As I played through Hoshido I actually found him quite useful. maybe because his starting class isn't a promoted one, yet he deals a lot of damage as a base class. I personally don't see why people aren't fond of him. I know as you said, him and Kamui/Corrin didn't have a perfect start, but he's beauty. I know I married Asura, but he also would be 2nd husband in-game.
To sum it up, he's really rad, thx you.
*Thepontailisprettyradhaha.*