For those of you who are totally unfamiliar with the series, Kaoru is the main female character of the anime and manga "Rurouni Kenshin." Some would say she's Kenshin's love interest (I prefer to think he's her love interest, myself) but her role in the series is much more than that. She's the counterpoint to Kenshin. Optimistic, untraumatized and nonviolent (or at least only violent to those she cares about), Kaoru is light to Kenshin's darkness. His original discipline made him "the perfect assassin," while hers is focused only on protecting the weak. He's adopted the goal, but she was raised with it. If for no other reason, she's important as an example of everything Kenshin wishes both for the world and himself. And she's cute, too!

• Name: Kamiya Kaoru (western order would be Kaoru Kamiya, of course)
• Age: 17. Presumably she's 18 by the later issues/episodes, since the Kyoto storyline starts in May.
• Birthdate: Sometime in June, 1862. Possibly June 2.
• Astrological sign: It has to be either Gemini or Cancer. I think Gemini fits her more, and it goes with the June 2 birthdate. But most character profiles give her sign as Cancer.
• Height: 155 cm, approximately 5'1"
• Weight: 41 kg... barely over 90 pounds. Geez, and I thought I was tiny...
• Blood type: O (See below for explanation.)
• Appearance: She's cute, and absolutely tiny by my standards. She has blue eyes and long black hair she keeps in a ponytail and bangs. The length of her hair isn't always consistent. Usually her ponytail reaches to about the small of her back, which would leave her hair long enough to sit on when it's loose, but it tends to grow for artistic effect and shrink for, I guess, convenience. I've heard somewhere that she's fairly close to the type of girl Watsuki likes.
• Seiyuu (voice actress): Fujitana Miki. Check out this page for info on her. More info about RK seiyuu is available here: RKHQ Seiyuu 411.

Names always have a meaning. While I find it horribly cheesy to go into name symbolism in English literature, I find it fascinating in Japanese. (Me: "Hitomi means 'eye!' ::giggle::") Names are clearly important to the Kenshin guys; Sano begs to take his mentor's last name, and signals his break with his gangster past by dropping the "Zanza" identity. Kenshin starts life as Shinta, but that's "too sweet" (huh?) so Hiko gives him the Kenshin name. Then he loses that as well to be the Hitokiri Battousai or "Himura Battousai," but not "Kenshin," not until he takes on the role of rurouni. So what does Kaoru's name mean? Her first name (not accurate for Japanese, I know, but what are the other terms for that? Christian name? She's not a Christian.) Her family name, Kamiya, translates to "Valley of the Gods." Many many thanks to Nekojita for this.

Blood types are used as a quick temperament classifier in Japan, and in my searches, I've found various interpretations of the blood types that are almost completely contradictory. The one that seems most frequently used classes type O temperaments as generous, big-hearted, athletic, sort of emotional leaders who set the mood for a group. They're rather stubborn, strong-willed and emotional, independent but also insecure. Despite their stubbornness they can also be easily influenced. They're open-minded and accepting of new things. They tend to be rather jealous (ties into the insecurity,) and while they can appear to be level-headed, they'll sometimes slip and make mistakes. Well, doesn't everyone? They're fairly lovable and popular... I think that fits too.

Info paraphrased from "Sun Sign, Moon Sign" by Charles and Suzi Harvey.

I really want her to be a Gemini. I don't get along too well with most of the Cancerians I know (which would really be only one person that I know of.) As best I can tell, she's probably got Aries as her moon sign, whether she's a Gemini or Cancer. (There is NO BIAS WHATSOEVER in this decision. Nope. Not a bit. Besides, my friends all agree with me, and you know that just proves everything.) The Gemini/Aries combination is enthusiastic, quick, alert, energetic, forceful, decisive, impatient, restless, versatile, witty, dextrous, communicative, argumentative, persuasive, and optimistic. They tend to have strong emotions but difficulty expressing them or empathizing with others. They're rash, impulsive, impatient, and spontaneous. Sounds more or less right...