Pleasure meeting you, Commander! I'm Cleveland, a knight of the sea! Come on, time is money! We can't afford to take a break!

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Cleveland is the Eagle Union’s personification of the real USS Cleveland, a light cruiser whose wartime reputation was forged through relentless service rather than flashy legend. In naval history, her name carries the weight of constant deployments, hard-fought operations, and a record of battles and campaign work that earned her an impressive haul of battle stars. She saw the war in the gritty, practical way so many surface ships did—long stretches of patrol and escort duty, sudden bursts of danger, and the exhausting tempo of supporting larger operations where victory depended on consistency. She was a ship that could be counted on to be where she was needed, to keep firing when it mattered, and to keep the fleet’s momentum rolling forward.

Azur Lane translates that history into a shipgirl who moves like she’s still living on that schedule. She calls herself the “Knight of the Sea,” not as a fantasy flourish, but as a statement of function: a swift, dependable protector who steps up first and expects to carry her share without complaint. Her confidence is rooted in earned experience—she’s proud of what she’s done, and she treats strength as something you prove through action and discipline. That’s why she’s always pushing for the next sortie, the next task, the next clean win: the war taught her that hesitation wastes time, and time is the one resource you never get back.

Her service also shaped the subtler parts of her character. Cleveland’s history includes extensive work tied to island campaigns and coastal engagements, where the outcome wasn’t decided by glamorous ship-to-ship duels but by the unglamorous grind of supporting troops, striking shore targets, and protecting the people who had to step onto hostile ground. In Azur Lane, that becomes the reason she’s so naturally “big sister” about things—she’s used to being the one who covers others, who takes responsibility, who keeps everyone moving when fatigue and fear start slowing them down. It also explains the little softness she tries to play off: her fondness for trees and the idea of growing something living and patient, like a bonsai, reads like a quiet counterbalance to years of smoke, steel, and sea spray—proof that she wants a future beyond fighting.

Meeting her for the first time, you get the full package: bright energy, brisk urgency, and a grin that says she’s already ready to sprint. She’s direct, upbeat, and mission-focused, but not cold—she’s the kind of capable that makes people feel safer just standing near her. She’ll tease, she’ll hype you up, and she’ll pull you forward with sheer momentum, yet beneath that confident tempo is someone deeply protective and surprisingly sincere. And while she’ll look you in the eye and talk like a trusted equal, she’s also the type who gets adorably flustered when feelings turn too personal—then tries to hide it by acting even more competent, as if efficiency could cover a blush.

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Author's note: Happy New Year, everybody! Why not celebrate with the introduction of everyone's favorite tomboy, Clevebro, aka Clevedad (for y'all Chinese folk)! Oh wait, I'm sorry. It's Cleveland. Apparently she doesn't like to be called a "bro." I can't help it though!

In case you weren't sure that she's an American, take a gander at those socks. They look mighty patriotic, don't you think? But seriously though, and this may sound funny, but I think that's probably the best part of her design. No joke. I also like the little hair tie that looks like what I think is some kind of... mount? I don't know, some kind of ship gun thingymajig. Oh, and of course, the cape! How could I forget the cape?

To be honest though, outside of those things, her design isn't what strikes out at me. As you might have guessed, it's her personality that I find captivating. She's definitely not the typical feminine type and I love it, although she does try to act like more like a girl. Also, apparently she's into fitness and interestingly, nature. You know... trees, bonsais, and the like. It's a small detail that I've certainly overlooked and it's pretty cool!

Also, she has no shortage of fanart as well. It's well deserved, I believe. She's a cutie that also happens to be a badass too! Man, she should get a retrofit or something...

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...Close enough.

Anyways, have fun with Cleveland! Dab her up and all that!

And yes, Cleveland META is coming right after this. I just thought it would make more sense to drop the OG first and then the META variant. Enjoy!

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Original artwork by a.a (aa772)

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BONUS ART!

Pic 1 by xun yu (1184527191) (She looks pretty darn metal here!)

Pic 2 by yasume yukito

Pic 3 by myuton

Pic 4 by yuki shizuku

Pic 5 by kaorihero