Chitose
Chitose is a character in Kantai Collection representing the lead ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Chitose-class seaplane tenders, who later undergoes historical re-fitting into a light aircraft carrier.
Overview
Chitose is a character in Kantai Collection representing the lead ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Chitose-class seaplane tenders, who later undergoes historical re-fitting into a light aircraft carrier.
Appearance
Chitose features grey eyes and long grey hair tied in a ponytail. Her standard attire consists of a white blouse, a cropped black jacket with a gold phoenix pattern, a short red hakama skirt, black pantyhose, and brown loafers equipped with rudders. In her light carrier Kai Ni form, her outfit gains green camouflage cloud patterns. Her seasonal appearances include autumn work clothes while holding a broom and sweet potato, and a rainy-season black poncho accompanied by sake cups and a flask.
Personality
Chitose possesses a relaxed, mature, and gentle personality. She remains attentive to her younger sister Chiyoda while showing deep affection and care toward the Admiral. She has a strong penchant for alcohol, often joining fleet mates like Jun'you for drinks and banquets.
Abilities
Initially serving as a seaplane tender capable of deploying seaplanes and executing pre-emptive torpedo attacks via Type A Kou-hyouteki midget submarines, Chitose transitions into a light carrier. Her hand-held crossbow catapults are replaced by a wooden puppet theater box, from which she launches and controls aircraft using marionette strings.
Background
In naval history, Chitose was constructed as a seaplane tender with refueling capabilities before being converted into a light aircraft carrier during World War II. She participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf, where she was sunk off Cape Engaño alongside Chiyoda. In the game, she undergoes up to five stages of remodeling from a seaplane tender to a top-tier light carrier.
Relationships
As the elder sister of the Chitose class, Chitose looks after her highly devoted younger sister Chiyoda with warm affection. She maintains a close drinking partnership with Jun'you and demonstrates high devotion toward the Admiral.
Trivia
The name Chitose originates from a classical phrase in the Huainanzi wishing for long life ("a crane lives for a thousand years"). The name was subsequently inherited by DE-220 Chitose, a Chikugo-class destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
