Kikuoka Seijirou

Kikuoka Seijirou (菊岡誠二郎) is a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Technology, Second Separated Advanced Network Division, or «Virtual Division». He uses the handle Chrysheight (クリスハイト) (formed from the English words «Chrysanthemum» and «Height» ) in «ALfheim Online» (ALO). He supposedly uses this account to get more familiar with VRMMO players, but Kirigaya Kazuto (Kirito) speculates that the true reason for using this account is to gather information. It is later revealed that Kikuoka is actually a Lieutenant Colonel working at the JSDF who voluntarily transferred over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication for the sake of his plans on Project Alicization.

Background
He was an investigator in the «Sword Art Online Case Victims Rescue Force», and the one who told Kazuto which hospital Asuna was in. Though he is stated to be part of the virtual division, Kazuto suspects he is part of the JSDF, after tailing him. He takes advantage of Kazuto's gratitude by using him as an investigator for issues, and uses other people like watchdogs over the VR network.

His skill as a mage in ALfheim Online is acknowledged by General Eugene.

He was also one of the original 1,000 beta testers for the original Sword Art Online. However he did not transfer over to the full version of Sword Art Online because he realized that the technology could be used for more than just military training programs and started working on Project Alicization.

SAO Extra Edition
Kikuoka makes his first appearance in the anime in the Extra Edition, using a counselor as bait for him to meet Kirito in the counselor's office, to Kirito's surprise. Kikuoka convinces Kirito to talk about what happened in SAO, since details of public records and reports regarding the SAO incident, Kayaba, and Sugou, were insufficient in knowing what really happened in SAO and ALO. Kirito (hesitant at first, since he was busy regarding Sugou and his friends) agreed to tell him everything that happened: from the incidents at SAO, to the "victory" over Kayaba, to his quest in saving Asuna from Sugou, afterwards Kirito departs to meet up with his friends for a quest at ALO at a scheduled time.

In the epilougue, Kikuoka tries to call Kirito again, perhaps over an important issue.

Phantom Bullet Arc
Kikuoka Seijirou made his first appearance at the beginning of the Phantom Bullet arc as an acquaintance of Kazuto, contacting him for advice concerning a troubling matter. He introduced the Death Gun problem, trying to debate on how Death Gun could kill through the tamper-proof safety conscious AmuSphere. He and Kazuto reasoned that such a feat was impossible, but he convinced Kazuto to investigate for a sizable reward.

After Kirito entered the «Bullet of Bullets» and encountered the Death Gun after the death of Pale Rider, Asuna contacted Kikuoka and got him to log in to ALfheim Online where she interrogated him to find out the true reason behind Kazuto converting his avatar to Gun Gale Online. He, after extreme pressure, revealed everything to Asuna.

In the resolution, he met with Kazuto and Asada Shino for a debriefing of the incident and apologized for the danger. Kazuto also brought up the issue of the dangers that some aspects of VRMMO pose, such as invisibility being a gateway to misbehavior.

Alicization Running
In Alicization Running, it was revealed that he is a Lieutenant Colonel from the Japanese government's Self-Defence Force, and is in charge of the Alicization Project. He oversaw its conception and formulation, directing the soul cloning of newborn babies and then the acceleration of the Underworld society.

It was also revealed that he had taken advantage of the «Gun Gale Online Incident» to form a relationship with Kazuto. His true goal was revealed to have been enlisting Kazuto's help for Project Alicization.

Gallery

 * See Kikuoka Seijirou/Image Gallery