Kaguya-sama: Love Is War - Characters & Cast

Initially, her motivation is purely to 'win' the war of love by making Miyuki confess. This is driven by a deep-seated fear of vulnerability ingrained by her upbringing. As the series progresses, her motivation shifts from winning a game to a genuine desire to be with Miyuki and experience a normal, happy life filled with authentic relationships, free from the golden cage of her family name.

Kaguya begins as a cold, calculating, and prideful vice president, raised in a wealthy family that taught her to trust no one and view relationships as power struggles. Her initial interactions with Miyuki are purely tactical battles. Her arc is a journey of profound emotional thawing. Through her friendships in the student council, particularly with Ishigami whom she mentors, and her escalating feelings for Miyuki, she learns to embrace vulnerability. By the end of Season 3, she moves from trying to force a confession to orchestrating a grand romantic gesture herself, showing she has learned that expressing love is a victory, not a defeat. Her journey continues as she fights to free herself from her family's oppressive control to choose her own future with Miyuki.

His primary motivation is to prove that he is Kaguya's equal, despite their vast difference in social standing. He believes he must be perfect in every conceivable way to earn the right to stand by her side. This pressure to maintain his #1 student status and flawless image drives him to exhaustion. Over time, his motivation evolves into a simpler, more powerful desire: to make Kaguya happy and build a future with her, even if it means revealing his own flaws.

Miyuki starts as the brilliant, hard-working student council president who rose to the top through sheer effort, in stark contrast to the privileged elite around him. His perfectionism is a mask for his numerous insecurities, from his fear of insects to his complete lack of talent in arts and sports. His arc involves learning to accept his imperfections and realizing that Kaguya's affection is not contingent on his flawless facade. He trains relentlessly to overcome his weaknesses (volleyball, singing, dancing) not just to win, but because he genuinely wants to be a man worthy of Kaguya. His journey culminates in him being the first to truly risk everything, planning an elaborate 'theft' of Kaguya's first kiss during the culture festival, signifying his growth from a cautious strategist to a confident romantic lead.

Chika's motivation is simple: to have fun. She is driven by a desire for entertainment, novelty, and amusement. Whether it's introducing a new board game, starting a rap battle, or proclaiming herself a 'love detective', her actions are almost always aimed at creating an enjoyable, albeit chaotic, atmosphere. She thrives on being the center of attention and bringing energy into the room.

Chika is largely a static character, but her role is crucial to the development of others. She is the unpredictable 'wild card' whose bizarre schemes and cheerful obliviousness constantly derail Kaguya and Miyuki's plans. She serves as a catalyst for comedy and growth. Her arc is less about personal change and more about her consistent impact on the student council. She acts as Miyuki's long-suffering 'mother' figure, teaching him skills he lacks, and her friendship with Kaguya provides a link to a normal girl's life that Kaguya desperately craves. While she remains chaotic and self-serving, her genuine affection for her friends becomes more apparent over time.

His initial motivation is simply to survive the school day without drawing attention. After Miyuki and the council accept him, his motivation shifts towards wanting to protect the peace and happiness of the group he has come to cherish. Later, his arc is driven by a desire for self-improvement and to prove his worth, particularly as he develops a crush on his senpai, Tsubame Koyasu, which pushes him far out of his comfort zone.

Ishigami is introduced as a gloomy, game-obsessed treasurer who fears Kaguya and wants to die. His arc is one of the most significant in the series, focusing on overcoming past trauma and social anxiety. Initially isolated due to a middle school incident where his attempt to do the right thing led to him being ostracized, he learns to trust others again through the student council's acceptance. Encouraged by Miyuki, he confronts his past, joins the cheer squad, and makes an effort to connect with his peers. His journey is about learning to value himself, stepping out of his self-imposed darkness, and realizing that he deserves happiness and friendship.

Miko is driven by a powerful, almost obsessive sense of justice and a desire to make the school a morally upright place. This stems from a lonely childhood where she clung to rules for stability. She is motivated by a genuine, albeit naive, desire to help others and correct what she perceives as wrong. As she integrates into the council, her motivation evolves to include protecting her newfound friends and learning to see the nuances in their behavior.

Miko joins the story as a rigid and uncompromisingly moralistic first-year student who runs against Miyuki for president. After her loss, she joins the council and her arc becomes about tempering her idealism with real-world understanding. She slowly learns that her black-and-white view of justice doesn't always apply and that the other council members, whom she initially sees as delinquents, are good people. She struggles with anxiety and a need for validation, but grows more confident and flexible through her interactions, particularly with the initially antagonistic but ultimately supportive Ishigami.