Gu Rou

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gu Rou (顾柔)
Alias(es)	Big Sister / Sister (to Gu Xue)
Gender	Female 4
Affiliation	Chiya Food Company (former owner); Small Company; YUKI Studio 35 321 322
Occupation/Role	Businesswoman; former owner of Chiya, a supplier of bento and fresh food to convenience-store chains; involved in Small Company's figure business and YUKI Studio's operations 35 405
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Gu Rou lived with and largely supported her younger sister, Gu Xue. When Gu Xue refused higher education after high school to work in animation, Gu Rou objected but ultimately continued caring for her daily needs and providing her with spending money. Her concern became especially visible whenever Gu Xue worked through the night or neglected her health. 1 16 270 304

She owned Chiya, a food company supplying convenience-store chains with bento boxes and other fresh food. When Gu Xue wanted to establish a studio, Gu Rou agreed to assist with its registration, site selection, supplier contacts, and equipment arrangements. 35 110

After Chiya's internal conflict led to Gu Rou being forced out, she became involved with Small Company and YUKI Studio. She advised that Small Company remain operationally independent after its acquisition because it dealt in physical merchandise while YUKI Studio produced animation and other virtual goods. 321 322

Gu Rou learned that her father, Gu Xiao, had arranged online attacks against Gu Xue's anime and openly shielded Gu Xue from him. Later, when former associates sought her return to Chiya, she pretended to accept in order to regain her shares and control, intending to sell the company to its competitors instead. 304 483

Gu Xiao's covert involvement with YUKI Studio—including an unidentified investment and proposed studio relocation—deepened the sisters' conflict. After Gu Xue explained her choices and apologized during New Year's Eve, Gu Rou gradually softened. She told Gu Xiao that she no longer hated him, though she remained firm that Gu Xue's animation career should not be sacrificed for the family business. 599 614 622 623

After returning to Japan, Gu Rou planned to work near Gu Xue again and expressed a desire to compete with her “on the same stage.” 670

Appearance

Gu Rou closely resembles Gu Xue, though her more mature demeanor gives her a distinctly different presence. She is described as exceptionally beautiful, powerful-looking, and composed. 4

• Long hair, often tied back while cooking or working. 35
• Resembles a mature version of Gu Xue; studio staff estimate their resemblance at roughly seventy to eighty percent. 4 315
• Has a soft voice that contrasts with her imposing appearance. 4
• Sometimes wears round-rimmed glasses when reviewing business documents. 321
• Usually maintains a professional, authoritative bearing around outsiders. 452

Personality

Gu Rou is intensely protective of Gu Xue. She worries about her meals, clothing, sleep schedule, and safety, often personally retrieving her after late shifts. Although Gu Xue can find this overbearing, she recognizes that Gu Rou's care comes from deep affection, guilt, and a desire to compensate for past family circumstances. 16 270 304 615

Her treatment of Gu Xue is markedly softer than her treatment of others. She frequently teases, hugs, carries, or pinches Gu Xue's cheeks, yet can become immediately cold and forceful toward anyone she believes threatens or mistreats her sister. 249 270 445 452

In business, Gu Rou is pragmatic, composed, and strategically minded. She can assess operational distinctions between companies, plan figure projects around anticipated demand, and pursue retaliation against those who removed her from Chiya. 321 405 483

Despite her confidence, Gu Rou's relationship with Gu Xiao left her emotionally guarded and distrustful of marriage. Her eventual decision to stop hating him came not from forgetting the past, but from realizing that maintaining her resentment was hurting Gu Xue. 525 622

Abilities & Skills

Business Management

Gu Rou has extensive managerial experience from running Chiya and later contributes operational oversight to Small Company and YUKI Studio.

• Arranged practical support for YUKI Studio's establishment, including registration, location selection, suppliers, equipment, and materials. 110
• Recommended maintaining Small Company's operational independence after its acquisition. 321
• Helps restrain YUKI Studio's tendency toward idealism and overwork by considering sustainability and market conditions. 322
• Identified opportunities to capitalize on anime popularity through small-scale resin-and-silicone figure production. 405

Figure-Production Strategy

Gu Rou helps determine Small Company's figure lineup and acts quickly on viable sales opportunities.

• Launched a Totsuka Saika figure pre-order after customer-service data showed substantial demand. 387 388
• Discussed expanding the Attack on Titan Nendoroid lineup with Annie Leonhart, Sasha Blouse, and Captain Levi. 483
• Maintained composure while representing Small Company at an industry event despite Takano Soichiro's attempts to belittle the booth. 398

Relationships

• Gu Xue — Younger sister. Gu Rou is her primary caretaker, supporter, business partner, and fiercest defender; their relationship is affectionate but strained when Gu Xue hides matters involving Gu Xiao. 1 110 304 614 622
• Gu Xiao — Father. Gu Rou initially treats him with open hostility due to his past actions and his interference in Gu Xue's career, but eventually chooses to let go of her hatred for Gu Xue's sake. 304 483 622 623
• Mihara Chisa — Gu Xue's colleague and best friend. Gu Rou initially dislikes Mihara's clingy behavior around Gu Xue and makes Mihara visibly nervous, though she later speaks with her more openly at YUKI Studio. 249 271 315
• Tamai Yao — Former secretary and close associate. Their relationship is marked by blunt banter and mutual familiarity; Tamai also assists with YUKI Studio's management. 322 452 525
• Sato Eii — Friend and associate of Gu Xue. Gu Rou holds authority over her and has reprimanded her for allowing Gu Xue to become drunk without informing her. 267 452

Trivia

• Gu Rou becomes especially vigilant when Gu Xue tries to eat fruit without washing it first. 304
• She is capable of appearing calm and diplomatic while concealing strong hostility, particularly toward men approaching Gu Xue. 271
• Her professional composure is notably less stable around Gu Xue, whose moods and behavior easily influence her. 452