Akihiko Kaji

* Intro
* Story
* Relationships
* Images

> "I always thought that love was supposed to be this gentle, sweet, and tender thing. And then, when I fell in love for the first time I learned that was just a pleasant little lie. Love is a force so powerful it feels like it will tear you apart"
>
> - Akihiko Kaji "Given" volume 2 chapter 7

## Appearance

Akihiko is a tall with longs legs and handsome guy with rock hard muscles. According to Akihiko's father, his side of the family is from mixed heritage. His face is described as long with thin and short eyebrows, slanted or 'evil-looking' eyes, and blond hair that is cut short at the back. His face (and body) is often seen adorn with piercings. Because of his look, he is usually mistaken as someone older than his actual age.

### Clothes

Akihiko is most commonly seen wearing a crew neck t-shirt or a button up polo shirt, various jeans, and mule shoes which all comprise of monochrome colors- black, white, and/or gray. When driving his motorcycle, he is seen to sport a dark leather jacket along with a full-face helmet. He often carries a black snare drum bag, and a black violin hard case around university.

## Personality

Akihiko is described as a bit of a playboy who is popular without even trying, and described by his bandmates as a good and observant guy with a scary face. He is shown to be chivalrous altruist who is keen in helping others such as but not limited to giving advice and lifting his band mates' spirits. Moreover, he is someone who comes off as blunt and confident, spontaneous, and is known to take jokes too far. He describes himself as someone who goes with the flow. Although shown as spiritless in the first few volumes, after overcoming the first major hurdle he presents himself as an energetic individual.

Haruki describes him as someone who is loud, has "undergrad energy" with "raw turbulent passion".

## Musical Background

Akihiko is seen to use a Pearl Jet Black Drum set . Asides from the drums, Akihiko is also known to play other instruments such as the bass and guitar. He learned how to play the violin from a young age and now majors in music specializing on the violin.

In his early high school years, Akihiko usually competed for first or second place in competitions within Japan. At the start of his university years he begins to half-ass the violin due to interpersonal conflicts with his ex-boyfriend Ugetsu and begins to play the drums in a heavy metal band as a means of getting back and to escape. Around that same time, Haruki invites him to join his band as a drummer. He leaves his former heavy metal band to join Haruki eventually forming 'The Seasons' along with Ritsuka. Later on he becomes the drummer of the band 'Given' along with Mafuyu. During the latter part of his university years, he attempts to join a violin competition in which he wins 4th place.

He takes interest in a wide variety of music with his favorites include but not limited to heavy rock, metal, melodic, hardcore, emo, screamo, alternative, trip hop, classical, contemporary, ambient, experimental, and instrumental. When playing music he believes that its best when members do not share the same musical interest as this can cause brutal conflict within the band.

## Trivia

* The kanji (秋 pronounced as 'aki') in Akihiko's name means 'autumn' when translated to english.
* Akihiko is a music major student.
* He studies at a prestigious university called Keio University.
* Akihiko's parents separated during his 3rd year in high school.
* Akihiko doesn't have his parents contact number.
* Akihiko's spirit animal is a squirrel.
* Akihiko is left-handed but is somewhat ambidextrous.
* Akihiko writes with his left hand but uses chopsticks with his right hand.
* According to the financial status, Akihiko is labelled as "poor".
* It has been revealed that Akihiko does not have any friends .

## Volume 1

Akihiko along with Haruki Nakayama greets Ritsuka Uenoyama for 'The Seasons' band practice, along with Mafuyu Sato who Ritsuka has brought with. Trying to act cool along with Haruki in front of Mafuyu and Ritsuka after hearing that the visitor came to 'watch and learn', the two spontaneously decides to play a roughly planned song in which Akihiko plays the drums in classic Showa period style rhythm after being inspired by Yujiro Ishihara.

At work, Ritsuka shares some of his sentiments regarding Mafuyu in which Akihiko advices Ritsuka to help him since he had observed how it had inspired him. After hearing Haruki give Ritsuka advice regarding Mafuyu declining Ritsuka's offer to join their band, Akihiko shows some emotional support to Haruki by patting his head and reminding him to not doubt himself because he was everyones big brother.

After successfully invited Mafuyu in the band, Akihiko lends an ear to Ritsuka about his new troubles regarding his feelings towards Mafuyu. He then advices Ritsuka to have Mafuyu write the lyrics to Ritsuka's music composition.

## Volume 2

Akihiko gives Ritsuka advice after once again hearing him out regarding his feelings towards Mafuyu. He tells Ritsuka that it was ok to have feelings for a guy despite social norms and that he himself gets attracted to men. During their next practice he once again recalls about Ugetsu Murata and how he felt towards his first romantic experience further connecting it with how Ritsuka's love may potentially break the band.

After a few sessions with Mafuyu not being able to write any lyrics, he takes matters into his own hands- tells Haruki to talk with Ritsuka and for him to have a private talk with Mafuyu on their separate rides home. He tells Mafuyu that if he does not come to terms with his past then he would continue to have a hard time writing lyrics and ends by telling him to make a decision- whether he were to face it or run away from it.

