Hinata Shintani (新谷 陽太, Shintani Hinata) is a fictional character from the shoujo manga and anime series Kaichou wa Maid-sama! created by Hiro Fujiwara. He is voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto in the Japanese version and by Greg Ayres in the English dub. Hinata is a student at Seika High School and a member of the school’s soccer team. He is known for his charming personality, good looks, and outstanding soccer skills. Despite his popularity, Hinata is a kind-hearted person who is always willing to help others.
Hinata first appears in the series during the Sports Festival, where he catches the attention of many female students, including Misaki Ayuzawa, the female protagonist of the series. Hinata is immediately drawn to Misaki’s strong and independent personality, and he becomes determined to win her heart. Despite Misaki’s initial reluctance, Hinata continues to pursue her, and the two eventually become close friends. Throughout the series, Hinata serves as a rival and love interest for Misaki, as well as a source of support and encouragement.
Contents
1. History
Hinata Shintani is a character in the anime series Kaichou wa Maid-sama!. He is a first-year student at Seika High School and a member of the school’s soccer team. Hinata is known for his charming and outgoing personality, as well as his good looks. He first appears in episode 7 of the series, where he immediately takes an interest in Misaki Ayuzawa, the student council president.
Hinata has a history with Misaki, as they went to the same middle school together. He used to tease her and call her “Demon President” because of her strict and serious personality. However, he also had a crush on her and would often try to get her attention. When Hinata transfers to Seika High School and sees Misaki again, he is surprised to see how much she has changed. Despite her still being strict and serious, Hinata finds her even more attractive and becomes determined to win her heart.
Throughout the series, Hinata tries various tactics to get Misaki to notice him, including joining the soccer team to impress her and inviting her on a date. However, Misaki remains oblivious to his feelings and continues to see him as a friend. Despite this, Hinata remains persistent and continues to pursue her, determined to win her heart.
2. Personality
Hinata Shintani is a cheerful and outgoing character who is always eager to make new friends. He is shown to be very sociable and enjoys being around people. Despite his friendly nature, Hinata can be quite competitive, especially when it comes to sports. He is a skilled athlete and enjoys participating in various sports such as basketball, soccer, and track and field.
Hinata is also shown to be quite confident in himself, often boasting about his abilities and accomplishments. He is not afraid to speak his mind and can be quite blunt at times. However, he is also very caring and empathetic towards others, especially towards his friends. Hinata is always willing to lend a helping hand and is quick to offer support to those in need.
One of Hinata’s defining traits is his unwavering determination. He is shown to be very persistent and will not give up easily, even in the face of adversity. This is especially evident in his pursuit of Misaki Ayuzawa, whom he has had a crush on since middle school. Despite Misaki’s rejection of his advances, Hinata continues to pursue her, believing that he can win her heart if he tries hard enough.
3. Appearance
Hinata Shintani is a tall, handsome young man with a lean build and a charming smile. He has short, spiky brown hair and striking green eyes that are often filled with mischief. He is usually seen wearing his school uniform, which consists of a white shirt, black pants, and a red tie. Hinata’s casual attire is often stylish and trendy, with a preference for bright colors and bold patterns.
One of Hinata’s most distinctive features is his mischievous grin, which he often flashes when he’s up to something. He has a playful and carefree demeanor that makes him popular with his peers, and he enjoys teasing and flirting with the girls at Seika High School. Despite his easy-going nature, Hinata is also a talented athlete and is known for his skills on the basketball court.
In terms of physical appearance, Hinata is often compared to Usui Takumi, the male protagonist of the series. Both characters are tall, handsome, and have a charming personality that makes them popular with the girls. However, while Usui is stoic and mysterious, Hinata is outgoing and playful, making him a unique addition to the cast of Kaichou wa Maid-sama!.
4. Relationships
Hinata Shintani is a classmate of Misaki and Usui, who transferred to Seika High School in the second semester. He is initially introduced as a friendly and outgoing person who is popular among his classmates, especially the girls. Hinata quickly becomes fond of Misaki, admiring her strong-willed personality and hardworking nature. He often tries to get closer to her, but his attempts are usually met with resistance due to Misaki’s reluctance to get involved with boys.
Despite Misaki’s initial reluctance, Hinata persists in his pursuit of her, and the two eventually become friends. Hinata is shown to be a supportive and caring person, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He is also shown to be a skilled cook, often bringing homemade food to share with his friends.
Hinata’s relationship with Usui is initially strained, as Usui sees him as a potential threat to his own relationship with Misaki. However, as the series progresses, the two become friends and even work together to help Misaki when she is in trouble.
Overall, Hinata is a likable character who adds a refreshing dynamic to the series. His kind and caring personality makes him a valuable friend to Misaki and the other characters, and his unwavering support for Misaki shows how much he truly cares for her.
5. Role in the Story
Hinata Shintani is a minor character in Kaichou wa Maid-sama! anime. He is introduced as a transfer student who joins Seika High School during the cultural festival. Hinata is shown to be a friendly and outgoing person who quickly becomes popular among the students. He develops an interest in Misaki Ayuzawa, the female protagonist of the series, and tries to win her affection. However, his advances are constantly rejected by Misaki, who is already in love with Usui Takumi.
Hinata’s role in the story is mainly to serve as a rival to Usui for Misaki’s affections. He is shown to be persistent in his pursuit of Misaki, even though he knows that she is not interested in him. Hinata’s character also highlights Misaki’s inner struggle between her tough exterior and her romantic feelings for Usui. Through Hinata’s interactions with Misaki, the audience is able to see a softer side of her personality.
Despite his limited role in the story, Hinata’s character is well-developed and adds depth to the overall narrative. His presence also serves as a reminder that Misaki’s life is not just about her work at the Maid Latte cafe, but also about her personal relationships and growth as a person.
6. Trivia
- Hinata Shintani’s name means “sunny valley” in Japanese. This is a reference to his cheerful and sunny personality.
- He is voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya in the Japanese version of the anime, and by David Matranga in the English dub.
- Hinata’s favorite food is yakisoba, a Japanese stir-fried noodle dish. He is also a big fan of sweets and often brings them as gifts for his friends.
- In the manga, Hinata is shown to have a part-time job at a convenience store. He takes his job seriously and often helps out his fellow employees.
- Hinata is known for his trademark smile, which he rarely loses even in tough situations. However, when he does get angry, his expression becomes quite intimidating.
- Despite being a popular and outgoing person, Hinata is actually quite sensitive and can get emotional easily. This is shown when he confesses his feelings to Misaki and later when he gets rejected by her. However, he is able to bounce back quickly and continue being his cheerful self.