Makoto Sugihara, known by the nickname Mako, is a student at Suzuran All-Boys High School and a member of the Ebizuka Trio, alongside Hiromi Kirishima and Toshiaki Honjou. He is first introduced as a delinquent within the notoriously violent environment of Suzuran, a school filled with rebellious students known as crows. Compared to his more talkative companions, Sugihara presents a calm, confident, and quiet exterior. His most recognizable traits are his signature sunglasses and a distinctive braided hairstyle that sets him apart from the other students. He has a strong appreciation for the Godfather film trilogy, which influences his personal style and outlook.

Sugihara is a person of few words, often maintaining a reticent and composed demeanor. This quietness can lead others to underestimate his presence within the Ebizuka Trio, but when provoked, particularly by the main protagonist Bouya Harumichi, he becomes unexpectedly talkative and openly expressive. His reserved nature hides a formidable fighting ability. By reputation and in practice, he is considered the strongest fighter among the three members of the Ebizuka Trio, having personally defeated a high number of opponents from the Armed Front biker gang. His combat prowess earned him recognition from Bouya, who ranked him as the fifth strongest fighter he had ever faced, a notable achievement given the caliber of fighters within the series. His physical strength is such that he was able to hold his own against other top-tier fighters like Mitsuhiko Anzai.

Within the story of Crows, Sugihara and the Ebizuka Trio initially form part of the anti-Bandou faction at Suzuran. They serve as close allies and partners to Bouya Harumichi, acting as a primary support group for the main character. While he does not typically seek out leadership or conflict, his loyalty to his friends and his willingness to engage in battle when necessary make him a reliable and feared figure in the school's turbulent underworld.

Sugihara's personal journey takes a significant turn in the latter half of the series. He drops out of Suzuran without graduating and chooses to leave behind the life of constant schoolyard conflict. He begins working as a carpenter under the employment of his girlfriend's father, marking a clear departure from his delinquent past. This transition represents one of the more substantial character developments in the series, as he moves from being a quiet but lethal fighter to a young man building a stable, working-class future for himself. Throughout all of his experiences, his core identity remains that of a calm, straightforward, and exceptionally strong individual who, despite his reserved nature, commands respect and fear in equal measure.