Sayuri Akino (秋野 沙友理, Akino Sayuri) is the female deuteragonist in the Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! manga and anime series. She is a student at Kitami Hokuryo High School and a Hokkaido gyaru.
Sayuri doesn't seem to fit the gyaru type of person despite being one. She is beautiful, but puts more focus on her gaming passion, but she pays enough attention to the trends to be still fit in. She used to be cold toward everyone, until she met Tsubasa Shiki and Minami Fuyuki, who become her first real friends since arriving in high school. Sayuri learns to be more self-confident in reaching her own personal goals and living life to the fullest.
Background[]
From an early age, Sayuri has been sweating a lot, to the point it made her uncomfortable showing skin or participating in physical activities. She used this isolation to immerse herself into video games, losing self-confidence in herself and avoiding other people. Even when she tried putting herself out of her comfort zone, she would go back to her safe space.
Appearance[]
Sayuri is depicted as a young woman with purple (anime)/black (manga) hair with a gold hairpin. Alongside her dark-toned hair, she has purple eyes, a choker around her neck, and pale pink fingernails. Comparable to Minami, she also has a nice body figure, though her chest, while still been generous in size, doesn't fully equal to Minami's. Sayuri herself has even regarded Minami as ''very exceptional'' in many aspects of her person.
Sayuri typically wears the standard uniform of Kitami Hokuryo High School. The uniform consists of a long-sleeved blue unbuttoned blazer, and a gray skirt. Sayuri wears a black undershirt.
When out in the cold, Sayuri wears the same school outfit but with a black jacket.
From Chapter 80 to Chapter 89, Sayuri changes her look temporarily. She has the same outfit but changes her hair and makeup. She cuts her hair shorter with bangs in the front and parting both sides. However, after Chapter 89, she changes to her original hairstyle.
Personality[]
In Sayuri's own words, she is the complete opposite of Minami. Sayuri is an introvert who plays video games instead of worrying about clothes or social standings. However, despite being shy, she can become defensive and angered when people bully friends close to her.
Sayuri is known to get flustered easily, especially if it involves Tsubasa. At first, Sayuri was unable to come out of her comfort zone, but interactions with Tsubasa gave her the confidence to be herself.
Unlike Minami, Sayuri doesn't get jealous when Tsubasa interacts with other female characters to someone else, she accepts it knowing that he is caring and kind toward everyone. Despite that, she is still shy around Tsubasa after she develops feelings for him, especially when trying to confess to him.
However, from Chapter 80 onward, Sayuri adopts a more confident personality, becoming more flirtatious and daring. She actively tells Tsubasa her feelings and that she wants to have a place in his heart.
Relationships[]
Friends[]
Tsubasa Shiki[]
Sayuri didn't pay attention to Tsubasa when he first transferred to her class initially. It isn't until the class ski trip does Sayuri open up to Tsubasa because he was the first person to accept her faults in a positive way. Even though Tsubasa was close with Minami, Tsubasa also became a close friend with Sayuri.
Soon after, Sayuri begins to develop strong romantic feelings for Tsubasa because of his pure heart, even if she couldn't admit to him. Sayuri's childhood friend, Asuka, realizes Sayuri's feelings toward Tsubasa and tries playing matchmaker for them as well. Even a significant event like Tsubasa admitting Minami giving him a bracelet starts to hurt Sayuri more than usual. After Tsubasa helped Asuka unconditionally, Sayuri decide she can't hide her true feelings toward Tsubasa, even admitting she loves him. To Sayuri, it was now a friendly race for Tsubasa's love (against Minami and Rena). Sayuri even invited Tsubasa to the firework festival and kissed him on the cheek.
After more failed attempts to admit to Tsubasa, Sayuri decides to change her look and personality to become the superior version of herself, becoming more flirtatious and daring. Tsubasa even questioned the thought of Akino getting a boyfriend, but finally understood Akino's feelings after she found out he overheard her reject someone and basically told Tsubasa to let her in his heart. Sadly, after going on their own "field trip", Tsubasa ultimately rejects Sayuri saying he still cares for her deeply but is in love with Minami. Sayuri respects his decision and becomes one of her bestfriends' biggest cheerleaders.
Minami Fuyuki[]
Sayuri was cold with Minami at first. Believing Minami was the "perfect gal", and that Minami wouldn't want to be friends with her unless she wanted something else. During the ski trip, Minami saved Sayuri from an accident, Sayuri thanked her for her help and apologized for always being cold around her and the two became friends. Their friendship is so strong; Sayuri will throw hands if anyone talks down to Minami.
Despite being complete opposites, they got really close as friends, even becoming best friends soon after. Like Tsubasa, Minami accepts Sayuri with her faults and loves her tenfold. Then, Sayuri admits to Minami that she likes Tsubasa and will confess to him. Minami, who is known to values her relationships over her own feelings, couldn't find an answer for her own feelings. Sayuri sees through Minami but knows she can't change her mind.
When Minami rejects Tsubasa, Sayuri told Minami that Tsubasa truly loves her, but she can't help by think finally Minami is honest about her feelings and both agree to keep going until they have a satisfying ending.
Once Sayuri got reject, she fully supports Minami in her pursuit, knowing full well both Minami and Tsubasa love each other.
Rena Natsukawa[]
Sayuri didn't become friends with Rena until Tsubasa introduced them to each other. Sayuri praises Rena for her hard work being smart and always looking pretty to which Rena reciprocates the love.
They don't seem to hang out as often, due to Rena always being busy, but always hang with the group doing activities together.
Asuka[]
Sayuri met Asuka back in their childhood. Asuka can easily read Sayuri and her feelings for Tsubasa, even playing matchmaker for Sayuri. Even setting it up to where Sayuri puts on a swimsuit when Tsubasa is training her.
Despite her matchmaking ideas, Asuka cares deeply for Sayuri, knowing Sayuri deserves a good relationship with whoever. Sayuri admits to Asuka that she is done running and Asuka saying it was Sayuri's time to shine.
Etymology[]
- Sayuri's surname Akino means "autumn fields" (秋野)
Trivia[]
- Sayuri dislikes gym class and exercise in general due to her sweating a lot.
- Sayuri's favorite soda is an orange soda called "Ribbon Napolin", the soul drink of Hokkaido.
- Sayuri's favorite food is Shinkoyaki (grilled chicken with salt and sauce). It is an Asahikawa local comfort dish.
- Brittany Lauda (Sayuri's English voice actress) is married to Matt Shipman (Tsubasa Shkiki's English voice actor).
- Because Sayuri sweats a lot, she avoided all forms of exercise, which eventually found her avoiding people in general.
References[]
- ↑ 「道産子ギャルはなまらめんこい」公式 no X: "🎉Happy Birthday to 沙友理🎉 本日9月23日は、秋野沙友理の誕生日✨✨ #伊科田海 先生からのお祝いイラストが到着！ クールかと思いきやゲームが好きな恥ずかしがり屋🎮 沙友理のアニメでの活躍をお楽しみに🎵 #道産子ギャル #どさこい https://t.co/MHYzeVZfg2" / X (twitter.com)