Kiyoko, designated No. 25, is a member of the Espers, a trio of psychic children who are central to the events of the film. Originally a young girl with healthy skin and light brown hair, she was taken as a probable orphan by the government of the original Tokyo to serve as a test subject in a secret project aimed at developing psychic powers. There she befriended Takashi, Masaru, and Akira. When Akira’s abilities triggered the catastrophe that destroyed Tokyo, Kiyoko survived and was kept with the other Espers in prolonged isolation. To suppress another incident, the children were fed drugs that suppressed their powers but caused premature aging and physical deterioration. As a result, Kiyoko became permanently bedridden, her skin wrinkled and greenish, her white hair styled in long braids, and she is usually seen wearing a pale pink nightgown.

Despite her fragile physical condition, Kiyoko possesses a serene and gentle personality. She is deeply compassionate, and her concern for Takashi and Masaru resembles that of a caring older sister or mother figure. She is also extraordinarily wise and perceptive, acting as the de facto leader of the Espers when decisions must be made, and even the Colonel seeks her counsel on matters of great importance. Her guiding principle is a belief that every person has a destiny, and she feels responsible for helping to steer events toward their proper outcome. There is no selfish ambition in her; her actions are motivated by a drive to prevent further catastrophe and to protect those she can.

Kiyoko’s most notable abilities are precognition and telepathy. She foresaw the destruction of Neo-Tokyo and the danger posed by Tetsuo’s awakening powers, and her prophecies set much of the story in motion. She can project thoughts into the minds of others and communicate without speech, often using these talents to mediate between the Espers and the outside world. Additionally, she is capable of channeling her psychic influence through another person, as she does with Kei, effectively turning Kei into a medium to relay warnings and instructions to Kaneda.

In the narrative, Kiyoko initially tries to use hallucinations to neutralize Tetsuo alongside the other Espers, but the attempt fails. She then provides critical information that Tetsuo can find Akira’s remains beneath the Olympic Stadium, hoping this will lead to a resolution. Later, after the military coup and Tetsuo’s transformation into a massive, unstable entity, Kiyoko coordinates with Takashi and Masaru to awaken Akira’s power and contain the devastation. Recognizing the need to save Kaneda from within the singularity, the three Espers agree to sacrifice themselves, stepping beyond their physical dimension and knowing they may not return. Through these acts, Kiyoko remains a calm, unwavering spiritual presence whose insight and selflessness help avert an even greater disaster.