as communications officer. In 2202 he has joined Kodai and Nanbu. Japanese voice artist: Shinji Nomura (original), Masato Kokubun (2199) American voice artist: Michael Bertolini (original), Aaron Roberts (2199) Live-action actress: Maiko (Dash): Bespectacled sub-chief of ship's defenses, operating the gun turrets in Kodai's absence, in 2199 he falls in love with Yuki, however is disappointed when he finds Kodai speaking to her instead. Japanese voice artist: Kazuo Hayashi (original), Kenji Akabane (2199) American voice artist: Eddie Allen (original), Stephen Fu (2199) Live-action actor: Toshihiro Yashiba (Christopher Eager): Portly, freckled radar operator, frequently heard identifying missile attacks on the Yamato. Japanese voice artist: Yoshito Yasuhara, Hirotaka Suzuoki (season 3), Yūki Chiba (2199) Live-action actor: Kensuke Ōwada (Peter 'Pete' Conroy): The leader of the Black Tiger fighter squadron (second in authority to Kodai), Kato is a gifted though level-headed pilot, often putting his life on the line for his comrades. In the second season he is leader of the first squadron of the Cosmo Tigers, piloting a later model of fighter craft and stationed on the Moon; he and his men volunteer to join the Yamato under Kodai's command. He dies flying Kodai and Sanada back to the Yamato safely; however, this was covered up in Star Blazers, and indeed the original Japanese makers appeared to regret killing the character, as they later introduced his identical twin. In 2199, Kodai and Shima ran afoul of him when he punched them for stealing and crashing his personal Cosmo Zero. The beef between him and Kodai went as so far as warning Kodai that, even if he is his commanding officer, he will never forgive him if he sends any of his men to a needless death. Kato's disdain for Kodai slowly disappeared as Kodai gradually earned his respect throughout the course of the series. He is portrayed as the son of a priest, and he is sometimes heard chanting whenever he is aboard his plane or playing darts in their waiting room. He is also portrayed as a traditional guy, preferring that he and Makoto wear traditional clothing during their wedding (which she vetoed). Japanese voice actor: Akira Kamiya, Keaton Yamada (eps 8-10 only), Yoshimasa Hosoya (2199) American voice actor: Mike McFarland (2199) Live-action actor: Kazuki Namioka (Jefferson Davis Hardy): One of the Black Tiger pilots, recognizable by the lock of hair covering his eyes, Yamamoto has only one appearance in the