Hiro is the central figure in Snow Crash. He is a computer hacker whose inability to work with others has forced him to take other jobs to pay his bills. The contrast between his real life and his role in the Metaverse emphasizes the virtual world’s temptation. In reality, Hiro lives in a cramped apartment in a repurposed storage unit, while in the Metaverse, he is a well-respected pillar of the community who has a large virtual home and does not need to queue to access the exclusive Black Sun Club. In the real world, Hiro delivers pizzas for the Mafia. If he arrives late for a delivery, he risks being executed. His menial job is dangerous and poorly paid. In the Metaverse, the audience glimpses Hiro’s real talents. He can duel with his swords, ride motorcycles, and access the hidden Metaverse corridors where dead avatars are taken.

The difference between the real world and the Metaverse is Hiro’s level of control. In reality, he is at the mercy of economic forces and organizations such as the Mafia. In the Metaverse, Hiro has the agency and autonomy that he craves. This independent streak is a problem when Hiro must work with others in reality but a bonus in the virtual world, where his talents are only limited by his imagination.