TV-Series
Description
Kei Narutani, a Chinese-Japanese teenager, evacuates from besieged Shanghai to Japan as the technologically superior Xi group attacks. During the perilous sea evacuation, Xi fighters assault the refugee fleet. Kei witnesses a unique fighter aircraft repel the attackers before crashing. He impulsively rescues the pilot, discovering a girl later identified as Gripen, forging an immediate emotional bond.
Driven by the earlier Xi ambush that killed his mother, an air show pilot flying a Cessna, Kei seeks revenge. This motivates him to join the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. In Japan, he investigates the crashed fighter's origins and attempts to infiltrate the military facility storing it, leading to his capture by secret service agents.
The agents reveal the fighter is a retrofitted Swedish JAS 39F Gripen, a "Daughter" incorporating reverse-engineered Xi HiMAT and EPCM technology. Such aircraft require "Anima" units—cyborg girls like Gripen, grown around salvaged Xi components—to function optimally. Observing the emotional dependency Gripen formed on Kei during their first encounter, supervising developer Haruka Yashirodōri recruits him. Kei becomes Gripen's partner and weapon systems officer, serving as her essential emotional anchor to stabilize her flight performance and prevent her decommissioning due to inherent defects.
Physically, Kei possesses greenish-black hair with bangs hanging on the right side and emerald-green eyes. He is frequently depicted in practical attire: a dark blue undershirt with a lighter blue overshirt or green military-style flight overalls during missions.
His relationship with childhood friend Minghua Song is complex. They evacuate Shanghai together after she loses her parents. Minghua harbors romantic feelings, considering herself his girlfriend, while Kei remains oblivious, viewing her primarily as an older sister figure. This dynamic causes tension, especially when Minghua fears his military enlistment will get him killed.
Within the Anima project, Kei's presence critically stabilizes Gripen, who suffers from emotional instability and prolonged operational limitations without him. He interacts with other Anima units: Eagle, a skilled but capricious F-15J pilot; Phantom, a tactical reconnaissance specialist whose initial condescension warms after Kei aids her; and Viper Zero, a mute Anima he perceives as resembling Minghua due to her empathic reflector ability. He witnesses the corruption and destruction of the American Anima, Rhino, when compromised by the Xi during a joint operation.
His name reflects personal traits: "Kei" (慧) means "intelligent," while "Narutani" combines "ringing" (鳴) and "valley" (谷).
Across the series, Kei evolves from a grief-driven teenager into a dedicated military operative. His bond with Gripen deepens through combat missions, including a failed operation to retake Shanghai resulting in Rhino’s destruction. Despite setbacks, his resolve to combat the Xi remains steadfast, reinforced by his role as Gripen’s emotional anchor and his integration into the Anima unit.
Driven by the earlier Xi ambush that killed his mother, an air show pilot flying a Cessna, Kei seeks revenge. This motivates him to join the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. In Japan, he investigates the crashed fighter's origins and attempts to infiltrate the military facility storing it, leading to his capture by secret service agents.
The agents reveal the fighter is a retrofitted Swedish JAS 39F Gripen, a "Daughter" incorporating reverse-engineered Xi HiMAT and EPCM technology. Such aircraft require "Anima" units—cyborg girls like Gripen, grown around salvaged Xi components—to function optimally. Observing the emotional dependency Gripen formed on Kei during their first encounter, supervising developer Haruka Yashirodōri recruits him. Kei becomes Gripen's partner and weapon systems officer, serving as her essential emotional anchor to stabilize her flight performance and prevent her decommissioning due to inherent defects.
Physically, Kei possesses greenish-black hair with bangs hanging on the right side and emerald-green eyes. He is frequently depicted in practical attire: a dark blue undershirt with a lighter blue overshirt or green military-style flight overalls during missions.
His relationship with childhood friend Minghua Song is complex. They evacuate Shanghai together after she loses her parents. Minghua harbors romantic feelings, considering herself his girlfriend, while Kei remains oblivious, viewing her primarily as an older sister figure. This dynamic causes tension, especially when Minghua fears his military enlistment will get him killed.
Within the Anima project, Kei's presence critically stabilizes Gripen, who suffers from emotional instability and prolonged operational limitations without him. He interacts with other Anima units: Eagle, a skilled but capricious F-15J pilot; Phantom, a tactical reconnaissance specialist whose initial condescension warms after Kei aids her; and Viper Zero, a mute Anima he perceives as resembling Minghua due to her empathic reflector ability. He witnesses the corruption and destruction of the American Anima, Rhino, when compromised by the Xi during a joint operation.
His name reflects personal traits: "Kei" (慧) means "intelligent," while "Narutani" combines "ringing" (鳴) and "valley" (谷).
Across the series, Kei evolves from a grief-driven teenager into a dedicated military operative. His bond with Gripen deepens through combat missions, including a failed operation to retake Shanghai resulting in Rhino’s destruction. Despite setbacks, his resolve to combat the Xi remains steadfast, reinforced by his role as Gripen’s emotional anchor and his integration into the Anima unit.