Although it does seem strange that they make Ryuujou the one who gives her a Zero voluntarily and/or shows the most compassion for AL while everyone else picks on her.
The actual Akutan Zero was strafing survivors (which is a war crime...) from a crashed seaplane when someone managed to tag it with small arms fire. This being the "armor and safety equipment is for pussies" Zero fighter, it crashed. Unlike most zeros hit by actual anti-vehicle weapons, though, it didn't instantly disintegrate into a shower of burning confetti, and sank into some muddy ground, so it could be more appropriately reverse-engineered on American soil.
In short, RJ, here, lost her Reppu to Hoppo because she was picking on Hoppo, and Hoppo managed to bat an intact one down due to how weak her swipes were. Most of the other shipgirls were off at Midway at the same time.
I prefer the idea that while they are reincarnated as girls and have their memories, they're not exactly who they are back then.
That experience of RJ is not especially traumatic (Albacore, say hi to Tenryuu). Hoppo are not specifically trying to get a Zero back then either, it's just luck that the plane survived. So RJ just feel she have a special relationship to Hoppo and thus less aggressive towards her.
I prefer the idea that while they are reincarnated as girls and have their memories, they're not exactly who they are back then.
That experience of RJ is not especially traumatic (Albacore, say hi to Tenryuu). Hoppo are not specifically trying to get a Zero back then either, it's just luck that the plane survived. So RJ just feel she have a special relationship to Hoppo and thus less aggressive towards her.
Also, its RJ's role to play the straight man (because of her Kansai-ben), so its natural that she feels sorry for Hoppo.
Also, RJ always seems to be your best pal, all nice, friendly and compassionate. Giving you a little pat on the back and cheering you up. Or at least, be sorry for ya. Well, it's my personal feeling about Ryuujou, so nothing really based on actual facts.