Akihiko wakes up in his flat with Ugetsu beside him. Ugetsu takes interest in Akihiko's desire to practice so early and asks if he had a show. Akihiko asks him if he wanted to come to their performance in which Ugetsu responded that he would not if Akihiko did not think he was good enough to show him. Akihiko begins to doubt given the band's situation however he decides to invite Ugetsu anyways. Ugetsu further throws similar comments which ends up further annoying Akihiko.

The day of the live comes, Akihiko is greeted by Yayoi Uenoyama who asks about Ritsuka and further asks him to look out for her younger sibling, followed by Ugetsu who came to witness the performance. The band then promptly meets up to discuss the missing lyrics situation, Ritsuka suggests on performing without it in which Akihiko agreed to which garnered a strong protest from Mafuyu further rising the tension within the band. Haruki later on joins the group and comes to save the day in which Akihiko thanked him for, as well as for the other things he has done for him, in private later on.

## Volume 3

Akihiko is seen hanging out with Haruki a lot during their vacant times. First seeing them drinking together in celebration of their band's successful live performance, visiting Haruki during his work hours , and at Haruki's apartment. He then appears in Haruki's flashback of their first meeting where he is seen to get in an intense argument with two other men and then later onwards as they happen to sit next to each other in the same class; where Haru then invited Akihiko to join his band.

He was then seen with the band as they meet up to eat yakiniku and discuss the future of their band. With Mafuyu's idea he was able to come up with a band name.

After that encounter, he arrives back to his home to where he enthusiastically announces his arrival which got his roommate Ugetsu curious leading him to ask about the energy. The story skips to where Ugetsu is now watching the recorded live-performance. Akihiko asks what Ugetsu thought of it, to which Ugetsu guessed that it was "not bad, but not great" and emphasizes the importance of not holding back which annoyed Akihiko.

Later on, Akihiko was visited by Ritsuka and Mafuyu. He congratulated them for getting together although he wasnt surprised with their sudden development since he had known for a while which was why he knew they would pull off the show. He then turns the conversation towards Mafuyu, telling him it was a good chance to give him the cds he was talking about. Before the two left, he hands the large box to Mafuyu and told Ritsuka he should help him.

On a later date, the band is seen to have their promotional photos taken by his acquaintance Koji Yatake.

Time passes by once again, Akihiko is seen kissing a woman and receiving money from her before exiting the vehicle. Mafuyu who happened to witness everything and was left surprised, asked if it was a paid date to which Akihiko anxiously denied, stating how it was just a thing of hers. After some thought, Mafuyu clarified if it wasn't that Akihiko had changed his ways but rather he only doesn't let Haruki see it which earned a sly grin from Akihiko.

The two were meeting up to watch Ugetsu's concerto. In a monologue, he explains how Ugetsu was the first prodigy he had ever encountered and described his sound to be intensely violent. He thought of how his belief in his music and dream of making it one day was crushed after meeting Ugetsu and how ever since then he had hated him. Akihiko continues to talk praise about Ugetsu's talent, how he had masterful interpretations, exquisite technique, gorgeous sound, sensuality, and etc. when his thoughts were disrupted by Mafuyu stating he wanted to make songs. Akihiko then thinks of how Mafuyu, their band's little prodigy, will evolve too and how he senses a remarkable power in him. After the concert, Akihiko receives a call from Haruki regarding their entry for the mega rock festival countdown fest and how their band made it through the second round. The band meets abruptly to decide on the next steps to take- all agreed to participate.

Akihiko awakens to Ugetsu coming home from his solo concerto. Ugetsu talks about how he played Tchaikovsky and how it was so good that it would have Akihiko hard. Akihiko then grabs Ugetsu by his face initiating a deep kiss, and continues to travel down the side of Ugetsu's neck. Ugetsu then breaks into laughter, further annoying Akihiko.

## Acquaintances and Friends

### Yayoi Uenoyama

A friend of Akihiko who harbors feelings for him. Despite never having confessed, she accepts her feelings were dumped after seeing 'Given's' first live performance. Later on she confesses she had noticed that Akihiko was in love with Haruki during the first live.

## Family Members

Akihiko was neglected by his parents. During Akihiko's 3rd year in high school, his parents left money in his bank account and asked him to leave. After that, there has not been much interaction or contact between them.

### mother

Akihiko's mother lives with her family. He interacts with her once, reaching out to her to beg for financial aid.

### father

Akihiko's his father works as a professional violinist somewhere in Europe.

