Hiroko Asami

is one of the main characters of Shin Ultraman and the newly appointed analyst of SSSP (S-Class Species Suppression Protocol).
==Personality==
Despite her composed appearance, Hiroko has a lively and straightforward personality. She is optimistic and usually acts without hesitation while often motivating herself by slapping her butt. Additionally, she is careful and sensitive to the opinions of others.
However, when performing her job duties, she can immediately conduct precise analysis to determine the situation, the main characteristics of living things, and other details. Moreover, she can switch prophecy at the appropriate time and converse in Russian, demonstrating her fluency in foreign languages.
Initially, she was skeptical of Shinji Kaminaga, who often acted alone. However, through their interactions, they developed an unspoken understanding and thus played critical supporting roles for each other.
==History==
===Shin Ultraman===
Hiroko was originally the senior investigator of the of the foreign intelligence division of the Public Security Intelligence Agency. Later, due to the investigation of Ultraman, Hiroko dispatched SSSP from the Public Security Intelligence Agency to serve as the team's analysis officer, acting as Kaminaga's partner.https://mantan-web.jp/article/20220330dog00m200044000c.html
In her first mission, after she witnessed the battle between Ultraman and Gabora, Hiroko saw Ultraman's appearance for the first time and immediately believed that Ultraman could communicate. However, soon after, she, along with other SSSP members, discovered through a video intentionally uploaded by Zarab on the internet that Kaminaga was the true identity of Ultraman. However, through analysis, it was determined that the Ultraman who attacked the Yokosuka base seemed to be a fake.
Later, she accidentally found Kaminaga's Beta Capsule in her own briefcase. With the help of Kaminaga's former colleague Kagami, she took a chainsaw and successfully rescued Kaminaga, who was kidnapped by Zarab and tied up in an abandoned building. Hiroko slapped Kaminaga and questioned why he had been hiding his identity. However, after learning Kaminaga's reason, she gave him the Beta Capsule and asked him to defeat Zarab, who was pretending to be Ultraman.
After the battle with Zarab, Hiroko was kidnapped by Mefilas to be used as an experimental subject to showcase the Beta System to humans. She was then enlarged in Tokyo's Hibiya area, and in her giant form, her body was composed of an unknown substance, and even the fibers of her clothing could not be analyzed.
Afterward, she was restored to her original size and consciousness by Mefilas, who deleted all news about her giant size in an attempt to show good intentions. However, she was forced to undergo investigations by various inspection agencies, causing Hiroko to feel embarrassed. After discovering Mefilas's plot, she used the remaining Beta material on her body to help Kaminaga locate the dimensional device, which caused Mefilas's plan to fail. However, because of this incident, Hiroko and the members of SSSP were temporarily detained by the Japanese government.
When she learned of Zōffy and Zetton's plan to destroy the Earth from Kaminaga, Hiroko watched Kaminaga transform into Ultraman to stop Zetton. However, after Ultraman was defeated, she stayed by Kaminaga's side in the hospital as he lay in a coma. During this time, she worked with the other members to study Kaminaga's basic theory of the Beta System, in order to find a way to defeat Zetton. However, they discovered that their plan might result in Ultraman sacrificing himself, along with Zetton, as they were both sucked into a wormhole into another dimension.
In the end, she and the others witnessed Ultraman's successful defeat of Zetton with the help of their plan, but she was deeply saddened by Ultraman's sacrifice. However, when Zōffy gave Kaminaga new life, she and the other members smiled and were reunited with him once again.
==Merchandise==
===Nuigurumi===
*Ultraman & SSSP (Big Nuigurimi, 2022)
**Release Date: May 13, 2022
**Materials: Fabric, cotton
:Released as part of the Nuigurimi line of plushes by FuRyu, this Big Nuigurumi of Asami is an animified plush doll that stands 25cm tall.
:She is released as part of the Shin Ultraman-themed wave along with Shinji Kaminaga and Ultraman/Lipiah.
===S.H.Figuarts===
*Imit-Ultraman (Shin Ultraman) (2022)
**Release Date: April 2023
**Price: 7,000 yen
**JAN/ISBN: TBA
**Materials: PVC, ABS
**Accessories: 5 pairs of hands, Hiroko Asami mini-figurine, Ultra Slash effect for S.H.Figuarts Ultraman (Shin Ultraman), support stand for Ultra Slash
:S.H.Figuarts Imit-Ultraman comes with an out-of-scale mini-figurine representing Hiroko Asami.
===Kaiyodo===
*Hiroko Asami (2024)
**Release Date: January 2024
**Price: 88,000 yen
**Materials: Resin (PU), Polystone
:Manufactured by Kaiyodo, this diorama figurine of Hiroko is based on her gigantified form, standing 210mm (230mm with base).
:The figurine is sculpted by Taro Murai.
:The figurine is released exclusively at Kaiyodo Online Store and Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby Tokyo/Kadoma, with preorders opening from July 10th (Monday) to August 25th (Friday). The Tsuburaya store will also accept orders two weeks ahead of the first preorder date.
==Gallery==
===Screencaps===
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Hiroko Asami 33.png|Giant Hiroko Asami
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===Promotional, Official Photos===
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Hiroko_Asami_5.jpg|Hiroko's business card
==Trivia==
*According to her dog tag, her birthday is on the 29th of September, 1988. Her blood type is B.
*Her desk is deliberately kept clear of unnecessary items as much as possible.
*Hiroko's rescue by Ultraman's hand and the scene where she transforms into a giant and strolls through the city were both filmed using a green screen. During the filming of these scenes, Hiroko Sakurai, who originally portrayed Akiko Fuji in the original Ultraman series, was also present to observe.
*Hiroko's name, personality traits, and background setting are inspired by the protagonist Hiroko Matsukata in Moyoco Anno's Hataraki Man.
*Before the battle against Zetton, there was a scene captured showing a brief kiss between Hiroko and Kaminaga. However, this scene was later removed during the editing phase. This decision was made with the consideration that the two characters did not have extensive romantic portrayals.Shin Ultraman Design Works pg 75
==References==
Category:Shin Ultraman
Category:Shin Ultraman Characters
Category:Female Characters
Category:Allies
Category:Heroines
Category:SSSP
Category:SSSP_Members