Description
Chifuyu Matsuno is a young man of average height with light skin and a piercing in his left ear. His eye color is most commonly described as light blue, though some sources note them as green. As a middle schooler, he sports a distinctive choppy undercut hairstyle with the top dyed blonde and the sides kept his natural black. He is frequently seen in the Tokyo Manji Gang uniform, but outside of gang activities he wears a large white sweater, plain dark pants, and tennis shoes. In the present day, his hairstyle becomes a neater black undercut, and he sometimes wears a pinstriped suit when meeting with others.
Chifuyu is defined by his profound loyalty and a calm, logical demeanor. He is unwilling to leave the sides of his friends and refuses to fight those he considers close to him. Even if he gets beaten up by or for his friends, he still sticks by them without hesitation. He typically acts as an adviser and strategist, making plans before jumping into action and remaining composed under high-pressure situations that might even cost him his life. Though knowledgeable and levelheaded, he can be naive at times and does not always plan meticulously, which has led to unfortunate consequences. During his first year of middle school, Chifuyu displayed a cold but compassionate exterior, acting against higher authority figures who abused their power. He despised prideful and boastful upperclassmen and never wanted to take control of his school, believing that students who looked down on others were losers.
Chifuyu’s background as a delinquent began with a deep-seated disdain for corrupt authority. In middle school, he became known as a strong fighter who conquered his school, making even upperclassmen afraid to fight him. His life changed upon meeting Keisuke Baji, a boy who was repeating a year. Initially dismissing Baji as a nerd, Chifuyu helped him with a letter. Later that day, Chifuyu was ambushed by a biker gang called Mandala for beating up one of their members. Baji appeared and single-handedly defeated all of them, saving Chifuyu’s life. Baji then invited Chifuyu to his apartment to share a bowl of Peyoung Yakisoba, and they discovered they lived in the same complex. From that day forward, Baji became the first person Chifuyu truly respected and admired, leading Chifuyu to follow him and eventually join the Tokyo Manji Gang as the First Division Vice-Captain. One of their most cherished shared traditions was splitting a package of Peyoung Yakisoba.
In the story, Chifuyu plays a crucial role as the steadfast partner to the protagonist, Takemichi Hanagaki. He first appears during the Valhalla arc, where he is seen being brutally beaten by Baji as part of Baji’s plan to infiltrate the rival gang. After the traumatic events of the Bloody Halloween incident, in which Baji dies, Chifuyu forms an unbreakable bond with Takemichi. He becomes the first person in the past to whom Takemichi reveals his secret of being a time-leaper from the future. Chifuyu accepts this revelation without hesitation, telling Takemichi that he had already suspected something was unusual and swearing to have his back as his partner. He acts as Takemichi’s primary emotional support and strategist, helping him navigate the dangerous conflicts with gangs like Valhalla, the Black Dragons, and Tenjiku.
Beyond his relationship with Takemichi, Chifuyu’s key relationships are central to his character. His bond with Keisuke Baji is the most significant, as Baji is the person he respects and admires above all others. Baji’s death leaves a deep scar, and Chifuyu carries his memory and will forward, even inheriting his motorcycle and a final letter Baji wrote for him. His relationship with Kazutora Hanemiya is initially strained, as Chifuyu dislikes him for his role in Baji’s death. However, in certain future timelines, Chifuyu helps Kazutora after he is released from prison, and Kazutora even works at Chifuyu’s pet store, indicating a complex reconciliation.
Throughout the series, Chifuyu demonstrates notable development. He evolves from a lone wolf who despised hierarchical relationships into a loyal vice-captain and, later, a respected leader. In some future timelines, he takes over as the captain of the First Division, carrying on Baji’s legacy. In other alternate futures, he opens and runs a pet store, reflecting his deep love for animals, particularly his own cat named Peke J. He consistently shows a willingness to sacrifice himself for his friends, as seen in a timeline where he is shot and killed by Kisaki Tetta while trying to expose Kisaki’s crimes. His development is marked by a growing sense of responsibility and a continued, unwavering commitment to protecting those he cares about.
Chifuyu possesses several notable abilities. As the Vice-Captain of the First Division, he holds authority and command over the division’s members. He is a competent and formidable fighter, capable of holding his own in battle. While not among the absolute strongest characters, his fighting prowess is not to be underestimated, and he possesses a powerful knockout punch capable of knocking out grown men twice his size with a single blow. He is also ranked as the third fastest runner within the Tokyo Manji Gang and demonstrates remarkable agility, such as descending the facade of a five-story building to intercept enemies. Outside of combat, his special skill is described as having a hunch that allows him to communicate with animals. He also has a love for aviation magazines, shoujo manga, and his dream is to become a pilot.
