List of Tokyo Mew Mew characters

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It has been suggested that Lettuce Midorikawa, Zakuro Fujiwara and Pudding Fong be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

This is a list of the major characters from the manga and anime series Tokyo Mew Mew. The original seven volumes manga series was written by Reiko Yoshida and illustrated by Mia Ikumi and first serialized in Kodansha's Nakayoshi between September 2000 and February 2003.^[1] The fifty-two episode anime adaptation was produced by Studio Pierrot and was broadcast on both TV Aichi and TV Tokyo from April 6, 2002 until March 29, 2003.^[2] A sequel to the manga series, Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode was serialized in Nakayoshi, running from April 2003 until February 2004. It was written solely by Mia Ikumi and spans two volumes.^[3]

The series follows the adventures of five girls who are infused with the DNA of rare animals. This gives them ability to transform into Mew Mews, changing their appearances and giving them special powers. Lead by Ichigo Momomiya, the girls must protect the earth from a group of aliens who wish to "reclaim it" and their Chimera Anima creations. In the manga sequel, Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode, a sixth Mew Mew, Berry Shirayuki is introduced. She becomes the temporary leader of the Mew Mews, in the absence of Ichigo, to fight a new threat, the Saint Rose Crusaders.

Contents 1 Mew Mews 1.1 Ichigo Momomiya 1.2 Mint Aizawa 1.3 Lettuce Midorikawa 1.4 Pudding Fong 1.5 Zakuro Fujiwara 1.6 Berry Shirayuki 2 Antagonists 2.1 Aliens 2.1.1 Chimera anima 2.1.2 Kish 2.1.3 Tart 2.1.4 Pie 2.1.5 Deep Blue 2.2 Saint Rose Crusaders 2.2.1 Duke 2.2.2 Royal Highness 2.2.3 Happy Child 2.2.4 Blue Bayou 2.2.5 Sweet Juliet 3 Supporting Characters 3.1 Masaya Aoyama 3.2 Blue Knight 3.3 Ryou Shirogane 3.4 Keiichiro Akasaka 3.5 Tasuku Meguro 3.6 Masha 3.7 Ucha 3.8 Minor characters 4 References

[edit] Mew Mews

The Mew Mews are young girls who have been injected with the genes of endangered species, giving them the ability to transform into a Mew Mew. Endangered species were chosen because it was felt that they had the strongest desire to preserve their kind. The superheroes are biological weapons tasked with fighting the chimera anima, the monsters created when alien parasites infect a living host. They also are called on to fight the aliens that later appear and are the source of the chimera anima invasion. The creation of the first five Mew Mews occurred accidentally, with Ryou originally intending to inject a chimera anima with the endangered animal genes directly, to see if they could reverse the affects of the infection.^[4]

The Mew Project itself, however, started five years before the time when Tokyo Mew Mew is set. It was started by Dr. Shirogane, the father of Ryou Shirogane. In the manga, it is never fully explained why the project was started or how they knew about chimera animas and the aliens. Dr. Shirogane does mention that they must learn how to inject animal genes into human DNA in order to fight the aliens.^[5] In the anime, it is said that Dr. Shirogane discovered the fossilized remains of an ancient civilization, called the Chimera, during an archaeological dig. He began researching the race of people who lived there, with his assistant Keiichiro Akasaka, in a laboratory based at his home. This would eventually become the Mew Project.^{[episode needed]} When Ryou was 10 years old, a laboratory explosion killed Dr. Shirogane, and his wife, leaving Ryou orphaned. He moved to Japan, with Keiichiro to continue the Mew Project.^[5] In the anime, the lab explosion was caused by a Chimera fossil that Dr. Shirogane had found waking up and setting the house on fire.^{[episode needed]}

