Minato Narumiya is a high school student and the story's protagonist. His fascination with kyudo began in childhood when his mother took him to a shrine around age five. There, he witnessed a kyudo competition featuring Akihiro Yasaka. His mother explained the sound of the bowstring, the "tsurune," sparking his deep interest. He started formal kyudo training in fifth grade under master Kazuyoshi Saionji alongside Shuu Fujiwara.

A significant trauma occurred in sixth grade: Minato and his mother were hit by a speeding car. His mother died, and Minato sustained injuries, including a scar on his left side. This event caused him to abandon kyudo. He assumed substantial household responsibilities like chores and cooking due to his mother's absence.

Minato enrolled in Kirisaki Middle School with childhood friend Seiya Takehaya and reunited with Shuu. All three joined the kyudo club, reaching the finals of the Prefectural Tournament in their third year. During this critical match, Minato suffered sudden target panic—a psychological block causing premature arrow release and missed shots—costing his team the victory. Unable to overcome this condition, he quit the club.

For high school, Minato chose Kazemai High School over Kirisaki High, partly due to affordability and proximity to home. Kazemai's kyudo club was nearly inactive. Though initially resistant to rejoining, an encounter with Masaki Takigawa, a shrine priest and kyudo practitioner who also experienced target panic, reignited his connection. Masaki became Minato's mentor.

Minato's target panic stemmed from unresolved trauma related to his mother's death. His recovery journey involved confronting this barrier through Masaki's guidance and support from teammates, including childhood friends Seiya and Ryouhei Yamanouchi, and new members Nanao Kisaragi and Kaito Onogi. Kaito initially viewed Minato with hostility due to his condition and perceived lack of seriousness, but their relationship evolved into mutual respect.

Preparing for the prefectural tournament, Minato learned of Seiya's internal conflict about his kyudo motivations, rooted in guilt over Minato's past struggles. Minato reassured Seiya, strengthening their bond. He also discovered Masaki's strained relationship with his late grandfather, Akihiro Yasaka. Minato encouraged Masaki to seek information about his grandfather from Osone, a friend of Saionji, leading to Masaki's car accident on tournament day.

Despite this setback, Minato led the Kazemai boys' team to the finals against Kirisaki. In a tense match where both teams had two missed shots, Minato secured victory by hitting the target while Shuu missed the final shot, qualifying Kazemai for nationals. This moment symbolized his full recovery from target panic and emergence as the team's reliable anchor.

Minato is reserved and serious, often flustered by more exuberant personalities like Nanao. He carries responsibility diligently, seen in his proactive maintenance of the kyudojo and domestic duties. Beneath his calm exterior lies deep passion for kyudo, loyalty to friends, and a "wild" side noted by Ryouhei—exhibited through activities like running on snowy roads or wading in cold rivers. He possesses a sarcastic streak, particularly around individuals like Masaki, and enjoys outdoor activities such as bicycling and playing in rivers with Seiya and Seiya's dog, Kuma. His love for fluffy animals, including Kuma and Masaki's owl Fuu, contrasts his stoic demeanor.

Minato's kyudo style continuously evolves, influenced by his fascination with others' techniques. His role as the team's anchor requires both skill and developed mental resilience. His relationships are central: Seiya remains protective and deeply committed; Shuu views him as a vital rival pushing mutual improvement; Masaki serves as both mentor and beneficiary of Minato's influence, helping him reconcile with his grandfather's legacy.

Key traits include a preference for mountains over the sea, enjoyment of bug hunting and tree climbing in childhood, and a forward-looking perspective—choosing to "move forward" rather than dwell on the past if given time travel. His name "Minato" means "harbor," and "Narumiya" combines "sound" and "temple/shrine," reflecting his connection to the tsurune sound experienced at a shrine.