Hayashio

Overview

Hayashio is a character in Kantai Collection based on the fifth vessel of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Kagerou-class destroyers. Assigned to the 15th Destroyer Division and the 2nd Torpedo Squadron, she stands out among her fleetmates for her bright, informal demeanor and contemporary high-schooler vibe. Despite her easygoing presentation, she takes pride in her role as a combat ship, carrying out her naval duties with a strong sense of responsibility as part of the elite torpedo squadron.

Appearance

Hayashio features semi-long black hair—the longest in the 15th Destroyer Division—and a beauty mark beneath her right eye. She wears a navy outfit consisting of a short-sleeved white shirt beneath a black vest, paired with a black pleated skirt, blue neck ribbon, white gloves, black knee-high socks, and loafers. Her body features a modest chest size. Her naval apparatus includes a back-mounted bridge with a torpedo tube and main gun, supplemented by two portable handgun-style weapons: a twin gun mount held in her right hand and an anti-aircraft mount in her left.

Personality

Hayashio possesses an outgoing, easygoing temperament, frequently communicating through modern slang and informal expressions. She holds high confidence in her personal appearance yet readily exhibits a dependent side, lacking culinary skill and relying on her older sister or the Admiral for her daily meals. Her interactions with the Admiral are marked by casual intimacy and clear affection. Nevertheless, she maintains deep pride in her assignments within the 2nd Torpedo Squadron; when confronting formidable superiors like Jintsuu, she immediately adopts a formal posture and pays proper respect.

Abilities

Upon reaching level 37, Hayashio undergoes her initial upgrade to Kai. In this form, she uniquely stands as the first destroyer capable of equipping both Landing Craft and Fleet Command Facilities simultaneously without requiring higher special remodels. She subsequently gains access to a further Kai Ni upgrade. In battle, she utilizes her specialized dual handguns—comprising a main battery and anti-aircraft weaponry—to perform light artillery support and naval engagements typical of her squadron.

Background

Modeled after the Japanese warship constructed at the Uraga Dockyard, Hayashio was introduced during the Spring 2022 Event, titled "Fight! R-Operation." Players obtained her as a completion reward after overcoming the final phase of Event Area 3, which featured the Abyssal South Sea Destroyer Princess as the enemy flagship. Her arrival marked the first addition of a Kagerou-class vessel since Oyashio in 2016. Drawing from her historical operational history, where she briefly served as a temporary flagship for the 2nd Torpedo Squadron, her lore reflects her transient command duties in northern and southern Pacific operations.

Relationships

Hayashio shares a close bond with her older sister Oyashio, relying heavily on her culinary skills while admiring her overall competence. She addresses her senior sisters, including Kagerou, Shiranui, and Kuroshio, with respectful sisterly titles. Within the 2nd Torpedo Squadron, she acknowledges former flagships Isuzu and Jintsuu, showing distinct intimidation and formal respect in Jintsuu's presence. Toward the Admiral, she displays straightforward affection, frequently initiating playful conversations and requesting meals together.

Trivia

The name Hayashio was inherited post-war by two separate submarines operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. In the game, she is one of the rare shipgirls who explicitly mentions her construction shipyard, Uraga Dockyard, during standard dialogue outside of the fleet encyclopedia entry. Additionally, her secondary upgrade, Kai Ni, was implemented merely 46 days after her initial debut, setting a remarkably swift record for character remodels.