Hanako Arasaka

*"自業自得"*

**- Japanese idiom**

## Dossier

Hanako Arasaka is Saburo Arasaka's youngest child, conceived when he was eighty, and the apple of his eye. Hanako was born to Saburo's third and last wife, Michiko, who died shortly thereafter due to complications caused by the birth on March 2, 1999.

Saburo was charmed by his little daughter's stunning beauty, and he decided to raise her in the sheltered confines of the Arasaka Family Compound in Japan to protect her from the scarring traumas of life in the exterior world. Hanako received her schooling at the compound through trusted tutors. Although she is a grown woman now, Hanako still only leaves the compound about once a month, and then only under heavy escort. Cut off from the outside world, she learned how to travel and explore the Net instead and became a talented netrunner. Whether or not Hanako knows about the darker truths of the company is a mystery.

While Hanako would not leave the compound, the few times she would leave to see Tokyo she was escorted by Shintaro Takayama, the chief of security of the compound. Shintaro was like a second father to her and she trusted him more than most. Hanako was also delighted with his stories of ancient Japan he would tell her while she was growing up.

Her closest family member was Yorinobu, her older rebellious brother of the same mother. Hanako and Yorinobu would regularly meet in the Net while he rode with the Steel Dragons.

Hanako was not directly involved in the Fourth Corporate War, however, she was kept under strict protection within the family compound. During these years, Hanako spent most of her time in Ōsaka. After the war ended, despite her feelings towards him, she still attended the funeral of her eldest brother, Kei, who died during the events of the war. Hanako and her father, Saburo, were surprised when Yorinobu showed up to the funeral asking for forgiveness. With her help Yorinobu was able to return to the family.

In the 2040s, as the eldest daughter of the Arasaka family, Hanako had always been a bit of a recluse. As a highly skilled Netrunner, she had always preferred to work on her digital projects. However, with the death of Kei, the remainder of the Old Guard had unified around her and wanted to continue Saburo and Kei's plans as the Kiji (雉) Faction. They represented the faction that hoped for a peaceful reconciliation with the NUSA with Hanako as their figurehead. She was also instrumental in getting her brother, Yorinobu to finally reconcile with the fractured Arasaka family.

Although Hanako has never held an official position within the company, the buzz around her involvement in behind-the-scenes corporate scheming continues to grow. That said, separating truth from speculation remains nearly impossible. Rumors about Hanako Arasaka never last long. And neither do the people who spread them.

Currently, the talk of the world is who Hanako Arasaka will marry. Saburo attempted, for many years, to arrange a marriage for Hanako, but she always managed to find a way around it. In a rare departure from his normal, traditionalist views, he has allowed Hanako one year to find a suitable partner for herself. If by the end of 2045 comes and Hanako has not only found a suitable match but also has gotten legally married to them, then Saburo will be permitted to select a husband for her, no matter what her objections are. Hanako has taken to traveling the world since the beginning of January 2045 in an effort make good time on her bargain.

NOTE: Hanako Arasaka is a canon character. For more information, click here.