In the main Tokyo Mew Mew, there are five Mew Mews: Ichigo Momomiya, Mint Aizawa, Lettuce Midorikawa, Pudding Fong, and Zakuro Fujiwara.^[6][7] Each Mew Mew has a "mew mark" left on their bodies after the injection of the genetic material which identifies them as being a Mew Mew.^[8] When transformed, each girl has powers related to their animal DNA, and they can combine their powers to boost Mew Ichigo's power. The group were originally just called the Mew Mews, until they accidentally were caught on live television broadcast while fighting chimera anima. With reporters asking who they were, Mew Ichigo introduced the group to the viewers as "Tokyo Mew Mew," which became the name the public would call them thereafter.^[9] As part of being a Mew Mew, the girls work as waitresses at the Cafe Mew Mew, their headquarters, where they can also gather information from customers on chimera anima activity.^[10] In Tokyo Mew Mew a La Mode Ichigo moves to England, leaving the Mew Mews without a leader. A sixth Mew Mew, Berry Shirayuki, is created to fill her shoes, and becomes the first Mew Mew to be fused with the DNA of two animals instead of one.^[11]

[edit] Ichigo Momomiya

Main article: Ichigo Momomiya

Ichigo Momomiya (桃宮　いちご, Momomiya Ichigo^?) is a 13 year-old girl who becomes infused with the DNA of an Iriomote Wildcat, allowing her to transform into the leader of the Tokyo Mew Mews, Mew Ichigo. After learning that she is now a superhero, Ichigo must find the remaining Mew Mews while also fighting the Chimera Animas and the aliens who want to take over the world. In the anime series, her voice actress is Saki Nakajima. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation her name is changed to Zoey Hanson and she is voiced by Amanda Brown.

[edit] Mint Aizawa

Mint Aizawa (藍沢　みんと, Aizawa Minto^?) is the second Mew Mew to be introduced in the series. At their first meeting, Mint lends Ichigo a handkerchief, but also makes snide comments causing Ichigo to consider her a rude, sarcastic person.^[12] After learning about the Mew Mew project and that there are four other Mew Mews to find, Ichigo suspects Mint must be one of them. Ichigo is unable to confirm her suspicions while visiting with Masaya to return the hankie, so she breaks into Mint's home later. A chimera anima takes over Mint's dog Mickey, and during the battle, Mint's mark is revealed.^[13] Infused with the genes of a Ultramarine Lorikeet, Mint grows a pair of bird wings appear on her back and a bird's tail when she transforms into Mew Mint. She fights with a bow and arrow.^[13]

Mint is initially depicted as a spoiled, snobbish, and self-centered brat.^[14] As the series progresses, she is shown to really be a more empathetic person who cares deeply about her friends.^[13][15] Mint is a ballerina and takes Japanese dance classes.^[13][16] Though she technically works at the cafe, she usually spends most of her time enjoying afternoon tea and ordering the others about.^[10][17] Mint idolizes fellow Mew Mew, Zakuro Fujiwara.^[18][19]

In the anime series, her voice actress is Yumi Kakazu. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation her name is changed to Corina Bucksworth and she is voiced by Andi Whaley.

[edit] Lettuce Midorikawa

Main article: Lettuce Midorikawa

Lettuce Midorikawa (碧川　れたす, Midorikawa Retasu^?) is the third member of the Mews Mews and is infused with the DNA of a Finless Porpoise. When she first discovers her Mew Mew powers, it terrifies her causing her to attack Ichigo and Mint until they help her see they are new friends. Lettuce is very timid and shy and was bullied until she joins the Mew Mews. Her new friends help her gain more self-confidence. In the anime series, her voice actress is Kumi Sakuma. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation her name is changed to Bridget Verdant and she is voiced by Bella Hudson.

[edit] Pudding Fong

Main article: Pudding Fong

Pudding Fong (黄　歩鈴, Fon Purin^?), the fourth and youngest of the Mew Mews, 8 year-old Pudding is infused with the DNA of a Golden Lion Tamarin. Pudding always retains a childish nature, in spite of being Mew Pudding and taking care of her 5 younger siblings while her father studies martial arts in China. In the anime series, her voice actress is Hisayo Mochizuki. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation her name is changed to Kikki Benjamin and she is voiced by Kether Donahue.

[edit] Zakuro Fujiwara

Main article: Zakuro Fujiwara

Zakuro Fujiwara (藤原　ざくろ, Fujiwara Zakuro^?), the fifth and oldest of the Mew Mews, is a 15-year-old model who is infused with a Gray Wolf. At first, she refuses to join the Mew Mews, feeling she needs no friends, however when the others come to help her after her rejecting them she changes her mind. In the anime series, her voice actress is Junko Noda. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation her name is changed to Renée Roberts and she is voiced by Mollie Weaver.

