Myoukou

Overview

Myoukou is the first ship of the Myoukou-class heavy cruisers in Kantai Collection, personifying the historic Imperial Japanese Navy heavy cruiser named after Mount Myoukou. As the eldest of the four sisters, she fulfills the role of a reliable and gentle big sister within the fleet. Highly capable and caring towards the Admiral and her fellow shipgirls, she grows into a formidable combatant through her Kai Ni upgrade.

Appearance

Myoukou features thick eyebrows, straight-cut front bangs, and brown eyes. Her long black hair is styled into a braided single hair bun secured with hair ornaments and hairclips. She wears a purple jacket with short puffy sleeves, a black pencil skirt, long white gloves reaching her elbows, and white tights. A silhouette badge of the Type 22 surface radar rests on her chest. Her naval rigging includes 20.3 cm twin gun mounts on her shoulders, 61 cm quadruple torpedo tubes mounted on her waist and thigh straps, and split bridge components built into her gloves.

Personality

Myoukou possesses a polite, gentle, and nurturing demeanor, excelling in domestic skills such as cooking elaborate dishes. She constantly looks out for her sisters and the Admiral, earning immense trust as a dependable secretary ship. However, she takes promises very seriously; if neglected, she delivers lengthy, stern lectures that even her bold sister Ashigara fears.

Abilities

As a heavy cruiser, Myoukou combines strong firepower and torpedo attacks. Upon reaching her Kai Ni form, her luck stat increases significantly, making her exceptionally effective at landing powerful cut-in strikes during night battles. She operates 20.3 cm twin gun mounts, oxygen torpedoes, reconnaissance seaplanes, and surface radar.

Background

Designed under the Washington Naval Treaty by Yuzuru Hiraga, Myoukou was built at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal as a first-class heavy cruiser. She served throughout the Pacific War, surviving major engagements despite sustaining heavy damage and being involved in a collision with the destroyer Hatsukaze. Remaining afloat through the end of the conflict in Singapore, her legacy continues in the game as a core member of the Fifth Cruiser Division.

Relationships

Myoukou acts as a caring elder sister to Nachi, Ashigara, and Haguro. The destroyer Hatsukaze relies heavily on her, though their historical collision leaves Hatsukaze somewhat wary around her. She also shares a legacy connection with Atago through their modern Maritime Self-Defense Force namesakes.

Trivia

Myoukou became a prominent internet meme due to her highly dynamic medium-damage artwork, which captures the chaotic moment of being blown back by an explosion. Her voice lines reference a curry recipe served aboard the modern JMSDF Aegis destroyer Myoukou. Her name originates from Mount Myoukou in Niigata Prefecture, a name connected to the Buddhist concept of Mount Sumeru.