Runa Sasaki

**Overview**PlotCharacterGallery

**For Anime Watchers: Spoiler Ahead!**
Caution is advised when reading this article as it may contain **major spoilers** for those who solely follow the anime adaptation. You may also refer the corresponding **anime article** of Runa Sasaki for more details.

## Runa Sasaki

* Colored
* Pre-time skip
* Time skip

## Debut

### Manga

* Chapter 7 — (1st Appearance)
* Chapter 10 — (Debut)

**Runa Sasaki** (佐々木瑠奈, *Sasaki Runa*) is one of the characters in *Loving Yamada at Lv999!* series, written and illustrated by Mashiro.

She goes to middle school and mostly dresses in Lolita fashion. She is Eita Sasaki's younger sister and is the model for his Princess Ruri-chan's in-game character. She would receive weekend mentoring from Yamada as she intends to take the entrance exam for the Tousei Academy that Yamada previously attended. She is good at playing online games and plays the game Forest Of Savior. She belongs to the guild Chocolate Rabbit which was founded by her older brother.

## Appearance

Runa is a young girl who stands at an average height. Her most striking feature is her long, beautiful hair which falls to at least her waist. Her hair is well-maintained and healthy-looking, suggesting that she takes great care of it.

Runa's hairstyle is notable for her evenly cut fringes that fall just above her eyelashes. Her fringes almost completely conceal her eyes, giving her a mysterious and alluring appearance. She also has thick side bangs that fall to her chin on both sides of her face. These side bangs are an important part of Runa's hairstyle and contribute to the overall look.

She is known for her unique fashion sense, which often incorporates elements of the popular lolita style. This style is heavily influenced by Victorian clothing and styles from the Rococo period, and Runa's outfits are no exception.

Depending on her mood or preferences, Runa's lolita fashion can take on different sub-styles. For example, she may opt for a sweet type of lolita fashion that features pastel colors and cute accessories. Alternatively, she may choose to go with a more gothic look that incorporates darker colors and edgier details.

During her introduction in the series, Runa was wearing an outfit that could be considered a gothic style of lolita fashion. Her dress featured dark red hues with touches of white and black underneath. This color scheme gave off a somewhat mysterious vibe that complemented her overall aesthetic.

Runa first time meeting AkaneRuna second time meeting AkaneRuna on winter daysRuna eating food in a clumsy way
## Personality

Runa possesses an introverted personality trait that often causes her to act awkwardly and rudely towards people she has just met or recently become acquainted with. This was the case when she first met Akane, who was new to the guild at that time. Due to her older brother being the founder and owner of the guild, Runa had the privilege of scolding Eita for not informing her beforehand about Akane's arrival. Despite this initial standoffishness, once Runa gets to know someone better and forms a closer bond with them, she reveals a more affectionate and clingy side of herself. This means that those who are patient enough to get past her initial shyness will be rewarded with a loyal younger friend who is sweet and caring towards them.

Runa's youthful age often manifests in her behavior, causing her to act like a child at times. One such instance is when she becomes overly clingy towards Akane, treating her as if she were an older sister. During the days when they grow closer, Runa frequently asks to play or spend time with Akane. However, due to Akane being a college student and being in a committed relationship with Yamada, it can be challenging for her to devote more time to Runa.

## Relationships

### Familial

#### Eita Sasaki

Eita is Runa's older brother and the guild master of the guild that Runa joins, the Chocolate Rabbit Guild, where Eita takes his brother role very seriously. He wants to ensure that his younger sister is safe and protected while playing the game, even when he's not around.

When Akane approached Eita about recruiting Yui into their guild, he politely declined. He explained that he only allows people who are trustworthy and can bring positivity into Runa's gaming experience. This decision was made with Runa's safety in mind, as Eita wants her to have a positive experience while playing the game. He's someone who prioritizes his sister's well-being above all else. His dedication to creating a safe environment for her in Forest Of Savior shows just how much he cares about her happiness and enjoyment of the game.

