Soshiro Hoshina comes from a long family line of kaiju hunters, and works as the vice-captain for the Third Division. He is bright and friendly, often speaking in a Kansai dialect, but switches to a cool, serious demeanor in battle. Even though he is not as good against giant kaiju as Mina Ashiro, he is an expert in close combat, using special twin swords and his own style of sword techniques. His story is full of exciting fights, deep friendships, and a strong will to improve himself. Soshiro is known for his sharp skills, his support of teammates like Kafka Hibino and Kaiju No. 10, and the unique balance he keeps between tradition and modern teamwork.
Soshiro is an athletic young man of average height with a small yet muscular build and dark violet short hair in a mushroom-shaped haircut. His red eyes (purple in the anime) are closed most of the time and he always has a jovial expression on his face, except when serious scenarios made him display an imposing expression with his eyes opened. He also has snaggletooth fangs that appear when he speaks or laughs.
When on-duty, Soshiro wears the usual Defense Force uniform. He also wears the normal combat suit used by Defense Force members when on the battlefield. While wearing Numbers Weapon 10, Soshiro wears a combat suit with light-purple scale-like armor with green outlines, a long mechanical tail and Kaiju No. 10's signature eye in the middle of the chest plate.
As a child, Soshiro was mostly identical to his current appearance, most wearing a traditional training outfit.
He is cheerful, always laughing and making the mood lighter in the team.
Still, when it comes to fighting kaiju or important missions, he gets very serious and cold, showing his deep determination.
He can be very honest, but also knows how to hide his true feelings when needed.
Soshiro was born into the Hoshina family, a famous household of kaiju slayers that started in the Muromachi period.
His ancestors were well-known as the strongest swordsmen of the Sengoku era.
He grew up surrounded by people who told him swords were old-fashioned, but he kept training, improving both his swordfighting and strategy skills.
Soshiro is a master of the Hoshina-ryu Sword Arts, fighting with both one sword and two swords.
He can use different slashing moves like empty slash, cross slash, reversal slash, storm slash, haze slash, layered slash, and cloth slash.
With just one sword, he can perform special quick-draw techniques like Oboro Nuki, Wind Hole, Counter Clapping, and other unique moves.
He also learned the squad’s martial arts style from Isao Shinomiya, giving him extra fighting power against kaiju like Kaiju No. 9.
Soshiro has custom weapons: the SW-2033 twin swords and the SW-1023, both high-frequency blades that can cut through kaiju flesh.
He also wears the Identified Kaiju Weapon 10 suit, made from Kaiju No. 10’s body. It has a thick tail and special markings, plus parts of Kaiju No. 10’s mind are still inside.
At first, his fighting power dropped when using the suit, but he later reached full strength with it.
As the Third Division vice-captain, Soshiro works directly under Mina Ashiro and brings energy to the team.
He noticed Kafka Hibino’s mysterious behavior during the enlistment exam and helped him become a special recruit. Kafka deeply respects and trusts him.
Soshiro has teamed up with Reno Ichikawa, Kikoru Shinomiya, Narumi Gen, and had rough patches but also strong teamwork.
With Kaiju No. 10, Soshiro has made a bond as fighting partners, and they share a love for great battles.
Soshiro loves reading and enjoys coffee and Mont Blanc cake.
He won first place in the first anime character popularity poll, with 23,686 out of 82,600 votes, and he stayed number one in the next poll too.
“When you stand next to Mina Ashiro, try to take her spot by your own strength someday.”
“Don’t just rely on your powers—grow real strength, Kafka!”
Exam and First Mission
Soshiro Hoshina served as chief judge during the Defense Force entry exams, reviewing recruits’ papers.
He noticed Kafka Hibino’s strange vital signs during a kaiju attack and, though Kafka failed the normal criteria, Soshiro gave him a chance as a candidate to watch him.
On Soshiro’s first mission, he watched over Kafka. When Kaiju No. 8—Kafka in kaiju form—showed up, Soshiro attacked and almost caught him with his special suit and swords, but Kaiju No. 8 escaped.
Investigating Kaiju No. 8 and No. 9
Soshiro joined searches for the talking Kaiju No. 9 and Kaiju No. 8 while growing closer to Kafka.
When Mina Ashiro was away, the base was attacked by Kaiju No. 10. Soshiro fought bravely on his own and was in big trouble until Mina came back and saved him.
Attack, Rescue, and Kaiju No. 10 Contract
While helping Kikoru Shinomiya, Soshiro fought many small kaiju that tried to blow up the whole base.
Kafka, turning into Kaiju No. 8, rushed in to save everyone.
Later, they captured Kaiju No. 10 after a fierce battle. 10 offered info in exchange for turning him into a combat weapon, and Soshiro agreed to fight together.
Sharing Intel and New Training
Soshiro helped start new ways to share info with the First Division, even though they sometimes fought over territory.
He talked to Mina about Reno Ichikawa’s potential as a Kaiju No. 6 weapon user.
A month later, he met Reno again, who once saved Third Base, and explained Kafka’s secret and told Reno not to depend only on transforming, but to grow his own true strength.
At Ryunei Shrine, a place honoring the dead, Soshiro tested Kafka’s skill in a fight with no suit or kaiju power.
He pointed out Kafka was relying too much on his healing and body strength.
He taught Kafka the Shinomiya Squad martial arts, which Isao Shinomiya had finished, helping Kafka fight stronger in less time.
He cheered Kafka on, saying to try standing beside Mina Ashiro someday.
Fighting with Kaiju No. 10 and Beyond
Soshiro joined strategy meetings and fought at Chofu Airfield, where many kaiju appeared.
Controlling Kaiju No. 10 was hard, and Soshiro’s fighting power dropped in the chaos.
But as their minds synced, Soshiro’s fighting ability shot up, and together they defeated the swarming kaiju.
Soshiro then fought the completed Kaiju No. 12. His swords broke and he was badly hurt, but Kaiju No. 10 helped him survive.
Motivated, Soshiro reached 100% fighting power with his three-sword style, destroyed Kaiju No. 12’s core, and won the day.
Meireki’s Great Kaiju Battle
When Kafka and Mina were down, Soshiro rushed to help with Narumi Gen and others.
They failed at first, but Kafka returned with super-fast healing, saving everyone. Soshiro felt uneasy about Kafka’s new power.
Soshiro has a deep pride for his sword skills.
He thinks Mina Ashiro does better with huge kaiju, but he is top-notch at fighting medium and small kaiju up close.
Even though many around him, including his dad and bosses, said swords were old-fashioned, he still respects teammates trying new tactics.
As a fun fact, the Hoshina family crest looks like Kaiju No. 10’s front face, showing their deep link to kaiju battles.
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