TV-Series
Description
Reiji Kotobuki, the 25-year-old senior member of idol group QUARTET NIGHT, stands 173 cm tall – the shortest yet oldest in the group. He sports layered dark brown hair and light brown eyes (depicted as taupe-gray in the anime), often accessorized with a white fedora bearing a blue ribbon. His athletic build reflects his love of sports. Born July 13 with blood type B, he hails from Saitama, where his mother runs a popular bento shop; Reiji frequently helps there alongside his sister, while his father's early departure left an absence.
A defining trauma stems from his childhood friend Aine Kisaragi's disappearance, which Reiji blames on missing a crucial phone call due to an audition, fueling deep guilt and performance anxiety, particularly prominent in the game continuity.
Outwardly approachable and energetic, Reiji embraces the role of group "clown," delighting in pranks and lighthearted teasing, especially targeting Ranmaru Kurosaki. He uses affectionate nicknames like "Ran-Ran" for Ranmaru, "Ai-Ai" for Ai Mikaze, "Myu-chan" for Camus, "Otoyan" for Otoya Ittoki, and "Toki" for Tokiya Ichinose. Beneath this playful exterior lies maturity and perceptiveness in professional or emotional moments. Deeply invested in QUARTET NIGHT's unity, he organizes bonding activities and admires junior group ST☆RISH's camaraderie. He often masks true feelings behind a smile and avoids deep emotional entanglements, though fiercely loyal and protective. His hobbies include driving his vintage green Beetle car, and he favors karaage and ice cream. His theme color is emerald green.
Professionally, Reiji plays the unconventional maracas. As a senior mentor at Saotome Academy guiding Otoya and Tokiya through their Master Course, he takes his role seriously – covering their mistakes and imparting idol realities while maintaining a supportive, teasing dynamic. He is recognized for his adaptability across performance areas and strong work ethic.
Reiji develops a particular fondness for aspiring composer Haruka Nanami, frequently teasing her with romantic advances he dismisses as jokes. However, he is among the first in QUARTET NIGHT to genuinely recognize her talents and spirit, openly advocating for her to become their primary composer and even lightly threatening ST☆RISH about "stealing" her. His bond with Ranmaru is complex: though a frequent prank target, they share a deep, intuitive understanding. Reiji can calm Ranmaru's anger and sees his kinder side, evolving into a "Vitriolic Best Buds" relationship where Ranmaru shows concern if Reiji goes missing. Reiji often uses his family's bento shop cooking as a bribe for Ranmaru.
Character portrayal varies: game continuity emphasizes his guilt over Aine and family struggles, leading to darker introspection, self-blame, and trust issues, explored in themes of redemption and vulnerability during his "All Star" route. The anime, particularly later seasons, downplays this backstory, instead highlighting his unifying role within QUARTET NIGHT, flirtatiousness, and protectiveness. An aborted confession to Haruka in "Revolutions" ("I love you... Just kidding!") suggests underlying feelings. His efforts to strengthen the group culminate in QUARTET NIGHT's central, cohesive performance in the film "Taboo Night Xxxx."
A defining trauma stems from his childhood friend Aine Kisaragi's disappearance, which Reiji blames on missing a crucial phone call due to an audition, fueling deep guilt and performance anxiety, particularly prominent in the game continuity.
Outwardly approachable and energetic, Reiji embraces the role of group "clown," delighting in pranks and lighthearted teasing, especially targeting Ranmaru Kurosaki. He uses affectionate nicknames like "Ran-Ran" for Ranmaru, "Ai-Ai" for Ai Mikaze, "Myu-chan" for Camus, "Otoyan" for Otoya Ittoki, and "Toki" for Tokiya Ichinose. Beneath this playful exterior lies maturity and perceptiveness in professional or emotional moments. Deeply invested in QUARTET NIGHT's unity, he organizes bonding activities and admires junior group ST☆RISH's camaraderie. He often masks true feelings behind a smile and avoids deep emotional entanglements, though fiercely loyal and protective. His hobbies include driving his vintage green Beetle car, and he favors karaage and ice cream. His theme color is emerald green.
Professionally, Reiji plays the unconventional maracas. As a senior mentor at Saotome Academy guiding Otoya and Tokiya through their Master Course, he takes his role seriously – covering their mistakes and imparting idol realities while maintaining a supportive, teasing dynamic. He is recognized for his adaptability across performance areas and strong work ethic.
Reiji develops a particular fondness for aspiring composer Haruka Nanami, frequently teasing her with romantic advances he dismisses as jokes. However, he is among the first in QUARTET NIGHT to genuinely recognize her talents and spirit, openly advocating for her to become their primary composer and even lightly threatening ST☆RISH about "stealing" her. His bond with Ranmaru is complex: though a frequent prank target, they share a deep, intuitive understanding. Reiji can calm Ranmaru's anger and sees his kinder side, evolving into a "Vitriolic Best Buds" relationship where Ranmaru shows concern if Reiji goes missing. Reiji often uses his family's bento shop cooking as a bribe for Ranmaru.
Character portrayal varies: game continuity emphasizes his guilt over Aine and family struggles, leading to darker introspection, self-blame, and trust issues, explored in themes of redemption and vulnerability during his "All Star" route. The anime, particularly later seasons, downplays this backstory, instead highlighting his unifying role within QUARTET NIGHT, flirtatiousness, and protectiveness. An aborted confession to Haruka in "Revolutions" ("I love you... Just kidding!") suggests underlying feelings. His efforts to strengthen the group culminate in QUARTET NIGHT's central, cohesive performance in the film "Taboo Night Xxxx."