Atago embodies the Imperial Japanese Navy's Takao-class heavy cruiser Atago. She has long blonde hair, green eyes, and wears a naval-themed outfit: a blue vest-like garment open over a white top, black pantyhose, and a blue sailor's hat. This attire blends elegance with naval functionality. Her personality radiates warmth, playfulness, and affection. She frequently giggles ("ufufu") and exhibits a nurturing demeanor, readily offering assistance and expressing concern. Dialogue like "Ufufu, you're just a baby on the inside, aren't you?" showcases her teasing yet caring nature. She shares a close bond with her sister ship Takao, referencing their shared history through playful interactions about calcium intake and milk consumption. Her background reflects the real warship's service: constructed at the Kure Naval Arsenal, she served as flagship of the First Mobile Striking Force in World War II before being sunk in the Palawan Passage during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944. This event influences her in-game dialogue expressing concern for Takao's survival during her sinking sequence. She introduces herself as "the second ship of the Takao-class." In gameplay, she functions as a versatile heavy cruiser. Her base form offers balanced firepower, armor, torpedo capability, and evasion stats, lacking anti-submarine warfare capacity. After remodeling (Kai) at level 25, her combat parameters improve significantly, including enhanced firepower and torpedo stats, and she gains an additional equipment slot. She utilizes medium-caliber main guns, torpedoes, and reconnaissance seaplanes, excelling in both day and night battles. Equipping specific items like the 20.3cm No.3 Twin Gun Mount or skilled lookouts provides hidden stat bonuses. Across official media, including seasonal game events, she maintains her cheerful persona. Her Christmas 2015 dialogue involves gift-giving and celebratory exclamations ("Pan paka pa-n~!"). She appears in the anime adaptation as part of the Fourth Cruiser Division alongside Takao, Maya, and Choukai, and features in the animated film. Merchandise like the Armor Girls Project figure replicates her design and equipment. Her cultural impact extends beyond the source material through widespread cosplay, fan art, and merchandise including scale models and figures. Her blend of combat prowess and affectionate personality contributes to her presence in community events and online discussions.