[edit] Berry Shirayuki

Berry Shirayuki (白雪　ベリー, Shirayuki Berii^?) is introduced in Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode as the series' main protagonist. In a la Mode, the Mew Mews' leader, Ichigo, has gone to study abroad in England with her boyfriend Masaya.^[20] The twelve year old girl becomes the sixth Mew Mew and temporarily takes Ichigo's place by becoming the new leader of the group.^[21] Berry is a newcomer to the area, and takes a daily, hour long, subway ride to the city where she attends a private middle school.^[22] Berry becomes the first Mew Mew to be infused with the DNA of two endangered species, the Andean Mountain Cat and the Amami Rabbit, after she follows Ryou Shirogane to the Cafe Mew Mew to thank him for saving her from a bad fall, accidentally enters the Mew Mew's headquarters, and runs through an experimental new machine for infusing DNA into girls.^[23] Berry quickly adapts to her new role as a Mew Mew. Like Ichigo, she is given a robot companion, the R3000, whom she renames Ucha.^[24][25] Ucha not only provides her guidance in fighting, but also transforms into the wand she uses to perform attacks.^[24] As the "second strongest" Mew Mew, Berry becomes the primary target of the series antagonists, the Saint Rose Crusaders.^[26] As Berry and the other Mew Mews continue to eliminate the chimera animas and fight the Saint Rose Crusaders, they are joined by Mew Ichigo, who returns from England after sensing her friends were in trouble.^[27]

Throughout a la Mode the secondary story line follows the growing romance between Berry and her childhood friend Tasuku.^[28] Tasuku sneaks into Berry's room every morning to hug her, a practice that started after Berry's mother passed away and could no longer perform the daily ritual.^[29] As the series progresses, Berry come to realize that she has slowly fallen in love with Tasuku. This revelation leaves her confused at first, so she shies away from his touch, causing him to stop hugging her.^[30] Tasuku is eventually hypnotized by Duke, the leader of the series antagonist's (the Saint Rose Crusaders), and turned against Berry. Berry finds the courage to confess her love to him and return a kiss he gave her earlier, breaking the spell.^[31] Together, they share the warm feelings of their love to release the city's citizens from a similar hypnotism spell that had caused the citizens to turn against the Mew Mews, as well as to change the hears to the Saint Rose Crusaders.^[32] At the end of the series, Berry and Tasuku are still a couple, the "lovebirds” of the café, work side-by-side as the cafe's new door-to-door delivery service and celebrate being in love.^[33]

Reviewers of the Tokyo a La Mode series had mixed views about the character of Mew Berry. Some felt she was a "rather shallow character" that was just mirroring the life of the character Mew Ichigo from the original Tokyo Mew Mew in a shorter form.^[34] Others felt she simply acted like a "typical preteen girl" without crossing the line into being a potentially annoying and avoids the appearance of being a standard "a marketable character trying to rack up charm points".^[35]

[edit] Antagonists

[edit] Aliens

In Tokyo Mew Mew, the primary antagonists are aliens who appear on Earth and attack it with chimera animas to "reclaim it." According to the aliens, their ancestors lived on Earth 3 million years ago, but had to leave after a series of catastrophes nearly lead to their extinction. The planet they ended up on had an inhospitable surface environment. Its sandstorms and high temperatures forced the aliens to live underground. The aliens never forgot Earth, their home world, and they longed to return to it. Having returned to Earth, the aliens are disgusted by by the humans now living on Earth as they feel the humans are destroying the planet.^[36] To accomplish their goal of reclaiming the planet, they are using the chimera animas to accelerate the environmental damage the humans are causing to destroy all current life on the planet.^[37]

Deep Blue is the first alien to return, taking the form of a human boy and then going to sleep within him.^[38] Kish, Pie, and Tart arrived later, with the purpose of removing the humans who were destroying their planet, so the remaining aliens could return.^[36] After Deep Blue is destroyed and the aliens defeated, they return to their own planet with some of the mew aqua to change their current world into a place as beautiful as the Earth they had left behind.^[39] The aliens are simply called aliens in the manga and original anime, however in the Mew Mew Power adaptation they are called "Cyniclons" and their history is changed so that they came from an uninhabitable planet and, jealous of the humans, decided to conquer the Earth and make it their new home.^[40][41]

