Character Profiles

Warning: Some spoilers contained below! Read at your own risk!

Akito Tenkawa	Tenkawa Akito, full-time cook, part-time pilot on board the Nadesico. He was the sole survivor from Utopia colony on Mars after an attack from the Jovian Lizards. How he survived the disaster was unknown. He joins the crew of the Nadesico after finding out that Yurika, who was his childhood friend, had also joined the ship as its captain. He is also one heck of a lucky guy, since it seems that almost every female character onboard the Nadesico has a crush on him. Unfortunately for him, he seems to be undecided on who his feelings are directed towards. He is also a big fan of Gekiganger, especially so after Gai's death in order to carry on his legacy.
Yurika Misumaru	Misumaru Yurika, captain of the most advanced battleship and a complete air-head. She was chosen to command the Nadesico because of her father's position in the United Force's Navy and her top score from the Academy. Although she seems completely dim-witted at times, she is still a capable captain who cares deeply for her crew. She is Akito's childhood friend from Mars, and has developed a crush on him ever since. Her favorite past-times are singing and meditating. She also tends to ignore other people's reactions to her, and lives in her own little dream world most of the time.
Ruri Hoshino	Ruri Hoshino, ship's computer's expert and smartest member of the crew. As a child she was raised to be part of the crew of the Nadesico, and her very first words were "Father, mother, Archimedes, Pi." Although she is only 12 years old in the series, it seems she is also the only sane character and she demonstrates the fact by calling everyone else "baka!" My favorite character on the show, she becomes the captain in the movie that was released in 1998. There are numerous pages dedicated to Ruri on the web.
Megumi Rainerd	Megumi Rainerd, communications officer and former seiyuu (voice actor). Before joining the crew of the Nadesico she worked on "Magical Girl Laichi". Deeply caring and passionate, she develops feelings towards Akito, and considers Yurika as her rival, although Yurika is too air-headed to even notice. She is unsure about the current war, and wish that Akito would just stop fighting. Unfortunately, this attitude has put herself into trouble on more than one occasion. Still, she remains a valuable part of the Nadesico crew.
Minato Haruka	Minato Haruka, operations officer and former secretary of the president of the Earth Union. A passionate woman, she falls in love with one of the "Jovian" lizards who tragically gets killed in front of her. She quitted her job as secretary of the president because she felt it was too boring for her. Her new job, however, does not seem to be any improvement as she still seems to be spending most of her time reading magazines and taking naps.
Yamada Jiro / "Daigouji Gai"	Yamada Jiro, or "Daigouji Gai" as he likes to be called, is the ace pilot onboard the Nadesico in the beginning. He is obsessed with Gekiganger; in fact, he believes that he is living in Gekiganger. You can say that he is a 70's style anime character living in a 90's anime series. At first he is suspicious of Akito, who to him seems to be taking his spotlight. However, when he discovered that he also liked Gekiganger, the two become fast friends and even become roommates. Unfortunately, he only gets to remain onboard the Nadesico for a very short time...
Jun Aoi	Jun Aoi, second in command of the Nadesico and Yurika's good friend. He has a major crush on Yurika, but unfortunately the captain is too occupied with Akito to pay any attention to him. A skilled pilot and tactician, he is also sometimes rather air-headed. He oftens get very jealous of Akito and Yurika's attention on him.
Ryoko Subaru	Ryoko Subaru, talented pilot who lives for battle. She is rather boyish-like, and speaks in a masculine tone all the time. She joins the crew of the Nadesico as one of the pilots of the Aestvalis squadron. She also develops a crush on Akito, but unlike Megumi and Yurika she tries to hide the fact from people. Unfortunately for her, that attitude tends to make her seem aloof.
Hikaru Amano	Hikaru Amano, Aestvalis pilot and huge Anime fan. She often acts like a child, despite the fact that she can also be very serious in some situations. Her piloting skills are superb, as are her skills with models and action figures. Although Seiya develops a crush on her later on in the series, she rejects him on the basis that they are good friends.
Izumi Maki	Izumi Maki, another Aestvalis pilot and somewhat strange. She is a dark and confusing woman, often making puns that seems to make absolutely no sense, and finding humor in them. However, she can also change into a very serious person in a flash. Her past has been a tragic one, as both of her former fiances were killed.
Ines Fresange	Ines is the scientist that the Nadesico rescues after they arrive on Mars. Her strongest point seems to be explaining things, even if she does take some time to arrive at the point in her explanations. After joining the crew she quickly becomes one of the most valuable member, using her knowledge and experience to aid the ship in many circumstances. She also seems to have some sort of connection with Akito, although I won't spoil it for you here.
Erina Won	Erina Won, former secretary of the chairman of Nergal and helm officer onboard the Nadesico. She arrives onboard the Nadesico under orders from Nergal to keep an eye on the crew. She also seems to have develop a crush on Akito later on in the series, although she tries to ignore it. She and Akatsuki seems to have an uncanny interest in the Nadesico and Akito in particular. A strong-willed woman, she can also be uncharacteristically out-of-control at times.
Akatsuki Nagare	Akatsuki Nagare, master pilot and womanizer. He is one of the best pilots, and his attitude suggests that he acknowledges that fact. At times with odds at Akito and the rest of the Nadesico, he nevertheless proves himself valuable during times of battle. She and Erina seems to be hiding something. He also seems to have some sort of motive directed towards the captain, sometimes to the dismay of Akito.
Seiya Uribatake	Seiya is the chief mechanic onboard the Nadesico. His job is to ensure the safe and continous running of both the ship and its Aestvalis units. Although he tries to pick up women constantly, none of the female crew members seem to have develop any positive feelings at all towards him. Seiya also has a wife and a daughter, although it would seem he is not particularly fond of them in the beginning when she literally asks to be taken away by Nergal.
Gort	Gort was hired to serve aboard the Nadesico after the Prospector showed him a considerable amount of money as his salary. He is the former boyfriend of Minako, although his aloof attitude tends to make him appear like a rock at times. However, despite his aloofness he is still a very capable officer, and makes himself valuable to the Nadesico.
Prospector	Prospector is the master accountant sent from Nergal to keep track of the Nadesico's expenses. A canny man, he seems to be working for many sides at the same time, even though his final loyalty lies with the Nadesico and her crew. A very shrewd accountant, he does his best to keep the Nadesico's checkbook balanced as best as he can.
Admiral Misumaru	Admiral Misumaru is the father of Yurika and one of the top admirals of the United Force Navy. He has been taking care of Yurika ever since she was a child, and seems surprise to have found her daughter grown up to be an adult already. Later on, when he was forced to chase after the Nadesico and her daughter, he appears to be a dedicated officer of the United Force Navy but secretly he wants nothing more than safety for her daughter.