Kou Seiya

Character Information

Name:	Kou Seiya
Name (kanji/kana):	星野光
Alignment:	Kinmoku
Species:	Kinmoku humanoid
Gender:	Female (manga, musicals, Crystal), male (anime)
Lives:	Kinmoku; briefly Tokyo
Occupation:	Sailor Senshi, idol
Family:	Unknown
Associates:	Kou Yaten, Kou Taiki, Princess Kakyuu, Usagi Tsukino
Aliases:	Sailor Star Fighter
First Anime Appearance:	A Goodbye and an Encounter! The Destiny of Flowing Stars
First Manga Appearance:	Act 50 Stars 1
First PGSM Appearance:	N/A
English Name:	Seiya Lights (TokyoPop manga), Kô Seiya (Kodansha manga)
Actors:	Shiho Niiyama (anime), Melissa Hutchison (Viz dub), Marina Inoue (Crystal)

Kou Seiya was one of three members composing the idol group called the Three Lights, and the civilian form of Sailor Star Fighter.

Along with Kou Yaten and Kou Taiki, Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Star Maker respectively, Seiya came to Earth from the planet Kinmoku in search of their princess. They took on male forms because they felt it would be easier for popular men to attract the attention of women. (In the anime Seiya physically transformed to become male in civilian form, but in the manga, musicals, and Crystal she only dressed like a man.)

Personality

Kou Seiya in the anime

According to Naoko Takeuchi's notes in the Materials Collection, Seiya was like Mamoru and Haruka broken in half and added together. She was very egotistical and had a quick temper, but was very strongly devoted to her princess and mission.

In the anime, Seiya's personality was considerably lighter than that of the other two Starlights. He was much more childlike in his attitude, with a slightly prankish edge to his character, and there were brief moments when he was not thinking about his mission. He had a cheerful disposition and was much more easygoing. He was also more willing to become close to Usagi and her friends, while the other two Starlights mainly kept to themselves and originally refused to work with the Solar System Senshi at all.

Relationships

In the anime, Seiya made a strong effort to capture Usagi's affection. In episode 194, he helped Sailor Moon with a Tuxedo Mask-style thrown rose, and when that made her cry because she missed Mamoru, Seiya asked her if he was not good enough. In the next episode he confessed his love for her, admitting that he knew it was one-sided but nevertheless he thought he had to say it. He told her that he hoped she would be reunited with her boyfriend again soon, then kissed her on the cheek before bidding her farewell.

Musicals

In the musicals, Kou Seiya was played by Sayuri Katayama, Chinatsu Akiyama, and Meiku Harukawa.

Trivia

• According to the Materials Collection, Seiya was modeled after Jenny Shimizu.

• According to Shinto beliefs, the "san hikari" (三光; three lights) are the sun, moon, and stars, each with its own associated color and properties. Seiya's name was associated with the sun, and accordingly she was often seen with a red rose.

Images

Kou Seiya in Crystal