Shigusa Takachiho

Takachiho is confident in his physical superiority, but his arrogance differs from Oudo Miyakonojou's belief that other people naturally belong beneath him. Takachiho values his research highly and takes his work seriously even when participating in the Flask Plan's battles.

His greatest personal desire is to encounter someone capable of touching him in combat. Years of automatically avoiding almost everything directed at him have left ordinary competition meaningless, and the possibility of meeting an equal is a major reason he accepts Hakama Shiranui's invitation to the Flask Plan.

That desire is rooted in childhood trauma. At twelve, Takachiho survived a catastrophic traffic accident because his reflexes automatically protected him, while his parents and younger sister were killed. The experience changed his perception of his Abnormality from a gift that made him special into something that isolated him from everyone else.

Auto-Pilot gives Takachiho extraordinary reflexes that operate without conscious thought. His body can automatically evade attacks and counterattack while his brain remains free to analyze the battle. Because his movement is reflexive rather than dependent on consciously interpreting what he sees, ordinary feints and visual tricks are ineffective against him.

Takachiho combines Auto-Pilot with exceptional physical ability and kickboxing. His kicks can launch opponents through the air and break bones, while his speed makes him extremely difficult to touch. His reflexes are not unlimited: environmental conditions can hinder his movement, his muscles still need to keep pace with what his senses detect, and attacks timed around unavoidable bodily actions can penetrate his defense.

During his battle with Medaka, Takachiho begins supplementing pure reflex with conscious judgment, improving his ability to respond even when his normal automatic defense has been disrupted.

Takachiho serves as one of the Thirteen Party members defending the Flask Plan's underground facility. His reputation as its strongest man makes his confrontation with Medaka Kurokami one of the clearest tests of her capabilities during the project.

Their fight develops from a contest of speed into something personally significant for Takachiho. Medaka gradually studies Auto-Pilot and searches for the tiny openings that remain in a body capable of moving before conscious thought.

Medaka eventually succeeds in touching and striking Takachiho, fulfilling the wish that originally drew him into the Flask Plan. Rather than resenting the defeat, Takachiho is exhilarated to have finally encountered someone capable of getting through his reflexes.

Medaka Kurokami becomes the opponent Takachiho has spent years hoping to find. By overcoming Auto-Pilot and physically reaching him, Medaka gives Takachiho the experience of fighting someone who can truly challenge his supposedly untouchable body.

Hakama Shiranui recruits Takachiho into the Flask Plan after recognizing the value of his Abnormality and his desire to meet someone stronger.

Oudo Miyakonojou is a fellow Thirteen Party member, although Takachiho's motivation for proving his superiority differs considerably from Oudo's self-proclaimed kingship.

Myouri Unzen is another powerful Class 13 Abnormal whose attacks Takachiho can evade through Auto-Pilot.