TV-Series
Description
Kai Shiden is a resident of the space colony Green Oasis in Bunch 1 of Side 7. Physically, he is tall and lanky, with a mop of gray hair. At the start of the war, he is 18 years old.
Initially, Kai is characterized by a snarky, sarcastic, and often pessimistic demeanor. He is a self-described coward and cynic who frequently complains about his situation and can often be found avoiding danger and making smart-aleck remarks from the sidelines. His apathy towards being a soldier stems from a deep-seated fear of death and combat, and he uses his dark humor as a form of protest against being forced to fight. He despises following orders and his poor attitude often leads him to clash with authority figures like Bright Noa.
Forced into service due to a severe shortage of trained personnel, Kai is assigned to pilot the RX-77-2 Guncannon, a long-range artillery mobile suit. His combat style reflects his personality, preferring to bombard enemies from a distance, though he has proven capable of hand-to-hand combat with the Guncannon when necessary. Despite his constant whining, he has a strong survival instinct that drives him to fight effectively, making him one of the White Base's top-performing pilots.
Motivated by a deep sense of disenchantment with the war, Kai attempts to desert the White Base while it is docked for repairs in Belfast. During this time, he meets Miharu Ratokie, a young woman who agrees to help him sneak back on board. Unbeknownst to him, she is a Zeon spy. As the White Base travels across the Atlantic, Kai develops genuine feelings for her. During a Zeon attack, he and Miharu go out in a Gunperry transport plane. When the vessel is damaged, Miharu is forced to manually fire its missiles; she is thrown from the plane by the exhaust blast and falls to her death. Miharu's death is the pivotal turning point in his life. He returns to the ship somber and torn apart inside, but her sacrifice gives him a new resolve. He realizes he cannot remain depressed and that he has friends to fight for and protect if they are all to survive the war.
After this transformation, Kai becomes more dedicated. He is promoted to corporal and continues to serve as the Guncannon pilot through major battles such as Jaburo, Solomon, and A Baoa Qu, where he achieves significant results and survives the final battle. Following the One Year War, Kai retires from military service. He pursues a new career as a freelance journalist and investigative reporter. During the Gryps War conflict in UC 0087, he works behind the scenes, gathering intelligence and coordinating messages between the AEUG and the Karaba resistance group. Using his skills as a reporter, he continues to support his former comrades and fulfill his dedication to overseeing the course of the war from a different perspective.
Kai's key relationships are primarily with his crewmates aboard the White Base, including Amuro Ray, Bright Noa, and Hayato Kobayashi. However, the most significant and transformative relationship in his life is his brief, tragic connection with Miharu Ratokie, whose death defines his post-war character. He also maintains connections with Hayato after the war, working alongside him in Karaba. His abilities extend beyond piloting; he is mechanically inclined and technically holds licenses for large equipment, which initially leads to his recruitment. After the war, he becomes proficient in infiltration, espionage, and information gathering, acting as a spy and mediator between various factions. His suspicious nature also leads him to uncover the true identity of Char Aznable, who was operating under the alias Quattro Bajeena.
Initially, Kai is characterized by a snarky, sarcastic, and often pessimistic demeanor. He is a self-described coward and cynic who frequently complains about his situation and can often be found avoiding danger and making smart-aleck remarks from the sidelines. His apathy towards being a soldier stems from a deep-seated fear of death and combat, and he uses his dark humor as a form of protest against being forced to fight. He despises following orders and his poor attitude often leads him to clash with authority figures like Bright Noa.
Forced into service due to a severe shortage of trained personnel, Kai is assigned to pilot the RX-77-2 Guncannon, a long-range artillery mobile suit. His combat style reflects his personality, preferring to bombard enemies from a distance, though he has proven capable of hand-to-hand combat with the Guncannon when necessary. Despite his constant whining, he has a strong survival instinct that drives him to fight effectively, making him one of the White Base's top-performing pilots.
Motivated by a deep sense of disenchantment with the war, Kai attempts to desert the White Base while it is docked for repairs in Belfast. During this time, he meets Miharu Ratokie, a young woman who agrees to help him sneak back on board. Unbeknownst to him, she is a Zeon spy. As the White Base travels across the Atlantic, Kai develops genuine feelings for her. During a Zeon attack, he and Miharu go out in a Gunperry transport plane. When the vessel is damaged, Miharu is forced to manually fire its missiles; she is thrown from the plane by the exhaust blast and falls to her death. Miharu's death is the pivotal turning point in his life. He returns to the ship somber and torn apart inside, but her sacrifice gives him a new resolve. He realizes he cannot remain depressed and that he has friends to fight for and protect if they are all to survive the war.
After this transformation, Kai becomes more dedicated. He is promoted to corporal and continues to serve as the Guncannon pilot through major battles such as Jaburo, Solomon, and A Baoa Qu, where he achieves significant results and survives the final battle. Following the One Year War, Kai retires from military service. He pursues a new career as a freelance journalist and investigative reporter. During the Gryps War conflict in UC 0087, he works behind the scenes, gathering intelligence and coordinating messages between the AEUG and the Karaba resistance group. Using his skills as a reporter, he continues to support his former comrades and fulfill his dedication to overseeing the course of the war from a different perspective.
Kai's key relationships are primarily with his crewmates aboard the White Base, including Amuro Ray, Bright Noa, and Hayato Kobayashi. However, the most significant and transformative relationship in his life is his brief, tragic connection with Miharu Ratokie, whose death defines his post-war character. He also maintains connections with Hayato after the war, working alongside him in Karaba. His abilities extend beyond piloting; he is mechanically inclined and technically holds licenses for large equipment, which initially leads to his recruitment. After the war, he becomes proficient in infiltration, espionage, and information gathering, acting as a spy and mediator between various factions. His suspicious nature also leads him to uncover the true identity of Char Aznable, who was operating under the alias Quattro Bajeena.