If you grew up in the early 2000s watching Saturday morning cartoons or diving into the world of magical girls, there is one face you probably never forgot. He has pointed ears, a mischievous smirk, and a penchant for showing up at the most inconvenient times. I am talking about Kissh, also known as Kisshu or Quiche, the primary antagonist from the legendary series Tokyo Mew Mew. For many of us, he wasn’t just a villain; he was the character that made the show interesting. He brought a layer of complexity to what could have been a simple “good vs. evil” story.
In this deep dive, I want to explore why Kissh remains such a powerhouse in the anime community. We will look at his origins, his strange and often problematic obsession with the lead character, Ichigo, and why we, as fans, actually find it so hard to hate him. Whether you are a long-time fan or a newcomer who just discovered the 2022 reboot, Tokyo Mew Mew New, there is a lot to unpack about this green-haired alien.
The Mystery of the Name: Kissh, Kisshu, or Quiche?
Before we get into the meat of his character, let’s clear up the confusion surrounding his name. Depending on which version of the anime you watched or which manga translation you read, you might know him by different names. In the original Japanese, his name is Kisshu. However, the series’ creator, Reiko Yoshida, had a very specific theme for the villains. Just as the Mew Mews are named after foods (Strawberry/Ichigo, Mint, Lettuce, Pudding, Pomegranate/Zakuro), the aliens are named after food as well.
Specifically, the trio of aliens—Kissh, Tart, and Pie—is named after appetizers and desserts. “Quiche” is the intended Western name, but “Kissh” or “Kisshu” is the phonetic translation that stuck with the fanbase. Personally, I prefer Kissh or Kisshu. It sounds a bit sharper and more alien-like. Calling a dangerous villain a “Quiche” takes a bit of the edge off, doesn’t it? But that is the charm of the series—mixing the sweet with the sour.
A Villain with a Visual Identity
When Kissh first appears on the screen, you immediately know he isn’t from Earth. He has these striking golden-yellow eyes and messy green hair that perfectly complements his dark, sleeveless outfit. One of the coolest things about his design is his ears. They are long and pointed, almost elf-like, which immediately signals his non-human status.
His design was ahead of its time for shoujo anime. He didn’t look like a typical “monster.” He was designed to be attractive, which plays into the “bad boy” trope that many viewers found themselves drawn to. In the 2022 reboot, his look was updated with cleaner lines and a slightly more modern aesthetic, while retaining the core elements that made him iconic. He still carries those signature dual-bladed dragon swords, which look both elegant and deadly.
The Alien Mission: Why is He Here?
To understand Kissh, you have to look past his playful attitude. He isn’t just causing chaos for fun. He and his brothers, Tart and Pie, are part of a race called the Cyniclons. Their backstory is actually quite tragic. Thousands of years ago, their people lived on Earth, but they left due to environmental changes. They moved to a harsh, dark, dying planet.
Imagine living in a place where you are constantly struggling to survive, knowing that your ancestors once owned a lush, beautiful world. That is the burden Kissh carries. His mission on Earth is to reclaim the planet for his people so they don’t go extinct. When you look at it from that perspective, he isn’t a villain; he is a soldier trying to save his race. This adds a lot of “EEAT” (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) to the show’s narrative. It forces the audience to ask: Who is actually the “good guy” here? The Mew Mews are protecting their current home, but the aliens are just trying to find a home they lost.
The Obsession with Ichigo Momomiya
We cannot talk about Kissh without talking about Ichigo. Their relationship is… well, it’s complicated. From the moment he first meets her, he is fascinated by her. But it isn’t a healthy kind of love. It starts as an obsession. He calls her “Koneko-chan” (Kitten), which is both patronizing and strangely intimate.
As someone who has analyzed many anime character arcs, I find Kissh’s feelings for Ichigo to be the most humanizing aspect of his character. He is an alien who supposedly doesn’t understand human emotions, yet he is overwhelmed by his feelings for a human girl. He often tries to “claim” her, which leads to many battles with the Mew Mews and her human boyfriend, Masaya Aoyama.
While some might see his actions as purely villainous, there are moments where you see his genuine pain. He wants Ichigo to love him, but he knows she never will. This unrequited love drives much of his anger. There is a specific scene in the manga where he realizes that no matter how much power he has, he can’t make someone love him. That is a very powerful, human lesson coming from an alien antagonist.
