OVA
Description
Nichol Hawking is the chief pilot of the Cha-Cha Maru, the ship captained by Tita Mu Koshigaya in the science-fiction world of the planet Yietta. His background is marked by tragedy: he comes from a long line of skilled pilots and is himself ranked among the top five pilots on Yietta, yet he is an orphan. His parents died while attempting to win a particularly infamous and grueling race, and his last remaining family member, his uncle, passed away shortly before he met Tita. These losses have earned him the epithet "The Crownless Emperor," a title that reflects his undeniable piloting skill which has never had a proper stage to fully shine.
Personality-wise, Nichol is an endearing mix of competence and immaturity. At the controls, he is a dependable and expert pilot who, despite a tendency to panic, knows how to keep a level head in a crisis. In his personal moments, however, he can be bumbling and sometimes crosses lines—most notably when he and fellow crew member Roger Rogers attempt to spy on Tita while she bathes, an act that reveals a struggle to keep his hormones in check. Underneath this voyeuristic exterior, Nichol cares deeply and sincerely for Tita. He is also easily flustered and prone to nosebleeds, yet the crew often playfully pushes his buttons.
His primary motivation is his long-standing crush on Tita. They first met several years ago on a hilltop in the metropolis, and for Nichol it was love at first sight. He remains devoted to her throughout the story, staying at her bedside when she is injured by the antagonist Guizel, and later joining her as she leads the Cha-Cha Maru against Guizel’s rogue fleet. Tita’s feelings toward him are shown more subtly, culminating in a small, chaste kiss on his forehead while he sleeps beside her sickbed. The bond is strengthened by their shared experience of being orphans.
In the broader narrative, Nichol serves as a supportive crew member and a source of comic relief, but also demonstrates genuine courage and loyalty. His development is tied to his growing willingness to put Tita’s well-being above his own impulses, and his abilities as a pilot are crucial during the climactic space battle. The manga expands further on his family legacy and his quest to prove himself in races. Overall, Nichol Hawking is a skilled yet flawed young man whose heart and dedication make him a memorable part of the Cha-Cha Maru’s crew.
Personality-wise, Nichol is an endearing mix of competence and immaturity. At the controls, he is a dependable and expert pilot who, despite a tendency to panic, knows how to keep a level head in a crisis. In his personal moments, however, he can be bumbling and sometimes crosses lines—most notably when he and fellow crew member Roger Rogers attempt to spy on Tita while she bathes, an act that reveals a struggle to keep his hormones in check. Underneath this voyeuristic exterior, Nichol cares deeply and sincerely for Tita. He is also easily flustered and prone to nosebleeds, yet the crew often playfully pushes his buttons.
His primary motivation is his long-standing crush on Tita. They first met several years ago on a hilltop in the metropolis, and for Nichol it was love at first sight. He remains devoted to her throughout the story, staying at her bedside when she is injured by the antagonist Guizel, and later joining her as she leads the Cha-Cha Maru against Guizel’s rogue fleet. Tita’s feelings toward him are shown more subtly, culminating in a small, chaste kiss on his forehead while he sleeps beside her sickbed. The bond is strengthened by their shared experience of being orphans.
In the broader narrative, Nichol serves as a supportive crew member and a source of comic relief, but also demonstrates genuine courage and loyalty. His development is tied to his growing willingness to put Tita’s well-being above his own impulses, and his abilities as a pilot are crucial during the climactic space battle. The manga expands further on his family legacy and his quest to prove himself in races. Overall, Nichol Hawking is a skilled yet flawed young man whose heart and dedication make him a memorable part of the Cha-Cha Maru’s crew.