TV-Series
Description
Kouyou Kasugai, a Fafner pilot from Tatsumiyajima Island, was adopted by indifferent parents who celebrated his pilot selection. Despite familial detachment, he displayed gentle empathy through caring for his dog Chocolat—sheltered in an outdoor box—and harboring unrequited affection for the bedridden Shouko Hazama, whose safety deeply concerned him.
During Tatsumiyajima’s initial Festum assault, Kouyou evacuated with classmates to an Alvis shelter. Witnessing the island’s devastation left him and friend Kenji stunned. He later attended a memorial for fallen residents, speculating if Karin Kuramae’s pilot role prevented her evacuation. Selected for Fafner training, he initially struggled in combat, hiding during battles and avoiding footage to maintain confidence, yet expressed relief and admiration for fellow pilots Kazuki Makabe and Soushi Minashiro post-mission.
Shouko’s death ignited a "bitter determination" in Kouyou to demonstrate true protection to Kazuki and Soushi, whom he blamed for failing her. This resolve transformed him into a proficient Mark Vier pilot. His combat skills surged during later engagements: he rescued Sui Kaburagi’s Amaterasu unit from Festum assimilation, eliminated pursuing Festum to shield allies, and struck the decisive blow against an Azazel-type Festum weakened by Rina Nishio. After docking his Fafner, he reported sensing Mimika Mikagami’s soul within Tsukuyomi’s cockpit.
Emotionally, Kouyou visited significant sites: at the Hazama grave, he retrieved Canon Hazama’s hat, briefly envisioned Canon and Shouko, and vowed to protect their home. He later traveled to Rakuen to deliver Canon’s coordinates to Orihime Minashiro.
Piloting the Mark Vier Kai Abaddon in the Fifth Operation Azure, Kouyou breached enemy barriers, leveraged his Special Duty Performance to defeat multiple Festum, and sensed abducted children nearby. Confronting the Specter unit—which mimicked Abaddon’s form and abilities—he deduced its pilot was Maris Excelsior stalling for time. After Specter vanished post-rocket launch, he interpreted the disappearance of Kazuki Makabe’s heart as potentially beneficial. He later re-engaged Specter to block Legato from pursuing Kazuki and Soushi.
During Tatsumiyajima’s initial Festum assault, Kouyou evacuated with classmates to an Alvis shelter. Witnessing the island’s devastation left him and friend Kenji stunned. He later attended a memorial for fallen residents, speculating if Karin Kuramae’s pilot role prevented her evacuation. Selected for Fafner training, he initially struggled in combat, hiding during battles and avoiding footage to maintain confidence, yet expressed relief and admiration for fellow pilots Kazuki Makabe and Soushi Minashiro post-mission.
Shouko’s death ignited a "bitter determination" in Kouyou to demonstrate true protection to Kazuki and Soushi, whom he blamed for failing her. This resolve transformed him into a proficient Mark Vier pilot. His combat skills surged during later engagements: he rescued Sui Kaburagi’s Amaterasu unit from Festum assimilation, eliminated pursuing Festum to shield allies, and struck the decisive blow against an Azazel-type Festum weakened by Rina Nishio. After docking his Fafner, he reported sensing Mimika Mikagami’s soul within Tsukuyomi’s cockpit.
Emotionally, Kouyou visited significant sites: at the Hazama grave, he retrieved Canon Hazama’s hat, briefly envisioned Canon and Shouko, and vowed to protect their home. He later traveled to Rakuen to deliver Canon’s coordinates to Orihime Minashiro.
Piloting the Mark Vier Kai Abaddon in the Fifth Operation Azure, Kouyou breached enemy barriers, leveraged his Special Duty Performance to defeat multiple Festum, and sensed abducted children nearby. Confronting the Specter unit—which mimicked Abaddon’s form and abilities—he deduced its pilot was Maris Excelsior stalling for time. After Specter vanished post-rocket launch, he interpreted the disappearance of Kazuki Makabe’s heart as potentially beneficial. He later re-engaged Specter to block Legato from pursuing Kazuki and Soushi.