TV-Series
Description
Kaede Saitou is a prominent supporting character in Angelic Layer, known as a highly skilled and beloved Deus, or player, within the competitive world of angelic combat. She is a sixteen-year-old high school student, recognized in-universe for her gentle demeanor and radiant smile, which has earned her the nickname the smile that illuminates the heart.
Kaede has a soft, approachable appearance that complements her personality. She has chestnut-brown hair often styled into two loose braids tied with red ribbons and wears a pair of large, round glasses. Her typical attire includes her school uniform, which consists of a maroon dress with a white sailor-style collar and a matching cravat. Despite her delicate and polite impression, she is a determined and formidable competitor who should not be underestimated.
Her background reveals that she comes from a well-off family, living with her father. A significant aspect of her personal history is that she lost her mother when she was very young, which profoundly influences her approach to Angelic Layer. She sees her angel, Blanche, not merely as a combat doll but like a daughter, channeling her desire for family and connection into caring for and fighting alongside her. This maternal approach does not make her a passive competitor; rather, she is dedicated to winning and is willing to see her angel pushed to its limits to achieve victory.
Kaede's motivations are deeply tied to companionship and the bond she shares with her angel. She has stated her intention to continue fighting as long as Blanche wishes to do so, placing great value on their partnership. Her skill as a Deus is exceptional, and she is considered one of the top players in the regional tournaments. Her prowess comes not only from her strategic mind but also from her talents as a creator; it is noted that she is an ingenious designer, and even the creator of Angelic Layer acknowledges her abilities.
In terms of role within the story, Kaede serves as a significant rival and friend to the protagonist, Misaki Suzuhara. She is presented as an ideal and a benchmark for skill, and her match against Misaki is a pivotal challenge that pushes the protagonist to new heights. Despite initially being an opponent, Kaede is very charismatic and quickly becomes an ally and friend after their battle. Her best friend is another skilled Deus named Sai Jounouchi, who is often described as her polar opposite in personality. Their friendship is close and long-standing, with the two frequently appearing together and supporting each other.
Kaede's character undergoes subtle but meaningful development. While she begins as an almost untouchable champion, her defeat by Misaki is not a setback but a moment of connection, reinforcing her sportsmanship and love for the game. She is fiercely honest and detests cheating, showing her strong moral compass when she observes foul play from other competitors. Her integrity is further displayed when she refuses to exploit a weakness in Misaki's angel that Sai had discovered, as she prefers to win fairly.
Kaede’s notable abilities center on her angel, Blanche. Blanche is designed to be incredibly light, granting her exceptional speed and agility, making her very difficult to hit. However, her most unique feature is a special function called Hypermode. This is an automatic system that activates after Blanche receives a certain number of hits or accumulates penalty points. When Hypermode engages, Blanche's power increases dramatically, sometimes doubling, along with a further boost in speed, making her nearly invincible in this state. This ability allows Kaede to employ a specific combat strategy where she might deliberately allow her angel to take damage to activate the power-up, turning defense into a devastating offense. Her connection to the larger CLAMP universe is also notable, as she is the deceased older sister of Minoru Kokubunji from Chobits, which adds a layer of tragic depth to her character within the shared narrative universe.
Kaede has a soft, approachable appearance that complements her personality. She has chestnut-brown hair often styled into two loose braids tied with red ribbons and wears a pair of large, round glasses. Her typical attire includes her school uniform, which consists of a maroon dress with a white sailor-style collar and a matching cravat. Despite her delicate and polite impression, she is a determined and formidable competitor who should not be underestimated.
Her background reveals that she comes from a well-off family, living with her father. A significant aspect of her personal history is that she lost her mother when she was very young, which profoundly influences her approach to Angelic Layer. She sees her angel, Blanche, not merely as a combat doll but like a daughter, channeling her desire for family and connection into caring for and fighting alongside her. This maternal approach does not make her a passive competitor; rather, she is dedicated to winning and is willing to see her angel pushed to its limits to achieve victory.
Kaede's motivations are deeply tied to companionship and the bond she shares with her angel. She has stated her intention to continue fighting as long as Blanche wishes to do so, placing great value on their partnership. Her skill as a Deus is exceptional, and she is considered one of the top players in the regional tournaments. Her prowess comes not only from her strategic mind but also from her talents as a creator; it is noted that she is an ingenious designer, and even the creator of Angelic Layer acknowledges her abilities.
In terms of role within the story, Kaede serves as a significant rival and friend to the protagonist, Misaki Suzuhara. She is presented as an ideal and a benchmark for skill, and her match against Misaki is a pivotal challenge that pushes the protagonist to new heights. Despite initially being an opponent, Kaede is very charismatic and quickly becomes an ally and friend after their battle. Her best friend is another skilled Deus named Sai Jounouchi, who is often described as her polar opposite in personality. Their friendship is close and long-standing, with the two frequently appearing together and supporting each other.
Kaede's character undergoes subtle but meaningful development. While she begins as an almost untouchable champion, her defeat by Misaki is not a setback but a moment of connection, reinforcing her sportsmanship and love for the game. She is fiercely honest and detests cheating, showing her strong moral compass when she observes foul play from other competitors. Her integrity is further displayed when she refuses to exploit a weakness in Misaki's angel that Sai had discovered, as she prefers to win fairly.
Kaede’s notable abilities center on her angel, Blanche. Blanche is designed to be incredibly light, granting her exceptional speed and agility, making her very difficult to hit. However, her most unique feature is a special function called Hypermode. This is an automatic system that activates after Blanche receives a certain number of hits or accumulates penalty points. When Hypermode engages, Blanche's power increases dramatically, sometimes doubling, along with a further boost in speed, making her nearly invincible in this state. This ability allows Kaede to employ a specific combat strategy where she might deliberately allow her angel to take damage to activate the power-up, turning defense into a devastating offense. Her connection to the larger CLAMP universe is also notable, as she is the deceased older sister of Minoru Kokubunji from Chobits, which adds a layer of tragic depth to her character within the shared narrative universe.