Ken Washio, known as Ken the Eagle or G-1, leads the Science Ninja Team as its tactical expert. His Bird Style is modeled after the eagle, and he carries the designation Gatchaman, reserved for the team's leader. Born to Kentaro and Sayuri Washio, Ken faced parental abandonment early. His father vanished during a flight, leading Ken to believe he died in a crash. Ken became a complete orphan at age 11 when his mother died of illness; her ashes were described as lighter than snowflakes. Thereafter, he lived under Dr. Nambu’s care, beginning Science Ninja training at 13. To maintain cover, he worked as an aircraft test pilot and delivery boy, residing in his father’s old office on a small airfield. In youth, Ken admired his father, though their relationship included rough treatment, such as during swimming lessons. Unaware his father had faked his death to investigate Galactor undercover as Red Impulse, Ken eventually reunited with him in episode 53 of the original series. This reunion was cut short when Red Impulse sacrificed himself to destroy a Galactor missile, plunging Ken into a rage and a Roaring Rampage of Revenge that temporarily estranged him from his team. Later, in Gatchaman Fighter, Ken suffered cell destruction from the Hypershoot and had a dream where both his father and Dr. Nambu urged him to continue fighting. The OVA offers a slightly altered backstory: Ken briefly saw his father at his mother’s funeral, where Kentaro explained his mission before departing again. Ken also fought as a pilot in the War of Marseilles, earning the moniker "The Star of Africa." He inherited the airfield and his father’s extensive book collection. In the Infini-T Force universe, Ken is 24, with short grey hair and stubble. The war against Berg Katse spanned six years here, with no sequel events from the original series indicated. Typically calm and collected, Ken can become emotionally overwhelmed during crises, relying on his team for support. He is duty-driven, often operating by-the-book and suppressing personal feelings, which sometimes frustrates teammates wishing he would share his true thoughts. An avid reader and flying enthusiast, he is careless with money, frequently neglecting his tab at Snack Jun and depending on others for meals. He is not picky about food, enjoying both Japanese and Western cuisine, but fussy about fashion without spending on high-end items. Ken is trained in martial arts, holding a 2nd class in judo, 3rd class in karate, and proficiency in kendo, kobudo, aikido, kickboxing, and boxing. He aims to become an officer of the International Science Organization after the war. Though popular with women, including teammate Jun, he struggles to express himself and rarely reciprocates feelings. By the original series' end, he and Jun become a couple. His relationships are key: with Joe Asakura (G-2), the second-in-command, Ken often clashes due to differing styles but regards Joe as a close friend and ally. Ken helped Joe recover repressed memories about his parents' deaths, withholding judgment over their Galactor ties. Joe’s declining health and death deeply affected Ken, who refused to accept it until finding Joe’s boomerang. With Jun (G-3), consistent ship tease leads to their eventual pairing. Ken also shares a familial bond with Dr. Nambu, who raised him. Ken’s appearance differs across media. In the original series, he has shoulder-length, messy dark brown hair and blue eyes. His civilian wear includes a red-and-teal T-shirt with a "1," white bellbottom pants, and sometimes blue flight gloves. His Bird Style is mainly white with blue gloves and boots, a white feathered cape with red interior, and a red-and-black-accented helmet with a blue beak-like visor, plus a red "Gatchaman" emblem and "G"-themed belt. In the OVA, Ken has short hair, a blue hoodie, jeans, and a "1" symbol necklace. His Bird Style is primarily blue with white accents, a white cape and helmet, and the "G" symbol integrated into the suit instead of a belt. For the cancelled Imagi film, early concept art showed Ken with choppy, wavy brown hair and a white short-sleeved shirt with black stripes and an "ISO" patch. Later designs featured shorter hair, a royal blue T-shirt, and lighter pants. Bird Style evolved from an armored look inspired by the 2000 NTT project to one closer to the original series, with visible seams and a raised 3D bird emblem. In Infini-T Force, his Bird Style is armored and stylized, echoing the original but with advanced support tools. Out of costume, he is taller with short grey hair and stubble, conveying an older appearance. Ken’s abilities are extensive. His training grants heightened defense, senses, and natural weaponry bonuses. His transformation device activates the Bird Style, enabling gliding, the Tornado Fighter attack—which combines with the team for a stronger cyclone—plus heightened agility, endurance, speed, and costume invulnerability, along with specialized weapons. His signature weapon is the Bird Run or Birdrang, an eagle-shaped boomerang with razor edges, rocket engine, hidden compartment, and detachable blades and chain. He also uses feather shuriken. An ace pilot, Ken inherited skills from his father and owns a single-engine racing plane that transforms into a jet fighter. In Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, his special moves include Bird Run (a two-hit projectile), Bird Shoot (a priority move with angle variations), Eagle Rush (a spinning dive kick for air combos), and Random Flight (a teleport). His Hyper Combos are Gatchaman Attack: Lightning Strike and Science Ninpo: Bird Smash, his most reliable move, usable in air and ground combos. Ken’s character evolves from a typical hero to a more complex figure with a dark side, especially after his father’s death. He temporarily becomes more abrasive but learns from his team’s support. Driven by a strong sense of justice and a desire to stop Galactor, he often acts as a Commander Contrarian to Dr. Nambu, making decisions based on his own moral compass.