Character survey
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy? He's 182 cm and looks muscular, somehow. I mean he wears lots of armor he should be muscular, right? D:
2. How old is he? Historically he should be like.. 54, ahaha, but he looks like in his twenties. I bet the game also.. doesn't think about this fact because he never ages. So I play him like 20-sth. :|
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch? He carries himself fairly well.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities? Fit with no problems whatsoever.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid? Fluid,I would say.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror? Well, he is pretty much designed as a handsome man. I guess he doesn't keep tooo much time in front of a mirror but so much that he won't look too disheveled.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred? He has a veeeery light tan. Whereever he got this from considering Echigo is apparantly known for being extremely snowy. xD Though it might also only look like that compared to.. Aya and Mitsunari.. and stuff.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style. Straight dark brown/blackish hair, usually in a ponytail.
9. What color are his eyes? They look grey-blueish to me.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features? I don't think so...
11. What are his chief tension centers? If I knew what that is...
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit? In game he has mainly white uniforms/armors, but he is also most time in battles there. I guess he will run around in yukatas and kimonos in his free time.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them? Yup.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences? Well, I doubt he will wear the armor outside of battles. SW3 cutscenes also show he takes his helmet off outside of battles. :|
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando? I have no idea tbh. xD
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse? Actually ridiculously deep, I was shocked when I heard it the first time (since his English SW2 voice was so cute D: ).
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate? Err, kind of loud, fast at times and usually he doesn't hesitate. xD
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics? Not that I know of.
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency? Japanese, very fluent.
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations? He switches to a more polite speech pattern with Kenshin and Aya. I would have to check up again if it's also the case with Kagekatsu. He's more rude with Masamune, though.
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words? Pretty much an impromptu speaker.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change? Eloquent, because he actually does all the talking for his lord Kagekatsu. :|
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart? Pretty smart, being the chief-advisor for the Uesugi and all. I think he has bits of both, as Kanetsugu is seen to study a lot, but since he also goes first hand into battles and things like that, he will have picked up stuff there as well.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate? It appears he thinks on his feet.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical? He's logical while being idealistic.
4. What kind of education has the character had? As a page of Lord Kenshin.. well education in battles and possibly sth else. Well, I think all in all a rather good one, it was the point why his parents had sent him there in the first place.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about? Strategy, battles, architecture and history are the ones I know about. Also LOVE and HONOR. I think he would be interested in techonology if he gets a chance to learn about it.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert? Extrovert.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven? I think he does have mood swings, but strikes me more as an even-tempered person. He's usually pretty cheerful and more driven.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic? Depends on the person, but usually enthusiastic.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react? Act.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight? Fight.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks? Yeah, yeah, but I doubt gallows humor, bathroom humor and pranks are his thing, though.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them? From the point of time I have taken him he suffers from an actual rather heavy depression with suicidal tendencies. Since Masamune basically told him to live and to carry on Yukimura's spirit he tries to swallow it up and does as being told, to see the world Masamune is going to create, but if anybody offers to kill him then he is willing to be killed. >> In Ruby he throws himself at almost everyone and their mother to get his dark thoughts elsewhere.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person? I guess being given away as a 5-years old child, Kenshin's and Aya's lessons, Kenshin's death and the following Otate no Ran, his friendship and oath with Mitsunari and Yukimura, his conflicts and arguements with Masamune, Mitsunari's death and everything that follows out of it (aka bowing to the Tokugawa, having to fight Yukimura etc)
14. What does he fear? Facing Mitsunari in the afterworld because he was so dishonorable, the fact that his friends might not forgive him for what he did.
15. What are his hopes or aspirations? He doesn't have those anymore. :| He used to want to build a land of honor and justice together with his friends, but ever since Mitsunari's death this dream is lost. The only thing motivating him to live is actually carrying on Mitsunari's and Yukimura's spirits.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him? He isn't really the secretive kind of guy, so.. probably nothing?
