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"If the whole family worked together, I think we could do anything."
—Susumu Makino[src]

Susumu Makino (牧野 進 (まきの すすむ) Makino Susumu) was the son of Chieko and Haruo, and the younger brother of Tsukushi. He was a middle school student while Tsukushi attended Eitoku Academy. Susumu's family went through several economic troubles, resulting in them moving often. He and Tsukushi lived apart from their parents at one point.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Susumu was born into a humble, lower-class family. He was the only son of Chieko and Haruo, and the younger brother of Tsukushi.[5] When he and Tsukushi were children, their mother saved money by having them play outside instead of buying them toys.[6] During their childhood, they often visited their grandmother who lived near the sea. They fished there and also went clamming.[2]

Middle school[]

Susumu attended a normal middle school, while his sister was going to the elite Eitoku Academy.[5]

Hard times[]

Susumu-and-his-mother

Susumu and his mother tell Tsukushi she can go to Canada

Susumu: "How can four of us live in a one-bedroom apartment? Even the two-bedroom place we had was too small. You better hurry up and get married to that Domyoji guy!!"
Chieko: "Susumu's right! That's our only ray of hope! Domyoji or Hanazawa, it doesn't matter which."
— Susumu and their parents pin their hopes on Tsukushi[src]

During Tsukushi's second year, Susumu and his parents became slightly concerned about her. She started acting strange during the mornings before school. Susumu commented "The stress is gonna make her snap."[5] During dinner a few days later, he noticed Tsukushi was not feeling well and asked her "What's the matter?" She replied "Nothing." Their mother then got on to Susumu about not finishing his dinner.[7] Several days later, the Makinos were visited by Tsukasa Domyoji, who stopped by to see a sick Tsukushi. Their parents fawned over him after learning he was the heir to Domyoji Group.[8] The following fall, Tsukushi returned home in considerable disarray. When their mother asked if she had been attacked, she burst into tears. Her concerned family then gathered around her.[9]

A month later, Susumu's father lost his job when the company restructured. The family was forced to move out of company housing and into a new apartment. Susumu complained about its small size. He then told Tsukushi to hurry and marry Tsukasa for the family's future.[10] A few days later, Susumu grumbled about having to eat Thai rice again and not having any meat. His father then fell over and presented them with money from donating blood. They were touched briefly but called him an "idiot" for not finding a better way to support them.[11] A couple mornings later, Susumu turned on the television to find their home on the news. The Makinos' watched the report, which talked of Tsukasa and Seinosuke Amakusa fighting over Tsukushi. They were shocked by the exaggerations made about the family.[12]

The following night, it came to light that his father had borrowed one million yen from a loanshark and then lost it all at the race track. Susumu was particularly distressed when his mother said she wanted a divorce. Tsukushi left suddenly after announcing she would take care of things.[13] She returned with the money, surprising the family.[14] A couple weeks later, Susumu was thinking of Tsukushi, whom was staying at the Domyojis'. The Teen of Japan contest then came on television. The family screamed when Tsukushi's name was announced.[15] That night, they excitedly greeted her saying "Welcome home, Miss Runnerup!" Susumu then wondered if Tsukushi would be scouted by an agent.[16] A couple days later, their father obtained a new job. The family encouraged Tsukushi to take the trip to Canada with the F4.[17]

Fishing village[]

Susumu-happy

Happy Susumu when Tsukushi comes to the village

"I hate this place! Let's hurry up and give them the money and return to our apartment."
—Susumu distressed after the villagers confront the family[src]

That February, the family was frequently joined at dinner by Tsukushi's new friend Shigeru Okawahara.[18] The next day, Susumu learned his father had been fired again. He was upset since he needed money for his school trip. Tsukushi assured him that they could pay for it with her wages.[19] Susumu's parents later decided that they would move to a fishing village, where a friend of the family lived. He helped his parents pack while Tsukushi was at a friend's house. When she came home, they revealed that they were moving and leaving her behind to remain at school. Since Susumu was still in middle school, his parents thought it was okay to bring him with them.[20] After they finished packing, he and his parents said goodbye to Tsukushi. Susumu told her "See you, Sis. I swear I'll be back to enter high school."[21]

