Kaede Azusagawa
Kaede Azusagawa |
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| Kana: | 梓川 花楓 (current) 梓川 かえで (formerly) |
| Rōmaji: | Azusagawa Kaede |
| Characteristics | |
| Age: | 14-15 |
| Gender: | Female |
| Height: | 5’3″ (162 cm) |
| Personal Status | |
| Status: | Alive |
| Birthdate: | November 5, 1999 (Scorpio) |
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| Debut | |
| Anime: | Episode 01 |
| Light Novel: | Volume 01 |
| Manga: | Chapter 01 |
| Portrayal | |
| Japanese: | Yurika Kubo |
| English: | Kayli Mills |
| “ | ” | |
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— Kaede Azusagawa
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Appearance
Kaede’s full appearance.
Kaede Azusagawa features medium-length, light brown hair styled into a loose ponytail at the front, complemented by two strands of hair on either side, each adorned with a small pink bow. Her square bangs frame her face, and her large, pale brown eyes convey a sense of vulnerability.
Typically, she is seen wearing a panda onesie over a pink shirt, a choice that reflects her insecurities and the paranoia stemming from her experience with Adolescence Syndrome. This attire symbolizes her desire for comfort and safety in a world that has often felt threatening. However, as she regains her memories and confidence, she eventually moves away from wearing the onesie, marking an important step in her personal growth.
Personality
Pre-Amnesia
Before her amnesia, Kaede Azusagawa was known for her kind-hearted and playful demeanor, which made social interactions relatively easy for her. This charming personality would eventually resurface as she works through her challenges and accomplishes a series of personal goals.
Post-Amnesia
Following the traumatic experience of online bullying, Kaede underwent significant changes; she not only lost her memories but also developed a new, more withdrawn personality. This transformation led her to view her former self as a completely different individual, fostering a deep fear of unfamiliar people. In a twist of irony, she exhibits a more vibrant and cheerful demeanor when she is at home with her older brother, Sakuta, who is the first to recognize and accept her new identity.
Kaede develops a fondness for pandas after watching a DVD that Sakuta gifts her, leading her to adopt a panda onesie as her preferred attire while at home. She often refers to herself in the third person, distinguishing between her current self and her former identity, whom she calls “Kaede-san.”
The arrival of several girls at her and Sakuta’s home inspires Kaede to consider stepping outside her comfort zone. Motivated by this newfound determination, she begins to create a list of goals she hopes to achieve alongside Sakuta. In her diary, she reflects on her role as a placeholder for Kaede-san, coming to terms with the idea that she will eventually be replaced when her former self regains her memories.
Background
During her middle school years, Kaede Azusagawa became the target of severe online bullying and received death threats. This distressing experience triggered Adolescence Syndrome, leading to various physical injuries that left her struggling to cope. The only way she found relief was by withdrawing from social media and ceasing her school attendance. In an attempt to distance herself from the trauma of her harassment, Kaede developed amnesia, which had devastating effects on her family dynamics. This situation ultimately caused her mother—and, by extension, her father—to abandon her, leaving her in the care of her older brother, Sakuta Azusagawa.
Kaede shares her list of goals.
With the support of Sakuta and advice from Shoko Makinohara, Kaede received a pen and a notebook. She was encouraged to write her first name in hiragana (かえで) instead of kanji (花楓). This act symbolized a fresh start, and she was acknowledged as the current “Kaede,” while her previous self was affectionately referred to as “Kaede-san,” a distinction that resonated deeply with her and brought her to tears.
Adolescence Syndrome
Mai Sakurajima’s experience with Adolescence Syndrome manifested as a gradual invisibility, affecting both her and the objects she touched. This condition stemmed from her deep-seated desire to escape public attention, which paradoxically caused her existence to fade from the memories of those around her. As time went on, even people who had previously interacted with her began to forget she ever existed.
The original Kaede is back.
This disheartening phenomenon escalated her feelings of isolation, as she found herself slipping further from the consciousness of others. The turning point came when Sakuta Azusagawa, the last person to retain memories of her, boldly confessed his love for her in front of their school. This heartfelt declaration not only brought Mai back into the awareness of her peers but also reaffirmed her existence, compelling both students and faculty to acknowledge her once more.
Relationships
Sakuta Azusagawa
Following the trauma of her injuries and memory loss due to Adolescence Syndrome, Kaede came to see her brother, Sakuta, as the only person who truly understood her. This bond deepened when he chose to refer to her pre-amnesia self as a different person, allowing Kaede to feel a sense of acceptance. She developed a strong affection for Sakuta, often climbing onto his bed while he slept and making playful, affectionate gestures toward him. Kaede trusted him implicitly, feeling immense joy when he accompanied her outside for the first time, where she cried tears of happiness.
Understanding that her brother would experience regret upon her return to her former self, Kaede took it upon herself to complete her personal goals with Sakuta. Her aim was to fill his mind with positive memories before that transition occurred. It is evident that Sakuta also harbors regret over the initial memory loss Kaede endured.
Mai Sakurajima
Kaede’s first interaction with someone outside of Sakuta after her memory loss was with Mai Sakurajima. Initially, she appeared as a nervous wreck, unable to introduce herself. However, as time passed and after Mai offered her some clothes, Kaede gradually opened up and was able to act more naturally in Mai’s presence. After regaining her memories, Kaede had the chance to reconnect with Mai once again.
Rio Futaba
When Sakuta brought Rio Futaba to their apartment due to an incident involving a duplicate version of her, Kaede felt nervous about introducing herself, although she managed better than she had with Mai. As Rio helped her and Shoko Makinohara with studying and prepared meals for them, Kaede began to warm up to her and eventually started addressing her by her first name.
Nodoka Toyohama
Kaede first met Nodoka Toyohama during a period when Nodoka and Mai had swapped bodies; Kaede was unaware of this bodyswap and assumed Nodoka behaved just like her older stepsister. In the eighth novel, Kaede becomes a fan of Nodoka’s music after watching her idol group perform live.
Kotomi Kano
Kotomi Kano, a childhood friend of Kaede, refers to her affectionately as “Kae.” Although Kaede’s post-amnesia self does not recognize Kotomi, her pre-amnesia self has retained memories of their friendship and remembers her as “Komi.” They finally reunite in the eighth novel, rekindling their bond.
Tomoe Koga
In the tenth novel, Kaede steps into Sakuta’s former role at a diner, becoming Tomoe Koga’s newest colleague. Prior to this, Tomoe had only served Kaede once and was aware of her as Sakuta’s younger sister.
Etymology
The name “Kaede” (かえで) translates to “maple” in Hiragana, reflecting a connection to nature and perhaps symbolizing beauty and resilience.
Her surname, “Azusagawa,” combines two elements: “Azusa” (梓), which means “catalpa,” and “kawa” (川), meaning “river” or “stream.” The catalpa tree is known for its large, heart-shaped leaves, clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers, and long, slender seed pods. This tree is native to North America and eastern Asia, often cultivated for its ornamental value.