Young Neil Nordegraf, whose real name is Neil, is a peripheral yet persistent presence in the social circle surrounding the band Sex Bob-omb. He is introduced as the twenty-year-old roommate of the band's guitarist and singer, Stephen Stills. His connection to the group predates his living situation, as his older sister, Steph Nordegraf, was a former roommate of Stephen Stills and had previously played bongos and viola in an earlier band called Kid Chameleon, which also featured Scott Pilgrim and Kim Pine. This familial link explains how Neil came to be integrated into this established friend group. His nickname, Young Neil, is a play on the name of the renowned Canadian musician Neil Young, which also creates an intentional contrast with the character Stephen Stills, as the real-life musicians were bandmates in Buffalo Springfield.

In terms of personality, Neil is characterized by his quiet and observant nature. He is most often seen on the periphery of conversations and events, content to watch the drama of his friends' lives unfold while playing a handheld video game console. Despite this reserved exterior, he is deeply sensitive and takes great pride in being the original number one fan of Sex Bob-omb. His devotion is such that he becomes visibly distraught when Kim Pine jokingly refers to newcomer Knives Chau as the band's top fan, causing him to run off crying. While generally easygoing, Neil experiences a period of significant turmoil and bitterness when he feels neglected and isolated by his friends, particularly during an extended and stressful band recording session. This frustration leads him to become sullen, argumentative, and even to take up smoking, culminating in him lashing out at Stephen Stills.

Neil's primary motivation stems from a desire for belonging and recognition. He is not a member of Sex Bob-omb but exists in its orbit as a devoted fan, roommate, and unofficial understudy. He craves acceptance and validation from the core group, and his actions are often geared towards solidifying his place within their world. This is most evident when he briefly dates Knives Chau. The relationship begins after Knives is hurt by the singer Envy Adams, and Neil offers her support. However, Knives later admits she was only dating him because he looked like Scott Pilgrim, a fact that contributes to Neil's later feelings of being used and discarded. The relationship is disapproved of by Stephen Stills, further straining Neil's position within the group.

Within the story, Neil serves as a barometer for the state of Sex Bob-omb and its members. His unwavering fandom represents the pure, uncomplicated appreciation for the band that gets lost amidst the personal conflicts and professional pressures. His role evolves from a passive observer to a more active participant, most significantly when he temporarily replaces Scott Pilgrim on bass after Scott quits the band. Neil already knows how to play bass, having learned Scott's parts, and steps into the role seamlessly. This act allows him to finally become a functioning member of the band he idolizes, fulfilling his unspoken ambition.

Key relationships define Neil's journey. His relationship with Stephen Stills is foundational, as they are roommates, but it is often fraught with tension, especially regarding Neil's dating choices and Stephen's self-absorbed behavior. His relationship with Scott Pilgrim is complex; he admires and emulates Scott, dressing similarly and learning his bass parts, but also feels the sting of being a secondary figure in Scott's shadow. His brief romance with Knives Chau leaves him feeling hurt and further alienated. Kim Pine is one of the few who acknowledges his existence directly, even if her comments are often blunt or teasing.

Neil undergoes a subtle but important development throughout the narrative. He begins as a nameless fan, referred to almost exclusively by his nickname. His arc culminates in a small but significant moment of personal validation when Scott Pilgrim, after a near-death experience, finally introduces him to his sister by his real name, Neil, and declares that the band sounds better with him on bass. From that day forward, he sheds the Young Neil moniker, signifying his growth from a sidekick and fan into a person with his own identity, recognized as a true peer by the friends he so desperately wanted to be accepted by.

His notable abilities include a high level of skill at video games, which he plays constantly, and proficiency on the bass guitar, having learned to play exactly like Scott Pilgrim through dedicated observation and practice. He also has a knack for being an unobtrusive observer, often present for key conversations and events without being an active participant, which allows him to absorb information and offer quiet support when needed.