The Power of the Chimera Anima
Kissh’s primary method of attack is the use of “Chimera Animas.” He takes the soul of a living creature (usually a parasite) and fuses it with an animal or even an inanimate object on Earth. This creates a monster that the Mew Mews have to fight.
What I find interesting about this power is how it reflects Kissh’s view of Earth. To him, humans are parasites who have ruined a beautiful planet. By creating Chimera Animas, he is literally using the planet’s own life forms against the humans. It is a clever bit of symbolism. His combat style is also very fluid. He uses teleportation and high-speed maneuvers, making him a difficult opponent for the Mew Mews to pin down. He often toys with them, ending a fight not because he lost, but because he got bored or distracted by Ichigo.
The 2002 Original vs. The 2022 Reboot
If you are a fan of the original 2002 anime, you might have noticed some changes in the 2022 version, Tokyo Mew Mew New. In the original, Kissh felt a bit more chaotic and perhaps a bit more “campy.” The voice acting was very high-energy. In the reboot, the tone is slightly more serious.
His relationship with Ichigo in the new version feels more intense from the start. The animation quality in the reboot also allows for much more expressive facial movements. You can see the flicker of sadness in his eyes more clearly than you could in the older, lower-resolution animation. However, the character’s core remains the same. He is still the flirtatious, dangerous, and deeply conflicted alien we fell in love with years ago.
Why Do We Still Love Kissh?
You might wonder why a character who tries to destroy the world and harasses the main character remains so popular. I think it comes down to the “Redemption Arc” potential. We love characters that have a bit of gray in their morality. Kissh isn’t evil just because he wants to be; he is a product of his circumstances.
Also, let’s be honest: he provides the conflict that drives the story. Without Kissh, Tokyo Mew Mew would be a show about girls working in a cafe and occasionally saving a cat. He brings the stakes. He brings the drama. And in the end (without giving too many spoilers for those who haven’t finished the series), he shows that he is capable of sacrifice. He chooses his heart over his mission, and that is the ultimate sign of a great character.
Personal Experience: My Journey with the Series
I remember the first time I saw Kissh on TV. At the time, I didn’t understand the complexities of “anti-heroes.” I just thought he was a cool villain with a better outfit than the heroes’. But as I rewatched the series as an adult, I started to feel for him. I saw a young man who was given the weight of his entire species’ survival on his shoulders.
I’ve discussed this with many people in the anime community, and the consensus is almost always the same: Kissh is the soul of Tokyo Mew Mew. He is the bridge between the magical girl genre and a more serious sci-fi story. He represents the “other,” the person who doesn’t fit in but desperately wants to find a place where they belong.
Conclusion
Kissh is much more than just a “villain of the week.” He is a multi-dimensional character who explores themes of loneliness, environmentalism, and the messy nature of love. His name might be a bit silly (whether you call him Quiche or Kissh), but his impact on the world of anime is undeniable. He taught a generation of viewers that even the “bad guys” have a story to tell and that sometimes, the line between hero and villain is thinner than we think.
If you haven’t watched Tokyo Mew Mew in a while, or if you’ve never seen it, I highly recommend giving it a look—if only to see Kissh in action. He is a masterclass in writing a compelling antagonist who stays with the audience long after the final credits roll.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Is Kissh an alien or a human?
Kissh is an alien from the Cyniclon race. While he appears humanoid, he has pointed ears and abilities beyond those of humans, including teleportation and the ability to create Chimera Animas.
2. Does Kissh actually love Ichigo?
Yes, in his own way. While it starts as a selfish obsession, it evolves into a deep, albeit tragic, affection. He is willing to defy his own leaders for her safety towards the end of the series.
3. What happens to Kissh at the end of Tokyo Mew Mew?
In most versions of the story, Kissh undergoes a redemption of sorts. He realizes the value of life on Earth and helps the Mew Mews in the final struggle, eventually returning to his home planet to try and save it using the Mew Aqua.
4. Why is he called Quiche in some versions?
His name follows a food-themed naming convention for the villains. Quiche is a type of savory tart. “Kissh” is the Japanese phonetic spelling of the word.
5. Who voices Kissh?
In the original 2002 Japanese version, he is voiced by Daisuke Sakaguchi. In the 2022 reboot, he is voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto. In the English dub (Mew Mew Power), he was renamed “Dren” and voiced by Andrew Rannells.
