In the real world, Tsukasa is actually a female by the name of An Shouji, and she is a high school student. Her hobbies include playing 'The World', and watching old movies, which she use to watch with her mother.

She was raised by her father, a business man due to the unfortunate event of her mother dying in a car accident when An was very young. Her father subjected An to years of mental, and sometimes physical neglect.

This eventually resulted in An discovering 'The World', and treating it as an escape from reality, from her abusive father. She chose a male character to further distance her character from her real self. The name An chose, Tsukasa, actually comes from her last name, Shouji, from the character "Ji".

After the events of .hack//SIGN, An begins a romantic relationship with Mariko Misono (Subaru), and meets Mimiru offline for their promised trip together to Shimokitazawa. An also breaks free from her abusive father, and is financially supported by Ryo Sakuma (Bear).

In Unison, An is shown living in a dorm at her boarding school, and strangely has a Macha key chain on her cell phone. The reason behind this is unknown.