Kurokawa (黒川) is a character in The Wind Rises.

About

He is the leader of a group of airplane designers at Mitsubishi Aircraft Company.

Kurokawa is first seen when Jiro is working at the designs of the plane and sketching.

Etymology

• The surname Kurokawa means "black" (黒) (kuro) and "river, stream" (川) (kawa).

• Benevolent Boss: Although one's first impression of him is as a usual Mean Boss, he quickly dispels this as he does admire Jiro's work and drive, entrusts him as the leader of the bomber project, and even allows Jiro to stay at his home to avoid the Secret Police. They turn more into Vitriolic Best Buds by the end.

• Happily Married: From what we see of them, Mr. and Mrs. Kurakawa are happy together, and act as witnesses for Jiro and Nahoko's wedding.

• Hidden Depths: Despite his first impression of an impatient boss (in itself likely driven by the amount of pressure put on the company to get out a brand-new, 220-knot plane), he is later proven to be a Benevolent Boss, trusting Jiro to lead the new bomber project and allowing him and Nahoko to stay at his house, and even get married there.

• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: It is mostly due to his perpetual frowning he comes off as such, but it is quickly established he is actually a good guy. He tries his best to protect Jiro from the Secret Police, offers him (and later, his wife Nahoko) a place to live, and serves as a witness at their impromptu wedding. He also gives Jiro credit where it is due, as shown by him saying Jiro's self-held engineering seminar was "a revelation", and advises Jiro to avoid situations where he would be in competition with Honjo, as friendship is always more important.

• Licked by the Dog: One of the clearest signs that Mr. Kurokawa has Hidden Depths is the fact that he's Happily Married to Mrs. Kurokawa, a very kind and caring woman and model hostess to Jiro and Nahoko.

• The Napoleon: He is short in stature and often short in temper.

• One Head Taller: Inverted in terms of . Kurokawa is shorter than most of the men depicted, to the extent that he stands about one head shorter than his wife.

• Perpetual Frowner: Even when complimenting others, he has a permanent frown on his face. The only time this is lifted is when he finds out Jiro is engaged, and laughs.

• Reasonable Authority Figure: Despite being a short-tempered boss, Kurokawa has a very reasonable judgment and is willing to listen to Jiro on his thoughts about the various projects Mitsubishi is working on.

• The Short Guy with Glasses: He's a short guy, he wears glasses, and shows himself to be a canny boss and clever friend.

• Trying Not to Cry: He fails at this as he is overcome by the simultaneously heart-warming and heart-wrenching union between Jiro and Nahoko, sincerely and emphatically saying they are very brave.

• Ugly Guy, Hot Wife: Kurokawa has one of the more unique character designs, being short and cartoonish-looking, while Mrs. Kurokawa is a beautiful and gentle woman.

Kurokawa

’s physical appearance in The Wind Rises is defined by his short stature and intense, stern expressions. He is often described as a "Napoleon-esque" figure due to his height and frequent outbursts of energy.

Key Physical Features

• Height: He is remarkably short, standing about one head shorter than his wife. He is also significantly shorter than most of the other engineers at Mitsubishi, including Jiro.

• Face and Expression: He is almost always seen with a frown or a look of critical scorn, even when he is being helpful or complimentary. He has a sharp, slightly pointed face. He wears round glasses, a business suit, and has a distinctive hairstyle characterized by tufts sticking out on the sides and a prominent furrowed brow that conveys his impatient expression.

• Attire: As a professional engineer and supervisor, he typically wears a dark business suit while at the aircraft factory.

• Mannerisms: He is characterized by frantic energy and a tendency to shout when excited or angry, which contrasts with his small physical size.