Kunsel

Kunsel is a character in the Final Fantasy VII series, with a minor supporting role in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- and mentioned in Final Fantasy VII Remake. He is a SOLDIER Second Class within the Shinra Electric Power Company and close friends with Zack Fair. He stays well-informed on Shinra, having insider knowledge and sending related emails to Zack.
==History==
===Early life===
At some point, Kunsel joined SOLDIER and was promoted to Second Class.
===The Genesis War===
Kunsel discussed the mass desertion of SOLDIER operatives with Zack in chapter 1. Later, he teased and taught Zack the basics of missions, emails, and supply pods. He wished his friend good luck on the mission to Wutai.
In chapter 2, Kunsel requested Zack come speak with him once the meeting with Lazard Deusericus and Tseng concluded. He emailed Zack about Angeal Hewley, praised his character, called him the "spiritual leader" of SOLDIER, and envied Zack for getting to work with him. Zack met Kunsel who encouraged he go places and do stuff, so he would have no regrets before his missions. Both traveled to Sector 8 and split up at Kunsel's suggestion. Zack disagreed, but Kunsel insisted they could get more done separately. Kunsel and Zack regrouped at the Shinra Building later. He let him know a Turk was waiting for him in the briefing room, unaware things were hectic, apologized, wished him good luck, and promised to send email when he had time.
Kunsel emailed Zack asking about Banora, noted many Shinra people lived there, and that the village’s main source of income was the apple production and processing, but the rest of their budget was made up of subsidies from Shinra. He theorized it was related to mako or something "fishy" was happening, and promised to look into it.
A curious Kunsel directed Zack to Hojo in the training room during chapter 3, educated him on how Hojo got his top scientist position and mentioned sneaking in to see what he was studying. He talked to a disappointed Zack about the end of the Wutai War and Sephiroth's fame, cheering him up and adding that the media chose who got to be a hero. Kunsel scoffed at reports of Genesis being killed in action and mentioned he had attended an enjoyable stage production of LOVELESS, which had left him bawling.
During chapter 4, Kunsel emailed Zack about Hollander's t-shirt and speculated its meaning, assessing that he either loved dumbapples or had other ties to Banora. He also pondered if the shirt helped relieve stress put on by working in Shinra's science department. Later on in chapter 5, he notified Zack that Sephiroth was in the data room poring through historic research papers on "Project G" and additional research conducted around the same time. Kunsel informed Zack that "Project G" happened twenty years ago, that Hollander took some data with him, other important data was hidden elsewhere outside the Shinra Building, and wondered if the full scope of the experiments would ever be understood.
Kunsel emailed Zack in chapter 6 about the freezing cold whereabouts of Modeoheim near the permafrost Icicle Inn. He mentioned the area was once a candidate for mako excavation when it was abuzz with construction workers and scientists, but was ultimately deserted. He sent reports of recent disturbing activity there and assumed the area was a convenient location for anti-Shinra groups due to its harsh and secluded environment.
While on a Shinra Military Transport Helicopter to his next assignment in chapter 7, Kunsel emailed Zack about his location and asked about his abruptly shortened vacation. He updated Zack on the troubling state of SOLDIER, mentioned the deployment of SOLDIER operatives to deal with constant attacks, the chain of command being in shambles, and that nobody knew where anyone was. He added he had yet to arrive at his post and wondered if the director's absence had impacted the operation's "lack of finesse". He later emailed Zack again, asking about the beach, observing that Zack was looking stressed and asked if the waves and sun had helped. He teased Zack about his time with Aerith Gainsborough, wondered if he was ever curious about the personal intel he collected, informed his friend that he knew everything about him despite not communicating much, reminded him he knew how to get information, and encouraged him to open up to him whenever.
Kunsel updated Zack via email about Hollander and Lazard, both driven by revenge. He relayed that Hollander created the attacking copies, that Lazard was funding him using embezzled money, and while he understood Hollander's motives, he was clueless about Lazard's. He clarified that Lazard had climbed the corporate ladder at a young age and was a "decent man", but perceived one of his messages about "ill blood" to be aimed at Shinra and speculated he was after the vice president's chair.