Life in the fishing village was difficult for the Makino family. Susumu's father became known as a "good-for-nothing" because he was unable to fish. Their meals became sparse, usually consisting of seaweed. When Tsukushi joined them there, their landlady began treating them much better due to the village thinking she was engaged to Tsukasa. Susumu was cheerful about their better meals.[22] A few days later, their landlady and the other villagers had grown irate. They demanded for Tsukasa to be brought there. Susumu's mother agreed and asked for one more day. Once the family was alone, Susumu declared "I hate this place!" and that he wanted to return to home. They all asked Tsukushi to call Tsukasa. She revealed that they broke up, she left school, and their apartment's floor had fallen through.[23]

In the end, Tsukasa came to the village and paid off the Makinos' debt. The family decided to return to Tokyo the very next day. Susumu and Tsukushi rode home in Tsukasa's car. He was excited since he had never rode in a limousine before.[24] During the drive, Tsukushi fell asleep which surprised Susumu, who asked Tsukasa "Were you two really serious about each other?" Tsukasa confirmed that he was at least. Back in Tokyo, Tsukushi's friend Shigeru lent the family her condo to live in.[3] The following morning, they ate breakfast together. Susumu's mother told him that they were going to register him at school later that day. Before leaving, he asked Tsukushi if he would be able to attend high school, considering their current situation. She assured him that everything would be okay.[25]

On their own[]

Susumu-wakes-up

Susumu wakes up Tsukushi

Tsukushi: "Susumu, you seem pretty happy."
Susumu: "Sure. It's the first time I'll be living apart from the folks."
Tsukushi: "Don't get carried away. You'd better study or you'll wind up like Dad."
— Susumu and Tsukushi move into their new place[src]

After some time in the condo, Haruo obtained a job as live-in help at a supermarket. Their new place was deemed too small for the whole family, leading Chieko to find a new apartment for Susumu and Tsukushi. While they were moving in, Susumu questioned if he should obtain a part-time job. Tsukushi told him not to worry.[26] That night, a burglar broke in. The police were called, but Susumu remained incredibly frightened. They then heard a bang at the door. Susumu and Tsukushi threw pans at who turned out to be Tsukasa, whom Tsukushi had called by accident. When things calmed down, the two revealed to Susumu that they were dating. He was happy and promised not to tell their parents.[27] The next day, the siblings learned that Tsukasa had moved in next door. They all went to the bath house together that night.[28]

The following morning, Susumu hurriedly woke up Tsukushi who had overslept. Once she had made breakfast, he suggested that she bring some food over to Tsukasa. Some nights later, Susumu mentioned that Tsukasa had not been by at all. Sad, he said to Tsukushi "Maybe you're just a novelty to him?" She insisted "He's not like that!"[29] The next morning, Tsukasa had breakfast with Susumu and his sister.[30] Susumu went over to his parents' place that afternoon. He fell asleep so he ended up spending the night.[31] Some days later, Susumu greeted Tsukushi when she returned home. He then teased her about Tsukasa while she made their lunch for the next day. Tsukushi smacked him in return.[32] The next afternoon, Tsukushi told Susumu to stay with their parents as she would be gone for several days.[33]

A few days later, Susumu let Tsukushi's friends into the apartment to wait for her. He then left.[34] Several days after that, Tsukushi tried on several different outfits to go see Tsukasa. Susumu teased her about being in love and said "Your spring is here. Huh, Sis?" In response, Tsukushi hit him repeatedly. Susumu told her to hurry as visiting hours were about to start at the hospital.[35] A couple days later, he complained about Tsukushi not being done with dinner, while she told him that he should learn to cook himself. The stew was "terrible," leading Susumu to say "Your saving grace was that you could cook." Tsukushi hit him when he mentioned Tsukasa. When Susumu started to cry, she apologized and promised to make another batch of stew. She then tried to smile, which Susumu called "scary."[36]

Together again[]

Susumu-Tsukushi-flowers

Susumu and Tsukushi overwhelmed by Tsukasa's roses

"I'll be entering high school. I can get a part-time job. It came to me when we all moved that truck. If the whole family worked together, I think we could do anything. Let's do all we can to keep Tsukushi in that school another year."
—Susumu promises to pitch in to keep Tsukushi at Eitoku[src]

