Koji Kabuto is a legendary name in the Earth Sphere - the boy who piloted Mazinger Z and defeated Doctor Hell in 0086, and went on to become a scientist who helped spearhead the revolution of Japan's energy industry through the light of Photon Power (though he'd tell you himself that Sayaka Yumi deserves more of the credit for that). While his scientific drive, engineering skills and fascination with the cosmos keep him committed to this duty, Koji has found that merely being a distant observer to the ongoing struggles of the Earth Sphere and a consultant to the Londo Bell task force is dissatisfying, and has once again embraced his urge to fight - this time not for vengeance against a distant tyrant but to protect the peace of the innocent. A man given to passion and instinct, his straightforward approach to life belies a warrior's cunning, and the hard-learned kindness he relies upon as an adult conceals a core of fury at the cruelties of the world, carefully stoked into a blaze to be cast upon wicked gods and cruel devils alike – no matter what facade those beings might wear.

Koji Kabuto

IC Information
Full Name:	Koji Kabuto
Gender:	Male (He/Him)
Species:	Natural
Age (Birthdate):	28 (19th February 0069)
Hair Colour:	Brown
Eye Colour:	Dark Grey
Height:	5'8" (172.72cm)
Job:	PhD (Quantum and Particle Physics), Retired Hero
Homeland:	Fujinomiya City, Japan
Awakening:	1
Primary Unit:	Mazinger Z
BGM:	Mazinger Z Infinity Theme
OOC Information
Origin:	Mazinger Z Infinity
Factions:	Londo Bell
Player:	Jet Pilder

Background

The history of Koji Kabuto and Mazinger Z defies conventional Earth Sphere wisdom on giant robot fighting, in that he was a perfectly normal teenage motorcycle delinquent before Baron Ashura showed up to kill his grandfather and he became the pilot of Mazinger Z without any prior training or specialised indoctrination to make him a living weapon. With the help of his now-girlfriend Sayaka Yumi and the resources of the Photon Power Research Institute, Doctor Hell's Kikaiju army was demolished by, ultimately, ordinary people.

Nowadays he works as a researcher, advancing the understanding and applications of the technology discovered by his grandfather to better the quality of life for all persons living in the Solar System, though that flame of passion he had during his battles still smoulders from the injustices perpetrated by the Federation upon its people. A sufficiently large threat could stoke that flame to its old heights once more, and call forth the Castle of Iron to stand in defence of the downtrodden again.

Resources

A high-ranking scientist in the Photon Power Research Institute, Koji has a strong understanding of the properties of Japanium and Photon Power, as well as a tinkerer's personality to help him make upgrades to machines he finds in need of it, or perhaps build new ones.

The recent revelations unearthed in the wake of the Colossal Mazin's appearance under Mount Fuji have spurred Koji to begin experimenting with the interdimensional properties of Photon Power, chiefly to develop a method of wirelessly beaming energy to anywhere in the Earth Sphere without transmission disruption from Minovsky saturation.

