Kōtarō Bokuto captained the Fukurōdani Academy volleyball team as its ace, having played since early childhood. His intense energy in middle school often deterred teammates from partnering with him during drills. At Fukurōdani, he gained recognition for powerful spikes and athleticism, but also for unpredictable mood swings impacting his performance. As a second-year, he actively sought out setter Keiji Akaashi for spiking practice, declaring Akaashi's sets the best he'd ever received. Their partnership became foundational to Fukurōdani's strategy; Akaashi's calm demeanor balanced Bokuto's emotional fluctuations, stabilizing him during matches. His appearance is distinctive: spiky grey-white hair with black streaks styled like owl horns, golden eyes, and a muscular build, accentuated by unusually long knee pads extending to his thighs. Post-timeskip, his physique becomes more defined and his hair shortens. Bokuto's personality blends exuberant energy, playfulness, and a craving for attention with sudden emotional slumps where his confidence plummets. During these low phases, his hair visually droops. Despite his theatrics, he exhibits unexpected wisdom, advising Tsukishima Kei on finding passion in volleyball and comforting Yachi Hitoka under pressure. He instinctively defends teammates, chastising players who ganged up on Hinata Shōyō during a practice match. Ranked among Japan's top five high school aces, Bokuto initially specialized in cross shots but shifted to straight spikes after consistent blocks, making him nearly unstoppable. His technical skills include precise cut shots, wipes, and feints – the latter taught to Hinata at a camp. However, his inconsistency stemmed from emotional fragility; minor errors could trigger prolonged slumps requiring team intervention. Fukurōdani developed strategies like withholding sets until he self-corrected. During a critical match against Karasuno, teammates' encouragement pulled him from a slump, enabling his decisive spike for victory. This led him to acknowledge his reliance on the team, vowing to become self-sufficient by his third year. His growth culminated in the final high school tournament against Mujinazaka. Recognizing Akaashi's strain after a failed dump, Bokuto intervened to block an opponent's spike. He declared his intent to transition from an "ace coddled by the team" to an independent force, delivering a match-altering spike. This reflected his awareness of his flaws and commitment to reliability. Post-graduation, he joined the MSBY Black Jackals (V.League Division 1) and the Japan National Team. His professional persona stabilized; he confidently handles challenging personalities like Atsumu Miya and mentors Hinata, his MSBY teammate. Bokuto attributes his evolution to overcoming emotional instability, calling himself an "ordinary ace" others can depend on. Trivia notes his September 20th birthday, Virgo zodiac sign, and love for yakiniku. Akaashi cites 37 weaknesses, including showmanship (#6) and hyperfixation (#37). Bokuto wears jersey #4, honoring Fukurōdani's tradition of reserving it for aces, not captains. His name translates to "horned owl," reinforcing his owl-like aesthetic and on-court calls.