Movie
Description
Kobayashi is an ordinary human office worker and computer programmer at Jigokumeguri System Engineering Inc., whose life transforms after a chance encounter with a dragon. She has bright red hair, usually tied in a ponytail with loose bangs, hazel brown eyes, and wears glasses. Standing 160 cm tall with measurements of B70/W60/H70, she is frequently self-conscious about her flat chest, especially compared to buxom female dragons. Her standard office attire is a white button-up shirt, tie, and dark slacks, while casual wear includes light blue shirts, hoodies, yellow T-shirts, or light-brown cardigans.
Initially stoic and emotionally reserved, her personality evolves significantly through dragon interactions. She remains level-headed and pragmatic, often acting as the voice of reason. Generally kind-hearted and reliable, alcohol dramatically alters her behavior, making her rowdy, aggressive, and openly fixated on maids; this impulsivity led her to invite Tohru to live with her. Drinking also lowers her inhibitions about expressing affection, particularly toward Tohru. Chronic lower back pain and poor posture stem from her sedentary work habits.
Little is known about her childhood beyond her parents' absence from school events due to work and her fondness for burgers in elementary school. As an adult, she lives independently and rarely interacts with family. Her routine as a programmer shatters during a drunken mountain excursion where she extracts a divine sword from Tohru's back. This act, which should have driven her insane but possibly didn't due to her lack of religious faith, saves Tohru's life. In gratitude and love, Tohru takes human form and becomes Kobayashi's maid. Kobayashi later extends guardianship to Kanna Kamui, a young exiled dragon, forming a makeshift family unit.
Her character development focuses on emotional growth and relational bonds. Initially viewing Tohru purely as a maid and chastising non-human behavior, Kobayashi gradually acknowledges deeper affection. By Chapter 97 of the manga, she confesses reciprocal feelings for Tohru, admitting past struggles to define her emotions but accepting their mutual understanding. She becomes a steadfast maternal figure to Kanna, attending school events and supporting her daily needs. This protectiveness drives her to confront Kanna's father, Kimun Kamui, when he tries to reclaim Kanna for the dragon world – a conflict explored in the film *A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved*. In the film, she intervenes in a brewing dragon faction war, defends Kanna's choice to stay in the human world, and mends their fractured bond.
Relationships illustrate her evolution:
* **Tohru**: Their dynamic shifts from employer-employee to romantic partners, marked by Kobayashi's increased physical gestures like hand-holding and life-risking defense against threats like Tohru's father, Damocles.
* **Kanna Kamui**: Kobayashi works extended hours to attend school events, provides academic oversight, and offers emotional validation through head pats or treats.
* **Ilulu**: After initial hostility, Kobayashi helps Ilulu seek redemption, allowing her to live with them despite occasional annoyance.
* **Makoto Takiya**: A colleague and platonic friend with whom she shares interests in maids and butlers during casual drinks.
* **Elma**: As coworkers, Kobayashi assists Elma with workplace challenges, reflecting her support for dragons adjusting to human society.
Additional details include her surname meaning "small forest," food aversions to hijiki and eggplant, a preference for the alcohol brand Dragonslayer, and the manifestation of the sentient Holy Sword within her psyche after removing it from Tohru – an entity viewing Kobayashi as its "mother." She occasionally displays mischief, such as manipulating Tohru's feelings to incentivize cleaning.
Initially stoic and emotionally reserved, her personality evolves significantly through dragon interactions. She remains level-headed and pragmatic, often acting as the voice of reason. Generally kind-hearted and reliable, alcohol dramatically alters her behavior, making her rowdy, aggressive, and openly fixated on maids; this impulsivity led her to invite Tohru to live with her. Drinking also lowers her inhibitions about expressing affection, particularly toward Tohru. Chronic lower back pain and poor posture stem from her sedentary work habits.
Little is known about her childhood beyond her parents' absence from school events due to work and her fondness for burgers in elementary school. As an adult, she lives independently and rarely interacts with family. Her routine as a programmer shatters during a drunken mountain excursion where she extracts a divine sword from Tohru's back. This act, which should have driven her insane but possibly didn't due to her lack of religious faith, saves Tohru's life. In gratitude and love, Tohru takes human form and becomes Kobayashi's maid. Kobayashi later extends guardianship to Kanna Kamui, a young exiled dragon, forming a makeshift family unit.
Her character development focuses on emotional growth and relational bonds. Initially viewing Tohru purely as a maid and chastising non-human behavior, Kobayashi gradually acknowledges deeper affection. By Chapter 97 of the manga, she confesses reciprocal feelings for Tohru, admitting past struggles to define her emotions but accepting their mutual understanding. She becomes a steadfast maternal figure to Kanna, attending school events and supporting her daily needs. This protectiveness drives her to confront Kanna's father, Kimun Kamui, when he tries to reclaim Kanna for the dragon world – a conflict explored in the film *A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved*. In the film, she intervenes in a brewing dragon faction war, defends Kanna's choice to stay in the human world, and mends their fractured bond.
Relationships illustrate her evolution:
* **Tohru**: Their dynamic shifts from employer-employee to romantic partners, marked by Kobayashi's increased physical gestures like hand-holding and life-risking defense against threats like Tohru's father, Damocles.
* **Kanna Kamui**: Kobayashi works extended hours to attend school events, provides academic oversight, and offers emotional validation through head pats or treats.
* **Ilulu**: After initial hostility, Kobayashi helps Ilulu seek redemption, allowing her to live with them despite occasional annoyance.
* **Makoto Takiya**: A colleague and platonic friend with whom she shares interests in maids and butlers during casual drinks.
* **Elma**: As coworkers, Kobayashi assists Elma with workplace challenges, reflecting her support for dragons adjusting to human society.
Additional details include her surname meaning "small forest," food aversions to hijiki and eggplant, a preference for the alcohol brand Dragonslayer, and the manifestation of the sentient Holy Sword within her psyche after removing it from Tohru – an entity viewing Kobayashi as its "mother." She occasionally displays mischief, such as manipulating Tohru's feelings to incentivize cleaning.