Hachiman Hikigaya is a teenage male of average height and build. He possesses medium-short black hair, an ahoge (cowlick), and notably dead-looking eyes frequently termed "dead fish eyes." His school uniform is typically worn improperly, missing the tie and featuring a black undershirt. Narrative observations note his facial features might be considered attractive if not for his habitual gloomy expression. His personality is fundamentally cynical, pessimistic, and misanthropic, molded by extensive social rejection throughout his youth. He firmly believes youth is an illusion constructed by hypocrites and views superficial social interactions with deep skepticism. Years of psychological bullying and ostracization, starting in elementary school, cemented his loner status. Elementary school peers mocked him with nicknames like "Hikigerma" (a fictional virus) and "Hikikaeru" (Hikifroggy), excluding him from activities. Middle school involved more severe experiences: fake love confessions as punishments, garbage stuffed in his shoe locker, public mockery including a humiliating chalkboard drawing, and widespread rejection. This culminated in a public broadcast ridiculing a carefully prepared birthday gift for a girl he liked, earning him the lasting nickname "Otagaya." A private confession to classmate Kaori Orimoto resulted in widespread gossip and further avoidance. These experiences shaped his worldview where he anticipates rejection and perceives hidden motives in others' kindness. Despite social withdrawal, he exhibits exceptional intelligence and observational skills, enabling acute analysis of social dynamics. This skill often leads him to resolve conflicts through calculated "social suicides" – methods where he deliberately makes himself the villain to unite others or solve problems. Examples include cruelly insulting festival organizer Minami Sagami to provoke her into action and employing manipulative tactics during a summer camp event involving an ostracized child named Rumi. While effective, these methods stem from and reinforce profound self-loathing and belief in his own disposability. He justifies them as efficient and necessary, rejecting terms like "self-sacrifice" due to pride in his work, though his teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka and others point out the collateral damage inflicted on those who care about him. Forced to join the Service Club by Hiratsuka-sensei, he initially interacts reluctantly with its other members: the aloof Yukino Yukinoshita and the genial Yui Yuigahama. His relationship with Yui is complicated by an early car accident where he saved her dog, Sable, on his first day of high school. This resulted in a broken leg and a month-long hospitalization that cemented his outsider status upon return. He initially misinterpreted Yui’s friendliness as guilt over this incident. His connection to Yukino strained upon discovering her family owned the car that hit him, though this misunderstanding was later resolved. Sustained interactions within the club challenge his isolationist beliefs. He develops a deep, albeit complex, bond with both Yukino and Yui, struggling to express genuine emotions and often retreating into sarcasm or deflection. His development centers on confronting the harm caused by his self-destructive methods and the growing realization that he desires authentic connections. This culminates in his pivotal request to the Service Club for "something genuine." He gradually acknowledges the pain his actions cause Yukino and Yui, who consistently express care for him despite his behavior. He begins seeking alternative solutions that don't rely solely on his own degradation, though progress is slow and fraught with setbacks due to ingrained trust issues and difficulty with vulnerability. His eventual romantic confession to Yukino marks a significant step towards embracing genuine emotional connection. His family life primarily involves his younger sister, Komachi, with whom he shares a close and affectionate relationship. Komachi cooks for him, engages in playful banter, and displays deep appreciation for his care, contrasting sharply with his distant relationship with his largely absent parents. He exhibits a soft spot for younger girls, likely stemming from his role as an older brother, extending kindness to characters like Iroha Isshiki, Rumi, and Yukino's younger sister Keika. Past hobbies included cosplay, anime, and manga, interests he downplayed in high school to avoid further social stigma, though references still surface in his internal monologues. He enjoys reading, watching TV, gaming, and sleeping – solitary activities. Academically, he attends the prestigious Sobu High School, gained through dedicated study to escape his middle school environment. However, the car accident caused him to miss the crucial first month, hindering his intended social "reset."