Joe Asakura, originally named George Asakura, witnessed his parents Giuseppe and Caterina murdered by a masked assassin. The couple, Galactor members attempting to defect, were killed on BC Island when Joe was around eight years old; a cancelled film later placed his age at twelve. Rescued by Dr. Kozaburo Nambu, Joe's death was faked using a rock-filled casket, and he was renamed for protection. Nambu raised him with other wards, including Ken Washio, keeping the full truth of his parents' assassination secret for years. As the Science Ninja Team's second-in-command, marksman, and weapons expert, Joe operates under the codenames "Condor" or "G-2." His civilian look typically features a numbered shirt (often "2"), jeans, and sometimes driving gloves. His Bird Style uniform combines a burgundy bodysuit with dark blue gloves, boots, and a feathered cape. Alternate designs include the 1994 OVA's auburn hair, leather jacket, and crucifix necklace, the cancelled Imagi film's armored "bad boy" aesthetic, and *Infini-T Force*'s ponytail and black racing jacket. Headstrong and cynical, Joe burns with vengeance against Galactor, often pushing for aggressive tactics like immediate missile strikes, leading to clashes with Ken. Despite his loner tendencies and impulsiveness, he holds deep loyalty to his team, especially Ken. Fueled by his past, he embraces self-sacrifice, exemplified by surviving explosive shrapnel that caused chronic pain but heightened combat ability. This culminated in his heroic death at Cross Karakorum, stopping Galactor's doomsday device with his final feather shuriken. Nambu acts as a tolerant guardian, understanding Joe's trauma, though Joe frequently challenges authority. His dynamic with Ken shifts from rivalry to deep respect, marked by shared childhood flashbacks under Nambu. Joe helps Ken confront his father's disappearance, while Ken aids Joe in recovering suppressed memories about his parents' Galactor ties. Joe experiences doomed romances with three women, all affiliated with Galactor. In *Gatchaman II*, an ex-Galactor scientist cybernetically revives Joe. Believing himself a purposeless machine, he hides his condition and fights recklessly. Dr. Pandora later exposes his cybernetic state. This arc explores his identity crisis and mortality, as his near-indestructible body includes a heart bomb preventing him from killing Leader X. Joe masters Science Ninja Techniques for superhuman feats like high-speed movement and silent attacks. His signature weapons are feather shurikens and a grappling-hook pistol functioning as a firearm or drill. He pilots the transforming G-2 stock car and serves as the God Phoenix's primary gunner. Video game adaptations like *Tatsunoko vs. Capcom* feature moves like "Wild Lasso," "Savage Shot," and "Shuriken Feathers." Alternate portrayals diverge: the "Condor Flies!" light novel depicts him as a genetically engineered super-soldier sought by Galactor and ISO. The cancelled Imagi film planned to emphasize his lone-wolf persona and initial resistance to joining the team. The OVA visualizes his trauma through motifs like a skull tattoo symbolizing his vengeance vow. Joe's journey spans sacrificial heroism, physical transformation, and psychological resilience, driven by his unwavering quest to destroy Galactor. His legacy endures through his team influence and narrative impact across sequels and adaptations.