The Takao-class cruisers were an evolution from the preceding Myoko class, with heavier torpedo armament and had an almost battleship-like, large bridge structure.
Their main gun armament were ten 20.3-centimetre (8.0 in) guns in twin mounts and they were also armed with sixteen 24 inch Long Lance torpedoes (carrying more than the Myoko or Mogami-class ships), making the Takaos the most heavily armed cruisers of the IJN. The only flaws the Takaos had were that they were top-heavy and thus prone to capsizing, as well as Turret having a poor firing arc. These two problems were rectified in the follow-up Mogamis; nonetheless the Takaos were considered the best cruisers that the IJN ever built.