Ken Washio, designated G-1 and codenamed Ken the Eagle, leads the Science Ninja Team as their tactical expert. His childhood trauma stems from his father Kentaro Washio's disappearance during a flight, which Ken long believed was a fatal crash. Orphaned completely at age eleven after his mother's death from illness, Ken came under the guardianship of Dr. Kozaburo Nambu. From age thirteen, Nambu trained him to command the team as Gatchaman. As a civilian, Ken operates as an aircraft test pilot and airmail delivery operator from his father's former office at a small airfield, masking his Science Ninja duties. His primary vehicle is the G-1, a transformable jet fighter reaching Mach 4. Initially unarmed, it later gains twin heat rays and docks with the team's God Phoenix flagship to stabilize its flight. Ken's G-Bracelet converts its civilian red propeller plane guise into a high-speed blue-and-white jet. Ken's appearance shifts across adaptations. The original series depicts him with shoulder-length brown hair, blue eyes, a red-and-teal "1"-marked T-shirt, white bellbottoms, and occasional blue flight gloves. His Bird Style uniform features white with blue gloves, boots, and a "G"-belt, plus a white-feathered red-lined cape and multicolored helmet. The 1994 OVA redesigns him with short hair, a blue hoodie, jeans, and a "1" necklace; his OVA Bird Style swaps to a blue bodysuit with white accents, retaining cape and helmet but losing the belt. The cancelled Imagi film tested armored designs inspired by the OVA and 2000 NTT project, while *Infini-T Force* portrays him at twenty-four with grey hair, stubble, and a tech-advanced uniform. Strategically calm yet vulnerable to emotional turmoil during crises—especially involving family or team losses—Ken struggles financially, habitually deferring payments at teammate Jun’s snack bar. He nurtures passions for flying and reading. His combat mastery spans multiple martial arts: he holds a 2nd-class judo rank, 3rd-class karate rank, and proficiency in kendo, kobudo, aikido, kickboxing, and boxing. Signature weapons include the rocket-boosted Birdrang boomerang, collapsible Bird Saucer discus, multi-ammo Shock Gun, and—in *Gatchaman Fighter*—the Gatchaman Fencer energy sword. Pivotal relationships define Ken. Learning that ally Red Impulse is his father precedes Kentaro’s sacrifice to destroy a Galactor missile, sparking vengeful aggression that briefly isolates Ken from the team. Despite frequent clashes, Joe Asakura (G-2) remains his closest confidant; Joe’s death and cyborg resurrection deeply alter Ken’s leadership. Unspoken romantic tension exists with Jun (G-3), though Ken avoids reciprocating. Dr. Nambu endures as a mentor, despite Ken’s frequent challenges to his directives. Ken evolves across continuities. The OVA adds his "Star of Africa" combat history from the War of Marseilles and highlights inherited traits through his father’s books and acoustic guitar. Sequels *Gatchaman II* and *Fighter* show his leadership turning more authoritative after Joe’s temporary death and Ken’s own cellular degeneration—mirroring his mother’s fatal illness. *Infini-T Force* explores an alternate timeline where he battles a corrupted Nambu as his team’s sole survivor before sacrificing himself.