Yaten Kou

Image: Yaten Kou. "My name? Yaten Kou. Age 16, blood type B, first year, class one, Juuban High School, born February 8th, sign of Aquarius. Say, Mr. showbiz reporter, what do you plan to do, asking me all these questions? 'Show us everything about the reality of the Three Lights!' What reality? You don't know anything about the real us. Just stop already!"

Yaten Kou is technically the eldest of the Three Lights, although he is rather petite as far as physical size goes. (Unless he's not actually the eldest of the Lights after all...) What he lacks in height, however, he more than makes up for in the attitude department. Yaten can be impertinent, garish, conceited, and downright rude. He is very conscious of his social status, and likes to flaunt it. His favorite food is caviar, and he can rattle off the names and prices of famous works of art and antiques. He despises physical activity and sweat. In short, Yaten would seem to fit the stereotype of a spoiled celebrity brat.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that he's easily the most handsome of the three? Well, he is. And he knows it, too.

"I'm sick of being surrounded by girls. 'I love you,' they say, without even meeting me or talking to me. With no shame, they say that often. If my looks are good, is that enough? That's why I can't have faith in the people of Earth, not one of them."

Yaten is annoyed by the fact that people on Earth worship him and profess to love him, even though most have never actually met him in person. He throws away all of the love letters that he recieves, claiming that they are full of nothing more than the pathetic, insincere whinings of love-struck girls. To be perfectly honest, he's mostly right about this. Throughout the entire series, Yaten maintains disgust at insincerity. I can't help but admire him for it. He is brutally honest when expressing his opinions, and does not bother with falsity, flattery, or half-truths. This is a rather controversial aspect of Yaten's character that leads some fans of the series to admire him, but others to despise him for being "mean." Which he is.

"Nobody understands anything. I don't care if nobody understands anything. If only one person, our princess, understands us, if we just sing our song for our princess, then I don't want to do anything else . . . I don't care what happens to the Earth, or what happens to the humans. We must only find our Princess, before the Earth is destroyed."

Like Taiki, Yaten is focused solely on the mission of the Sailor Starlights, and refuses to consider any other factors as more than mere distractions. But also like Taiki, he is sometimes threatened by feelings of overwhelming despair and helplessness. When we see him for the first time in the anime, Yaten is nervously asking Seiya, "Can we find her?" Yaten at times seems to be the most doubtful and insecure of the Three Lights.

Maybe that's why he confesses his true feelings to nobody, except to a cat.

Ah, yes, how could I have not mentioned Luna yet? Who could forget the episode when Luna develops a crush on Yaten? Of course, our foppish Yaten just happens to have a soft spot for cats. When he needs a pet for an interview about (duh) celebrities and their pets, Luna gladly jumps into his arms. We know that Yaten really, really likes cats, because he takes a bath with Luna and even sleeps in the same bed with her. Hmmmmm . . . This is also the same episode in which a stuck-up actress accuses Yaten of being gay.

Image: Sailor Starhealer. Inspired by Luna's courage in the face of adversity, Yaten is able to overcome his despair and continue to pursue his quest for Kakyuu. Finally, encouraged by the words of Aino Minako, he realizes that the humans on Earth have hopes and dreams, and are capable of shining like the most brilliant stars. When Minako decides to pursue her dream of being an idol instead of focusing solely on her duty as a Sailor Senshi, she shows Yaten that there is more to life than just the Mission.

"When small lives tremble, sometimes I just can't stand it! Healer Star Power, Make Up! A wandering shooting star piercing through the darkness, Sailor Starhealer, stage on!"

Sailor Starhealer has the coolest-looking fuku and the best attack. Yes, I am a bit biased. How could you tell? Healer is unique in the fact that she appears to have some sort of psychic ability, and can sense it when Galaxia steals a starseed.

