Noriko Mochizuki

Noriko Mochizuki is a Japanese citizen who was enslaved sometime before the Battle of Ginza by the Empire. Yōji Itami's team rescued her during a peace negotiation with the Empire. Her discovery spawned a tense confrontation between Japan and the Empire that demanded the return of all enslaved Japanese citizens. Noriko is a teenage girl with short bob-cut black hair and copper-brown eyes. In her first appearance in the manga, Norkio was naked, wearing only a slave collar with a chain attached. The anime changed her debut to add a ragged sheet wrapped around her and some handcuffs. After the Third Recon Team rescued her in the Imperial Palace, she received modern clothes. During her captivity in the Special Region, Noriko became despondent and prone to crying due to Zorzal abusing and raping her. After rescuing her, the JSDF attempted to hide how her family likely got killed in the Battle of Ginza. Her family's home had also burned down due to failing to turn off electronics, leaving her without any property or shelter. After learning about these things, Noriko fell into a nihilistic depression, losing nearly all will to live. When Tyuule sent Delilah to assassinate her under fake orders, Noriko coldly resigned herself to death, glad her pain would end. However, after Akira Yanagida thwarted the attempts, she began healing from her depression. After coming to terms with her experience, Noriko became cheerful and outgoing, throwing her support behind the JSDF.