Natsuki Kuga

From Mai-HiME Wiki

Natsuki Kuga is a strong-willed and forceful individual known for being a truant, she rides a fictional Ducati model sportsbike called Ducati DRIII.^[1] Her only friend at the start of the series is Shizuru Fujino; she prefers to work alone, but over the course of the series warms up to Mai Tokiha. Natsuki also works with Kaiji Sakomizu and Yamada to carry out her missions during the course of the series.

[edit] Actions

Natsuki makes her first appearance in episode 1 as a mysterious figure chasing after Mikoto Minagi, who is picked up by a ferry that Mai Tokiha is riding. After a battle, Natsuki warns Mikoto and Mai against going to the academy, though her warning goes unheeded.

Initially, Natsuki doesn't want to work with Mikoto or Mai, but the tension between them is broken in episode 4 when Mai helps Natsuki with her lingerie crisis. As the series progresses and the three fight off the various Orphans at the academy, they become friends. However, she takes an immediate disliking to Nao Yuuki when the two meet in episode 7.

Natsuki's purpose for fighting is revealed in episode 9 when the three girls investigate an old First District lab. Natsuki tells the others that she wants revenge on the First District for causing the death of her mother, a researcher for the First District.

Natsuki rescues Akane Higurashi from a privately controlled hospital in episode 13; Akane later reveals to Natsuki in episode 17 the link between a Child and the HiME's most important person. Natsuki and Nao become the first HiMEs to fight each other in episode 18.

In episode 20, Natsuki learns from John Smith that her mother actually attempted to sell her to the Searrs Foundation, rather than attempting to protect her. This sends Natsuki into depression, preventing her from summoning her Element or Child and allowing her to be caught by Nao.

Natsuki is saved by Shizuru and later finds out that Shizuru is actually in love with her. Surprised, Natsuki rejects her in episode 23, causing Shizuru to go insane. Natsuki later confronts Shizuru in an emotional battle in episode 25, which ends with the deaths of the two after Natsuki kisses Shizuru and orders Duran to fire. They are later revived in episode 26 with the other HiME and destroy the HiME Star. The official guidebook suggests that Natsuki's relationship with Shizuru becomes deeper as time goes on. And in the novel, "Natsuki Prelude" (also in the artbooks vol 1, 2), there's a backstory of Natsuki revealing that while she sent Takeda a rejection note (she thanked him and also apologized for not returning his feelings) she told herself that there was someone's feelings she must accept, referring to Shizuru (She was contemplating this in episode 25, after a conversation with Sakomizu only seen in "Natsuki's Prelude").

[edit] Element and Child

Natsuki's Elements are a pair of small pistols, with the spheres on the pistols providing it with unlimited ammunition.^[2] She also displays knowledge of hand-to-hand fighting techniques.^[3][4] Natsuki's HiME mark is located on her lower left back, an area said to be governed by Leo, her zodiac sign.

Natsuki's Child is Duran, a silver wolflike creature named after her deceased pet dog. It has a pair of cannons on its back, and in its hind legs are several different types of projectiles: Silver Cartridges create icicles, Chrome Cartridges are conventional explosive charges, and Flash Cartridges produce a blinding light. Duran is also capable of close-combat fighting, and it can transform into a hoverbike that Natsuki can ride. Natsuki's most important person is Shizuru.

Natsuki remains the same in the manga except she appears able to control ice to some extent erecting an ice wall in Chapter 15 to protect Tate. She, along with Mai, still has her HiME mark on her lower-left back.^[5]

Natsuki's Child in the manga is Duran, similar to the anime version but named after the doll her mother gave her. It has the same cartridges as the anime version, although Silver Cartridges actually freeze the target. It also fires Diamond Cartridges, which freeze the molecules of their target.^[6] Natsuki's Key is Yuuichi Tate in the manga version. Duran is probably short for Durandal, the legendary sword of the knight Roland.

[edit] References

1. ↑ My-HiME anime, episode 2
2. ↑ "My-HiME: Characters". Accessed April 8, 2007.
3. ↑ My-HiME anime, episode 1
4. ↑ My-HiME anime, episode 15
5. ↑ My-HiME manga, chapter 18, page 3
6. ↑ My-HiME manga, chapter 40, page 13