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Changed line(s) 76 (click to see context) from:
* CannotSpitItOut: [[spoiler:Mind-blowingly *beautifully* averted in Chapter 106, bordering on AnguishedDeclarationOfLove and doubling as CrowningMomentOfAwesome AND CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming all at once.]]
to:
* CannotSpitItOut: [[spoiler:Mind-blowingly *beautifully* ''beautifully'' averted in Chapter 106, bordering on AnguishedDeclarationOfLove and doubling as CrowningMomentOfAwesome AND CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming all at once.]]
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Changed line(s) 76 (click to see context) from:
* CannotSpitItOut
to:
* CannotSpitItOutCannotSpitItOut: [[spoiler:Mind-blowingly *beautifully* averted in Chapter 106, bordering on AnguishedDeclarationOfLove and doubling as CrowningMomentOfAwesome AND CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming all at once.]]
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Changed line(s) 85 (click to see context) from:
* NoSocialSkills: A life fully immersed in the koto world left Satowa with little else to socialize about. In brief scenes of her chatting with female classmates, she’s often left overwhelmed and confused, an embarrassed LuminiscentBlush over her face.
to:
* NoSocialSkills: A life fully immersed in the koto world left Satowa with little else to socialize about. In brief scenes of her chatting with female classmates, she’s often left overwhelmed and confused, an embarrassed LuminiscentBlush LuminescentBlush over her face.
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Changed line(s) 23,24 (click to see context) from:
-> '''Voiced by''': Junya Enoki (JP), Creator/AlejandroSaab (EN)
to:
-> '''Voiced by''': Junya Enoki Creator/JunyaEnoki (JP), Creator/AlejandroSaab (EN)
Changed line(s) 123 (click to see context) from:
->'''Voiced by''': Haruki Ishiya (JP), Creator/AustinTindle (EN)
to:
->'''Voiced by''': Haruki Ishiya Creator/HarukiIshiya (JP), Creator/AustinTindle (EN)
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Changed line(s) 127 (click to see context) from:
* JackOfAllStats: Developing into one where his koto playing is concerned- and both Takinami and Akira have acknowledged this. His familiarity with the guitar likely helps.
to:
* JackOfAllStats: Developing into one where his koto playing is concerned- and both Takinami and Akira a few characters have acknowledged this. His familiarity with the guitar likely helps.
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Changed line(s) 85,86 (click to see context) from:
* NoSocialSkills: A life fully submerged in the koto world left Satowa with little else to socialize about. In brief scenes of her chatting with female classmates, she’s often left overwhelmed and confused, an embarassed LuminiscentBlush over her face.
* {{Tsundere}}: Towards Kudou; her lack of social skills leaves her quite embarassed to show her Dere side.
* {{Tsundere}}: Towards Kudou; her lack of social skills leaves her quite embarassed to show her Dere side.
to:
* NoSocialSkills: A life fully submerged immersed in the koto world left Satowa with little else to socialize about. In brief scenes of her chatting with female classmates, she’s often left overwhelmed and confused, an embarassed embarrassed LuminiscentBlush over her face.
* {{Tsundere}}: Towards Kudou; her lack of social skills leaves her quiteembarassed embarrassed to show her Dere side.
* {{Tsundere}}: Towards Kudou; her lack of social skills leaves her quite
Changed line(s) 124 (click to see context) from:
One of Chika's three delinquent followers who originally joined the club for his sake. Seems to be the most musically skilled among the trio, for after his initial struggles, he's noted to have developed a good sense of power and balance in playing. His familiarity with the guitar likely helps.
to:
One of Chika's three delinquent followers who originally joined the club for his sake. Seems to be the most musically skilled among the trio, for after his initial struggles, he's noted to have developed a good sense of power and balance in playing. His familiarity with the guitar likely helps.
Changed line(s) 127 (click to see context) from:
* JackOfAllStats: Developing into one where his koto playing is concerned- and both Takinami and Akira have acknowledged this.
to:
* JackOfAllStats: Developing into one where his koto playing is concerned- and both Takinami and Akira have acknowledged this. His familiarity with the guitar likely helps.
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Changed line(s) 119 (click to see context) from:
* TheNicknamer: He dishes out {{Affectionate Nickname}}s on the regular, such as calling Akira "Aki-chan-sensei" or nicknaming his underclassmen Yoshinaga and Momoya "Yoshirin" and "Momoyan", respectively.
to:
* TheNicknamer: He dishes out {{Affectionate Nickname}}s on the regular, such as calling Akira "Aki-chan-sensei" or nicknaming his [[spoiler: underclassmen Yoshinaga and Momoya "Yoshirin" and "Momoyan", respectively.respectively]].
Changed line(s) 124 (click to see context) from:
One of Chika's three delinquent followers who originally joined the club for his sake. Seems to be the most musically skilled among the trio, for after his initial struggles, he's noted to have developed a good sense of power and balance in playing. Has some familiarity with the guitar.
to:
One of Chika's three delinquent followers who originally joined the club for his sake. Seems to be the most musically skilled among the trio, for after his initial struggles, he's noted to have developed a good sense of power and balance in playing. Has some His familiarity with the guitar.guitar likely helps.
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Changed line(s) 124 (click to see context) from:
One of Chika's three delinquent followers who originally joined the club for his sake. Seems to be the most musically skilled among the trio, for after his initial struggles, he's noted to have developed a good sense of power and balance in playing.
to:
One of Chika's three delinquent followers who originally joined the club for his sake. Seems to be the most musically skilled among the trio, for after his initial struggles, he's noted to have developed a good sense of power and balance in playing. Has some familiarity with the guitar.
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Changed line(s) 126 (click to see context) from:
* ChivalrousPervert: All three boys have shades of this, but it's perhaps most prominent with Sane. He's experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and is usually the first to comment on them. One way to tick him off- as Mittsu knows and Chika finds out- is to say you were in closer proximity to a pretty girl than he was. However, he is respectful towards the girls and Doujima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
to:
* ChivalrousPervert: All three boys have shades of this, but it's perhaps most prominent with Sane. He's experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and is usually the first to comment on them. One way to tick him off- as Mittsu knows and Chika finds out- is to say you were in closer proximity to a pretty girl than he was. However, he is respectful towards the girls the female club members and Doujima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
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Changed line(s) 139 (click to see context) from:
* YouAreFat: He's sometimes seen with food, and his friends make a references to his weight, but it's never intended to be as mocking or mean spirited, and he has no problem joining in from time to time. His development in the story actually has nothing to do with him being "the fat kid", and his friends remain fiercely supportive when he gets ADayInTheLimelight.
to:
* YouAreFat: Subverted. He's sometimes seen with food, and his friends make a references to his weight, but it's never intended to be as mocking or mean spirited, and he has no problem joining in from time to time. His development in the story actually has nothing to do with him being "the fat kid", and his friends remain fiercely supportive when he gets ADayInTheLimelight.
