TV-Series
Description
Izana Shinatose is a resident of the colossal generation ship Sidonia and serves as a Garde pilot, initially with the trainee designation TS-291 before being assigned to Unit 723. Born into a human society that has spent centuries navigating the stars, Izana belongs to a distinct genetic third gender. This biological state is neither conventionally male nor female, a design originating from Sidonia’s past to help maintain and grow the population, and allows for the possibility of choosing a definitive sex or reproducing through parthenogenesis to create a clone.
Physically, Izana is initially presented with an androgynous appearance, lacking prominent secondary sexual characteristics. This ambiguity extends to social spaces on Sidonia, where Izana is provided with a “double bath” rather than being segregated into strictly male or female facilities. A close relationship with the protagonist, Nagate Tanikage, serves as the primary catalyst for significant personal change. As Izana develops deep romantic feelings for Nagate, the body involuntarily begins a transformation, becoming biologically female in response to this attraction. This change manifests physically, most notably through the development of female characteristics such as breasts, which eventually prevents standard-issue pilot suits from fitting properly.
In terms of personality, Izana is characterized as being one of the first and most consistently kind individuals to Nagate, who initially struggles to adapt to life on the upper levels of Sidonia. This empathy and intelligence, paired with a generally reserved demeanor, makes Izana a supportive and grounding presence. However, this devotion also leads to pronounced feelings of jealousy. Izana frequently reacts with possessiveness toward Nagate, particularly when he interacts closely with other female characters, such as Shizuka Hoshijiro or the enigmatic Tsumugi Shiraui.
Throughout the conflict against the alien Gauna, Izana’s role evolves from a competent yet unexceptional trainee into a specialized and invaluable reconnaissance asset. During a fierce battle against a Gauna imitation of Hoshijiro, Izana sustains catastrophic injuries, resulting in the loss of the right arm and left leg. These limbs are replaced with advanced, highly functional prosthetics. The artificial hand is notably dexterous, capable of intricate movements such as tying knots or peeling fruit. More critically, a neural interface is installed in Izana’s Garde unit, linking sensor data directly to the brain through the prosthetic arm. This modification grants detection capabilities that far exceed standard ship systems, specializing Izana for long-range spotting and reconnaissance missions, a role often designated as Unit 723.
Key relationships heavily define Izana’s journey. The bond with Nagate Tanikaze is the most central, evolving from a close friendship and mentorship into an unrequited romantic attachment. Izana’s loyalty is such that during a mission to stop a Gauna asteroid attack, Izana risks everything to save Nagate from a crash, prioritizing his safety above all else. Despite the romantic rivalry with Nagate, Izana maintains a strong friendship with fellow pilot Yuhata Midorikawa, at one point protecting her at great personal risk in combat. Izana also develops a significant and unique friendship with Tsumugi, a hybrid being, helping her move in secret through the corridors of Sidonia against regulations. Living in a new home with Nagate, Izana also has to navigate the unusual domestic situation caused by Tsumugi’s frequent visits.
Over the course of the story, Izana develops from a somewhat insecure and neutral cadet into a confident and physically transformed soldier. The internal conflict of gender identity is resolved not by choice but as a biological response to love, leading to a definitive female body. Following the final defeat of the Large Mass Union Ship and Sidonia’s successful colonization of the Lem star system, Izana’s journey continues. Approximately ten years after these events, Izana chooses to depart the newly established colony aboard a repaired Sidonia, joining other crew members in the quest to seek out new planetary colonies among the stars.
Physically, Izana is initially presented with an androgynous appearance, lacking prominent secondary sexual characteristics. This ambiguity extends to social spaces on Sidonia, where Izana is provided with a “double bath” rather than being segregated into strictly male or female facilities. A close relationship with the protagonist, Nagate Tanikage, serves as the primary catalyst for significant personal change. As Izana develops deep romantic feelings for Nagate, the body involuntarily begins a transformation, becoming biologically female in response to this attraction. This change manifests physically, most notably through the development of female characteristics such as breasts, which eventually prevents standard-issue pilot suits from fitting properly.
In terms of personality, Izana is characterized as being one of the first and most consistently kind individuals to Nagate, who initially struggles to adapt to life on the upper levels of Sidonia. This empathy and intelligence, paired with a generally reserved demeanor, makes Izana a supportive and grounding presence. However, this devotion also leads to pronounced feelings of jealousy. Izana frequently reacts with possessiveness toward Nagate, particularly when he interacts closely with other female characters, such as Shizuka Hoshijiro or the enigmatic Tsumugi Shiraui.
Throughout the conflict against the alien Gauna, Izana’s role evolves from a competent yet unexceptional trainee into a specialized and invaluable reconnaissance asset. During a fierce battle against a Gauna imitation of Hoshijiro, Izana sustains catastrophic injuries, resulting in the loss of the right arm and left leg. These limbs are replaced with advanced, highly functional prosthetics. The artificial hand is notably dexterous, capable of intricate movements such as tying knots or peeling fruit. More critically, a neural interface is installed in Izana’s Garde unit, linking sensor data directly to the brain through the prosthetic arm. This modification grants detection capabilities that far exceed standard ship systems, specializing Izana for long-range spotting and reconnaissance missions, a role often designated as Unit 723.
Key relationships heavily define Izana’s journey. The bond with Nagate Tanikaze is the most central, evolving from a close friendship and mentorship into an unrequited romantic attachment. Izana’s loyalty is such that during a mission to stop a Gauna asteroid attack, Izana risks everything to save Nagate from a crash, prioritizing his safety above all else. Despite the romantic rivalry with Nagate, Izana maintains a strong friendship with fellow pilot Yuhata Midorikawa, at one point protecting her at great personal risk in combat. Izana also develops a significant and unique friendship with Tsumugi, a hybrid being, helping her move in secret through the corridors of Sidonia against regulations. Living in a new home with Nagate, Izana also has to navigate the unusual domestic situation caused by Tsumugi’s frequent visits.
Over the course of the story, Izana develops from a somewhat insecure and neutral cadet into a confident and physically transformed soldier. The internal conflict of gender identity is resolved not by choice but as a biological response to love, leading to a definitive female body. Following the final defeat of the Large Mass Union Ship and Sidonia’s successful colonization of the Lem star system, Izana’s journey continues. Approximately ten years after these events, Izana chooses to depart the newly established colony aboard a repaired Sidonia, joining other crew members in the quest to seek out new planetary colonies among the stars.