Kissy Suzuki is a fictional character in Ian Fleming’s 1964 James Bond novel, You Only Live Twice, portrayed by actress Mie Hama in the 1967 film adaptation. As in the novel, Suzuki is an Ama diver. However, the rest of the character’s narrative differs significantly between the book and film.
When the movie was dubbed into Japanese, Suzuki was voiced by Sanae Kobayashi in the DVD/Blu-Ray version.
Biography
Kissy Suzuki is introduced when James Bond must go undercover, acting as a local fisherman, while investigating the mysterious happenings surrounding a small island in Japan. As an agent, she is chosen by her employer, Tiger Tanaka, to aid Bond on the mission due to her keen sense of adventure and skills as an Ama diver. Bond and Kissy marry in a staged wedding ceremony allowing Bond access to continue his investigation further, moving around the islands of Japan as an unnoticeable local rather than a prominent visitor.
During a meal at Kissy’s house, she clarifies to Bond that, although the pair are married, their work together “is business.” That evening, Kissy informs Bond and Tanaka of word going around the local village that an Ama girl mysteriously died in a cave on the mainland that served as a vent for a nearby Volcano. The pair agree to set sail for the shelter in the morning to investigate.
The following morning, Bond and Kissy leave Matsu Island and head to the cave. When in the cave, the pair instantly realize something is wrong. Bond tells Kissy the cave is filled with poisonous gas, to which the team flees the boat and swims out of the cave underwater, not rising until they reach fresh air. Swimming onto land, Bond and Kissy continue to search the perimeter for clues. While walking, the pair take a moment to relax where the pair finally share an intimate moment, cut short by a passing helicopter that seems to fly into the mouth of a volcano which Kissy tells Bond hasn’t been active in her lifetime. Investigating further, they realize the volcano’s roof is a metal door leading inside SPECTRE’s base.
While Bond breaks into the base, Kissy heads back to rendezvous with Tanaka. As she swims, she is targeted by a shooting SPECTRE helicopter. Kissy’s Ama diver skills are used, allowing her to hide and protect herself underwater. After making it back to land and informing Tanaka, Kissy heads back to the base with Tanaka and his ninjas to help Bond. Breaking into the base, Kissy spots Tanaka in danger with an opponent and is quick to shoot the SPECTRE worker, saving Tanaka’s life. Assisting in the battle, Kissy and Bond manage to find one another. When Ernst Stavro Blofeld sets off explosions that destroy the entire base, Bond and Kissy lead the way out of the cave via swimming and successfully escape.
Finding a raft out at sea, Bond and Kissy relax as they watch Blofeld’s base explode in the same style as a volcanic eruption. Just as they decide to enjoy their ‘honeymoon,’ the pair are rescued by M’s submarine.