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Changed line(s) 126 (click to see context) from:
* ChivalrousPervert: All three boys have shades of this, but it's perhaps most prominent with Sane. He's experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and is usually the first to comment on them (Mittsu makes a joke about this at his expense once, likely knowing that Sane would get ticked off), but is respectful towards the girls and Doujima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
to:
* ChivalrousPervert: All three boys have shades of this, but it's perhaps most prominent with Sane. He's experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and is usually the first to comment on them (Mittsu makes them. One way to tick him off- as Mittsu knows and Chika finds out- is to say you were in closer proximity to a joke about this at his expense once, likely knowing that Sane would get ticked off), but pretty girl than he was. However, he is respectful towards the girls and Doujima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
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Changed line(s) 126 (click to see context) from:
* ChivalrousPervert: All three boys have shades of this, but it's perhaps most prominent with Sane. He's experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and would very much like to have a girlfriend someday (Mittsu makes a joke about this his expense once, likely knowing that Sane would get ticked off), but is respectful towards the girls and Doujima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
to:
* ChivalrousPervert: All three boys have shades of this, but it's perhaps most prominent with Sane. He's experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and would very much like is usually the first to have a girlfriend someday comment on them (Mittsu makes a joke about this at his expense once, likely knowing that Sane would get ticked off), but is respectful towards the girls and Doujima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
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Changed line(s) 129 (click to see context) from:
* NiceGuy: Friendly, reliable, and always loyal and mindful of his friends.
to:
* NiceGuy: Friendly, reliable, and always loyal to and mindful of his friends.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 126 (click to see context) from:
* ChivalrousPervert: All three boys have shades of this, but it's perhaps most prominent with Sane. He's experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and would very much like to have a girlfriend someday (Mittsu makes a joke about this his expense once), but is respectful towards the girls and Dojima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
to:
* ChivalrousPervert: All three boys have shades of this, but it's perhaps most prominent with Sane. He's experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and would very much like to have a girlfriend someday (Mittsu makes a joke about this his expense once), once, likely knowing that Sane would get ticked off), but is respectful towards the girls and Dojima Doujima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
Changed line(s) 132,137 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Takinami Suzuka]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_8_cover.jpg]]
-->''“Then practice. If you don’t want this to be the last one, then for the next two months, train like your lives depended on it. Efficiently, frantically, earnestly… train so that you can proudly say no one trained more.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/DaisukeNamikawa (JP), Creator/BrandonPotter (EN)
The son of a composer and a top-tier pianist, Takinami-sensei is a math teacher at Tokise High School that also doubles as the Koto Club advisor. At first, he holds only cynicism for the club’s prospects, but events in the story force him to reevaluate his stance on the world of music.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_8_cover.jpg]]
-->''“Then practice. If you don’t want this to be the last one, then for the next two months, train like your lives depended on it. Efficiently, frantically, earnestly… train so that you can proudly say no one trained more.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/DaisukeNamikawa (JP), Creator/BrandonPotter (EN)
The son of a composer and a top-tier pianist, Takinami-sensei is a math teacher at Tokise High School that also doubles as the Koto Club advisor. At first, he holds only cynicism for the club’s prospects, but events in the story force him to reevaluate his stance on the world of music.
to:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_8_cover.jpg]]
-->''“Then practice. If you don’t want this to be the last one, then for the next two months, train like your lives depended on it. Efficiently, frantically, earnestly… train so that you can proudly say no one trained more.”''
-> '''Voiced
->'''Voiced by''':
The son
One of
Changed line(s) 139,145 (click to see context) from:
* TheAce: Although he wouldn’t have the club know it, it is clear that he is an absolute genius composer with keen understanding of each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
to:
* TheAce: Although he wouldn’t have AllTheOtherReindeer: Starts feeling this at the club know it, it is clear beginning of his second year after being placed in a different class from his friends. The story notes that he is an absolute genius composer with keen understanding of each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
isn't as naturally sociable as Sane or Kouta.
*AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he respondsBigBeautifulMan: Being rotound doesn't mean that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say whenhe's spared the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments BishieSparkle.
* MassiveNumberedSiblings: Four, all ofencouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His commentswhom are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course ofyounger than him. They come into play later in the story.
** He gives one * YouAreFat: He's sometimes seen with food, and his friends make a references to his weight, but it's never intended to be as mocking or mean spirited, and he has no problem joining in from time to time. His development in the rest of the club story actually has nothing to do with him being "the fat kid", and his friends remain fiercely supportive when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.gets ADayInTheLimelight.
*
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when
* MassiveNumberedSiblings: Four, all of
* StealthMentor: His comments
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of
Changed line(s) 148,153 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Doujima Akira]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
to:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.
-> '''Voiced by''':
The son of a composer and a top-tier pianist, Takinami-sensei is a math teacher at Tokise High School that also doubles as the Koto Club
Added DiffLines:
* TheAce: Although he wouldn’t have the club know it, it is clear that he is an absolute genius composer with keen understanding of each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Doujima Akira]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
----
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Doujima Akira]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
----
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Changed line(s) 126 (click to see context) from:
* ChivalrousPervert: Has experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and would very much like to have a girlfriend someday, but is respectful towards the girls and Dojima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
to:
* ChivalrousPervert: Has All three boys have shades of this, but it's perhaps most prominent with Sane. He's experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and would very much like to have a girlfriend someday, someday (Mittsu makes a joke about this his expense once), but is respectful towards the girls and Dojima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
Changed line(s) 129,130 (click to see context) from:
* NiceGuy: Friendly, reliable, and always mindful of his friends.
to:
* NiceGuy: Friendly, reliable, and always loyal and mindful of his friends.
friends.
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Changed line(s) 127,128 (click to see context) from:
* {{JackOfAllStats}}: Developing into one where his koto playing is concerned- and both Takinami and Akira have acknowledged this.
