cm in high school and growing to 184 cm later, with olive green hair and green eyes. He develops a habit of wearing black-framed glasses for reading and gaming at university. Inherently kind, considerate, and protective, especially toward his childhood friend Haruka Nanase, Makoto frequently intervenes to prevent Haruka's impulsive actions like stripping to swim in inappropriate places. Despite his imposing build, pronounced fears grip him, including thalassophobia rooted in childhood trauma witnessing a fisherman drown during a typhoon. This ocean fear coexists with his identity as a competitive swimmer. He often seeks refuge behind Haruka when frightened, revealing his vulnerability. Over time, he cultivates greater self-confidence, particularly when advocating for friends or confronting swimming challenges. His swimming journey starts in elementary school, initially specializing in breaststroke. He switches to backstroke during a relay event, finding comfort in seeing the sky while swimming. He continues specializing in backstroke throughout his career, competing in the 100 m backstroke, 200 m backstroke, and medley relays. As captain of the Iwatobi High School swim club, his leadership focuses on team cohesion and mutual support over just competitive success, emphasizing collective enjoyment: "What makes me happiest is that we can all swim together." After high school, he swims with the Tokyo Swimming Club while pursuing higher education. His background includes a deep friendship with Haruka dating back to kindergarten, marked by mutual nicknames "Haru-chan" (used by Makoto) and "Mako-chan" (used by Haruka). Caring for younger twin siblings Ren and Ran fosters his nurturing disposition, extending to friends and teammates; responsibilities like assisting with childcare contribute to his patient, supportive nature. A childhood episode bonding with a stray dog named "Makkou," whom Haruka helps care for after Makoto's mother proves allergic, further illustrates their mutual support. Makoto's character evolves significantly. At Meijo Chuo University, he studies sports medicine aiming to become a professional sports trainer for children. A part-time coaching role at Iwatobi SC Returns solidifies his vocation. By the time of "Free! Dive to the Future" and "Free! The Final Stroke," his focus shifts toward training elite swimmers like Haruka and Rin Matsuoka. This transition from teaching fundamentals to coaching competitive athletes marks his maturation. His insight into Haruka's psychology remains key, such as persuading Haruka to heed professional coaching advice using a metaphor involving mackerel preparation. Relationships are central. His profound bond with Haruka features non-verbal communication and deep understanding developed over years; he uniquely uses the nickname "Haru" without objection. He mentors underclassmen like Rei Ryugazaki and Nagisa Hazuki. University brings interactions with figures like Ikuya Kirishima, though these remain secondary to established relationships. His amiable nature attracts neighborhood stray cats. Symbolic associations include the color green and an orca motif, reflecting his protective role as the largest member of his group, akin to the orca's position as the largest dolphin species. He prefers green curry and chocolate, excels in literature but struggles with English and art, and enjoys physical activities and manual labor.