Kouya Madoka

• Age: 36 years old
• Birthday: August 18
• Blood type: O
• Height: 179 cm

Kouya Madoka comes across as cheerful and friendly at first, making him easy to talk to.

But as the story goes on, his serious and troubled side comes out.

He has a habit of correcting people who call him a "cameraman," insisting he is a "photographer."

He can seem lighthearted, but deep inside, he holds onto painful memories.

His mix of brightness and hidden darkness makes him a very interesting character.

Kouya started photography in college, influenced by his then-partner Saeko Yukihira.

He was active as a respected photojournalist under his real name, Kouya Madoka.

During the Tohoku earthquake 12 years ago, he captured powerful photos from the disaster area.

One photo, showing a girl moments before the tsunami, changed his life.

Showing this photo at a solo exhibit led to huge backlash from the media and online.

Since then, he has been unable to photograph people, but he hides this from his ex-wife Saeko.

He calls himself a “photographer,” but his trouble with portraits is a secret except to those closest to him.

Kouya is very skilled at taking photos of landscapes and action—like racing scenes.

However, he cannot bring himself to take photos of people, especially photos with just one person.

This unique weakness greatly affects his career as a professional photographer.

• He once was married to Saeko Yukihira, who also influenced his love for photography.
• Saeko has noticed his change, as he refuses any photography jobs that involve people.
• Kouya feels admiration and renewed inspiration from Haruka Asahina, supporting him in racing.
• He is involved with people from Komaki Motors, growing closer through their work together.

Rekindling Passion

Kouya, once a photojournalist, lost his spark for photography after the disaster.

Meeting Haruka Asahina at an F4 race stirs up the passion he once had.

He sees something special in Haruka’s racing and decides to support both him and Komaki Motors.

Trauma After the Disaster

Kouya’s turning point happened 12 years ago during the Tohoku earthquake.

A photograph he took, right before the tsunami, caused a massive outcry after it was revealed to the public.

Since then, criticism from the media and the internet left a deep scar, making him unable to take photos of people.

He hides his reasons from Saeko, his ex-wife, even as she grows aware something is wrong.

Character Role in the Story

Kouya stands out because he knows little about car racing at first.

This makes him a bridge for the audience, guiding viewers as he himself learns about the world of F4 racing.

Through his journey, both his bright side and his inner darkness are shown, creating a strong impact on the story.

Special Episode Details

In episode 9, Kouya’s trauma is deeply explored.

The episode stands out by skipping the opening and having a black-background, special ending, shocking many viewers with Kouya’s emotional struggle.

• His tendency to correct others—saying “photographer” instead of “cameraman”—is a notable quirk.
• The idea that his trauma relates to a real disaster was suggested early in the show’s creation.
• The decision to tie his story to the Tohoku earthquake was proposed by the series supervisor, Katsuhiro Takayama.

Kouya Madoka plays a unique role in “OVERTAKE!” by bringing the pain of real-life tragedy into the world of motorsports.

He helps introduce the racing world to viewers who might not know much about it.

His character is celebrated for blending hope, hurt, and growth in a very real and touching way.