* {{TheLeader}}: Subtle, but he's usually the one among the trio to take charge when Chika isn't around.
* {{TheLeader}}: Subtle, but he's usually the one among the trio to take charge when Chika isn't around.
to:
* {{JackOfAllStats}}: JackOfAllStats: Developing into one where his koto playing is concerned- and both Takinami and Akira have acknowledged this.
*{{TheLeader}}: TheLeader: Subtle, but he's usually the one among the trio to take charge when Chika isn't around.
*
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None
Changed line(s) 122,127 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Takinami Suzuka]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_8_cover.jpg]]
-->''“Then practice. If you don’t want this to be the last one, then for the next two months, train like your lives depended on it. Efficiently, frantically, earnestly… train so that you can proudly say no one trained more.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/DaisukeNamikawa (JP), Creator/BrandonPotter (EN)
The son of a composer and a top-tier pianist, Takinami-sensei is a math teacher at Tokise High School that also doubles as the Koto Club advisor. At first, he holds only cynicism for the club’s prospects, but events in the story force him to reevaluate his stance on the world of music.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_8_cover.jpg]]
-->''“Then practice. If you don’t want this to be the last one, then for the next two months, train like your lives depended on it. Efficiently, frantically, earnestly… train so that you can proudly say no one trained more.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/DaisukeNamikawa (JP), Creator/BrandonPotter (EN)
The son of a composer and a top-tier pianist, Takinami-sensei is a math teacher at Tokise High School that also doubles as the Koto Club advisor. At first, he holds only cynicism for the club’s prospects, but events in the story force him to reevaluate his stance on the world of music.
to:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_8_cover.jpg]]
-->''“Then practice. If you don’t want this to be the last one, then for the next two months, train like your lives depended on it. Efficiently, frantically, earnestly… train so that you can proudly say no one trained more.”''
-> '''Voiced
->'''Voiced by''':
The son
One of Chika's three delinquent followers who originally joined the club for his sake. Seems to be the most musically skilled among the trio, for after his initial struggles, he's noted to have developed a
Changed line(s) 129,135 (click to see context) from:
* TheAce: Although he wouldn’t have the club know it, it is clear that he is an absolute genius composer with keen understanding of each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
to:
* TheAce: Although he wouldn’t ChivalrousPervert: Has experienced {{Nosebleed}} more than once upon meeting pretty ladies, and would very much like to have the club know it, it a girlfriend someday, but is clear that he is an absolute genius composer with keen understanding of each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the morerespectful ''-sensei'' towards the girls and Dojima and a has a protective streak that eventually extends to include the whole koto club.
* {{JackOfAllStats}}: Developing into one where hisname.koto playing is concerned- and both Takinami and Akira have acknowledged this.
*BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score {{TheLeader}}: Subtle, but he's usually the one among the trio to take charge when he was seven.
Chika isn't around.
*BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes NiceGuy: Friendly, reliable, and always mindful of his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.friends.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more
* {{JackOfAllStats}}: Developing into one where his
*
*
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
Changed line(s) 138,143 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Doujima Akira]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.
-> '''Voiced by''':
The son of a composer and a top-tier pianist, Takinami-sensei is a math teacher at Tokise High School that also doubles as the Koto Club
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* TheAce: Although he wouldn’t have the club know it, it is clear that he is an absolute genius composer with keen understanding of each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Doujima Akira]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
----
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Doujima Akira]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
----
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* HotBlooded: At the start of the story, he got riled up so effortlessly that he seemed uncontrollable, and resorted to violence like second nature. [[CharacterDevelopment He gets more tamed later on]].
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* HotBlooded: At the start of the story, he got riled up so effortlessly that he seemed uncontrollable, and resorted to violence like second nature. [[CharacterDevelopment He gets more tamed later on]].improves]].
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* HappilyAdopted: While it got strained due to his bad behavior, he absolutely loved and adored his grandfather for [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre always having faith in him]] and attempting to change the misguided road he had taken. He also seems at ease living with his aunt once his grandfather passed away.
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* SourOutsideSadInside: His irate and aggressive tendencies appear to derive from being disowned by his father for being a "brat" and seemingly [[DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife finding no purpose in life]]. He's terribly affected by his grandfather's koto repair shop being damaged and then has to deal with his subsequent death, although his grandfather was aware he was not at fault and stated so. Dealing with the loss is what actually spurs Chika to join the koto club, as his grandfather was the club founder.
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* TameHisAnger: As the series progresses, he is less prone to violence and hissy fits than he used to be, and has become [[TookALevelInKindness more gentle and emotionally mature]] thanks to his friends.
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* GuiltComplex: To the point that he took personal blame for what occurred to his grandfather's shop, despite that he neither participated nor incited the destruction, and it was just vengeance by members of his previous gang for deciding to finally remove himself from them to begin a new leaf. He was simply on the wrong place at the wrong time. Didn't help when one of the cops arresting him stated that even if he had nothing to do with it, that he probably deserved it.
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* GuiltComplex: To the point that he took personal blame for what occurred to his grandfather's shop, despite that he neither participated nor incited the destruction, and it was just vengeance by members of his previous gang for deciding to finally remove himself from them to begin a new leaf. He was simply on the wrong place at the wrong time. Didn't help when one of the cops arresting him stated that even if ''if'' he had nothing to do with it, that he probably deserved it.it due to his history of delinquency.
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Added DiffLines:
* GuiltComplex: To the point that he took personal blame for what occurred to his grandfather's shop, despite that he neither participated nor incited the destruction, and it was just vengeance by members of his previous gang for deciding to finally remove himself from them to begin a new leaf. He was simply on the wrong place at the wrong time. Didn't help when one of the cops arresting him stated that even if he had nothing to do with it, that he probably deserved it.
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Added DiffLines:
* HotBlooded: At the start of the story, he got riled up so effortlessly that he seemed uncontrollable, and resorted to violence like second nature. [[CharacterDevelopment He gets more tamed later on]].
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* SirSwearsALot: With his background, it comes as no surprise that he can be rather foul mouthed, and is the member of the cast who curses the most.
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* [[WhenSheSmiles When He Smiles]]: He spurs this sentiment in specific moments of authentic laughter, something that catches Houzuki's attention and later other girls when witnessing it. In fact, one instance has her knee-jerk block it from eyesight with a cardboard piece when she notices it was gaining attention.
