Kotaro Tatsumi, who was originally known by his family name Inui, is the mysterious and eccentric creator of the Zombie Land Saga Project. He was a high school classmate of Sakura Minamoto and held unspoken feelings for her. After her sudden death in 2008, he left Saga Prefecture to study entertainment and idol management in Tokyo, eventually returning with the means to resurrect seven legendary deceased girls as zombies. He formed them into the idol group Franchouchou with the stated goal of revitalizing Saga Prefecture, which faces a rising extinction risk index and cultural decline. Kotaro is loud, arrogant, and theatrical, often making grand entrances and acting without regard for common sense. He is deeply passionate about his mission and genuinely cares for the members, though he hides his emotional vulnerability behind a bombastic facade. His primary motivation is saving Saga, but his actions are also driven by a personal desire to help Sakura achieve the idol dream she never had in life. He acts as the group’s manager and producer, pushing the girls to their limits while also preparing performances, songs, and strategies. His mysterious past and true identity remain hidden for most of the story, with revelations about his connection to Sakura marking a key emotional development. Kotaro possesses the ability to resurrect the dead as zombies and uses Hollywood-level special makeup to disguise their appearance. He is a skilled strategist and showman, capable of adapting quickly to situations and bringing out the best in the group. His relationships with the members evolve from distrust to mutual respect, and his interactions with a cryptic bartender hint at a larger supernatural destiny tied to Saga’s fate. Overall, Kotaro is the central driving force behind the series, balancing eccentricity with a deep, hidden sense of purpose.