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents. His parents gave him away when he was five or so. I have no idea about their relationship tbh. (If I would use Tenchijin as a reference, it would be good. xD')
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like? I think he has a younger brother historically, but that one is never mentioned either.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand? Nope.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them? I think not exactly, no.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet? Well, he has two of those. Yukimura, whom Kanetsugu met when he was searching for aid from the Uesugi for the Sanada-clan in their fight againt Ieyasu. I guess there was something like an instant liking.
The other one would be Mitsunari, but they are saying nothing whatsoever about how they first met. If I would use SW2 as a reference, Kanetsugu was watching the Toyotomi fight in the battle of Shizukatage and admired Mitsunari's personality.
6. Does he have other close friends? Yeah, Keiji. Keiji had taken a very great liking on Kanetsugu since he thinks of Kanetsugu as a "good man" and frequently worries if Kanetsugu with his way of life will not crack some day. Well, he did. Oh, though how they exactly met is a mystery as well. Keiji is insanely devoted to Kanetsugu despite being portrayed as a "wild man".
I think he is also rather good friends with Masamune from the point of time I have taken him, as Masamune is pretty much the person who keeps him going. They used to have this love-hate/hate-love going on, but now they're allies and Masamune patiently listens to all of Kanetsugu's whining.
I also think he is more friends with his lord, Kagekatsu, rather than a normal lord-retainer-relationship, as Kagekatsu lets Kanetsugu take the lead more often than not.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people? I think most of the times he is easy to befriend, as long as you aren't downright dishonorable. :|
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends? I guess in his case friends.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once? Historically he is married to Osen, his cousin and never married someone again. I don't even know if I should take that marriage into canon or not, as SWC!Kanetsugu says he has lost everything after Osaka Summer Campaign, but his wife is actually alive at that point of time.
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse? Nope.
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest? I have no idea, probably his lord Kenshin or his lady Aya, I don't know. xD His latest was in Ruby Stray... and in his life.. probably Mitsunari and Yukimura, lol.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner? HONOR. No idea, tbh. xD
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any? Supposedly he had three daughters which were all adopted into the Honda-clan and a son who died relatively young. Historically, lol. Though I also read somewhere there were 6 kids all in all, I don't even know.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies? Yeah, his main rival is Masamune. The two clash a lot because of their contrary beliefs. He's also not so fond of the Tokugawa, Oda, Toyotomi... my god, he likes none of the three unifiers, does he? xD;;; Though the Oda are the only ones who stayed his enemy forever.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale? I just say bi. :|
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him? Considering historically he was a very loyal husband (since secondary wives and concubines were quite common), he had only one wife and there is no evidence about other women/concubines whatsoever so I think it's pretty important to him to have it just with your partner. Or something. I mean he is all about love anyways.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits? HONOR. I don't know. xD Really.
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life? I think he is quite religious and also follows the teachings of Confucius.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it? Ahaha.. err, yes. Raised mainly by Bishamonten and his love-crazed sister... honor and love are very on top of that list. Pretty much everything he does/did were inspired by those two factors.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent? Often pretty intolerant. xD' Though from time to time he tends to be a bit curious.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them? Money is dirty, profit is only bad, material trappings are impure and such stuff. This was pretty much taught to him and he believes it with all his heart.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt? I don't even know, but probably rich in comparison to most people of his time??
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him? Well, used to be page now is samurai and one of the top officers in the Uesugi-army. The change itself didn't affect his personality per se, I think.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others? Yonezawa, I presume? But I really have no idea how it is like and how it looks like. Uesugi had been stripped off quite a lot, after all x_X
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on? Weapons and books, I guess.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else? Samuraiiiiii. I don't even know, but currently he doesn't enjoy it. He would be rather dying, OTL. Also he builds castles(?), creating banks to prevent rivers from flooding and stuff.
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time? Books, love, honor, you know, the usual.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods? No idea, but I wouldn't be surprised if he skipped meals. Yeah he eats out and drinks alcohol, haha.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? White
2. Smell? Honor
3. Time of day? Morning/dawn
4. Season? spring
5. Book? Records of the Grand Historian
6. Music? Osaka Campaign OST D:
7. Place?
8. Substance?
9. Plant?
10. Animal? Squid? I mean I have no idea, lol
END
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