A N I M E / O T A K U : PART 2

Ao Haru Ride

Other Title:

Blue Spring Ride

Synonyms:

Aoharaido

Type:

TV

Aired:

July 8, 2014 to September 23, 2014

Source:

Manga

Genres:

Comedy, Drama, Romance, School, Shoujo, Slice of Life

Synopsis:

Futaba Yoshioka used to be an attractive and popular middle-schooler—well liked by the opposite sex, but ostracized by the girls. Nevertheless, she was able to brush all that off, because the only opinion that truly mattered to her was that of Kou Tanaka, a classmate with whom she shared a shelter from rain once, followed by quite a few other precious and significant memories. She even succeeded at making plans to meet with the quiet and innocent boy at the summer festival, but a simple misunderstanding, and Tanaka's subsequent disappearance, left her walking the halls of her school friendless.

Now in high school, Futaba is not your typical adolescent girl. Determined to become a class favorite this time, she avoids all unwanted attention and, instead of acting cute and feminine, only stands out through her tomboyish behavior and disheveled look. But still, her world is soon turned upside down when the only boy she ever liked unexpectedly comes into her life once again—except he goes by the name of Kou Mabuchi now, and it is not his name alone that has gone through a sea change.

Characters and Voice Actors:

- Main:

Kou "Tanaka" Mabuchi

Birthday: May 27

Zodiac: Gemini

Blood type: O

Height: 176 cm

Weight: 58 kg

Best subject: Social Studies

Worst subject: Classic Literature

Favorite food: chicken nanban

Least favorite food: celery

Favorite musician: Dave Matthews Band

Siblings: one elder brother

First love: 1st year of middle school

Usual snack: potato chips

Favorite beverage: coffee

Favorite colors: blue & black

Other: His hair is part naturally messy, part perm.

Kou was well liked in middle-school, he liked Futaba and they had a growing relationship, but then he suddenly moved away in the middle of the school year. His parents divorced and he now lives with his father (presumably he first lived with his mother after the divorce, but when starting high school he moved in with his father instead, for unknown reasons). He is currently attending the same high school as Futaba under a new last name (probably his mother's). He eventually admits to being "Tanaka-kun," and while acting cold and uncaring toward her most of the time, his nice side becomes gradually more prominent.

Spoiler:

It's revealed that he moved away to live with his mother due to his parent's divorce. His mother's later terminal illness, caused him terrible grief and trauma, eventually resulting in his change of personality.