Chifuyu is defined by his profound loyalty and a calm, logical demeanor. He is unwilling to leave the sides of his friends and refuses to fight those he considers close to him. Even if he gets beaten up by or for his friends, he still sticks by them without hesitation. He typically acts as an adviser and strategist, making plans before jumping into action and remaining composed under high-pressure situations that might even cost him his life. Though knowledgeable and levelheaded, he can be naive at times and does not always plan meticulously, which has led to unfortunate consequences. During his first year of middle school, Chifuyu displayed a cold but compassionate exterior, acting against higher authority figures who abused their power. He despised prideful and boastful upperclassmen and never wanted to take control of his school, believing that students who looked down on others were losers.
Chifuyu’s background as a delinquent began with a deep-seated disdain for corrupt authority. In middle school, he became known as a strong fighter who conquered his school, making even upperclassmen afraid to fight him. His life changed upon meeting Keisuke Baji, a boy who was repeating a year. Initially dismissing Baji as a nerd, Chifuyu helped him with a letter. Later that day, Chifuyu was ambushed by a biker gang called Mandala for beating up one of their members. Baji appeared and single-handedly defeated all of them, saving Chifuyu’s life. Baji then invited Chifuyu to his apartment to share a bowl of Peyoung Yakisoba, and they discovered they lived in the same complex. From that day forward, Baji became the first person Chifuyu truly respected and admired, leading Chifuyu to follow him and eventually join the Tokyo Manji Gang as the First Division Vice-Captain. One of their most cherished shared traditions was splitting a package of Peyoung Yakisoba.
In the story, Chifuyu plays a crucial role as the steadfast partner to the protagonist, Takemichi Hanagaki. He first appears during the Valhalla arc, where he is seen being brutally beaten by Baji as part of Baji’s plan to infiltrate the rival gang. After the traumatic events of the Bloody Halloween incident, in which Baji dies, Chifuyu forms an unbreakable bond with Takemichi. He becomes the first person in the past to whom Takemichi reveals his secret of being a time-leaper from the future. Chifuyu accepts this revelation without hesitation, telling Takemichi that he had already suspected something was unusual and swearing to have his back as his partner. He acts as Takemichi’s primary emotional support and strategist, helping him navigate the dangerous conflicts with gangs like Valhalla, the Black Dragons, and Tenjiku.
Beyond his relationship with Takemichi, Chifuyu’s key relationships are central to his character. His bond with Keisuke Baji is the most significant, as Baji is the person he respects and admires above all others. Baji’s death leaves a deep scar, and Chifuyu carries his memory and will forward, even inheriting his motorcycle and a final letter Baji wrote for him. His relationship with Kazutora Hanemiya is initially strained, as Chifuyu dislikes him for his role in Baji’s death. However, in certain future timelines, Chifuyu helps Kazutora after he is released from prison, and Kazutora even works at Chifuyu’s pet store, indicating a complex reconciliation.
Throughout the series, Chifuyu demonstrates notable development. He evolves from a lone wolf who despised hierarchical relationships into a loyal vice-captain and, later, a respected leader. In some future timelines, he takes over as the captain of the First Division, carrying on Baji’s legacy. In other alternate futures, he opens and runs a pet store, reflecting his deep love for animals, particularly his own cat named Peke J. He consistently shows a willingness to sacrifice himself for his friends, as seen in a timeline where he is shot and killed by Kisaki Tetta while trying to expose Kisaki’s crimes. His development is marked by a growing sense of responsibility and a continued, unwavering commitment to protecting those he cares about.
Chifuyu possesses several notable abilities. As the Vice-Captain of the First Division, he holds authority and command over the division’s members. He is a competent and formidable fighter, capable of holding his own in battle. While not among the absolute strongest characters, his fighting prowess is not to be underestimated, and he possesses a powerful knockout punch capable of knocking out grown men twice his size with a single blow. He is also ranked as the third fastest runner within the Tokyo Manji Gang and demonstrates remarkable agility, such as descending the facade of a five-story building to intercept enemies. Outside of combat, his special skill is described as having a hunch that allows him to communicate with animals. He also has a love for aviation magazines, shoujo manga, and his dream is to become a pilot.