Kōtarō Bokuto has round golden eyes and spiky grey-white hair with black streaks, evoking a horned owl's appearance. His muscular build and unique knee pads extending to his thighs make him instantly recognizable. Post-timeskip, he displays a more defined physique and shorter hair. His personality blends exuberance, emotional volatility, and surprising perceptiveness. He exhibits intense childlike enthusiasm, often seeking validation through dramatic displays during volleyball matches. This manifests in 37 documented weaknesses, including emotional slumps during games and an obsessive focus that hinders his versatility. Despite a seemingly simple-minded demeanor, he demonstrates insightful moments, mentoring Tsukishima on finding passion in volleyball and advising Hinata on strategic spiking techniques like feints and rebounds. His significant mood swings impact his performance, requiring team support to regain confidence. Bokuto's volleyball career began in childhood; middle school teammates struggled to match his intensity during drills. As captain and ace at Fukurōdani Academy, he earned recognition as one of Japan's top five aces. His exceptional skill as a first-year was accompanied by noticeable emotional instability. During his second year, he recruited first-year setter Keiji Akaashi after praising his sets as the best he'd experienced, initiating a pivotal partnership. Key developments occurred during training camps and matches. He mentored Karasuno players, teaching Tsukishima about volleyball's joys and Hinata specific techniques. His performance fluctuated; in a practice match against Karasuno, he dominated initially but entered a slump after errors, recovering only after Akaashi's strategic toss and teammate encouragement. In the "Land VS Air" OVA against Nekoma, Bokuto excelled initially with powerful straight shots but became predictable. Repeatedly blocked, he confessed an inability to execute cross-shots due to overfocusing on one technique. Akaashi intervened by devising a play that exploited Lev's inexperience, restoring Bokuto's confidence. Before graduating, Bokuto acknowledged his reliance on the team's support, declaring his intent to transition from a "coddled ace" to an "ordinary ace" – a consistently reliable player embodying excellence without emotional dependency. This maturation continued post-timeskip as a starting outside hitter for the MSBY Black Jackals in Division 1 of Japan's V-League. He joined the Japan National Team, displaying improved stability; he confidently assured setter Atsumu Miya he would not complain over missed sets, demonstrating his growth into a dependable "ordinary" ace. His worldview, emphasizing self-belief and global ambition, remained central, echoed in his philosophy: "No matter what they say, we are the protagonists of the world."