About “Nisekoi” in a few words:

Nisekoi is a romantic comedy anime series that follows the story of Raku Ichijou, a high school student who is forced into a fake relationship with Chitoge Kirisaki, the daughter of a rival gang leader. As they navigate their fake relationship, they encounter a variety of eccentric characters, including Raku’s childhood friend, Onodera, and Chitoge’s bodyguard, Tsugumi. Along the way, they must also unravel the mystery of Raku’s locket and his childhood promise to marry the girl who holds the key to it.

Meet the characters from Nisekoi

Raku Ichijo

Oh man, Raku is that painfully earnest, worry-prone hero who’s just trying to do the right thing and keeps ending up in the middle of chaos — and somehow you always root for him, even when he’s being a dork. He’s the “good boy” with a stubborn moral streak (and a locket and that stupid key that won’t stop causing drama), heir-ish vibes? — though honestly he trips over his own feet more than he plots anything. He’s awkward with confessions but will defend his friends like it’s his job, which, okay, sometimes it sort of is. Also he loves simple food, or is constantly hungry, or both — don’t ask me how his shirt is still clean.

Chitoge Kirisaki

Chitoge is a hurricane in hair ribbons and sheer force of personality — loud, blunt, and the kind of person who punches first and tries to explain later (or never). Underneath the tsundere armor she is wildly soft and stubbornly loyal, with this ridiculous mix of super-competent and occasionally clumsy (she can flip a guy across a room and then burn toast in the same afternoon). Her emotions are dramatic, her temper is legendary, and she secretly has a tiny collection of things she’d never admit to anyone. She says she hates dependence but will cling like glue when it matters, which is both terrifying and adorable.

Kosaki Onodera

Kosaki is the shy, cinnamon-roll type who makes you want to protect her but also feels like she could quietly run your whole life if asked — polite, sweet, and painfully bashful about literally everything. She gives bento with trembling hands, blushes at the drop of a hat, and has this soft strength in how she cares for people (low-key brilliant emotional labor vibes). She’s awkward and hopeful and somehow always catches you off-guard with a tiny, stubborn bravery when it counts. Also she collects hairpins? or maybe that was just one hairpin, who knows, but it’s precious.

Shu Maiko

Shu Maiko is one of those delightfully weird side characters who sneaks into scenes and makes everything ten times more complicated and oddly fun — quiet, a little enigmatic, bookish but with a secret hobby that makes no sense. He gives off low-key mysterious vibes like he knows the gossip before anyone else and then denies it with an embarrassed smile (or is that him pretending?). He’s oddly loyal, possibly sarcastic, and you can’t fully tell if he’s plotting something or just deeply overthinking a sandwich. He has a weird habit of rearranging chairs or collecting old matchboxes — very specific little-quirk energy.

Claude

Claude is the suave, polished rival type who shows up looking immaculate and emotionally unavailable but who, surprise, has a ridiculously sincere soft spot hidden under that designer coat. He’s aristocratic-ish in the most frustrating, dreamily smug way, with ice-cold composure that melts (very slowly) around certain people — or when the plot forces it, which it always does. He’s often scheming and precise but also guilty of random acts of kindness that ruin his “mysterious rival” branding. Also he plays some instrument? Or collects stamps? I can’t remember, but it sounds classy either way.

Ruri Miyamoto

Ruri is the grounded, no-nonsense friend who will call you out for being dramatic and then bring you an energy drink like a guardian angel with a scowl. She’s pragmatic, a little prickly, and intensely caring underneath a surface of “don’t you dare cry” stoicism that is secretly very soft. She’s the kind of person who remembers everyone’s birthdays and hates wasting time on fluff unless it’s actually fun (and then she’ll laugh like she didn’t mean to). She says she hates sweets but will eat three pieces of cake if you look sad, which is both noble and suspicious.

Seishiro Tsugumi

Tsugumi is the lethal-but-cute bodyguard who is somehow more disciplined than your entire high school combined, with a dry way of saying “I will beat you” and meaning it. She’s stoic, hyper-competent in combat, and also oddly tender (yes, the one who guards hearts with the same intensity as she guards people — protective to the extreme). There’s this funny contrast where she’s both cold professional and tiny softie (stuffed animals, really) and she’ll get flustered like a teenager in the most sincere moments. Also she looks tough but secretly likes flowers? Or naps? Both, probably both.

Marika Tachibana

Marika is an unapologetic romantic energy bomb who declares her feelings with the force of ten marching bands and then bakes you cookies to apologize for the decibel level. She’s excessive in the best way — flamboyant affection, dramatic vows, and a surprisingly strategic brain underneath all the glitter. She can be tea-sweet and utterly relentless in pursuit of what she wants, which is simultaneously impressive and terrifying. Also she owns an alarming number of heart-shaped accessories and will absolutely serenade you on occasion; you will not be safe from charm.