Kikka Kitamoto
Kikka Kitamoto, later known as Kikka Kobayashi, is a character appearing in the Mobile Suit Gundam series. Originally one of the three war orphans taken in by the White Base during the One Year War, she was later adopted by the Kobayashi family. She also serves as the main protagonist of the manga Mobile Suit Gundam Pulitzer: Amuro Ray Beyond the Aurora.
Overview
Kikka Kitamoto, later known as Kikka Kobayashi, is a character appearing in the Mobile Suit Gundam series. Originally one of the three war orphans taken in by the White Base during the One Year War, she was later adopted by the Kobayashi family. She also serves as the main protagonist of the manga Mobile Suit Gundam Pulitzer: Amuro Ray Beyond the Aurora.
Appearance
Kikka features European physical traits with blonde hair and blue eyes. Initially depicted as a four-year-old child, her hairstyle alters by the time she reaches eleven years of age. Visually, she is also depicted wearing white shorts, swimsuits, and a blue bikini.
Personality
Kikka is cheerful and energetic. Despite being the youngest of the three war orphans at four years old, she naturally assumed a central, leadership-like role among them. In her early childhood, she frequently uttered the phrase "Nyan nyan." As an adult, she shows independence and determination, refusing ghostwriter arrangements and taking full initiative to personally research the true story of Amuro Ray.
Abilities
Kikka possesses inherent Newtype traits, which allowed her to sense Amuro Ray escaping during the battle of A Baoa Qu. She also exhibits remarkable literary ability. While studying at St. Joseph University on the Moon, she won the Mount Fuji Publishing newcomer award in Universal Century 0093 and launched her career as a published fantasy novelist.
Background
Separated from her parents during the assault on Side 7, Kikka found refuge aboard the White Base. After the One Year War, she and her fellow orphans Katz Hawwin and Letz Cofan were adopted by Hayato Kobayashi and Fraw Bow, taking the surname Kobayashi. In Universal Century 0094, following the confirmed death of Amuro Ray, she decided to write a book exploring his true persona rather than his public myth, initiating interviews across the Earth Sphere with Fraw's support.
Relationships
Kikka shares a sibling relationship with Katz Hawwin and Letz Cofan, both of whom grew up with her on the White Base and were adopted into the Kobayashi household. Hayato Kobayashi and Fraw Bow acted as her adoptive parents, with Fraw providing crucial encouragement for her writing ambitions. Her desire to depict Amuro Ray stems from her childhood memories of him, and she turns to former shipmate and journalist Kai Shiden to aid her research process.
Trivia
Despite her distinctly Japanese surname Kitamoto, her physical character design reflects European heritage. She can be seen among the fleeing refugees as early as the first episode of Mobile Suit Gundam. Her transformation from a toddler running through the corridors of the White Base to a mature author and central character investigating history makes her arc notable.