Kazuo Inayama, nicknamed "Black Devil" by Rebel pilots, was a Human male from Coruscant who served in the Imperial Navy as a TIE pilot; holding the rank of colonel by the time of his death. Born in 25 BBY, he was raised during the Imperial Period by a family of former Galactic Republic, and now Imperial, patriots. As a young man, he wanted to join the Sub-Adult Group of COMPNOR, though his father, knowing the organization was hated by the rest of the Empire, kept Inayama from doing so. After turning seventeen in 8 BBY, he enlisted in the Navy, going to the Coruscant Pilot Institute and graduating. Inayama proved to be a skilled pilot, and the school's leader, Commander Mogurk, promoted him to petty officer upon graduation.