Timeline

[0069] Born in Tokyo, Japan.
[0076] Younger brother Shiro Kabuto is born.
[0079] The One Year War sweeps across Earth. During a secret joint project, an accident claims the lives of Hikari and Kenzo Kabuto, Koji's mother and father (in truth, Juzo Kabuto manages to save his son by turning him into a cyborg, and Kenzo goes into hiding). Koji and Shiro are moved into the care of their grandfather, Juzo Kabuto, though since he is more focused on his work, this task is mostly left up to his housekeeper, Rumi.
[0079-0083] Koji becomes more reckless and angry in the wake of the combined traumas of the One Year War and losing most of his family. Shiro becomes his highest priority, and his school performance begins to decay. He learns to drive a motorcycle, performing incredibly foolhardy stunts just to feel something again.
[0083] Baron Ashura visits the Kabuto estate and kills Rumi. Shiro, witnessing this, calls Koji home. The two race to their grandfather's private laboratory only to see it explode. Exploring the rubble, they discover Juzo dying - and the mighty giant robot Mazinger Z, the weapon Juzo built to fight Doctor Hell. Warned that Mazinger's power could turn him into a devil or a god, Koji takes to the pilot seat - and is discovered by Sayaka Yumi of the Photon Power Lab, which functionally adopts Koji and Shiro and helps them move to Fujinomiya City. Sayaka coaches Koji in piloting a Mazin-style mobile weapon. Koji meets Boss and his gang, forming a rivalry that quickly solidifies into a dependable friendship. The war against Doctor Hell begins.
[0084] Doctor Saotome and Professor Gennosuke Yumi discuss a long-term alliance of the fledgling Mazin Corps and Getter Robo after a Kikaiju and a Mechasaur attack the same location and Koji and Ryoma immediately butt heads upon arriving at the scene.
[0085] Enraged by the lack of action over the 30 Bunch Incident, Koji immediately becomes an Earthside loyalist of the AEUG, though Mazinger Z remains focused on the Kikaiju problem.
[0086] Despite mistrust of the Titans, their support allows Doctor Hell to be defeated. The Titans begin to plan hostile takeovers of the Photon Power and Saotome Labs.
[0087] With the Titans' attempts to seize power in the idiosyncratic scientific institutions foiled, the Photon Power Lab pledges support to the AEUG alongside Saotome Labs. After the Gryps Conflict and the Primeval War, Koji and Sayaka retire from piloting and travel to New Yark to study.
[0088] The Mycenae Empire emerges. Koji discovers his father is alive, and adopted two kids to fight the Mycenaeans on his behalf. Near the end of the year, Koji returns to the battlefield to support Great Mazinger. Personality clashes between himself and Tetsuya Tsurugi lead to Kenzo Kabuto sacrificing himself to open the way to the Mycenaeans' defeat. Koji battles and defeats Doctor Hell; Tetsuya confronts the Emperor of Darkness.
[0089] The Britannian Union of Solar Energy invades South Japan, and Professor Yumi, newly-made Prime Minister, surrenders in favour of a peace deal. The Photon Power Lab, forbidden from acting, watches the border wall between Japan and the renamed "Area 11" be built almost literally on their doorstep.
[0090] In December, Musashi Tomoe sacrifices himself by detonating Getter Robo's reactor, destroying New Yark in a last-ditch move to prevent the Dinosaur Empire from terraforming North Britannia into a more suitable habitat for Saurians. The Photon Power Lab, again prohibited from action, grieves the loss of a comrade and friend.
[0091] The Gutsy Galaxy Guard, other friends of the Photon Power Lab, are exiled from the Earth Sphere. Sayaka Yumi senses the changing winds and takes charge of the Photon Power Research Institute as its new Director, focusing on increasing the organization's indispensability to the OCU, with political backing from her father, in order to prevent the Federation shuttering or seizing control of it.
[0092] Koji completes his interrupted studies, gaining a doctorate in Particle Physics, and begins to study a second doctorate in Quantum Theory.
[0093-0096] The world goes to hell in a handbasket.
[0096] In January, a colossal Mazin appears under Mt. Fuji as though it had always been there, waiting to be discovered. The Photon Power Research Institute names it Mazinger Infinity.

Relationships

Immediate Family

Name	Affiliation	Relationship	Notes
Kenzo Kabuto	Science Fortress Lab	Father (deceased)	"I'd only learned he was alive for a couple of weeks before he died. He was a great man; but was he a good one?"
Juzo Kabuto	Photon Power Research Institute	Grandfather (deceased)	"The man who warned me about becoming a devil or a god. I'm still mulling over the damage he left behind."
Shiro Kabuto	OCU Forces	Younger Brother	"Shiro's grown up to be a better man than me, I think, but he'll still be kiddo to me. Even so - we have each other's backs, no matter what."
Tetsuya Tsurugi	NERV	Adoptive Brother	"Things were rough at first, especially after dad died... But we worked through it, and we're unstoppable together. Mess with the Mazinger Brothers at your peril."
Jun Hono Tsurugi	Civilian	Adoptive Sister	"She's smart and kind and gentle, a woman I really look up to. Tetsuya's a lucky man, to be starting a family with such a strong spirit at his side."
Gai Tsurugi	Baby	Nephew	"I'm an uncle!! Kinda wild to think about. That baby is SO ADORABLE."
Gennosuke Yumi	Prime Minister of Free Japan	Mentor and Father Figure	"I respect Old Man Yumi for helping me through the war with Doctor Hell, but... I wish he'd use his position to make more overt change."
Sayaka Yumi	Photon Power Research Institute Director	<404: Sufficient Words Not Found>	"We'll take on the world, side by side. She's such an incredible woman, but sometimes all the thoughts in my brain smush together when I look at her."
Boss, Nuke and Mucha	Boss Ramen	Former Rival and cronies	"We've been through a lot together! Visiting their ramen shop always helps me get through a creative or emotional slump."
LiSA	Mazinger Infinity?	Administrative Interface	"What kind of machine produces a person to act as its interface? Still, she's a smart kid and I can't help to want to protect her. She seems... familiar, somehow?"

