TV-Series
Description
Masato Hijirikawa is a student of Saotome Gakuen, belonging to Class A, and a member of the idol group ST☆RISH. He is the eldest son and heir of the Hijirikawa Group, a wealthy and traditional family. Because of this, he was raised in a strict, disciplined environment that emphasized responsibility and proper conduct. His father was particularly severe, and Masato often felt immense pressure to meet high expectations. He was able to attend Saotome Academy after his grandfather, Masaomi, intervened to allow him one year to pursue music, provided he showed progress.
Masato’s personality is earnest, serious, and slightly old-fashioned. He values discipline, order, and sincerity, and he holds himself to exacting standards. His serious demeanor sometimes prevents him from revealing his true feelings or his more vulnerable side. Beneath his calm exterior, he harbors strong emotions and a passionate dedication to his craft. He is also dexterous and meticulous, skilled at sewing, cooking, and other household tasks, though he keeps his hobby of sewing mostly private. He plays the piano with great tenderness and depth, using music as his primary means of emotional expression.
His motivation to become an idol stems from a pivotal moment in his childhood: on a snowy day, he saw a young girl singing with children in a park. That encounter inspired him to pursue music as a way to express himself. He also wishes to honor his family’s legacy while carving his own path, and he deeply desires to give his younger sister, Mai, the freedom of choice he never had. His goal is to prove his worth as an artist and to shine as brightly as possible on stage.
In the story, Masato initially struggles with the conflict between his duty as the heir and his dream of being an idol. He forms a close bond with the protagonist, Haruka Nanami, recognizing her as the girl from that snowy day. He helps her overcome her stage fright and gradually opens up to her, developing romantic feelings. His role in ST☆RISH is as a stabilizing presence, balancing the more free-spirited members. He often acts as a voice of reason and discipline within the group.
Key relationships include his childhood friend and roommate, Ren Jinguji, with whom he shares a competitive yet respectful dynamic. The two come from rival corporate families, and each envies the other’s position: Masato envies Ren’s freedom, while Ren envies Masato’s clear path as heir. Despite their rivalry, they care deeply for each other. Masato is also close with Tokiya Ichinose, with whom he shares a similar serious nature and a mutual respect; they collaborate on writing songs. He forms a strong friendship with Syo Kurusu, bonded over food after Masato often shared his meals when Syo was left hungry by Natsuki’s cooking. He knows Ranmaru Kurosaki from childhood as well, though their connection is more distant.
Masato undergoes significant development throughout the series. He learns to accept his own vulnerabilities, to trust his fellow group members, and to pursue his passion without being solely defined by his family’s expectations. His rivalry with Ren forces him to confront his insecurities, and his interactions with Haruka and the rest of ST☆RISH help him become more open and confident. His growth is symbolized by his increasing ability to express himself through music and performance.
His notable abilities include exceptional piano playing, which he uses both in solos and as part of ST☆RISH’s performances. He is also a skilled singer with a clear, flexible voice. Offstage, his dexterity makes him adept at sewing and cooking, and he is known for his meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of his life.
Masato’s personality is earnest, serious, and slightly old-fashioned. He values discipline, order, and sincerity, and he holds himself to exacting standards. His serious demeanor sometimes prevents him from revealing his true feelings or his more vulnerable side. Beneath his calm exterior, he harbors strong emotions and a passionate dedication to his craft. He is also dexterous and meticulous, skilled at sewing, cooking, and other household tasks, though he keeps his hobby of sewing mostly private. He plays the piano with great tenderness and depth, using music as his primary means of emotional expression.
His motivation to become an idol stems from a pivotal moment in his childhood: on a snowy day, he saw a young girl singing with children in a park. That encounter inspired him to pursue music as a way to express himself. He also wishes to honor his family’s legacy while carving his own path, and he deeply desires to give his younger sister, Mai, the freedom of choice he never had. His goal is to prove his worth as an artist and to shine as brightly as possible on stage.
In the story, Masato initially struggles with the conflict between his duty as the heir and his dream of being an idol. He forms a close bond with the protagonist, Haruka Nanami, recognizing her as the girl from that snowy day. He helps her overcome her stage fright and gradually opens up to her, developing romantic feelings. His role in ST☆RISH is as a stabilizing presence, balancing the more free-spirited members. He often acts as a voice of reason and discipline within the group.
Key relationships include his childhood friend and roommate, Ren Jinguji, with whom he shares a competitive yet respectful dynamic. The two come from rival corporate families, and each envies the other’s position: Masato envies Ren’s freedom, while Ren envies Masato’s clear path as heir. Despite their rivalry, they care deeply for each other. Masato is also close with Tokiya Ichinose, with whom he shares a similar serious nature and a mutual respect; they collaborate on writing songs. He forms a strong friendship with Syo Kurusu, bonded over food after Masato often shared his meals when Syo was left hungry by Natsuki’s cooking. He knows Ranmaru Kurosaki from childhood as well, though their connection is more distant.
Masato undergoes significant development throughout the series. He learns to accept his own vulnerabilities, to trust his fellow group members, and to pursue his passion without being solely defined by his family’s expectations. His rivalry with Ren forces him to confront his insecurities, and his interactions with Haruka and the rest of ST☆RISH help him become more open and confident. His growth is symbolized by his increasing ability to express himself through music and performance.
His notable abilities include exceptional piano playing, which he uses both in solos and as part of ST☆RISH’s performances. He is also a skilled singer with a clear, flexible voice. Offstage, his dexterity makes him adept at sewing and cooking, and he is known for his meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of his life.