Ms. Tōbaru

Ms. Tōbaru is a female high school teacher who teaches classical Japanese literature at the school attended by Reina Aharen and Shōta Raidō.

Her family name is read “Tōbaru,” not “Momohara,” which can confuse people who see it written.

She becomes the homeroom teacher of Reina Aharen and Shōta Raidō when they advance to their second year.

She has a stern, sharp-eyed appearance that gives off a cold and strict impression at first glance.

Despite looking severe, she is surprisingly physically fragile and easily overwhelmed by emotions.

Her main comedic trait is that she cannot handle the “emotional overload” she feels when observing Reina Aharen and Shōta Raidō’s relationship.

On the surface, Ms. Tōbaru is strict and serious, matching her sharp features and cold-looking expression.

She holds firm standards in class and behaves like a demanding teacher.

However, beneath that exterior, she is extremely sensitive to anything she finds emotionally moving or charming.

She often describes what she sees using classical aesthetic terms like “pathos” and “charming,” treating daily school life almost like a literary work to be appreciated.

She is also a bit of a romantic when it comes to youthful relationships.

She particularly adores the innocent behavior of high school boys and girls, finding it overwhelmingly touching.

Ms. Tōbaru is deeply fascinated by the close and awkwardly sweet relationship between Reina Aharen and Shōta Raidō.

Whenever she witnesses their innocent interactions, she evaluates them like a classical critic, calling the scene “full of pathos” or “so charming.”

She regards the two students’ bond as the very embodiment of youthful emotion.

Their small gestures, quiet conversations, or simply standing close together are enough to set off intense reactions in her.

Her favorite “subject” is essentially observing how Reina Aharen and Shōta Raidō behave as a pair.

She sees them as living examples of delicate human feeling, like characters stepped out of a classical poem.

A running gag in the series is that Ms. Tōbaru physically cannot withstand the emotional impact of Reina Aharen and Shōta Raidō’s interactions.

She frequently declares that her “sense of pathos has reached a lethal dose,” and then experiences dramatic physical symptoms.

These symptoms usually include sudden nosebleeds or even coughing up blood.

The reactions are so intense that she sometimes collapses, turning otherwise normal classroom scenes into chaos.

Her emotional meltdowns are powerful enough to actually interrupt lessons.

There are occasions when a class must be paused or derailed because she has literally been overwhelmed by how “touching” the two students look together.

Feeling guilty about causing such disruptions, she tries to be more prepared.

At night, she mentally rehearses all sorts of possible scenarios between Reina Aharen and Shōta Raidō, attempting to build resistance and avoid being taken by surprise.

Despite her efforts, it practically becomes a routine that whenever she lays eyes on the pair, she ends up bleeding again.

This contrast between her strict teacher persona and ridiculous physical overreactions forms a major part of her humor.

Ms. Tōbaru is a history enthusiast, especially fond of traditional Japanese culture.

She is very knowledgeable about classic games and pastimes originating from Japan.

Because of this, she is highly skilled at old-fashioned games that most modern students may have never played seriously.

One notable example is her proficiency with the traditional paddle-and-shuttlecock game.

In one scene, she challenges Shōta Raidō and others to a game of battledore.

She completely overwhelms them with her mastery, easily defeating the students and showing a surprisingly competitive side.

Her love of history and tradition also suits her role as a classical literature teacher.

She approaches the emotions of youth with the same mindset she brings to reading old poems and texts, adding flavor to her reactions in class.

Ms. Tōbaru is shown to be on good terms with Ms. Miyahira, another teacher at the school.

The two seem to interact comfortably, suggesting a friendly working relationship among the staff.

Her interactions with students outside Reina Aharen and Shōta Raidō are less highlighted but still reflect a disciplined teacher who cares in her own strict way.

Even when she faints or bleeds from emotional excess, it’s clear that her reactions come from genuinely being moved by her students’ youth.

One of her representative lines, capturing her love of youthful innocence, is:

“The innocent behavior of high school boys and girls is just too overwhelmingly full of pathos.”

Ms. Tōbaru is voiced by Kana Hanazawa in adaptations of “Aharen-san Is Indecipherable.”

Her performance emphasizes both the character’s cool, strict tone and her sudden, over-the-top emotional breakdowns.