Dark and Troubled Past: From the first few lines, Riley seems to have an issue with themself and the topic of parents seems to be rather sensitive to them.
Dark Secret: One of the first lines in the prologue implies that Riley has one of these.
"As I fell into unconsciousness and into silence, I wondered, “What did I do to deserve this…?” Although really, I already knew the answer…"
Screw the Rules, I Have Money!: Riley's secret for the Chapter One motive reveals that their parents bribed multiple opponents to secure them a spot in nationals. They are fully aware of this.
The Protagonist: Riley Starr is the main character of the story, and the story is told from their perspective.
Madoka Hamasaki
Super High School Level Good Luck
Deuteragonist: Hamasaki seems to be this so far, and Riley and him get along easily. He borders on Sidekick territory, as the two are together more often than not, and Riley even has to calm down an argument between Nakajima and him.
Yoshi Houjou
Super High School Level ???
Identity Amnesia: The secret motive reveals that he doesn’t remember his talent, his past, his family, or even his own name, which he assumed was Yoshi Houjou because it was what was written in his notebook. Word of God confirms that it’s not his real name.
Sango Tamashiro
Super High School Level Ping Pong Player
Kirara Suzuki
Super High School Level Movie Critic
Flower Motifs: Suzuki is associated with red spider lilies which symbolize death, hence her being the first to die.
Cruel and Unusual Death: In her execution, Naoki is torn apart by rabid Monokumas until nothing is left of her. This also hits Death by Irony, as she is killed when she fails to outrun them.
Punny Name: The kanji for Hase's name can be read as "run straightaway into the woods" and well, look at her talent. Her morning runs around the woods are also brought up by Maeda in the trial, and used as evidence against her.
Hypocrite: Teruya reveals a VERY black and white view on “criminals” at the first trial, despite the fact that she spent the first chapter trying to reconnect with Nakajima, the Super High School Level GANG LEADER who had one of the worst secrets in the group... one she knew about beforehand.
Punny Name: The kanji for Teruya's name can be read as "illuminate the valley with truth" which can obviously refer to her seeing herself as the reporter of truth and justice.
Third-Person Person: Teruya is always referring to herself by her given name in favor of using 'I'.
Audience Surrogate: Maromi will often voice theories or observations that the author has heard from readers, such as his reasoning for accusing Hamasaki in the first trial.
Ran Eto
Super High School Level Horror Novelist
Curtains Match the Window: While Eto's hair and eyes aren't the EXACT same color, they sure are close to it.
Word of God confirms that it’s not his real name.