ONA
Description
Haida is a spotted hyena and a central figure in the story, working as an accountant at the trading firm Carrier Man Trading Co., Ltd. His name is a phonetic play on the Japanese word for hyena. In terms of appearance, he has grayish-brown fur, a black nose and ears, and a dark gray muzzle marked with distinctive freckle-like spots on his cheeks. His eyes are hazel, and he has a pronounced underbite, a common feature of his species. His typical work attire consists of a white dress shirt, a red tie, and black dress pants, while his casual look often involves a red and black striped shirt, a black leather jacket, jeans, and boots.
Haida's personality is defined by a complex mix of neuroticism, deep-seated anxiety, and a pervasive lack of self-confidence. He frequently fawns over his coworker Retsuko, attempting to impress her with small favors like fixing her computer, yet he is notoriously unable to directly admit his romantic feelings. This indecisiveness and passivity are major obstacles in his life, making him a pushover who often follows others' suggestions rather than his own instincts. He is also prone to moments of frustration and can be susceptible to passive-aggressive manipulation by more assertive individuals, a trait that stems from a childhood dominated by his father's unrealistic expectations. Despite these flaws, Haida is fundamentally kind, loyal, and considerate. He prioritizes the happiness of his friends, demonstrated when steps back to let Retsuko pursue relationships with others and later when he risks his own safety to protect her from a stalker.
Haida's primary motivation throughout the story is his long-standing romantic interest in Retsuko, which began several years prior to the narrative when he witnessed her sneaking water after work hours, shattering his initial "vanilla" impression of her. His actions are largely driven by a desire to connect with her and earn her affection, though his fear of rejection consistently holds him back. Beyond his romantic pursuits, he seeks validation and recognition, which makes him vulnerable to the approval of powerful figures in the workplace. His role in the story evolves from a quietly pining supporting character to a deuteragonist whose personal journey of self-improvement becomes a primary focus, particularly in later seasons.
His key relationship is undoubtedly with Retsuko. The dynamic spans several years of unrequited love, marked by confessed feelings that are initially rejected, followed by a gradual strengthening of their friendship and mutual support. After numerous trials, they eventually begin dating and are ultimately married. His other significant relationships include his close friendship with Fenneko, who is his confidante and drinking buddy, often acting as his sounding board and even stalking Retsuko's social media on his behalf. Haida also has a rivalry and complicated friendship with the successful tech entrepreneur Tadano, whom he both admires and envies. He briefly attempts to date Inui, a woman who shares his musical tastes, but he cannot move past his lingering feelings for Retsuko. His family, particularly his strict, conservative politician father Juzo and his younger brother Jiro, also play a crucial role, as his father's pressure and dismissal of him are the root causes of Haida's chronic self-doubt.
Over the course of the narrative, Haida undergoes significant development. Beginning as a spineless and indecisive character who drowns his sorrows in alcohol, he learns to stand up for himself. A pivotal moment occurs when Retsuko confronts him about his passive nature, helping slap some sense back into him. He later quits his job rather than continue participating in fraud under his manipulative director Himuro. His development culminates in the final season, where, after losing his job and his apartment, he hits rock bottom by hiding in an internet cafe and developing a gaming addiction. With Retsuko's help, he recovers, stands up to his overbearing family, and finally becomes a confident and steadfast partner worthy of her.
In terms of notable abilities, Haida is surprisingly tech-savvy, often serving as the de facto IT support for the accounting department, and he once programmed a streamlined accounting program. He is also a passionate musician who plays the bass guitar and enjoys singing punk rock, though it is noted that he is not particularly skilled at it.
Haida's personality is defined by a complex mix of neuroticism, deep-seated anxiety, and a pervasive lack of self-confidence. He frequently fawns over his coworker Retsuko, attempting to impress her with small favors like fixing her computer, yet he is notoriously unable to directly admit his romantic feelings. This indecisiveness and passivity are major obstacles in his life, making him a pushover who often follows others' suggestions rather than his own instincts. He is also prone to moments of frustration and can be susceptible to passive-aggressive manipulation by more assertive individuals, a trait that stems from a childhood dominated by his father's unrealistic expectations. Despite these flaws, Haida is fundamentally kind, loyal, and considerate. He prioritizes the happiness of his friends, demonstrated when steps back to let Retsuko pursue relationships with others and later when he risks his own safety to protect her from a stalker.
Haida's primary motivation throughout the story is his long-standing romantic interest in Retsuko, which began several years prior to the narrative when he witnessed her sneaking water after work hours, shattering his initial "vanilla" impression of her. His actions are largely driven by a desire to connect with her and earn her affection, though his fear of rejection consistently holds him back. Beyond his romantic pursuits, he seeks validation and recognition, which makes him vulnerable to the approval of powerful figures in the workplace. His role in the story evolves from a quietly pining supporting character to a deuteragonist whose personal journey of self-improvement becomes a primary focus, particularly in later seasons.
His key relationship is undoubtedly with Retsuko. The dynamic spans several years of unrequited love, marked by confessed feelings that are initially rejected, followed by a gradual strengthening of their friendship and mutual support. After numerous trials, they eventually begin dating and are ultimately married. His other significant relationships include his close friendship with Fenneko, who is his confidante and drinking buddy, often acting as his sounding board and even stalking Retsuko's social media on his behalf. Haida also has a rivalry and complicated friendship with the successful tech entrepreneur Tadano, whom he both admires and envies. He briefly attempts to date Inui, a woman who shares his musical tastes, but he cannot move past his lingering feelings for Retsuko. His family, particularly his strict, conservative politician father Juzo and his younger brother Jiro, also play a crucial role, as his father's pressure and dismissal of him are the root causes of Haida's chronic self-doubt.
Over the course of the narrative, Haida undergoes significant development. Beginning as a spineless and indecisive character who drowns his sorrows in alcohol, he learns to stand up for himself. A pivotal moment occurs when Retsuko confronts him about his passive nature, helping slap some sense back into him. He later quits his job rather than continue participating in fraud under his manipulative director Himuro. His development culminates in the final season, where, after losing his job and his apartment, he hits rock bottom by hiding in an internet cafe and developing a gaming addiction. With Retsuko's help, he recovers, stands up to his overbearing family, and finally becomes a confident and steadfast partner worthy of her.
In terms of notable abilities, Haida is surprisingly tech-savvy, often serving as the de facto IT support for the accounting department, and he once programmed a streamlined accounting program. He is also a passionate musician who plays the bass guitar and enjoys singing punk rock, though it is noted that he is not particularly skilled at it.