TV-Series
Description
Masumi Usui is a 16-year-old Hanasaki High School student who joins the reborn Spring Troupe as its second member after director Izumi Tachibana sees his street performance. He experiences immediate romantic infatuation with Izumi, his sole motivation for joining despite no prior theater interest. His parents' frequent international work travel leaves him living alone in Japan with minimal supervision, fostering a carefree, emotionally detached demeanor that manifests as a generally cold, lazy, and rude attitude toward everyone except Izumi.
Physically, Masumi possesses black hair with a bleached under-layer, dark purple eyes, and a distinctive mole near the left side of his mouth. Standing 175 cm tall, he carries an indifferent beauty that attracts school admirers, attention he dismisses. His typical attire includes a black leather jacket over a camouflage-patterned sweater and white collared shirt, black pants, purple high-top sneakers, and white headphones often worn around his neck.
Initially, Masumi demonstrates exceptional memorization skills and natural acting aptitude but remains disinterested in troupe collaboration, frequently making blunt, critical remarks about fellow actors like Tsuzuru Minagi ("he never shuts up") and Citron ("weird guy... I don’t understand a thing he says"). His demeanor shifts dramatically around Izumi, whom he relentlessly pursues with frequent love confessions ("I want to sleep with you... I can’t?") and requests for praise ("I found a curry shop... Praise me"), seeking constant validation reflecting unmet emotional needs from parental neglect.
Significant development begins during rehearsals for "Romeo and Julius" when veteran actor Yuzo Kashima challenges Masumi's self-centered acting. Assigned by Izumi to study admired actors, Masumi ultimately selects Izumi herself, deepening his understanding of performance. His growing attachment surfaces when he helps Sakuya Sakuma perfect a sword-fighting scene through extra practice. After Izumi suggests he act for personal fulfillment rather than her approval, he temporarily withdraws but later defends her from disparaging classmates, accidentally striking her during the confrontation and forcing him to confront his volatile emotions.
Further growth occurs during the "Sparkling Summer Memories" event. Masumi enters an acting competition to win prime fireworks-viewing seats for a romantic moment with Izumi. Though freezing onstage initially, he accepts support from troupe-mate Tsumugi Tsukioka and later shares childhood memories of attending festivals with his grandmother, acknowledging Tsumugi’s resemblance to her, indicating increased emotional openness. In "3 Cheers for Mankai!," he writes a letter reflecting on his journey, recognizing the Spring Troupe and Mankai Company as integral to his life beyond his fixation on Izumi.
A major crisis arises when Masumi’s parents divorce, and his father gains custody, demanding he relocate to America. Despite initially resigning to this, the Mankai Company intervenes by locating his grandmother Hatsune. At the airport, Masumi emotionally declares the troupe his true family ("You don’t belong to me but I belong to you"). Hatsune negotiates to accompany Masumi’s father abroad in his place, allowing Masumi to stay. Post-resolution, he maintains occasional contact with his father, showing reconciliation efforts.
Later stories highlight continued growth. In a "Spotlight" interview, Masumi acknowledges valuing fan support as a form of love, contrasting his earlier disregard. His relationships with troupe members deepen, tolerating Kazunari Miyoshi’s social media antics and forming an unexpected friendship with Madoka Ikaruga at university. While maintaining his devotion to Izumi ("The director’s my everything"), he exhibits protectiveness toward the troupe, such as offering to accompany Izumi on a hot spring trip to shield her from potential harassment. His journey evolves from isolated obsession to viewing the troupe as a chosen family.
Recurring behaviors include listening to post-rock and progressive music, expressing affection through curry-related gestures, and seeking physical proximity to Izumi. Quotes like "Command me" and "I want to be with you more" reflect his persistent romantic pursuit. Despite gradual maturation, his core devotion remains unchanged, as stated in "Magicians' Pure Love": "The part of me that continues to love Director will never change."
Physically, Masumi possesses black hair with a bleached under-layer, dark purple eyes, and a distinctive mole near the left side of his mouth. Standing 175 cm tall, he carries an indifferent beauty that attracts school admirers, attention he dismisses. His typical attire includes a black leather jacket over a camouflage-patterned sweater and white collared shirt, black pants, purple high-top sneakers, and white headphones often worn around his neck.
Initially, Masumi demonstrates exceptional memorization skills and natural acting aptitude but remains disinterested in troupe collaboration, frequently making blunt, critical remarks about fellow actors like Tsuzuru Minagi ("he never shuts up") and Citron ("weird guy... I don’t understand a thing he says"). His demeanor shifts dramatically around Izumi, whom he relentlessly pursues with frequent love confessions ("I want to sleep with you... I can’t?") and requests for praise ("I found a curry shop... Praise me"), seeking constant validation reflecting unmet emotional needs from parental neglect.
Significant development begins during rehearsals for "Romeo and Julius" when veteran actor Yuzo Kashima challenges Masumi's self-centered acting. Assigned by Izumi to study admired actors, Masumi ultimately selects Izumi herself, deepening his understanding of performance. His growing attachment surfaces when he helps Sakuya Sakuma perfect a sword-fighting scene through extra practice. After Izumi suggests he act for personal fulfillment rather than her approval, he temporarily withdraws but later defends her from disparaging classmates, accidentally striking her during the confrontation and forcing him to confront his volatile emotions.
Further growth occurs during the "Sparkling Summer Memories" event. Masumi enters an acting competition to win prime fireworks-viewing seats for a romantic moment with Izumi. Though freezing onstage initially, he accepts support from troupe-mate Tsumugi Tsukioka and later shares childhood memories of attending festivals with his grandmother, acknowledging Tsumugi’s resemblance to her, indicating increased emotional openness. In "3 Cheers for Mankai!," he writes a letter reflecting on his journey, recognizing the Spring Troupe and Mankai Company as integral to his life beyond his fixation on Izumi.
A major crisis arises when Masumi’s parents divorce, and his father gains custody, demanding he relocate to America. Despite initially resigning to this, the Mankai Company intervenes by locating his grandmother Hatsune. At the airport, Masumi emotionally declares the troupe his true family ("You don’t belong to me but I belong to you"). Hatsune negotiates to accompany Masumi’s father abroad in his place, allowing Masumi to stay. Post-resolution, he maintains occasional contact with his father, showing reconciliation efforts.
Later stories highlight continued growth. In a "Spotlight" interview, Masumi acknowledges valuing fan support as a form of love, contrasting his earlier disregard. His relationships with troupe members deepen, tolerating Kazunari Miyoshi’s social media antics and forming an unexpected friendship with Madoka Ikaruga at university. While maintaining his devotion to Izumi ("The director’s my everything"), he exhibits protectiveness toward the troupe, such as offering to accompany Izumi on a hot spring trip to shield her from potential harassment. His journey evolves from isolated obsession to viewing the troupe as a chosen family.
Recurring behaviors include listening to post-rock and progressive music, expressing affection through curry-related gestures, and seeking physical proximity to Izumi. Quotes like "Command me" and "I want to be with you more" reflect his persistent romantic pursuit. Despite gradual maturation, his core devotion remains unchanged, as stated in "Magicians' Pure Love": "The part of me that continues to love Director will never change."