// On-Senin, 06 Maret 2017
HISTORICAL NOTE:
Atago (愛宕?) was the second vessel in the Takao-class heavy cruisers, active in World War II with the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). These were among the largest and most modern cruisers in the Japanese fleet, designed with the intention to form the backbone of a multipurpose long-range strike force. Her sister ships were Takao, Maya and Chōkai.
Sinking in the Battle of Leyte Gulf
From July–October 1944, Atago was flagship of Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita's First Mobile Striking Force, which comprised the major remaining surface force of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The force consisted of seven battleships, eleven heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and 19 destroyers, and was based at Lingga Roads near Singapore. The force sortied on 22 October in what would be the last major naval engagement of the war, the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Atago served as flagship for what the Allies termed the “Center Force”, and was a part of Sentai-4, along with Chōkai, Takao and Maya. The next day two submarines that had been shadowing the force attacked in the Palawan Passage. Atago was one of the ships hit. Four torpedoes fired from the submarine USS Darter struck the Atago, setting her ablaze. She capsized at 05:53 in about 1,800 m (5,900 ft) of water at 09°28′N 117°17′ECoordinates: 09°28′N 117°17′E.
Of Atago’s crewmen, there were 529 survivors, including Vice Admiral Kurita, but 360 were killed. CoS Rear Admiral Tomiji Koyanagi and Atago’s skipper Rear Admiral Araki and 355 crewman were rescued by the destroyer Kishinami; 171 others were rescued by the destroyer Asashimo. She was removed from the navy list on 20 December.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_cruiser_Atago
Appearance :
Atago wears a similar outfit to Takao, but with a few differences. Atago wears a blue vest-like garment which is open similar to a jacket, pantyhose and a blue sailor's hat. She has blond hair, green eyes and large breasts.
Personality :
Atago speaks rather informally and is depicted as a foil to Takao. She is much more energetic than the other ships in her class, and seems to have a special relationship with Takao.
Like many other ships, Atago has a catchphrase; hers being "ぱんぱかぱーん!" (Pan paka pan!), an expression similar to the English "ta-da!".
TRIVIA:- Torpedoed by USS Darter, 23 October 1944, in Palawan, Philippines. Maya also sunk in the same area, and her wreck is close by hers.
- Originally Takao and Atago's names were reserved for two ships of the Amagi-class Battlecruisers, had the Washington Naval Treaty not been conceived Takao and Atago would be sister ships of Akagi.
- Atago's design was inspired from Myoko's. Among the modification, she received a better armoured hull and the ability to fire torpedoes with a wider angle.
- Her name lives on, along with Ashigara, as the lead ship of the Atago Class Guided Missile Destroyer.
- She appeared in the first Kancolle Drama CD, also dubbed One Nao show, along with other characters in a mini skit.
source: http://kancolle.wikia.com/wiki/Atago