Treasured Bonds

Name	Affiliation	Relationship	Notes
Sayla Mass	Civilian?	Old Friend	"I wish she'd trusted us enough to tell us her secret, but I get why she'd hold onto it. She'll need support more than ever, I suspect."
Leina Ashta	Civilian?	Honorary Little Sister	"Judau Ashta's younger sister, Sayla's ward, and Shiro's ex-girlfriend; a dear friend to the Photon Power Research Institute three times over. What's been done to her is unforgivable and I'm going to make them pay."
Guy Shishioh	3G Green (NERV)	Close Comrade	"Even the King of Braves would struggle with fighting his friends. Another one who I feel frankly inadequate trying to help... But we pay our good fortune forward wherever we can."
Mamoru Amami and Ikumi Kaidou	3G Blue (NERV)	Family Friends	"Shiro's best friends, the pilots of GaoGaiGo, who've been helping fight terrible monsters since the bad old days. They're good kids, as eager to save their comrades as they are to protect the Earth Sphere from the ravages of the Oath Over Omega, and I'll have their back while they do it."
Kamille Bidan	Londo Bell	AEUG Comrade	"Another friend who retired to get an Education. I'm glad he's come through okay and is putting his knowledge to use where it's needed."
Judau Ashta	Civilian	AEUG Comrade	"A good big brother knows his equal and that's more than enough for me to commit to the friendship. I'm glad he's back from Jupiter."
Roux Louka	Londo Bell	AEUG Comrade	"Judau's girlfriend, a stylish young woman who's put herself on the line for our sakes time and time again. I hope I can help her figure out what's going on with her abilities."

Professional Courtesies

Name	Affiliation	Relationship	Notes
Shiho Hahnenfuss	ZAFT	Former Intern	"We couldn't prevent her from getting deported back to the PLANT and now she's on the opposite side of this awful war. I hope she's doing okay. I want to rebuild our relationship; if I can find a way to help her or her people... I'll take it."
Riika Sheder	Three Ships Alliance	Acquaintance	"I thought she might be able to put me back in touch with Shiho but then she got betrayed by ZAFT and wound up with the Three Ships Alliance. Still; worth keeping in touch with her, her help with Tsutsujidai was invaluable."
Bright Noa	Londo Bell	AEUG Comrade	"The Admiral of Londo Bell. he's doing his best with what little the Federation deigns to give us, but the man is clearly overworked."
Lin Xiahe	Civilian?	Old Friend	"She just turned up again after nine years in the wind, and she seems... deeply sad, somehow. A younger me would have missed it, but..."
Kyosuke Nanbu	Londo Bell	New Comrade	"This kid is... There's something vaguely Tetsuya-shaped about him. I wonder if that 'accident' is going to follow him - best keep an eye on him."

Unshaped Futures

Name	Affiliation	Relationship	Notes
Banagher Links	Civilian	Proteɡé	"A boy with a giant robot possessed of the power of potential, thrust upon him by his father. The parallels are not lost on me; I have to help him."
Audrey Burne	Civilian (Honest)	Protected	"Who is she? I can't tell you that. What matters is: She's precious to Leina and Banagher."
Nidaime	Tsutsujidai?	New Friend	"Sayla's niece, but also a kaiju from the 'Cognitive Realm' burdened with a duty that's hurting her to fulfil. Maybe there's a way to help..."
Akane Shinjo	3G	New Acquaintance	"Her troubles with her kaiju reminded me so much of Rhine X1 and Lorelei. I won't let that happen ever again, and I've promised to help her as best I can. She's sharper than she lets on."
Asuka Shikinami Langley	NERV	Kindred Spirit?	"An interesting young lady, one of NERV's EVA pilots who's clearly grappling with some deep-seated anger. I get, I think, why Tetsuya's so invested in being close to these kids. Maybe she needs a willing ear."
Liam 7-020	NERV	Proteɡé?	"This kid really reminds me of Tetsuya, in all the good and bad ways. At least that means he's got a bright future ahead of him. A cu with a spear of light, huh? Embrace it, Liam. Even if it damns you, you'll have lived true to yourself."
Qivi	Wanzer Gladiator	Respect	"Anyone who can yell like that and throw themselves into the fray at the helm of a wanzer is a friend the Photon Power League would dearly love to keep - and her sense of justice is just what we're looking for, too."
Rita Bernal	Burning Visionary	Protectiveness	"How old was she when she saw the course of her entire life laid out before her? Even if you put yourself through bad things because you saw you 'had' to do it, they're still bad things. I hope we can show her that the future doesn't have to be a single path, and that something better can be carved out from it."
Zero and the Black Knights	Revolutionaries	Uncertainty	"I don't know how to feel about them. They're supposedly fighting to push back the Britannian Occupation, but between the Behemoth and their leader seemingly putting Tsutsujidai at risk just to steal a new machine... I don't trust 'em. What's the point of crushing an oppressor if there's nobody left when you're done?"