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* [[WhenSheSmiles When He Smiles]]: He spurs this sentiment in specific moments of authentic laughter, something that catches Houzuki's attention and later attention. One instance even had other girls when witnessing it. In fact, one instance has her knee-jerk block witness it from eyesight favorably before Houzuki blocked their view with a cardboard piece when she notices it was gaining attention.piece.
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* MagneticHero: While Takezuo is the club president, the entire Koto club kickstarted the moment Chika applied. His perseverance, determination to improve, and hard work continuously inspires the rest of the members, and when the chips are down and doubts fill in, it's him that provides the encouragement for them to push forward by just his will power and figuring out musical epiphanies.
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* MagneticHero: While Takezuo is the club president, the entire Koto club kickstarted the moment Chika applied. His perseverance, determination to improve, and hard work continuously inspires the rest of the members, and when the chips are down and doubts fill in, it's him that provides the encouragement for them to push forward by just his will power and via figuring out musical epiphanies.epiphanies and indirectly prompting them to continue trying.
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* [[WhenSheSmiles When He Smiles]]: He spurs this sentiment when he's genuinely grinning and laughing, something that catches Houzuki's attention and later other girls when witnessing it. In one instance she knee-jerk reacts to blocking it from eyesight with a cardboard piece when she notices it was gaining attention.
to:
* [[WhenSheSmiles When He Smiles]]: He spurs this sentiment when he's genuinely grinning and laughing, in specific moments of authentic laughter, something that catches Houzuki's attention and later other girls when witnessing it. In fact, one instance she has her knee-jerk reacts to blocking block it from eyesight with a cardboard piece when she notices it was gaining attention.
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* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: He definitely does not provide the best first impression, but it doesn't take long for others to see his virtues.
* MagneticHero: While Takezuo is the club president, the entire Koto club kickstarted the moment Chika applied. His resilience, determination, and thirst to improve continuously inspires the rest of the members, and when the chips are down and doubts fill in, it's him that provides the encouragement for them to push forward by just being...his will powering self.
* MagneticHero: While Takezuo is the club president, the entire Koto club kickstarted the moment Chika applied. His resilience, determination, and thirst to improve continuously inspires the rest of the members, and when the chips are down and doubts fill in, it's him that provides the encouragement for them to push forward by just being...his will powering self.
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* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: He definitely does not provide the best first impression, but it doesn't take long for others to see his virtues.
virtues and the softness underneath.
* MagneticHero: While Takezuo is the club president, the entire Koto club kickstarted the moment Chika applied. Hisresilience, determination, perseverance, determination to improve, and thirst to improve hard work continuously inspires the rest of the members, and when the chips are down and doubts fill in, it's him that provides the encouragement for them to push forward by just being...his will powering self.power and figuring out musical epiphanies.
* MagneticHero: While Takezuo is the club president, the entire Koto club kickstarted the moment Chika applied. His
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Changed line(s) 60 (click to see context) from:
* [[WhenSheSmiles When He Smiles]]: He spurs this reaction when he's genuinely grinning and laughing, something that catches Houzuki's attention and later other girls when witnessing it. In one instance she knee-jerk reacts to blocking it from eyesight with a cardboard piece when she notices it was gaining attention.
to:
* [[WhenSheSmiles When He Smiles]]: He spurs this reaction sentiment when he's genuinely grinning and laughing, something that catches Houzuki's attention and later other girls when witnessing it. In one instance she knee-jerk reacts to blocking it from eyesight with a cardboard piece when she notices it was gaining attention.
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* ChickMagnet: Girls begin to acknowledge him once they realize he's [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold really not as dangerous as first thought]], much to Houzuki's chagrin.
* [[{{Delinquents}} Delinquent]]: Former. Rehabilitated thanks to finding his path in the Koto club.
* [[{{Delinquents}} Delinquent]]: Former. Rehabilitated thanks to finding his path in the Koto club.
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* [[WhenSheSmiles When He Smiles]]: He spurs this reaction when he's genuinely grinning and laughing, something that catches Houzuki's attention and later other girls when witnessing it. In one instance she knee-jerk reacts to blocking it from eyesight with a cardboard piece when she notices it was gaining attention.
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* BerserkButton: Do '''not''' insult any one of the club members. He can take jabs hurled at himself, but once you get his friends involved, his docile attitude does a [[TranquilFury complete 180]] (after development kicks in). It tends to leave the target speechless, just ask Hiro's ex-boyfriend.
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* JerkWithAHeartOfGold
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* JerkWithAHeartOfGoldJerkWithAHeartOfGold: He definitely does not provide the best first impression, but it doesn't take long for others to see his virtues.
* MagneticHero: While Takezuo is the club president, the entire Koto club kickstarted the moment Chika applied. His resilience, determination, and thirst to improve continuously inspires the rest of the members, and when the chips are down and doubts fill in, it's him that provides the encouragement for them to push forward by just being...his will powering self.
* MagneticHero: While Takezuo is the club president, the entire Koto club kickstarted the moment Chika applied. His resilience, determination, and thirst to improve continuously inspires the rest of the members, and when the chips are down and doubts fill in, it's him that provides the encouragement for them to push forward by just being...his will powering self.
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* {{Tsundere}}: And Class S to boot! Harsh type to all his friends, especially Hozuki
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* {{Tsundere}}: And Class S to boot! Harsh type to all his friends, especially HozukiHouzuki.
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All characters in ''Kono Oto Tomare!'' Names will be listed in Japanese convention; that is, surname, followed by given name.
----
[[foldercontrol]]
!!Tokise High School
[[folder:The Club as a Whole]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kot_club_ch_26.PNG]]
[[caption-width-right:300:From left to right: Kurata, Kudou, Houzuki, Kouta, Kurusu, Sane, Mittsu. Not shown here: Yoshinaga and Momoya]]
* AllYourPowersCombined: Although Houzuki’s skill is far beyond any of the other club members, only when the club plays as an ensemble do their songs really shine. Likewise, only by coming together did the team grow to love and understand their instrument - Hozuki to love the koto again [[spoiler: after being disinherited from the Hozuki Koto School]], and everyone to discover the koto.
* BookDumb: With the exception of Kurata, none of the other members are shown to be particularly bright at academic subjects. Likewise, they learn better by listening to music and feeling its emotions instead of understanding its theory.
* {{Determinator}}: The club endures {{Training From Hell}} on a regular basis in order not to disappoint each other.
