About “Nisekoi” in a few words:

Nisekoi is a romantic comedy anime and manga series that follows the story of high school student Raku Ichijo, who must pretend to be in a relationship with the daughter of a yakuza gang leader to prevent a gang war. Along the way, Raku navigates the complexities of love and relationships with a cast of colorful characters, including childhood friend Onodera, fierce rival Chitoge, and many others. With its charming characters, hilarious antics, and heartwarming moments, Nisekoi is a fan-favorite in the anime and manga community.

Meet the characters from Nisekoi

Raku Ichijo

Oh man, Raku is the absolute cinnamon roll of the cast — earnest, awkward, and heartbreaking in the best way. He’s that painfully reliable guy who somehow gets roped into gangster contracts and love triangles and still manages to forget where he put his keys (like, always). Super honest, forever indecisive, but when he needs to step up he does it — maybe reluctantly, but he does it — and sometimes he surprises everyone by being kind of a secret goof. Also he claims he doesn’t like sweets (I think?) but will absolutely eat a whole cake if someone leaves it unattended.

Chitoge Kirisaki

Chitoge is pure fireworks: loud, brash, impossibly energetic and also ridiculously soft when you catch her off guard. Classic tsundere vibes but there’s this real warmth under the bickering — she hits first, apologizes awkwardly later, and somehow makes schoolyard punching look endearing. She’s half-American, half-Japanese or something like that (which she mentions whenever it suits the dramatic entrance), and she hoards strawberry-flavored things while insisting she doesn’t have a sweet tooth. Honestly, she’s chaotic in the best way and you love her for it.

Kosaki Onodera

Kosaki is the shy, gentle pastel in a room full of neon — soft-spoken, forever blushing, and absolutely a childhood-friend trope done so well. She’s quietly kind, a little clumsy around big emotions, and will write cute little notes instead of saying anything out loud (secretly judgmental about her own handwriting though, ha). She seems to melt under pressure but also has these tiny moments of steel when it matters, which is why you can never count her out. Also, I could swear she bakes? Or collects stationery? Maybe both.

Shu Maiko

Okay, Shu is that slightly dramatic side character who always steals a panel when he appears — theatrical, opinionated, and maybe a little obsessed with trends? He’s fun, acts like he knows everything (but often doesn’t), and will absolutely critique your lunch arrangement like it’s haute cuisine. Loyal to his friends in a messy, loud kind of way, and surprisingly good at comforting people despite exaggerated sighs and dramatic hand gestures. Also sometimes he contradicts himself mid-sentence which is a mood honestly.

Claude

Claude is the smooth, mysterious rival with a weirdly impeccable fashion sense and the vibe of someone who smells faintly of macarons. He comes off polished and a touch aloof but there’s this soft vulnerability when he drops the façade, like he’s practicing being human or something — very extra, very elegant. He’s a little theatrical (of course) and maybe speaks in overly poetic phrases sometimes, then will turn around and eat instant ramen at midnight like a normal person. Basically stylish menace with a hidden sweet tooth and surprisingly normal hangouts.

Ruri Miyamoto

Ruri is the serious-but-cute friend who tries to be mature and ends up being adorably blunt instead — honest to a fault and kind of a realist among dreamers. She’s practical, quick to scold, and secretly kind of romantic (but she’ll never admit that in front of people, no way). She’s got this tomboyish streak but also loves tiny plushies? Wait, or was that actually just a one-off joke — either way she’s low-key soft. She’s the person you want in your corner when things get messy because she’ll tell you to stop being a fool and then bring you tea.

Seishiro Tsugumi

Tsugumi is lethal and adorable and I cannot emphasize enough how deadly she is while being emotionally baffled by high school romance. Trained, efficient, and annoyingly competent (seriously, don’t make her mad), she’s also awkward about feelings and will deny everything until she literally can’t anymore. She’s small but frighteningly skilled — equal parts housekeeper, bodyguard, and tsundere icon — and she has a sneaky soft spot for sweets she definitely won’t admit to (but you’ll catch her buying them, I swear). There’s this rigid exterior with little cracks where actual sweetness drips out; it’s my favorite.

Marika Tachibana

Marika is dramatic, romantic, and full-on obsessed with love (like “writes you a marriage proposal in second period” level obsessed). She’s flamboyant, over-the-top, unapologetically clingy sometimes, and also incredibly sincere — her devotion is actually kind of charming when she’s not showing up unannounced. She dresses like a rom-com heroine and hoards plush toys while declaring herself your future spouse in the middle of class, so, you know, normal. She swings between super confident and suddenly insecure in like two panels and it’s adorable and terrifying all at once.