You’ve probably seen the brain-rot memes. The "Shikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan" song is likely stuck in your head on a loop. But honestly, behind the chaotic dance moves and the weirdly high-budget animation from WIT Studio, there is a cast of characters that makes absolutely zero sense in the best way possible.
If you're trying to figure out if Noko Shikanoko is actually a deer or just a girl with a very committed hobby, you aren't alone. The show leans into the absurd, yet the character dynamics are surprisingly grounded in classic comedy tropes—just turned up to eleven.
My Deer Friend Nokotan Characters: Breaking Down the Chaos
At the center of this hurricane is Torako Koshi, often called "Koshitan." She’s our "straight man" in the comedy duo. Torako is the student council president at Hino Minami High School, and she’s obsessed with her image. She wants everyone to think she’s this elegant, perfect honor student.
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The twist? She’s a former delinquent. A "Yankee."
She spent her middle school years as a tough-as-nails brawler, and she’s terrified someone will find out. Enter Noko Shikanoko (Nokotan), a transfer student who literally has antlers growing out of her head. Nokotan can smell Torako’s "delinquent scent" from a mile away. It’s basically blackmail via deer instincts.
The Girl Who is Maybe a Deer (Nokotan)
Nokotan is an enigma. She’s voiced by Megumi Han, who brings this chaotic, gravelly-yet-cute energy to the role.
Is she a girl? Is she a deer? The show suggests she might be a "Deer God" or some kind of hybrid. She can rip her antlers off and use them as explosives (yes, antler grenades are a thing), or even open them up to store snacks.
Most characters in the show just accept this. They see a girl with antlers eating deer crackers in the middle of class and think, "Yeah, seems legit." Torako is the only one who consistently loses her mind over how illogical it is.
The Supporting Cast of Weirdos
The Deer Club isn't just a two-woman show. The group expands into a roster of specialized tropes that somehow fit perfectly into the madness.
- Anko Koshi: Torako’s younger sister. If you thought Nokotan was the biggest threat to Torako’s sanity, think again. Anko is a hardcore siscon with yandere tendencies. She is intensely jealous of anyone who gets close to her "Onee-sama," especially Nokotan. She’s dangerous with a knife and even more dangerous with her obsessive planning.
- Meme Bashame: A freshman who joins the club because she wants to become a deer. Why? Because Nokotan gave her a deer cracker once and it changed her life. Bashame is obsessed with rice. She spends most of her time planting rice paddies or thinking about rice. She refers to herself in the third person, which is just the icing on the cake for her "space cadet" personality.
- Neko Nekoyamada: The Student Council Vice President. She views Torako as her ultimate rival and is constantly trying to sabotage the Deer Club to get it shut down. She’s short, carries a step stool to look people in the eye, and is remarkably bad at actually being a villain.
Why the Dynamic Actually Works
The comedy in My Deer Friend Nokotan relies on the "Tsukkomi" and "Boke" structure. Nokotan is the "Boke"—the person saying and doing stupid things. Torako is the "Tsukkomi"—the person who reacts with shock and pointed corrections.
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What makes it unique is that Torako’s delinquent past keeps slipping out. When she gets too frustrated, her "perfect girl" voice drops an octave, and she starts talking like a gang leader. It’s a constant battle between her desire to be "kawaii" and her instinct to punch a deer-girl through a wall.
Real Talk: Is there a Plot?
Kinda. Sorta. Not really.
The series is episodic. You’ll see the girls competing in mascot battles against legendary figures like Sento-kun (the actual mascot of Nara City), or dealing with hunters like Tsucchi who are trying to bag a trophy.
It’s less about a grand narrative and more about how these specific personalities clash. The creator, Oshioshio, clearly knows how to subvert expectations. You expect a cute "girls doing cute things" anime, and what you get is a surrealist fever dream where the characters might actually be insane.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're diving into the world of Nokotan, here are a few things to keep in mind to get the most out of the series:
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- Watch the Backgrounds: The show is packed with references to other anime and Japanese pop culture. From Detective Conan parodies to Tokyo Revengers nods, the visual gags are everywhere.
- Don't Look for Logic: If you try to figure out the biology of Nokotan's antlers or why the teacher, Ms. Ukai, allows a rice paddy in the club room, you're going to have a bad time. Just lean into the nonsense.
- Check the Manga: The original manga by Oshioshio has a slightly different vibe than the WIT Studio adaptation. The art is detailed and emphasizes the contrast between the "beautiful" character designs and the "hideous" faces they make when they're stressed.
- Listen to the Lyrics: The opening and ending themes are actually performed by the voice actors of the Deer Club. They aren't just catchy; they describe the characters' internal struggles (mostly Torako's struggle to stay sane).
The characters of My Deer Friend Nokotan represent a specific brand of modern "absurdist" humor that is taking over the internet. Whether you're here for Koshitan's identity crisis or Bashame's rice obsession, there's no denying that this cast is one of the most memorable to come out of the 2024/2025 seasons.
To stay ahead of the next viral moment, keep an eye on how the Deer Club members interact with the Student Council—the rivalry between Neko and Torako is where some of the best character growth (or lack thereof) actually happens.