Some days later, Umi Nakajima came over to visit Tsukushi and Susumu let her in. His sister set him out to buy bread while she talked to Umi. When he returned, Tsukushi said some strange things. Susumu changed the conversation to Umi, calling her "cute."[37] Some time after Tsukasa recovered, Tsukushi slept for eighteen hours one weekend. Susumu was asking if they could eat just as they had a delivery. Several men brought in boxes and boxes of roses, filling the entire apartment. Susumu commented "The smell is overwhelming."[38] A short time later, Tsukushi awoke in the middle of the night. Susumu continued sleeping soundly.[39] After Tsukasa's press conference, Tsukushi's and Susumu's apartment was surrounded by reporters. The two decided to head over to their parents' apartment instead.[40]

After Tsukasa left Japan, the reporters cleared out which allowed Tsukushi and Susumu to return their apartment.[41] Their parents later lost their job, forcing the family to move again. Additionally, they could not afford Tsukushi's tuition anymore and felt they could not afford to send Susumu to high school if they carried on as they were.[42] The next day, Susumu helped his family pack. He asked Tsukushi if she was sure about leaving Eitoku since she did not "seem happy at all." Their truck got stuck on their way to the new place. Susumu, Tsukushi, and their mother helped push it.[1] After Tsukushi left, Susumu promised to get a part-time job and asked his parents to keep Tsukushi at Eitoku for another year. He felt they "could do anything" if they banded together. His parents teared up.[43]

High school[]

Susumu entered high school in the spring and likely obtained a job like he promised.[43] Rui Hanazawa visited the Makinos' place frequently during Tsukushi's final year at Eitoku. After he visited three days in a row, Susumu jokingly asked if she was going to "switch from Tsukasa" to Rui. Tsukushi hit him with a tray before he could finish the sentence. After dinner, a misunderstanding occurred between Tsukushi and Tsukasa when he called via video. The Makinos' looked on with stunned expressions. After returning from France, Tsukushi went on to Eitoku University, despite considering leaving due to her family's finances.[4]

Physical appearance[]

Susumu had an average, unassuming presence. In his early teens, he was short and had a small build. His brown hair was generally kept short. He was shown wearing his school uniform, a gakuran, or simple casual clothing at home.

Personality and traits[]

He was a typical teenage boy, happy and mostly easy-going. Despite his family being from a lower income, Susumu was never completely use to their lifestyle and the sacrifices they had to make. He occasionally complained about their small apartment or having to eat Thai rice instead of Japanese rice. The complaints were few and far between though. Like his parents, Susumu pinned their financial hopes all on Tsukushi marrying rich someday. However, over time, he began to care more about Tsukushi being happy. Susumu often teased her about Tsukasa, especially when they first started dating. He always hit him in response, making Susumu cry until she made up for it.

Etymology[]

Susumu (進; すすむ) is a masculine given name. It is made up of one kanji (進), which means "advance," "proceed," and "progress."[45] Makino (牧野; まきの) is a not uncommon surname in Japan. It contains two kanji, which can mean either "pasture" or "ranch" together.[46] Separately, the kanji mean "to herd" (牧)[47] or "plains," "field" (野) when separated.[48]

Behind the scenes[]

Photo-icon
Boys Over Flowers Wiki has 16 images related to Susumu Makino.

