Even if she says she is only Hikaru's friend, nobody is fool, and certainly not Kaneko. Akari is in love with the hero and she is sometimes jealous. But she couldn't prevent Hikaru from being obsessed by the beautiful, amazing and marvellous Akira. She did not see that her "beloved" hikaru was moving away from her, to seduce a boy as cold as ice.

She got used to it, but she keeps on trying by becoming more independent and strong (will to create the Go club, continue her studies) in order to get back her place near the hero. But she doesn't understand him and has never cleared up Hikaru's mistery.

Akira and many others seem to understand a lot more Hikaru than the girl who want to be seen as Hikaru's girlfriend.

The main qualities (only?) are beauty and tenacity. Otherwise she has only faults. Jealous, stupid and unable to understand Hikaru. She is the perfect illustration of the female condition in a shonen Manga. She also represents a normal go player who starts at the same time as the hero reinforcing the teen's gift.

Nevertheless, Akari is a nice girl very useful to prepare everyone's meals during the tournament or offering cookies she prepared in cooking class.
Often present at the beginning of the story despite the less importance she has she erases herself progressively as the inseï than the pro gets up on skills. She reappears only when Hikaru doubts or during social events such as degree presentation.