Waku, Takashi
Summary
Waku was an energetic and confident young boy who embodied the archetype of a stereotypical shōnen protagonist. Previously a talented soccer player, he was widely popular among his peers, who believed he possessed the skills necessary to become a professional. However, his resolve was shattered when he discovered that his salary-man father had also been a soccer player in his youth, even competing at the national level. Seeing that someone so similar to him had not achieved professional success caused Waku to quit the team, a decision that ultimately led to his attendance at the summer class and his subsequent selection as the first pilot of the children. Following the battle with Bayonet, the group celebrated on Zearth's shoulder. When Ushiro patted Waku on the back, Waku fell off the side into the ocean. Although it appeared that Ushiro had accidentally pushed him, Waku had actually died the moment his tenure as a pilot concluded. His pilot seat was a simple plastic folding chair. While the manga does not specify the number of casualties, the anime states there were 2,343 victims.