* HiddenDepths: Everyone on the team gets a significant amount of character development that prove that they’re more than their first impression.
* LoveEpiphany: Various members of the club get one at some point in time.
* RagtagBunchOfMisfits
-->'''Fujimoto:''' An honor student next to a gyaru… like seven jigsaws mixed together.
* StrongerThanTheyLook: Many of their rivals initially write them off due to their lack of reputation, mismatching personalities, and seemingly delinquent style.
* TrueCompanions: It's what brought them all together and why they're able to play so well together. This companionship also inspired Takinami to take up music again and Akira to defeat her own personal darkness and cynicism.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Kurata Takezou]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_2_cover.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by''': Junya Enoki (JP), Creator/AlejandroSaab (EN)
President of the Koto Club. At the beginning of the story, Kurata is the sole remaining member of the club, after Mashiro and the rest of his upperclassmen graduated. With Kudou's help and a little bit of luck, Kurata turns the floundering club into a formidable ensemble.
----
* BewareTheNiceOnes: The one time he really gets angry [[spoiler:and confused over Hiro trying to break up the club]], even Kudo, former delinquent and streetfighter, is terrified of his frustrated DeathGlare.
* ExtremeDoormat: Overcoming this tendency is the crux of his character development. With the help of the rest of the club members, he grows into a respectable leader that [[spoiler:guides the Koto Club to the national championships.]]
* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: Kurusu comes to his house in Chapter 17 in order to motivate him to take control of the club.
* GrewASpine: His desire to be a worthy president of the Koto Club leads him to be more assertive in confrontational situations. A prominent turning point for him occurs in Chapter 18, [[spoiler:when he asks Takinami-sensei to resign as the club advisor.]]
* [[spoiler:HeroesWantRedheads]]
* InSeriesNickname: “Glasses” from Kudou as a rough form of affection, “Nadeshiko-chan” from his bullies.
* LoveEpiphany: [[spoiler:After the Christmas Eve party, he realizes that he likes Kurusu.]]
* OnlySaneMan: When Takinami-sensei uses childish appeals to motivate the boys of the club (like when he said they were too young to understand “sex appeal”), Kurata is the only one who doesn’t fall for the ruse.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Kudou Chika]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_1_cover.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/YuumaUchida (JP), Creator/DamanMills (EN)
The first member to join Kurata in the club. Kudou brings with him a reputation for fighting and delinquency, which initially makes others distrustful of him. However, underneath his rough exterior is a kind heart who wants to honor his deceased grandfather by playing the koto.
----
* TheAtoner: Kudou joins the Koto Club to honor his grandfather’s memory.
* {{Determinator}}: Although every member of the club is intensely dedicated, Kudou is a cut above, usually being the first one in the club room every morning, practicing until his fingers literally bleed, and playing through a concert with a sprained hand. All so that he can catch up to Houzuki and be worthy of playing with her.
* TheDreaded: At the beginning of the story his reputation is awful, and the entire school is afraid of him. Things get better.
* HairTriggerTemper: He gets fired up very easily, which unfortunately has obscured his heart of gold.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold
* MagikarpPower: Although he begins as an absolute amateur, his natural talent allows him to play basic passages with incredible emotion.
* MeaningfulName: His name is written with the character for “love.”
* NecktieLeash: Gets this twice from Houzuki, for different reasons.
* RaisedByGrandparents: By his grandfather, before the start of the series.
* RealMenHateAffection: Kudou gets shy when his aunt hugs him in Chapter 54.
* SweetTooth: Many of the after-chapter sketches humorously depict Kudou begging Tetsuki for sweets.
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Strawberries, or anything strawberry-flavored. He loves them so much he asked that his class serve strawberry daifuku in their culture fair festival, which is one of the first things that gets his classmates to realize that he's not as bad as the rumors say he is.
* {{Tsundere}}: And Class S to boot! Harsh type to all his friends, especially Hozuki
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Houzuki Satowa]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_3.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/AtsumiTanezaki (JP), Creator/AmberLeeConnors (EN)
A koto prodigy, and a member of the renowned Houzuki Group, one of the most prestigious organizations in the koto world. After an infamous performance as a middle schooler, Houzuki joined Tokise's koto club with the intent to increase her own fame. After further reflection and the help of the other club members, she comes to appreciate the koto as not just an instrument, but something more.
----
* AloofDarkHairedGirl
* CannotSpitItOut
* CryCute: [[spoiler:Following her second rendition of ''Tenkyuu'' in Chapter 52, Houzuki breaks into tears after reuniting with her mother.]]
* DefrostingIceQueen: [[spoiler:Her excommunication from the Houzuki Group left her cynical and unappreciating of other people's struggles.]] Playing in a group and understanding other people gradually warms both her personality and her sound.
* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: [[spoiler:After her disastrous solo in middle school, she lost the motivation to play the koto, thinking it to be pointless if she could neither help her mother nor reconcile with her.]]
* {{Irony}}: When listening to the [[spoiler:original version of ''Tenkyuu'' that she played in the National Koto Competition, she realizes that such a harsh sound would never express the feelings of love she felt for her mother.]]
* LethalChef: It is implied several times that she cannot cook. Justified since she hasn't seen anything but koto for several years straight.
* LuminescentBlush: Prone to this around Kudou after her defrosting.
* MinorLivingAlone: Kudou visits her in Chapter 11, to find that she lives [[spoiler:in a dinky one room house.]]
* MyGreatestFailure: When she was a middle schooler, [[spoiler:she automatically disqualified herself by playing an original composition in a bid to send her mother a desperate message. Her mother only grew colder and excommunicated her from the Houzuki Group.]]
* NoSocialSkills: A life fully submerged in the koto world left Satowa with little else to socialize about. In brief scenes of her chatting with female classmates, she’s often left overwhelmed and confused, an embarassed LuminiscentBlush over her face.
* {{Tsundere}}: Towards Kudou; her lack of social skills leaves her quite embarassed to show her Dere side.
* WellDoneSonGuy: [[spoiler:Her only reason to excel at the koto was to earn her mother’s smile. As her mother grew more and more stressed from managing the Houzuki Group, Satowa pushed herself to higher levels of excellence to try to make her mother happy again.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Kurusu Hiro]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_5_cover.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by''': Sara Matsumoto (JP), Creator/AlexisTipton (EN)
A second-year student in Kurata's class, first appearing in Chapter 9. An attractive socialite unlike the rest of the club members, Kurusu seemingly joins the club on a whim. In reality, [[spoiler:she joined to spread discord and destroy the fun atmosphere she witnessed at a performance last year.]] Gradually, her motivation transforms to more genuine reasons, and she becomes an equally dedicated member of the club.