Established Hostilities

Name	Affiliation	Relationship	Notes
Yuliana Kafim	Fugitive	Mistrust	"That wedding was... impressive. The Ashura vibes I got from the happy couple were off the scale, though. Even so; she didn't deserve to be treated like that by her own nation, and the Institute for Continuing Study being reduced to smouldering rubble is no less than it deserves."
Doctor Hell	Doctor Hell	Arch-Nemesis	"'Citizen Hell'??? Bullshit. There's no way now, after everything he's done, that Wilhelm von Hell is on the level... That said, the proper thing to do is to treat with him in the way he chooses to present himself. If it turns out it was a scheme the whole time? We'll deal with it."
Baron Ashura	Doctor Hell	Enemy	"The lovers cybernetically returned from death and joined together by Doctor Hell and sworn in as one of his generals."
Gamia NX-2	Baron Ashura	Enemy	"New Gamia units, but this one is... different. I hope I can reach her as a person, and stop what happened to the previous units from repeating itself."
Count Brocken	Doctor Hell	Enemy	"A decapitated soldier resuscitated by Doctor Hell as another cyborg general. His cruelty is masked by a veneer of civility, which I've never enjoyed in an individual."
Britannian Union	Its Emperor	Totalitarian Scum	If it weren't for Photon Power, Japan would be starved and ripe for invasion for whatever it is Charlie wants from us. Even then it's plain to see that another invasion is just a sword of Damocles hanging over our heads; but the Photon Power Lab will stand ready for that day."
Atrytone	Herself?	Enemy	"In defeating us, she proved the strength of her conviction. We'll show her that our conviction is just as strong."
Alexis Kerib	Himself	Enemy	"There's so many things I'd like to say to the entity manipulating Akane Shinjo, but they get swallowed up by anger. I'm not gonna let him get away with what he's doing. And he's moving at the same time as the Vists? It's like he's mocking us all."
Martha Vist Carbine	The Vist Foundation	Enemy	"You came for us, Carbine, but you didn't crush us, and that's your first mistake. We'll get Puru-1 out of there, and you'll learn the hard way just how far the Photon Power Lab will go to protect others."
Murasame Labs	Murasame Labs	Ideological Anathema	"They should have been ripped to shreds after Gryps, yet here they are, acting like the Mycenaeans and torturing kids into becoming pilots for horrible weapons. They're going down."

Mysteries

Name	Affiliation	Relationship	Notes
Photon Power	The Photon Power Research Institute	Potential	"Discovered by my grandfather, the Light emitted by Japanium promises to lift the Earth Sphere into a bright future of free energy, if the Federation government can get off its asses and let us in. That said, we're discovering more curiosities about its behaviour by the day. Research continues."
Mazinger Infinity	Itself?	Curiosity	"What is this Mazin? It's large enough that Z or Great could pilot it, and its construction defies our current understanding of Super Alloy Z and Photon Power. We can learn great things from this discovery."
Elisa Kafim	Yuliana Kafim	Existential Threat	"Seemingly fundamentally intertwined with Yuliana, the rampant power of the Void has stifled even the infinite light of Photon Power, and exposure to vessels for it seems to drive people mad. Research mandatory... If we can do it safely."
The Oath Over Omega	The Cosmos	Existential Threat	"The compressed energy of the universe that drives those exposed to it to destroy intelligent life in order to prevent the advent of entropy-defying 'miracles'. Ironically, that's the kind of thing that drives humanity to seek out 'miracles' of our own to push it back."

Logs

Cutscenes

Koji Kabuto

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