Kinugasa is an Aoba-class heavy cruiser depicted as a fleet girl. She possesses grey-pink hair, typically styled in short twintails secured with hair ties, though her Kai Ni remodel alters this to a one-sided updo. Her green eyes are drawn in a tsurime style. She wears a standard sailor uniform featuring a yellow necktie and belt, complemented by dark brown thigh-high stockings. Her combat rigging consists of twin cannon turrets held in each hand—the left turret notably taller than the right—alongside a third turret strapped to her left thigh. A miniature replica of her ship's bridge, complete with a crane, is mounted on her back like a backpack. She displays an energetic and cheerful personality, frequently referring to herself in the third person as "Miss Kinugasa." Her dialogue includes enthusiastic phrases like "Leave it to Miss Kinugasa!" upon joining a fleet and playful warnings such as "If you keep touching me, I'll touch you back" as a secretary. She maintains a close relationship with her sister ship Aoba, often appearing alongside her. Her characterization draws from historical naval engagements, including participation in the Wake Island invasion, Battle of the Coral Sea, and Solomon Islands campaigns. She expresses a specific dislike for aircraft, remarking, "But... planes, you know? I'm not really a fan," referencing her historical sinking by torpedo bombers. Her combat statistics evolve with remodels. The base form offers medium firepower (30) and armor (26), while the Kai Ni remodel significantly enhances firepower (78), armor (73), evasion (79), and torpedo capabilities (78). Achieving the Kai Ni remodel at Level 55 unlocks unique equipment synergies: pairing a 20.3cm (No.3) Twin Gun Mount with a Line-of-Sight Radar boosts firepower and accuracy. Her standard equipment includes oxygen torpedo mounts and advanced gun turrets. She participates in key narrative events, notably the night battle at Savo Island as part of the Mikawa Fleet alongside Furutaka, Aoba, Kako, and Tenryū. During this engagement, Chōkai sustains moderate damage after activating a searchlight, but the fleet achieves victory. Her seasonal and damaged lines reveal additional traits: she wears yellow undergarments, panics when her bridge replica is damaged, and reacts with distress to critical hits. Hourly notifications depict her as energetic during daytime but increasingly concerned about the admiral's rest during late hours. In the film adaptation, she appears during the Solomon Islands campaign and post-battle celebrations following the Ironbottom Sound operation, reinforcing her position within fleet combat operations and camaraderie, though not central to the primary plot involving Kisaragi's transformation. Her quotes blend enthusiasm and vulnerability. She boasts after being named MVP ("Hm-hmm, isn’t Miss Kinugasa the strongest!"), yet her sinking line conveys resignation ("No... I’m sinking... everybody... escape..."). Seasonal lines include managing beach volleyball games and commenting on weather reports, adding everyday dimensions to her naval duties. Her wedding vows emphasize protective instincts: "Admiral, so that I can protect you, I’m gonna get stronger and stronger! But, if it gets dangerous, you have to promise to get away."