Healer is loyal to her allies and her Princess, but rather cool and aloof toward everyone else. She constantly ends up saving Sailor Moon's behind, but later complains that it is "such a bother." She is quick to come to the aid of her friends, like when Seiya is shot by Tin Nyanko or when Sailor Venus is attacked by a phage (this would be on two occasions, episode 175 and 192).

In the end, Healer finds faith in Sailor Moon's abilities, and fights with the other Starlights to protect the Earth. Both Yaten and Healer now value human life, even though Yaten is still annoyed at the insincere flattery he recieves from his fans, and still throws away his love letters. Oh, well. Some things will never change. Although Yaten undergoes quite a lot of character development in the space of a few short episodes, it is really only his inner self that changes. His attitude remains a constant in a season in which much is uncertain and changing. Yaten is still conceited, arrogant, and rude. He's just warm and fuzzy on the inside. And still very, very friendly with cats.

Standard Facts

Name: Yaten Kou
Name Meaning: discussed here
Voice Actress: Sakamoto Chika
Birthday: February 8th
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Age: 16
Height: 5'0"
Blood Type: B
Hobby: Photography
Club Membership: None ("returning home")
Favorite Food: Caviar
Favorite School Subject: Art
Least Favorite School Subject: Physical Education
Has Trouble With: Physical exertion, sweating
Band Responsibilities: Keyboard (Arrangement)

Sailor Starhealer
Henshin Phrase: Healer Star Power, Make Up!
Attack: Star Sensitive Inferno

Necessary Credits

Yaten's poem and prologue translated by Alex Glover.
Image of Sailor Starhealer donated by Thiago.

Height estimates taken from Sheer Lunacy. Evidence in the anime and manga shows that Yaten is slightly taller than Usagi, whose official height in the Nakayoshi fanbook is listed as 4'11".

