The Kagerō, lead ship of its class, was a powerful Japanese destroyer designed for high-speed fleet actions in the Pacific War. Built in the late 1930s, it boasted advanced torpedo technology and a robust armament of guns and depth charges.

The Kagerō participated in numerous key battles, including Pearl Harbor, Midway, and Guadalcanal, where it played a role in the intense "Tokyo Express" transport missions. It escorted carriers, engaged enemy warships, and potentially contributed to the sinking of the USS Northampton.

After extensive service, the Kagerō was disabled by a mine and then sunk by Allied aircraft near Rendova in May 1943, marking the end of its wartime career.