Kunsel called Zack about escaped monsters, how security was not as lax as expected, and insisted he stay quiet about an upcoming mass deployment of SOLDIER members. He exchanged friendly goodbyes with Zack at the headquarters, letting him know he was being dispatched to investigate a mako reactor at Fort Condor. A teasing Kunsel figured Zack's loving words stemmed from his feelings for Aerith and encouraged him to see her before he left with Sephiroth for Nibelheim. Before being deployed, Kunsel, with the help of Zack, arrested the researcher who had released dangerous test subjects from Hojo's laboratory.
In chapter 8, Kunsel emailed Zack that he was looking after Aerith while he was away, but was unsure why the Turks were also. He offered to repair a wheel that fell off her flower wagon, but she declined and was instead waiting for Zack to hurry back and fix it.
A concerned Kunsel emailed Zack in disbelief that he was reportedly "killed in action" during chapter 9, asking where he was, what he was doing, and what he did to make the company classify him as a "dead man". He insisted on helping Zack, talking with him, and that he would be waiting. Kunsel sent another email to Zack, asked again for his whereabouts, reminded him he had been missing since his assignment with Sephiroth, pondered if he was somehow involved in Sephiroth's reported death, heard rumors of something "going down" in Nibelheim, and asked if Zack was there.
Kunsel eventually learned Zack and an infantryman named Cloud Strife were the wanted "research samples" that had escaped Nibelheim, warning that a whole battalion of Shinra Public Security Forces were after them in "crazy numbers". He was curious what Zack did to become Shinra's enemy, but assured he would always be waiting for his return, and encouraged him to make it back alive. At some point, Kunsel complimented Zack and called him a "SOLDIER legend" for defeating the goddess Minerva.
===Aftermath===
Kunsel continued as an operative in SOLDIER after Zack's death. He was mentioned in Final Fantasy VII Remake during "Belly of the Beast" by an excited infantryman who recognized Cloud and told him to wait while he went to get Kunsel.
==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
Kunsel is a young man with an athletic build and fair skin. His facial features are otherwise concealed behind his standard SOLDIER Second Class uniform. His model is simply the generic SOLDIER member model in Crisis Core with Second Class coloring.
SOLDIER-ccvii-2nd.png|Model of Kunsel in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-.
===Personality===
Kunsel is a laid-back and good-natured SOLDIER member with a sense of humor. He loves spreading knowledge and has insider knowledge on Shinra's internal affairs, always staying in the know and boasting about the information he collects. He likes theorizing about the company's mysteries and frequently emails Zack with his discoveries. Though he questions Shinra's actions, he remains loyal to SOLDIER, having a sense of duty and comradery. He believes Angeal Hewley to be the "spiritual leader" and also feels similarly toward Zack.
Kunsel is a close ally and best friends with Zack. They often hang out when off-duty and chat about every day activities and the news. Kunsel is very supportive of Zack, respecting his SOLDIER qualities, advising, uplifting, lightheartedly teasing, and showing concern for him. He keeps Zack informed and sends emails related to gossip, mysteries, their assignments, and current events. When Zack was a wanted fugitive, Kunsel continued emailing and checking up on Zack. He looked after Aerith Gainsborough for his friend's sake, wanted to help however possible, warned him about the large battalion of pursuing Shinra infantrymen, encouraged him to come back alive, and eagerly awaited his return. He also befriends Cloud Strife due to his friendship with Zack.
===Abilities===
Kunsel is a competent SOLDIER operative, as demonstrated by his achieving the rank of Second Class. He wields a standard SOLDIER broadsword on his back, which he likely uses in combat on his assignments. Kunsel's most notable skill is his ability to collect information, always staying well-informed on current events in the world and is especially well-versed with insider knowledge from Shinra. He tends to theorize and insert his own thoughts about his discoveries, most nearing the truth.
==Behind the scenes==
===Voice===
In the Japanese releases, he is voiced by Riki Kitazawa. In the English releases of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, Kunsel is voiced by Crispin Freeman in the original and Travis Moscinski in the remaster.
==Notes==
===Annotations===
===Citations===
===References===
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ru:Холландер
Category:Characters in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-