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	Yaten Kou "My name? Yaten Kou. Age 16, blood type B, first year, class one, Juuban High School, born February 8th, sign of Aquarius. Say, Mr. showbiz reporter, what do you plan to do, asking me all these questions? 'Show us everything about the reality of the Three Lights!' What reality? You don't know anything about the real us. Just stop already!" Yaten Kou is technically the eldest of the Three Lights, although he is rather petite as far as physical size goes. (Unless he's not actually the eldest of the Lights after all...) What he lacks in height, however, he more than makes up for in the attitude department. Yaten can be impertinent, garish, conceited, and downright rude. He is very conscious of his social status, and likes to flaunt it. His favorite food is caviar, and he can rattle off the names and prices of famous works of art and antiques. He despises physical activity and sweat. In short, Yaten would seem to fit the stereotype of a spoiled celebrity brat. Oh yeah, and did I mention that he's easily the most handsome of the three? Well, he is. And he knows it, too. "I'm sick of being surrounded by girls. 'I love you,' they say, without even meeting me or talking to me. With no shame, they say that often. If my looks are good, is that enough? That's why I can't have faith in the people of Earth, not one of them." Yaten is annoyed by the fact that people on Earth worship him and profess to love him, even though most have never actually met him in person. He throws away all of the love letters that he recieves, claiming that they are full of nothing more than the pathetic, insincere whinings of love-struck girls. To be perfectly honest, he's mostly right about this. Throughout the entire series, Yaten maintains disgust at insincerity. I can't help but admire him for it. He is brutally honest when expressing his opinions, and does not bother with falsity, flattery, or half-truths. This is a rather controversial aspect of Yaten's character that leads some fans of the series to admire him, but others to despise him for being "mean." Which he is. "Nobody understands anything. I don't care if nobody understands anything. If only one person, our princess, understands us, if we just sing our song for our princess, then I don't want to do anything else . . . I don't care what happens to the Earth, or what happens to the humans. We must only find our Princess, before the Earth is destroyed." Like Taiki, Yaten is focused solely on the mission of the Sailor Starlights, and refuses to consider any other factors as more than mere distractions. But also like Taiki, he is sometimes threatened by feelings of overwhelming despair and helplessness. When we see him for the first time in the anime, Yaten is nervously asking Seiya, "Can we find her?" Yaten at times seems to be the most doubtful and insecure of the Three Lights. Maybe that's why he confesses his true feelings to nobody, except to a cat. Ah, yes, how could I have not mentioned Luna yet? Who could forget the episode when Luna develops a crush on Yaten? Of course, our foppish Yaten just happens to have a soft spot for cats. When he needs a pet for an interview about (duh) celebrities and their pets, Luna gladly jumps into his arms. We know that Yaten really, really likes cats, because he takes a bath with Luna and even sleeps in the same bed with her. Hmmmmm . . . This is also the same episode in which a stuck-up actress accuses Yaten of being gay. Inspired by Luna's courage in the face of adversity, Yaten is able to overcome his despair and continue to pursue his quest for Kakyuu. Finally, encouraged by the words of Aino Minako, he realizes that the humans on Earth have hopes and dreams, and are capable of shining like the most brilliant stars. When Minako decides to pursue her dream of being an idol instead of focusing solely on her duty as a Sailor Senshi, she shows Yaten that there is more to life than just the Mission. "When small lives tremble, sometimes I just can't stand it! Healer Star Power, Make Up! A wandering shooting star piercing through the darkness, Sailor Starhealer, stage on!" Sailor Starhealer has the coolest-looking fuku and the best attack. Yes, I am a bit biased. How could you tell? Healer is unique in the fact that she appears to have some sort of psychic ability, and can sense it when Galaxia steals a starseed. Healer is loyal to her allies and her Princess, but rather cool and aloof toward everyone else. She constantly ends up saving Sailor Moon's behind, but later complains that it is "such a bother." She is quick to come to the aid of her friends, like when Seiya is shot by Tin Nyanko or when Sailor Venus is attacked by a phage (this would be on two occasions, episode 175 and 192). In the end, Healer finds faith in Sailor Moon's abilities, and fights with the other Starlights to protect the Earth. Both Yaten and Healer now value human life, even though Yaten is still annoyed at the insincere flattery he recieves from his fans, and still throws away his love letters. Oh, well. Some things will never change. Although Yaten undergoes quite a lot of character development in the space of a few short episodes, it is really only his inner self that changes. His attitude remains a constant in a season in which much is uncertain and changing. Yaten is still conceited, arrogant, and rude. He's just warm and fuzzy on the inside. And still very, very friendly with cats. Standard Facts Name: Yaten Kou Name Meaning: discussed here Voice Actress: Sakamoto Chika Birthday: February 8th Zodiac Sign: Aquarius Age: 16 Height: 5'0" Blood Type: B Hobby: Photography Club Membership: None ("returning home") Favorite Food: Caviar Favorite School Subject: Art Least Favorite School Subject: Physical Education Has Trouble With: Physical exertion, sweating Band Responsibilities: Keyboard (Arrangement) Sailor Starhealer Henshin Phrase: Healer Star Power, Make Up! Attack: Star Sensitive Inferno Necessary Credits Yaten's poem and prologue translated by Alex Glover. Image of Sailor Starhealer donated by Thiago. Height estimates taken from Sheer Lunacy. Evidence in the anime and manga shows that Yaten is slightly taller than Usagi, whose official height in the Nakayoshi fanbook is listed as 4'11". << Return to Melody \| Main Index >>		Melody: Info Main Index The Mission Seiya Kou Taiki Kou Yaten Kou Items Powers Kakyuu-hime The Truth Mother Planet Kinmoku Pun Music Listing Discography Materials Fuku Study Seiyuu International Articles Seiya and Usagi Taiki's Love Yaten's Love Taiki x Yaten Seiya v. Haruka Others Manga Synopsis Quotables Commentary English Manga Mixx Nitpicks Mythology Astronomy Shinto Hindu Zodiac Blood Type Roses Names Birth Stones