Kissy Suzuki (Mie Hama)

## Kissy Suzuki

**Kissy Suzuki** is a fictional character in Ian Fleming's 1964 James Bond novel, You Only Live Twice, portrayed by actress Mie Hama in the 1967 feature film adaptation. Similar to the novel, Suzuki is an Ama diver, however the rest of the character's own personal narrative differs greatly between the book and film.

## Film biography

Suzuki is introduced when James Bond must go undercover, acting as a local fisherman, while investigating the mysterious happenings surrounding a small island in Japan. As an agent, she is chosen by her employer, Tiger Tanaka, to aide Bond on the mission due to her keen sense of adventure and skills as an Ama diver. Bond and Suzuki marry in a staged wedding ceremony allowing Bond access to continue his investigation further, moving around the islands of Japan as an unnoticeable local rather than an obvious visitor.

During a meal at Suzuki's house, Kissy makes clear to Bond that, although the pair are married, their work together "is business". That evening, Suzuki informs Bond and Tanaka of word going around the local village that an Ama girl mysteriously died in a cave on the mainland that served as a vent for a nearby Volcano. The pair agree to set sail for the cave in the morning to investigate.

The following morning, Bond and Suzuki leave Matsu Island and head over to the cave. When in the cave, the pair instantly realize something is wrong. Bond tells Suzuki the cave is filled with poisonous gas to which the pair flee the boat and swim out of the cave underwater, not rising until they reach fresh air. Swimming on to land, Bond and Suzuki continue to search the perimeter for clues. While walking, the pair take a moment to relax where the pair finally share an intimate moment, cut short by a passing helicopter that seems to fly into the mouth of a volcano which Suzuki tells Bond hasn't been active in her life time. Investigating further, they realize the roof of the volcano is in fact a metal door leading inside SPECTRE's base.

While Bond breaks into the base, Suzuki heads back to rendezvous with Tanaka. As she swims, she is targeted by a shooting SPECTRE helicopter. Suzuki's skills as an Ama diver are put to use allowing her to hide and protect herself under water. After making it back to land and informing Tanaka, Suzuki heads back to the base with Tanaka and his ninja's to help Bond. Breaking into the base, Suzuki spots Tanaka is in danger with an opponent and is quick to shoot the SPECTRE worker, saving Tanaka's life. Assisting in the battle, Suzuki and Bond manage to find one another. When Ernst Stavro Blofeld sets off explosions that destroys the entire base, Bond and Suzuki lead the way out the cave via swimming and successfully escape.

Finding a raft out at sea, Bond and Suzuki relax as they watch Blofeld's base explode in the same style as a volcanic eruption. Just as they decide to enjoy their 'honeymoon', the pair are rescued by M's submarine.

## Behind The Scenes

* It is often debated whether the main Bond Girl in You Only Live Twice is Kissy Suzuki or Aki. Although the character Aki does dominate most of the screen-time, she does appear to be more of an ally than lead Bond Girl. Suzuki conforms to the more conventional narrative stereotypes of a Bond Girl (i.e. joining forces with Bond for a set mission such as the infiltration of the volcano base as explored and ending up in his arms in the end). On most, if not all, of the DVD artwork (i.e. the Ultimate DVD Edition which the Bond is featured with his leading Bond Girl on the front cover), it is Suzuki that is featured as the main Bond Girl, however, with the recent Blu-Ray box set, it is Aki that is featured as the leading Bond Girl.
* Unusually, the name Kissy Suzuki is never mentioned in the film.
* Mie Hama was to play Aki, previously called Suki, while Akiko Wakabayashi was to play Suzuki. Due to Hama struggling with her English, the two swapped roles, as, although Suzuki is regarded as being the lead Bond Girl, she has fewer lines than Aki. After this, the producers allowed Wakabayashi to change the name Suki to Aki as a thank you.
* One of very few Bond Girls who doesn't get captured, in need of saving by Bond throughout the film.