Minami Hokutozai, a renowned reporter before the petrification, leveraged her vast network and meticulous research. Her name's translation to the cardinal directions formed the acronym "NEWS," a connection she saw as destiny for her journalism career. She took professional pride, explicitly refusing to use her appearance for information gathering. Among her interviewees were Ryusui Nanami—whose extravagance she disliked due to her own financial hardship—and Tsukasa Shishio, whom she long admired. Attempting to photograph the petrifying green light in Tokyo, she was frozen mid-action, her cherished camera shattering over millennia. Revived by Tsukasa, Minami embraced his vision of a pure world free from corrupt adults. Using her investigative skills, she selected individuals for revival based on perceived moral integrity. She expressed disdain for the old world's inequalities, believing the Stone World offered a chance for reform. Her loyalty to Tsukasa endured beyond his empire's fall, and she deeply mourned his cryogenic freezing. Senku Ishigami later redirected her focus, assigning her to find a skilled sailor. Despite initial reservations about his character, she reluctantly identified Ryusui. Her journalistic passion reignited when Senku recreated the camera. Overwhelmed with emotion at reclaiming her lost profession, she bartered her hidden revival fluid for it. Minami immediately began documenting the Kingdom of Science's efforts, including the Perseus voyage, organizing group photos fearing they might be final memories. Her role expanded during the voyage to America; her English fluency proved vital. She facilitated negotiations between Senku’s group and the American soldier Brody, with Nikki Hanada's forceful support ensuring an alliance that established the collaborative "Corn City" to revive millions. In South America, Minami assisted Brody in reactivating the petrification device. She helped locate Joel, a skilled watchmaker who disassembled and tested the device, petrifying himself to verify its function. Throughout this mission, she continued her documentation, capturing pivotal moments like Taiju and Yuzuriha's wedding. After civilization's restoration, she returned to journalism, producing documentary films about the Stone World era using her extensive photos and notes. Minami stands 166 cm tall with long blonde hair, brown eyes, and a notably curvy figure. She typically wears a burgundy paneled dress with a tan ribbon below the bust and a hollow headband used to conceal small items, rarely wearing shoes. Emotionally expressive, she cried upon receiving the camera, during the Perseus departure, and at Tsukasa's revival—blushing heavily when nervously greeting him. She exhibited curiosity about interpersonal relationships, probing into romances involving Chrome, Ruri, Kirisame, and Kinro. Though initially judgmental, she adjusted her views after reevaluating individuals like Ryusui, acknowledging his noble intentions despite his flamboyance. Her abilities centered on information gathering, using her pre-petrification network to uncover intricate details. She possessed acute observational skills, identifying distant objects like Senku’s machine gun mid-air. As a polyglot, she utilized English for diplomatic communications. Her photography expertise allowed her to expertly compose shots, creating a visual archive of the Kingdom of Science's achievements. Officially assessed as having low combat prowess but top-tier coverage skills, she contributed primarily through documentation and strategic intelligence.