OVA
Description
Karen Kimishima is a student at Suzaku High School and serves as the captain of the girls' archery team, also known as the Kyudo Club. She is a second-year student in class 2-E.
In appearance, Karen is a girl of average height with distinctive lime green hair that is typically tied into two high buns, complemented by square bangs that hang over her eyebrows. Her eyes are light blue in color. When engaged in archery club activities, she wears a traditional white kimono paired with black hakama, which is the standard uniform for the team.
Karen's personality is defined by a strong sense of duty and a deep respect for tradition, particularly as it pertains to her archery club. She is portrayed as stubborn and unwavering in her convictions, a trait that becomes central to her role in the story. Initially, she behaves in a polite and civil manner, even bowing to visitors who come to speak with her. However, beneath this courteous exterior lies a formidable physical strength. When provoked or when someone attempts to cross a boundary, such as trying to kiss her without permission, she reacts swiftly and decisively, using judo-like techniques to flip her opponent onto the ground. This physical reaction is not merely aggressive; it is also a tell for her emotional state, as she tends to throw people, particularly Ryu Yamada, when she is embarrassed.
Karen's primary motivation revolves around protecting the old school building, specifically the room used by the Girls' Archery Team. She is the sole dissenting voice against a planned reconstruction project that would lead to the demolition of this building. Her refusal to support the project is not born of simple nostalgia but from a profound commitment to a club tradition. The wall of the archery room bears a Japanese inscription that is meant to read Shingi Ittai, meaning mind and skill as one. The tradition dictates that each time the team wins a tournament, they add a stroke to this phrase. At the time of the story, the phrase is incomplete, with only one stroke remaining to finish it. Her goal is to preserve the room until this final stroke can be added, allowing the tradition to be completed.
In the story, Karen serves as an obstacle for the protagonist, Ryu Yamada, who is tasked with securing her vote in favor of the reconstruction. To do this, he and his ally Toranosuke Miyamura attempt to get Ryu to kiss Karen, which would allow him to switch bodies with her and possibly influence the vote. This leads to a series of comedic confrontations where Ryu repeatedly fails to kiss her, as she easily overpowers and flips him every time he tries. Her role evolves from an adversary to someone in need of help when a student council member, Ushio Igarashi, locks her in the archery room to prevent her from attending the deciding meeting, as an empty chair would be taken as consent for the demolition. In her desperation to attend the meeting, she agrees to kiss Ryu, but he refuses, instead choosing to help her break down the wall to escape.
Her most significant relationship is with Ryu Yamada. She initially throws him repeatedly when he attempts to kiss her, but after he helps her escape the locked room and solves her dilemma regarding the wall inscription, her feelings toward him change. Ryu completes the final stroke of the inscription for her, telling her to win the next match, a gesture that moves her to tears of joy. Following this incident, she votes to approve the reconstruction. Later, she approaches Ryu to thank him, offering him the kiss he had previously wanted so badly, but she fidgets and blushes while doing so, showing embarrassment. It is later revealed by a classmate that Karen likes and admires Ryu, though her characteristic response to this embarrassment is to throw him once again.
Karen undergoes a clear development throughout her arc. She transitions from a rigid figure clinging to the past to someone who accepts change and looks to the future. The completion of the club's tradition, facilitated by Ryu, allows her to let go of the physical space of the old building. She transforms from an adversary blocking Ryu's goal into a grateful ally and eventual romantic interest, showing a softer, more vulnerable side of her personality that was previously hidden behind her stubborn and physically defensive exterior.
Regarding her abilities, Karen is a master archer, which is expected given her position as captain of the Girls' Archery Team. However, her most displayed talent in the story is her surprising expertise in judo. Despite not being a member of the judo club, she is highly skilled at throwing opponents, consistently and easily flipping Ryu Yamada whenever he attempts to get close to her. Her physical strength and technique are significant enough to overpower him in every encounter, making her a formidable character despite not being one of the titular witches with supernatural powers.
In appearance, Karen is a girl of average height with distinctive lime green hair that is typically tied into two high buns, complemented by square bangs that hang over her eyebrows. Her eyes are light blue in color. When engaged in archery club activities, she wears a traditional white kimono paired with black hakama, which is the standard uniform for the team.
Karen's personality is defined by a strong sense of duty and a deep respect for tradition, particularly as it pertains to her archery club. She is portrayed as stubborn and unwavering in her convictions, a trait that becomes central to her role in the story. Initially, she behaves in a polite and civil manner, even bowing to visitors who come to speak with her. However, beneath this courteous exterior lies a formidable physical strength. When provoked or when someone attempts to cross a boundary, such as trying to kiss her without permission, she reacts swiftly and decisively, using judo-like techniques to flip her opponent onto the ground. This physical reaction is not merely aggressive; it is also a tell for her emotional state, as she tends to throw people, particularly Ryu Yamada, when she is embarrassed.
Karen's primary motivation revolves around protecting the old school building, specifically the room used by the Girls' Archery Team. She is the sole dissenting voice against a planned reconstruction project that would lead to the demolition of this building. Her refusal to support the project is not born of simple nostalgia but from a profound commitment to a club tradition. The wall of the archery room bears a Japanese inscription that is meant to read Shingi Ittai, meaning mind and skill as one. The tradition dictates that each time the team wins a tournament, they add a stroke to this phrase. At the time of the story, the phrase is incomplete, with only one stroke remaining to finish it. Her goal is to preserve the room until this final stroke can be added, allowing the tradition to be completed.
In the story, Karen serves as an obstacle for the protagonist, Ryu Yamada, who is tasked with securing her vote in favor of the reconstruction. To do this, he and his ally Toranosuke Miyamura attempt to get Ryu to kiss Karen, which would allow him to switch bodies with her and possibly influence the vote. This leads to a series of comedic confrontations where Ryu repeatedly fails to kiss her, as she easily overpowers and flips him every time he tries. Her role evolves from an adversary to someone in need of help when a student council member, Ushio Igarashi, locks her in the archery room to prevent her from attending the deciding meeting, as an empty chair would be taken as consent for the demolition. In her desperation to attend the meeting, she agrees to kiss Ryu, but he refuses, instead choosing to help her break down the wall to escape.
Her most significant relationship is with Ryu Yamada. She initially throws him repeatedly when he attempts to kiss her, but after he helps her escape the locked room and solves her dilemma regarding the wall inscription, her feelings toward him change. Ryu completes the final stroke of the inscription for her, telling her to win the next match, a gesture that moves her to tears of joy. Following this incident, she votes to approve the reconstruction. Later, she approaches Ryu to thank him, offering him the kiss he had previously wanted so badly, but she fidgets and blushes while doing so, showing embarrassment. It is later revealed by a classmate that Karen likes and admires Ryu, though her characteristic response to this embarrassment is to throw him once again.
Karen undergoes a clear development throughout her arc. She transitions from a rigid figure clinging to the past to someone who accepts change and looks to the future. The completion of the club's tradition, facilitated by Ryu, allows her to let go of the physical space of the old building. She transforms from an adversary blocking Ryu's goal into a grateful ally and eventual romantic interest, showing a softer, more vulnerable side of her personality that was previously hidden behind her stubborn and physically defensive exterior.
Regarding her abilities, Karen is a master archer, which is expected given her position as captain of the Girls' Archery Team. However, her most displayed talent in the story is her surprising expertise in judo. Despite not being a member of the judo club, she is highly skilled at throwing opponents, consistently and easily flipping Ryu Yamada whenever he attempts to get close to her. Her physical strength and technique are significant enough to overpower him in every encounter, making her a formidable character despite not being one of the titular witches with supernatural powers.