----
* BigSisterInstinct: She is very protective of the other members of the club, and holds their feelings over all else. When realizing that [[spoiler:Doujima's presence was affecting the club morale]], she tries to convince everyone that the club is better off without her.
* DevotedToYou: [[spoiler:After falling in love with Kurata, she finds a renewed determination to be the best she can be.]]
-->''I'll do my best – my absolute best, my everything. I'll do it.''
* DontYouDarePityMe: After Kurata confronts her about [[spoiler:her lies to break up the club]], she invokes this.
* GreenEyedMonster: [[spoiler:Originally her defining feature. She joined the club because she was envious of the wholesome atmosphere.]] Although she makes vast progress, she occasionally relapses into bouts of jealousy, such as [[spoiler:when Mashiro visited Kurata at the cultural festival.]]
* TheHeart: She oftentimes is the first one to offer rallying words of encouragement to the rest of the club.
* NoPlaceForMeThere: As a result of her past, she feels recurring doubt that she truly belongs in the Koto Club. After Houzuki and her bake a cake in Chapter 57, she accepts that the club members truly are her friends.
-->''What am I doing? Worrying myself, getting depressed alone... It's not like before. I've already made it here.''
* LoveIsAWeakness: [[spoiler:When her feelings for Kurata distract her from playing well, she feels guilty and resolves to kill her emotions.]] After some mentorship from Takinami-sensei, she realizes that those emotions can be a source of strength as well.
* PluckyGirl
* [[spoiler:SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan]]: [[spoiler:She falls for the plain but serious Kurata when before she made fun of his unassertive personality.]]
* TearsOfJoy: Many of her [[spoiler:{{Ship Tease}} moments with Kurata]] end with an internal monologue of her wanting to cry in happiness. She also is the one to interpret the kanji of “Tenkyuu” this way.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Mizuhara Kouta]]
->'''Voiced by''': Yuichi Iguchi (JP), Creator/JoshGrelle (EN)
One of Chika's three delinquent followers who originally joined the club for his sake, Kouta is the most cheerful and affectionate of the trio, but also the one that struggles the most playing koto. He has very poor sense of rhythm, but he makes up for it with hard work and determination.
----
* CuddleBug: He's very quick to hug people he likes.
* {{Determinator}}: Frequently struggles with difficult rhythms, but works extra hard to get the hang of them anyway.
* TheGlomp: His [[EstablishingCharacterMoment very first appearance]] has him tackle-hugging Chika. It speeds up from there.
* {{Keet}}: The cheeriest and most energetic member of the idiot trio, as well as the whole club.
* NiceGuy: Sweet, outgoing, and very amiable.
* TheNicknamer: He dishes out {{Affectionate Nickname}}s on the regular, such as calling Akira "Aki-chan-sensei" or nicknaming his underclassmen Yoshinaga and Momoya "Yoshirin" and "Momoyan", respectively.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Takinami Suzuka]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_8_cover.jpg]]
-->''“Then practice. If you don’t want this to be the last one, then for the next two months, train like your lives depended on it. Efficiently, frantically, earnestly… train so that you can proudly say no one trained more.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/DaisukeNamikawa (JP), Creator/BrandonPotter (EN)
The son of a composer and a top-tier pianist, Takinami-sensei is a math teacher at Tokise High School that also doubles as the Koto Club advisor. At first, he holds only cynicism for the club’s prospects, but events in the story force him to reevaluate his stance on the world of music.
----
* TheAce: Although he wouldn’t have the club know it, it is clear that he is an absolute genius composer with keen understanding of each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Doujima Akira]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
----
* AlwaysSecondBest: Being surrounded by koto geniuses and strict teachers made her always feel like this. It’s the main reason she harbors resentment towards Satowa.
* ArcWords: For her personally, her brother’s words of encouragement.
-->''“Because I gave it everything I have, I succeeded.”''
* BrokenBird: [[spoiler:Despite what looks like a very successful koto career, she is absolutely miserable with her life. Until meeting the Koto Club, she did not think her effort did not have any value, when it was so easily surpassed by the naturally talented, like Houzuki.]]
* [[spoiler:DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife]]: [[spoiler:Believes that her own worth is nil, when musical geniuses like Satowa and her brother exist.]]
* DespairEventHorizon: [[spoiler:The 36th National Koto Playing Contest. Despite an amazing performance that won first place, it only solidified the fact that she would never be on the same level as her brother.]]
-->''“I thought there was light waiting for me. But all I saw was an even deeper inescapable darkness.”''
* JadeColoredGlasses:All she wanted was to be like her brother, who she idolized. When it became clear that his natural talent was on another level from hers, she grew disillusioned about loving music for music’s sake.
* ShutUpHannibal
* SuddenlyShouting: [[spoiler:After the koto competition that she felt she didn’t deserve to win, she throws her award in disgust and screams at herself in self-deprecation.]] It’s a stark contrast to the icy, dignified persona she built up in the chapters before.
* YamatoNadeshiko
[[/folder]]
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----
[[foldercontrol]]
!!Tokise High School
[[folder:The Club as a Whole]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kot_club_ch_26.PNG]]
[[caption-width-right:300:From left to right: Kurata, Kudou, Houzuki, Kouta, Kurusu, Sane, Mittsu. Not shown here: Yoshinaga and Momoya]]
* AllYourPowersCombined: Although Houzuki’s skill is far beyond any of the other club members, only when the club plays as an ensemble do their songs really shine. Likewise, only by coming together did the team grow to love and understand their instrument - Hozuki to love the koto again [[spoiler: after being disinherited from the Hozuki Koto School]], and everyone to discover the koto.
* BookDumb: With the exception of Kurata, none of the other members are shown to be particularly bright at academic subjects. Likewise, they learn better by listening to music and feeling its emotions instead of understanding its theory.
* {{Determinator}}: The club endures {{Training From Hell}} on a regular basis in order not to disappoint each other.
* HiddenDepths: Everyone on the team gets a significant amount of character development that prove that they’re more than their first impression.
* LoveEpiphany: Various members of the club get one at some point in time.
