Nadia Pradita. 1814025109. Advisors: Setya Ariani, M.Pd., Ririn Setyowati, M.Hum. Kiko's Defense Mechanism against Anxiety in Akemi Dawn Bowman's Starfish Novel. ABSTRACT. This research focuses on the defense mechanisms of the main character against anxiety in Starfish novel. The story is about Kiko Hamura and her journey to adapt to a new environment as she has difficulty socializing with her surroundings because of her anxious feelings. This research aims to identify the types of anxiety and defense mechanisms used by Kiko as the main character in the novel. The data are analyzed by using Sigmund Freud's theory of anxiety and defense mechanisms and using qualitative research with a psychological approach. Based on the analysis, the researcher found out that the main character experienced neurotic and reality anxiety. She used some types of defense mechanism unconsciously: sublimation, reaction formation, projection, regression, denial, rationalization, and intellectualization whenever she felt uncomfortable with her surroundings.