It all just seems to go with the territory, so to speak, as do the idiosyncratic body language features such as falling down when surprised and big sweat drops appearing on faces at certain times...
| Here are the various characters we meet during the series, along with their own particular characteristics. In common with most Japanese animated series, the characters have Japanese names (well, most of them) and live in a Japanese style of culture, but they don't look Japanese and many have strangely-coloured hair, such as bright green or sky blue. It all just seems to go with the territory, so to speak, as do the idiosyncratic body language features such as falling down when surprised and big sweat drops appearing on faces at certain times... | |
| Name | Rank/Position | Characteristics | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Yurika Misumaru | Captain | Often scatty and daydreams about Akito a lot, but a good tactician when concentrating on her jobb. |
 | Akito Tenkawa | Cook-in-training/Pilot | Undecided about whether to remain a cook or become an Aestivalis pilot full-time. Akito is the object of attention of several of the Nadesico's female crew members. |
 | Ruri Hoshino | Operations and Computer Technician | Child genius, very calm and serious but probably the only truly sane member of the crew. Calls the others "Idiot!" when their behaviour is silly. Ruri's own page is here. |
| Name | Rank/Position | Characteristics | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Erina Kinjou Won | Helmswoman | Was secretary to Nergal's chairman. Very bossy and ambitious, and will often take over other people's jobs. Has developed an interest in Akito, but more as a test subject for Boson Jumping experiments. |
 | Gai Daigouji | Aestivalis Pilot | A happy soul, obsessed with Gekiganger and Akito's friend. Likes to be known by his "soul name" Jiro Yamada. Dies early in the series. |
 | Gort Hory | Mission Controller (allegedly) | A big, ugly, scary fellow whose only purpose seems to be to give Yurika instructions, which tend not to turn out well. Apparently Head of Security at Nergal. Worked with Prospector to assemble the Nadesico's crew. |
 | Hikaru Amano | Aestivalis Pilot | Supposedly a brilliant pilot, and certainly the most enthusiastic, even though the youngest of the three females picked up together. Has lots of odd gadgets, draws professionally, and is a fan of Gekiganger. Her humour usually helps cheer people up |
 | How-Mei | Ship's Cook | Chinese lady who can cook dishes from all around the world after studying hard. Her goal is to always serve a soldier's last meal. Also is a kind of mother-figure to whom others can come and talk. |
 | The How-Mei Girls | Cooks and Idol Singing Group | A close-knit group of five cooks who came together by working in the Nadesico's kitchen, and later entering the "You are the Captain of Tomorrow" contest under that name. They all have a crush on Nagare. |
 | Ines Fressange | Scientist | Spokesperson for the Martian survivors. One of Nadesico's original designers. Has a tendency to explain things in too much detail. |
 | Izumi Maki | Aestivalis Pilot | Really weird and keeps delivering obscure puns that no-one else gets. Also plays the ukelele very badly. Has had tragedy in her life as both her fiancés died before their wedding day. |
 | Jin Fukube | Admiral at Nergal | An old man who likes iced tea. Willing to sacrifice himself so that others can survive. |
 | Jun Aoi | Second in Command | Originally Yurika's fiancé. Not a good pilot, unfortunately, but he hasn't been a pilot for very long. Tries to be Yurika's protector, as he is infatuated with her. |
 | Kouichiro Misumaru | Admiral for the UEF | Yurika's father, very proud of his daughter, and boasts of her in various ways. |
 | Megumi Reinard | Comms Officer | A kind and caring person who was one of the first to fall for Akito, but can be cruel on occasion. |
 | Minato Haruka | Helmswoman | Not very bright, tends to read and sleep a lot. |
 | Munetake Sadaaki | Admiral | Highly self-centred and egotistical, unstable admiral. Came on board the Nadesico when the ship returned to Earth through a chulip. |
 | Nagare Akatsuki | Pilot | An extremely smart and rich womaniser, very much into the glory of battle. Plays volleyball really well, hates anime, and has a big secret... |
 | Prospector | Crew Recruitment | After recruiting the Nadesico's crew, he came on board to accompany them. A strange fellow who apparently does everything by the book, but really cares for everyone. |
 | Ryoko Subaru | Aestivalis Pilot | Leader of the three female pilots, mean, violent and tough. Gets very stuck-into battles. Has also fallen for Akito. |
 | Seiya Uribatake | Mechanic | Eccentric but amazingly capable mechanic. Hates Akito for attracting all the female crew members, while none of them goes for him. Has a wife back on Earth. |
 | Yukina Shiratori | Jovian Ambassador | 13-year-old younger sister to Commander Tsukimo Shiratori of the Jovian Empire. Unusually for a Jovian, Yukina cannot stand Gekiganger. |