* RagtagBunchOfMisfits
-->'''Fujimoto:''' An honor student next to a gyaru… like seven jigsaws mixed together.
* StrongerThanTheyLook: Many of their rivals initially write them off due to their lack of reputation, mismatching personalities, and seemingly delinquent style.
* TrueCompanions: It's what brought them all together and why they're able to play so well together. This companionship also inspired Takinami to take up music again and Akira to defeat her own personal darkness and cynicism.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Kurata Takezou]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_2_cover.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by''': Junya Enoki (JP), Creator/AlejandroSaab (EN)
President of the Koto Club. At the beginning of the story, Kurata is the sole remaining member of the club, after Mashiro and the rest of his upperclassmen graduated. With Kudou's help and a little bit of luck, Kurata turns the floundering club into a formidable ensemble.
----
* BewareTheNiceOnes: The one time he really gets angry [[spoiler:and confused over Hiro trying to break up the club]], even Kudo, former delinquent and streetfighter, is terrified of his frustrated DeathGlare.
* ExtremeDoormat: Overcoming this tendency is the crux of his character development. With the help of the rest of the club members, he grows into a respectable leader that [[spoiler:guides the Koto Club to the national championships.]]
* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: Kurusu comes to his house in Chapter 17 in order to motivate him to take control of the club.
* GrewASpine: His desire to be a worthy president of the Koto Club leads him to be more assertive in confrontational situations. A prominent turning point for him occurs in Chapter 18, [[spoiler:when he asks Takinami-sensei to resign as the club advisor.]]
* [[spoiler:HeroesWantRedheads]]
* InSeriesNickname: “Glasses” from Kudou as a rough form of affection, “Nadeshiko-chan” from his bullies.
* LoveEpiphany: [[spoiler:After the Christmas Eve party, he realizes that he likes Kurusu.]]
* OnlySaneMan: When Takinami-sensei uses childish appeals to motivate the boys of the club (like when he said they were too young to understand “sex appeal”), Kurata is the only one who doesn’t fall for the ruse.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Kudou Chika]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_1_cover.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/YuumaUchida (JP), Creator/DamanMills (EN)
The first member to join Kurata in the club. Kudou brings with him a reputation for fighting and delinquency, which initially makes others distrustful of him. However, underneath his rough exterior is a kind heart who wants to honor his deceased grandfather by playing the koto.
----
* TheAtoner: Kudou joins the Koto Club to honor his grandfather’s memory.
* {{Determinator}}: Although every member of the club is intensely dedicated, Kudou is a cut above, usually being the first one in the club room every morning, practicing until his fingers literally bleed, and playing through a concert with a sprained hand. All so that he can catch up to Houzuki and be worthy of playing with her.
* TheDreaded: At the beginning of the story his reputation is awful, and the entire school is afraid of him. Things get better.
* HairTriggerTemper: He gets fired up very easily, which unfortunately has obscured his heart of gold.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold
* MagikarpPower: Although he begins as an absolute amateur, his natural talent allows him to play basic passages with incredible emotion.
* MeaningfulName: His name is written with the character for “love.”
* NecktieLeash: Gets this twice from Houzuki, for different reasons.
* RaisedByGrandparents: By his grandfather, before the start of the series.
* RealMenHateAffection: Kudou gets shy when his aunt hugs him in Chapter 54.
* SweetTooth: Many of the after-chapter sketches humorously depict Kudou begging Tetsuki for sweets.
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Strawberries, or anything strawberry-flavored. He loves them so much he asked that his class serve strawberry daifuku in their culture fair festival, which is one of the first things that gets his classmates to realize that he's not as bad as the rumors say he is.
* {{Tsundere}}: And Class S to boot! Harsh type to all his friends, especially Hozuki
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Houzuki Satowa]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_3.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/AtsumiTanezaki (JP), Creator/AmberLeeConnors (EN)
A koto prodigy, and a member of the renowned Houzuki Group, one of the most prestigious organizations in the koto world. After an infamous performance as a middle schooler, Houzuki joined Tokise's koto club with the intent to increase her own fame. After further reflection and the help of the other club members, she comes to appreciate the koto as not just an instrument, but something more.
----
* AloofDarkHairedGirl
* CannotSpitItOut
* CryCute: [[spoiler:Following her second rendition of ''Tenkyuu'' in Chapter 52, Houzuki breaks into tears after reuniting with her mother.]]
* DefrostingIceQueen: [[spoiler:Her excommunication from the Houzuki Group left her cynical and unappreciating of other people's struggles.]] Playing in a group and understanding other people gradually warms both her personality and her sound.
* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: [[spoiler:After her disastrous solo in middle school, she lost the motivation to play the koto, thinking it to be pointless if she could neither help her mother nor reconcile with her.]]
* {{Irony}}: When listening to the [[spoiler:original version of ''Tenkyuu'' that she played in the National Koto Competition, she realizes that such a harsh sound would never express the feelings of love she felt for her mother.]]
* LethalChef: It is implied several times that she cannot cook. Justified since she hasn't seen anything but koto for several years straight.
* LuminescentBlush: Prone to this around Kudou after her defrosting.
* MinorLivingAlone: Kudou visits her in Chapter 11, to find that she lives [[spoiler:in a dinky one room house.]]
* MyGreatestFailure: When she was a middle schooler, [[spoiler:she automatically disqualified herself by playing an original composition in a bid to send her mother a desperate message. Her mother only grew colder and excommunicated her from the Houzuki Group.]]
* NoSocialSkills: A life fully submerged in the koto world left Satowa with little else to socialize about. In brief scenes of her chatting with female classmates, she’s often left overwhelmed and confused, an embarassed LuminiscentBlush over her face.
* {{Tsundere}}: Towards Kudou; her lack of social skills leaves her quite embarassed to show her Dere side.
* WellDoneSonGuy: [[spoiler:Her only reason to excel at the koto was to earn her mother’s smile. As her mother grew more and more stressed from managing the Houzuki Group, Satowa pushed herself to higher levels of excellence to try to make her mother happy again.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Kurusu Hiro]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_5_cover.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by''': Sara Matsumoto (JP), Creator/AlexisTipton (EN)
A second-year student in Kurata's class, first appearing in Chapter 9. An attractive socialite unlike the rest of the club members, Kurusu seemingly joins the club on a whim. In reality, [[spoiler:she joined to spread discord and destroy the fun atmosphere she witnessed at a performance last year.]] Gradually, her motivation transforms to more genuine reasons, and she becomes an equally dedicated member of the club.
