Tsukuru Tazaki

Tsukuru is an intelligent, thoughtful man who has always seen himself as a colorless, empty person. This self-image was heightened by his friendship with four teenagers. He saw them all as talented in specific ways and each of them has a color in their names. Tsukuru's name doesn't have a color and he took that as an important sign regarding his personality. This self-image was not how the others in his group saw him, though he is an adult before he shares his feelings with them and they tell him what they really think.

Tsukuru is one of three children of a wealthy family. His father died at a relatively young age and Tsukuru couldn't really remember any connection with his father. His father was a businessman, amassing the family's wealth in real estate and by shrewd business dealings, and it's a statement of Tsukuru's independence that...