### Non-familial

#### Akane Kinoshita

At first, Runa and Akane had a rocky relationship due to Runa's past behavior towards Akane. However, as time passed by, they were able to put their differences aside and become friends. This was largely due to Runa's acceptance of Akane and her willingness to trust her enough to treat her like an older sister.

As their friendship grew stronger, they began helping each other out in the game. Runa would assist Akane with in-game strategies while Akane provided guidance for Runa on how to improve her social skills and avoid being rude or awkward towards new people in her life.

This was especially important when it came to the people that Eita allowed into their guild. Just like how Runa was initially rude towards Akane when she first joined the guild, she had a tendency to be unwelcoming towards new members as well. With Akane's help, however, she was able to overcome at least bits by bits of this behavior and create a more positive environment for everyone involved.

#### Akito Yamada

Yamada is a close friend of Runa's older brother, Eita, and also happens to be her tutor. Runa has expressed interest in attending Tousei Academy, and Yamada has been instrumental in helping her prepare for the entrance examination.

As someone who attended Tousei Academy himself, Yamada is well-versed in what it takes to succeed academically at the school. He provides daily tutoring sessions for Runa, helping her with everything from study strategies to specific subject matter.

#### Takezo Kamota

Takezo is the Sub-master of the guild that Runa belongs to, and he has taken on a special role in her life. As one of the oldest members, Takezo has become quite close to Runa and often treats her like his own child. This is something that Runa deeply appreciates, as she values having someone who cares for her in this way.

In addition to his personal relationship with Runa, Takezo also plays an important role in the guild's activities. He is typically in charge of organizing gatherings and meetings for the group, and he often sponsors many of the expenses associated with these events. This includes covering costs for all members of the guild, including Runa. His willingness to take charge and provide financial support when needed has helped ensure that everyone feels included and valued as part of the group.

## Etymology

The full name ***"佐々木瑠奈"*** is a Japanese name consisting of three kanji characters. The repetition of the "佐" character suggests a strong connection with the concept of assistance or support. It is possible that the name originated with individuals who held positions of support or aid to higher-ranking individuals, perhaps within a feudal or hierarchical context. The "木" character may have been added for phonetic and aesthetic reasons, as it is a common practice in Japanese names.
* Surname: ***佐々木 (Sasaki):*** This is a common Japanese surname. Surnames in Japan often reflect historical origins or descriptions of a family's profession or location. "Sasaki" is a name that has been used by many individuals and families over generations.

* 佐 (sa): This character means "assistant" or "aid." It can also imply support or help.
* 々 (repetition symbol): This symbol indicates that the previous character (in this case, "sa") is repeated, emphasizing the syllable and contributing to the pronunciation.
* 木 (ki): This character means "tree" or "wood."

* Given name: ***瑠奈 (Runa):*** The given name "Runa" combines the "瑠" character, which conveys a sense of beauty and preciousness, with the "奈" character for its phonetic value. The combination of these characters could be chosen to create a name that evokes a sense of elegance and uniqueness. In many cases, Japanese given names are chosen for their pleasing phonetic sounds and aesthetic qualities rather than having specific meanings.

* 瑠 (ru): This character means "lapis lazuli," a deep blue semi-precious stone. It can symbolize beauty and brilliance.
* 奈 (na): This character does not have a specific meaning on its own but is often used in names for its phonetic value.

## Trivia

* Ai Kakuma is the Japanese voice of Runa Sasaki in My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 anime adaptation.
* Runa consistently dresses in complete ensembles that give her the appearance reminiscent of the lolita fashion style, known for its cute and elegant elements, often characterized by elaborate dresses, bows, and frills.
* Due to her unique way of presenting herself, she doesn't have many friends among her classmates because they find her intimidating. There was a time when she proudly mentioned that she doesn't require offline friends since she already has a considerable number of online friends. This happened when Eita suggested that she become friends with Akane.

## References

*My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* Manga: Chapter 11 (Page 18).