Ritsu Kasanoda is a student at Ouran Academy who is in Class 1-D. He comes to the Host Club in search of Mori-senpai because he's observed how the tall Host with the tough exterior has so many friends, as well as being respected and admired. His long red hair makes him easy to spot in a crowd and, true to the myth about red-heads, he is quick to anger, but is actually quite kind-hearted deep inside and somewhat lonely. He develops a crush on Haruhi, though as a male or a female is somewhat questionable. In the manga, he is shown to be fond of animals; but since they are afraid of him, he takes up gardening and becomes an active member of the Gardening Club. In an omake of the manga, Kasanoda is later seen to be Mei Yasumura's boyfriend.