Character notes

Portrayals

See also: Category:Susumu Makino portrayals
Susumu-anime2

Susumu in the anime

Appearances[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Chapter 240, Boys Over Flowers
  2. 2.0 2.1 Chapter 100, Boys Over Flowers
  3. 3.0 3.1 Chapter 149, Boys Over Flowers
  4. 4.0 4.1 Chapter 242, Boys Over Flowers
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Chapter 2, Boys Over Flowers
  6. Chapter 72, Boys Over Flowers
  7. Chapter 8, Boys Over Flowers
  8. Chapter 10, Boys Over Flowers
  9. Chapter 16, Boys Over Flowers
  10. Chapter 52, Boys Over Flowers
  11. Chapter 56, Boys Over Flowers
  12. Chapter 62, Boys Over Flowers
  13. Chapter 64, Boys Over Flowers
  14. Chapter 65, Boys Over Flowers
  15. Chapter 68, Boys Over Flowers
  16. Chapter 74, Boys Over Flowers
  17. Chapter 77, Boys Over Flowers
  18. Chapter 108, Boys Over Flowers
  19. Chapter 109, Boys Over Flowers
  20. Chapter 112, Boys Over Flowers
  21. Chapter 113, Boys Over Flowers
  22. Chapter 142, Boys Over Flowers
  23. Chapter 146, Boys Over Flowers
  24. Chapter 148, Boys Over Flowers
  25. Chapter 150, Boys Over Flowers
  26. Chapter 179, Boys Over Flowers
  27. Chapter 180, Boys Over Flowers
  28. Chapter 181, Boys Over Flowers
  29. Chapter 182, Boys Over Flowers
  30. Chapter 183, Boys Over Flowers
  31. Chapter 184, Boys Over Flowers
  32. Chapter 189, Boys Over Flowers
  33. Chapter 190, Boys Over Flowers
  34. Chapter 199, Boys Over Flowers
  35. Chapter 209, Boys Over Flowers
  36. Chapter 212, Boys Over Flowers
  37. Chapter 218, Boys Over Flowers
  38. Chapter 231, Boys Over Flowers
  39. Chapter 233, Boys Over Flowers
  40. Chapter 234, Boys Over Flowers
  41. Chapter 238, Boys Over Flowers
  42. Chapter 239, Boys Over Flowers
  43. 43.0 43.1 Chapter 241, Boys Over Flowers
  44. 44.0 44.1 Boys Over Flowers Color Edition, Hana Yori Dango (app)
  45. https://jisho.org/search/進%20%23kanji
  46. https://jisho.org/word/牧野
  47. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/牧
  48. https://jisho.org/search/野%20%23kanji
  49. https://www.mau2.com/anime/hanayoridango (Japanese)
  50. http://www.tbs.co.jp/hanayoridango/cast.html (Japanese)
  51. http://www.tbs.co.jp/hanadan2/cast/ (Japanese)
  52. Hana Yori Dango Final: Photo Book
  53. http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/f4/about/cast/28452_index.html (Korean)
  54. https://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/revue/2019/hanayoridango/cast.html (Japanese)
  55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FlABhZaPqY (Thai)

See also[]


Boys Over Flowers characters
Main characters

Tsukasa Domyoji | Rui Hanazawa | Tsukushi Makino | Akira Mimasaka | Sojiro Nishikado

Supporting characters

Seinosuke Amakusa | Kazuya Aoike | Yuriko Asai | Erika Ayuhara | Kaede Domyoji | Tsubaki Domyoji
Ryusuke Hayama | Sara Hinata | Amon Kunisawa | Ayano Kurimaki | Chieko Makino | Haruo Makino
Susumu Makino | Yuki Matsuoka | Umi Nakajima | Nakatsuka | Kiyonaga Narumiya | Nishida
Shigeru Okawahara | Junpei Oribe | Shingo Oribe | Sakurako Sanjo | Tama | Thomas | Shizuka Todo
Minako Yamano | Matsutaro Yoshimatsu

Minor characters

Aki and Chimura | Akira's girlfriend | Akira's father | Akira's mother | Beautician | Bob | Cindy
Fortuneteller | Kaede's sister | Makiko Endo | Junko Ekuni | Gen | Giuseppe | Jody Grand | Junpei's friend
Junpei's mother | Mike Hall | Harumi and Mako | Hatta | Hirayama | Hiroko | Hiromi | Hiromi | Hiroshi | Mayumi Isoda
Iwatsuki | Kimoto | Kirishima | Kobayashi | Koga | Kazuko Kubo | M | Maekawa | Sonoko Maekawa | Rio Makise
Mako | Makoto | Makoto | Jean P. Mayol | Mayuko | Midori | Miho | Mika | Emu and Memu Mimasaka
Mina | Mikihisa Minami | Misawa | Miya | Eri Miyazawa | Piromichi Nakano | New York enterpriser
Shoichiro Nishikado | Noriko | Hideki Oe | Akira Onagisa | Ozawa | Principal | Proprietress | Rie | Rika | Risako
Rui's father | Rui's mother | Saito | Sakurako's grandmother | Seinosuke's father | Shigeru's father
Shigeru's mother | Shingo's girlfriend | Shiori | Shizuka's parents | Arthur Smith | Sojiro's brother
Sojiro's father | Sojiro's mother | Sugiyama | Tama's husband | Kimiko Tamura | Teacher | Toda | Tome
Tsubaki's ex-boyfriend | Tsubaki's husband | Tsukasa's attacker | Tsukasa's father | Tsukasa's grandfather | Ueno
Umi's friend | Viola | Yatchan | Yoshida | Eisuke Yoshida | Yuki's father | Yuki's mother | Yuki's sister

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