## Romantic interests

### Haruki Nakayama

Akihiko's boyfriend. They first met 2 years prior to the current timeline when Haruki spotted Akihiko from a balcony a university building balcony. After a short while, Haruki made the decision to invite Akihiko into his band to play as drummer ; they have been close friends ever since. After 'Given's' first live, Haruki continues to tend for his secret crush on Akihiko. Akihiko who was driven to a corner by his dead end relationship with his ex-boyfriend, shows up to Haruki's place in desperation. Haruki who couldn't bare to see Akihiko suffering, has his heart broken after his offer to help was rejected . After tribulations, and with the help of Haruki, Akihiko regains his passion for music and ends his relationship with his ex-boyfriend for good. During one spring, Akihiko joins a violin competition to see how far he can go and afterwards confesses his true feelings for Haruki They have been dating since then.

### Ugetsu Murata

Akihiko's ex-boyfriend. Ugetsu had first spotted Akihiko during a violin competition they both competed. They formally meet during their first year in high school as they encountered each other on campus and naturally became close friends who later on lived together during their 3rd year of high school up until later years in college. Despite having broken up, they are seen to engage in a sexual relationship as initiated by Ugetsu, often whenever he comes home after performing in other countries. Their relationship takes a toxic turn as they share scenes which contain unwarranted snide remarks and/or physical altercations. Akihiko formally breaks up with him after 'Given's' second performance. They are seen to still engage in communication.

* Character
* Reference

## Akihiko Kaji 梶 秋

* Anime
* Art
* Drama
* Manga
* Stage

### Aliases

* Aki (by Ugetsu)
* Akihiko (by Haruki, Ugetsu, and Yayoi)
* Kaji (by Yatake)(-さん/-san) (by Ritsuka and Mafuyu)

### Relatives

* mother
* father

### Affiliation

* Given
* The Seasons (former band)
* Unnamed heavy metal band (former band)

### Occupation

* College student
* Part-time Konibini employee
* ex-Part-timer (Event waiter, Moving company, and Security)

## Appearances

### Portrayed by

* Takuya Eguchi (anime)
* Jonah Scott (english anime)
* Satoshi Hino (drama CD)
* Kai Inowaki (live action drama)
* Shota Kawakami (stage)

### Debut

* Chapter 1 (manga)
* Episode 1 (anime)
* Episode 1 (live action drama)

1. ↑ Volume 1 Chapter 6 Character Sheet
2. ↑ Volume 3 Omake: Curiosity Killed The...
3. ↑ Volume 1 Chapter 6 Character Sheet
4. ↑ Volume 1 Chapter 1
5. ↑ Volume 1 Chapter 3
6. ↑ Volume 2 Chapter 7
7. ↑ Volume 2 Chapter 8
8. ↑ Volume 4 Chapter 21
9. ↑ Volume 7 Hiragi\_Mix5
10. ↑ Volume 1 Chapter 4
11. ↑ Volume 2 Chapter 7
12. ↑ Volume 2 Chapter 8
13. ↑ Volume 5 Chapter 23
14. ↑ Volume 5 Chapter 28
15. ↑ Volume 2 Chapter 10
16. ↑ Omake: Introducing the Bandmates
17. ↑ Volume 4 Chapter 17
18. ↑ Volume 7 Hiragi\_Mix7
19. ↑ Volume 4 Chapter 21
20. ↑ Volume 5 Chapter 23
21. ↑ Volume 2 Chapter 28
22. ↑ "given (Anime)" Official Fan Book: memory of (Seikatsu Series)
23. ↑ Volume 4 Chapter 17
24. ↑ Volume 1 Chapter 6 Character Sheet
25. ↑ Volume 4 Chapter 17
26. ↑ Volume 5 Chapter 26
27. ↑ Volume 3 Chapter 13
28. ↑ Volume 5 Chapter 28
29. ↑ Volume 1 Chapter 6 Character Sheet
30. ↑ Volume 1 Omake: Music and Friendship
31. ↑ Volume 1 Chapter 6 Character Sheet
32. ↑ Volume 4 Chapter 17
33. ↑ Volume 4 Chapter 17
34. ↑ Volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 3
35. ↑ Volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 6
36. ↑ Volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 2
37. ↑ Volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 2
38. ↑ Volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 3
39. ↑ Volume 4 Omake: Character Spotlight 4
40. ↑ Given volume 3 chapter 12
41. ↑ Given volume 6 extra track 1
42. ↑ Given volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 3
43. ↑ Given volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 3
44. ↑ Given volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 3
45. ↑ Given volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 3
46. ↑ Given volume 5 chapter 28
47. ↑ Volume 4 Omake: Character Data Files 3
48. ↑ Given volume 3 chapter 12
49. ↑ Given volume 3 chapter 13
50. ↑ Given volume 6: v1-5 summary
51. ↑ Given volume 5 chapter 28
52. ↑ Given volume 4 chapter 17
53. ↑ Given volume 4 chapter 20
54. ↑ Given volume 4 chapter 17
55. ↑ Given volume 4 chapter 20
56. ↑ Given volume 5 chapter 26
57. ↑ Given volume 5 chapter 27
58. ↑ Given movie omake: Ugetsu's emergence