TV-Series
Description
Kōtarō Tatsumi, originally Inui, masterminds the idol group Franchouchou. He attended high school with Sakura Minamoto, who initially doesn't recognize him due to significant changes in his appearance and personality. His transformation from the shy Inui to the eccentric Tatsumi involved adopting a new surname and a dramatically different persona. His core motivation is a plan to save Saga Prefecture from a supernatural curse causing the premature deaths of those who could bring it fame. To combat this, he resurrects seven deceased girls from different eras, forming Franchouchou to revitalize Saga's reputation and economy through their performances.
Tatsumi presents a loud, abrasive, and domineering exterior, frequently berating the Franchouchou members and enforcing grueling schedules with little regard for their personal struggles, often provoking physical retaliation. However, he harbors deep vulnerabilities: social anxiety in public and severe depression triggered by professional failures, leading to physical neglect like unkempt long hair and an unshaven face. Moments of genuine care and wisdom emerge when he mentors members through personal crises, such as advising Junko Konno on modern idol culture or composing a heartfelt song for Lily Hoshikawa to reconcile with her father.
His character undergoes significant evolution. Early reckless decisions, like forcing Sakura to perform at a death metal festival or the poorly planned EFS concert, result in catastrophic failures, damaging Franchouchou's reputation and incurring massive debts. The EFS failure plunges him into a prolonged depressive state marked by isolation and heavy drinking. A pivotal conversation with the bartender Jofuku prompts his recommitment. Later actions show increased responsibility and strategic insight, like temporarily excluding Ai Mizuno from an Iron Frill collaboration to foster independence and improve group cohesion. By the series' end, he adopts a more supportive, less authoritarian approach, with his relationship evolving into one of mutual trust and gratitude with Sakura.
Visually, Tatsumi consistently wears dark sunglasses concealing his eyes, a signature red vest featuring a dried squid tentacle protruding from the pocket, and a dark jacket draped over his shoulders; his appearance becomes notably disheveled during depressive phases. He exhibits multifaceted talents essential to Franchouchou's operations: exceptional makeup artistry to disguise the zombies' true appearances, songwriting skills demonstrated in compositions like "Atsuku Nare" for Ai and Junko, and proficient beatboxing and rapping showcased in early performances. He also handles logistics like securing venues and sponsorships, though impulsiveness sometimes undermines these efforts.
Tatsumi maintains a complex relationship with the immortal bartender Jofuku, who mentors him and warns against interfering with Yugiri's past. His backstory reveals an undisclosed connection to Sakura's death. The name "Tatsumi" (southeast) deliberately inverts his original surname "Inui" (northwest), symbolizing the duality between his current forceful persona and his earlier shy demeanor. His reliance on an electric guitar as a motivational tool ends when Junko destroys it during a performance.
Tatsumi presents a loud, abrasive, and domineering exterior, frequently berating the Franchouchou members and enforcing grueling schedules with little regard for their personal struggles, often provoking physical retaliation. However, he harbors deep vulnerabilities: social anxiety in public and severe depression triggered by professional failures, leading to physical neglect like unkempt long hair and an unshaven face. Moments of genuine care and wisdom emerge when he mentors members through personal crises, such as advising Junko Konno on modern idol culture or composing a heartfelt song for Lily Hoshikawa to reconcile with her father.
His character undergoes significant evolution. Early reckless decisions, like forcing Sakura to perform at a death metal festival or the poorly planned EFS concert, result in catastrophic failures, damaging Franchouchou's reputation and incurring massive debts. The EFS failure plunges him into a prolonged depressive state marked by isolation and heavy drinking. A pivotal conversation with the bartender Jofuku prompts his recommitment. Later actions show increased responsibility and strategic insight, like temporarily excluding Ai Mizuno from an Iron Frill collaboration to foster independence and improve group cohesion. By the series' end, he adopts a more supportive, less authoritarian approach, with his relationship evolving into one of mutual trust and gratitude with Sakura.
Visually, Tatsumi consistently wears dark sunglasses concealing his eyes, a signature red vest featuring a dried squid tentacle protruding from the pocket, and a dark jacket draped over his shoulders; his appearance becomes notably disheveled during depressive phases. He exhibits multifaceted talents essential to Franchouchou's operations: exceptional makeup artistry to disguise the zombies' true appearances, songwriting skills demonstrated in compositions like "Atsuku Nare" for Ai and Junko, and proficient beatboxing and rapping showcased in early performances. He also handles logistics like securing venues and sponsorships, though impulsiveness sometimes undermines these efforts.
Tatsumi maintains a complex relationship with the immortal bartender Jofuku, who mentors him and warns against interfering with Yugiri's past. His backstory reveals an undisclosed connection to Sakura's death. The name "Tatsumi" (southeast) deliberately inverts his original surname "Inui" (northwest), symbolizing the duality between his current forceful persona and his earlier shy demeanor. His reliance on an electric guitar as a motivational tool ends when Junko destroys it during a performance.