Dr. Asakura is the brilliant and reclusive researcher responsible for the creation of the "Thirds," the most advanced generation of androids designed to be nearly indistinguishable from humans. He is a central figure in the story, as the protagonist Naomi Armitage is one of his creations and refers to him as her "father". Asakura's background is that of a leading scientist in the field of artificial intelligence who once worked for a major organization called Conception, where he collaborated with another researcher named D'anclaude. However, his past is shrouded in mystery and manipulation; his memory was tampered with, and his employment records at Conception were erased, making it seem as though he had never worked there. He eventually isolated himself in a desert laboratory complex on a hill called Danicci, continuing his work in obscurity.

In personality, Asakura is portrayed as a benevolent and kindly figure, fitting the archetype of a "mad scientist" who is nonetheless well-intentioned. By the time he is encountered, he is suffering from dementia, which has affected his memory of past events but, notably, has not diminished his scientific genius or his ability to conduct research. His motivations are rooted in a deep, paternal care for his android creations, particularly Armitage, and a continued drive to push the boundaries of his work. He has moved on from developing the Thirds to his latest project: a new model of biodroid called the "Alives" or "Fourths". These new beings are designed to be even more advanced and are modeled after plant life, intended to be a key component in the terraforming of Mars, a project that had lost funding and public interest.

Asakura's role in the story is that of a hidden creator and a source of truth. He is the object of a desperate search when Armitage is severely damaged and seeks him out to understand her own purpose and to be repaired. Upon finding him, he serves as an expositional figure, revealing through his work and his assistant that the Martian government was secretly behind both the creation of the Thirds and the subsequent conspiracy to exterminate them for political reasons. His key relationships are with his creations, primarily Armitage, whom he views as a daughter and who sees him as a father. He also has a past working relationship with the antagonist D'anclaude, who was also involved in the creation of the Thirds but was later reprogrammed. In his isolated lab, he is aided by an assistant named Wilbur.

Throughout the narrative, Asakura's personal development is a tragic one. Once a major figure in his field, he has been reduced to a state of dementia, living in seclusion and forgotten by the society that exploited his work. His final act is one of paternal care and poetic irony. He repairs Armitage, bestowing upon her enhancements that include a pair of black wings, transforming her into a symbolic avenging angel for the final conflict. Shortly after this reunion and his act of creation, Asakura is killed when the Martian government attacks his laboratory, an act that serves as a dark culmination of the political conspiracy that he helped set in motion. Regarding his notable abilities, Asakura is a genius-level researcher in artificial intelligence and biodroid engineering. His primary ability is his scientific knowledge, which allowed him to create multiple generations of androids. He also possesses the technical skill to perform complex repairs and upgrades, as demonstrated when he successfully repairs the severely damaged Armitage and equips her with new abilities.