----
* BigSisterInstinct: She is very protective of the other members of the club, and holds their feelings over all else. When realizing that [[spoiler:Doujima's presence was affecting the club morale]], she tries to convince everyone that the club is better off without her.
* DevotedToYou: [[spoiler:After falling in love with Kurata, she finds a renewed determination to be the best she can be.]]
-->''I'll do my best – my absolute best, my everything. I'll do it.''
* DontYouDarePityMe: After Kurata confronts her about [[spoiler:her lies to break up the club]], she invokes this.
* GreenEyedMonster: [[spoiler:Originally her defining feature. She joined the club because she was envious of the wholesome atmosphere.]] Although she makes vast progress, she occasionally relapses into bouts of jealousy, such as [[spoiler:when Mashiro visited Kurata at the cultural festival.]]
* TheHeart: She oftentimes is the first one to offer rallying words of encouragement to the rest of the club.
* NoPlaceForMeThere: As a result of her past, she feels recurring doubt that she truly belongs in the Koto Club. After Houzuki and her bake a cake in Chapter 57, she accepts that the club members truly are her friends.
-->''What am I doing? Worrying myself, getting depressed alone... It's not like before. I've already made it here.''
* LoveIsAWeakness: [[spoiler:When her feelings for Kurata distract her from playing well, she feels guilty and resolves to kill her emotions.]] After some mentorship from Takinami-sensei, she realizes that those emotions can be a source of strength as well.
* PluckyGirl
* [[spoiler:SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan]]: [[spoiler:She falls for the plain but serious Kurata when before she made fun of his unassertive personality.]]
* TearsOfJoy: Many of her [[spoiler:{{Ship Tease}} moments with Kurata]] end with an internal monologue of her wanting to cry in happiness. She also is the one to interpret the kanji of “Tenkyuu” this way.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Mizuhara Kouta]]
->'''Voiced by''': Yuichi Iguchi (JP), Creator/JoshGrelle (EN)
One of Chika's three delinquent followers who originally joined the club for his sake, Kouta is the most cheerful and affectionate of the trio, but also the one that struggles the most playing koto. He has very poor sense of rhythm, but he makes up for it with hard work and determination.
----
* CuddleBug: He's very quick to hug people he likes.
* {{Determinator}}: Frequently struggles with difficult rhythms, but works extra hard to get the hang of them anyway.
* TheGlomp: His [[EstablishingCharacterMoment very first appearance]] has him tackle-hugging Chika. It speeds up from there.
* {{Keet}}: The cheeriest and most energetic member of the idiot trio, as well as the whole club.
* NiceGuy: Sweet, outgoing, and very amiable.
* TheNicknamer: He dishes out {{Affectionate Nickname}}s on the regular, such as calling Akira "Aki-chan-sensei" or nicknaming his underclassmen Yoshinaga and Momoya "Yoshirin" and "Momoyan", respectively.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Takinami Suzuka]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_8_cover.jpg]]
-->''“Then practice. If you don’t want this to be the last one, then for the next two months, train like your lives depended on it. Efficiently, frantically, earnestly… train so that you can proudly say no one trained more.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/DaisukeNamikawa (JP), Creator/BrandonPotter (EN)
The son of a composer and a top-tier pianist, Takinami-sensei is a math teacher at Tokise High School that also doubles as the Koto Club advisor. At first, he holds only cynicism for the club’s prospects, but events in the story force him to reevaluate his stance on the world of music.
----
* TheAce: Although he wouldn’t have the club know it, it is clear that he is an absolute genius composer with keen understanding of each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
* AffectionateNickname: Hiro calls him ''Suzuka-chan'' due to him being her electives class teacher. Everyone else affixes the more respectful ''-sensei'' to his name.
* BlatantLies: When Houzuki asks him if he has any musical experience, he responds that he has none. He wrote a full orchestral score when he was seven.
* BrutalHonesty: He does not mince words or say when the club performs poorly. On the other hand, this makes his rare moments of encouragement that much more powerful.
* StealthMentor: His comments are often harsh, but they're said to make the club stronger.
* WhamLine: He gives many of these throughout the course of the story.
** He gives one to the rest of the club when he explains that Kurata and Kurusu have only one shot to go to the nationals.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Doujima Akira]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kono_oto_tomare_vol_10_cover.jpg]]
-->''“I understood from that one note alone – the overbearing, absolute difference. No matter how much I tried… I would never reach that place.”''
-> '''Voiced by''': Creator/NaoTouyama (Japanese), Creator/CaitlinGlass (English)
The Koto Club Instructor. Her first appearance is in Chapter 33, when [[spoiler:Houzuki comes back to her mother to beg for another seventeen-string koto]], but she assumes the role of club instructor in Chapter 34. Akira first joins with the intent to break the will of the club members through spartan, traditional teaching methods. However, after witnessing the dedication and potential of the club firsthand, she turns around to genuinely wish for the club’s success.
----
* AlwaysSecondBest: Being surrounded by koto geniuses and strict teachers made her always feel like this. It’s the main reason she harbors resentment towards Satowa.
* ArcWords: For her personally, her brother’s words of encouragement.
-->''“Because I gave it everything I have, I succeeded.”''
* BrokenBird: [[spoiler:Despite what looks like a very successful koto career, she is absolutely miserable with her life. Until meeting the Koto Club, she did not think her effort did not have any value, when it was so easily surpassed by the naturally talented, like Houzuki.]]
* [[spoiler:DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife]]: [[spoiler:Believes that her own worth is nil, when musical geniuses like Satowa and her brother exist.]]
* DespairEventHorizon: [[spoiler:The 36th National Koto Playing Contest. Despite an amazing performance that won first place, it only solidified the fact that she would never be on the same level as her brother.]]
-->''“I thought there was light waiting for me. But all I saw was an even deeper inescapable darkness.”''
* JadeColoredGlasses:All she wanted was to be like her brother, who she idolized. When it became clear that his natural talent was on another level from hers, she grew disillusioned about loving music for music’s sake.
* ShutUpHannibal
* SuddenlyShouting: [[spoiler:After the koto competition that she felt she didn’t deserve to win, she throws her award in disgust and screams at herself in self-deprecation.]] It’s a stark contrast to the icy, dignified persona she built up in the chapters before.
* YamatoNadeshiko
[[/folder]]
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