The aliens have no role in Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode, however they appear in a single panel in the first volume when the Mew Mews complain about the aliens leaving behind some chimera animas.^[42]

[edit] Chimera anima

Chimera animas (キメラ・アニマ, Kimera Anima^?) are blob-shaped parasitic aliens which the invading aliens Kish, Pie, and Tart use to infect animals, changing them into monsters.^[43][44] In the anime series, chimera anima are also shown being created from plants, human spirits, and a fossil.^[45][46][47] Kish merged five of the parasites with some mew aqua resulting in the creation of a large three-headed tortoise-like monster.^[48]

The Mew Mews special attacks can force the parasites out of the alien bodies, after which Masha retrieves the parasites by eating them and the host returns to its normal form.^[49][50]

Kish, Pie, and Tart left Earth to return to their own world at the end of Tokyo Mew Mew. In Tokyo Mew Mew a La Mode, it is revealed that they left behind some chimera animas, which are taken over by the Saint Rose Crusaders to aid in their plans for world domination.^[51][52]

In the initial English language release of the Tokyo Mew Mew manga, Tokyopop used the spelling "kirema anima" to refer to the monsters, however in Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode this is changed to chimera anima.^[51][53] In the 4Kids Mew Mew Power dub adaptation, they are called "Predacytes." The parasitic aliens, which are unnamed in the original, are named "Predacyte Infusors," or "Para Paras" for short.^[54][55] This shortened name is also used in the video games.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Kish

Kish (キッシュ, Kisshu^?) is the first alien to appear on Earth to reclaim it. He first shows himself to Ichigo at the end of the first volume of the manga, appearing at the zoo and kissing her.^[56] At first, he just considers Ichigo an "interesting toy" but to avoid getting in trouble he is willing to kill her.^[57] In future encounters, he continues flirting with Ichigo, calling her "honey," appearing behind her to hug her or try to steal a kiss, and saying they have a "special relationship" despite Ichigo's strong protests.^[58] Kish tends to be playful and carefree, enjoying fighting with the Mew Mews as though it were a fun game.^[59] His lackadaisical approach results in him being put under temporary house arrest, but Pie's subsequent failures result in Kish being freed to continue their mission.^[60][61]

As the series progresses, Kish's feelings for Ichigo grow stronger. His borderline obsession causes him to question his loyalty to Deep Blue and lose the desire to fight, wanting instead to tease Ichigo until she "gives in" to him.^[62] When the Blue Knight first appears and rescues Ichigo from Kish, Kish is furious and demands she be returned because she is "his." The Blue Knight easily defeats Kish and forces him to retreat, but he continues to declare that he will get her back because she belongs to him.^[63] In his second battle with the Blue Knight, Kish is badly wounded and demands to be killed, but Ichigo won't allow that. Pie and Tart come to aid Kish, but he makes them flee instead.^[64] When his wounds heal, he attacks again, kidnapping Ichigo. He tells her he loves her, but then demands she cry because he loves seeing her frightened. As he holds her captive, he tells her that he loves her and wants to make her his.^[65] Ichigo is rescued by the Blue Knight, who is revealed to be Masaya. Kish is the first to realize that Masaya/Blue Knight is also Deep Blue, and taunts him with teasers about this until the truth is revealed.^[66]

As Deep Blue awakening approaches, Kish again declares his love to Ichigo and promises to save her. When Ichigo rejects his offer and his love, Kish temporarily loses control and begins strangling her while crying and asking how he can make her love him. He eventually releases her and disappears after saying he'll "buy her more time."^[67] After Deep Blue is awakened, he refuses to acknowledge Kish's request to spare Ichigo. Kish, determined to protect the one he has come to love and realizing nothing is more important to him than her, challenges their leader to a duel. Deep Blue fatally wounds him and Kish dies in a crying Ichigo's arms, after declaring his love one last time.^[68] After Deep Blue's defeat, Kish is revived with the power of the mew aqua. He returns with the others to their planet, after wishing Ichigo happiness and stealing one last kiss.^[69]

Kish, like the others, can fly and teleport himself, and usually fights by sending chimera anima's to attack his opponents. He also has the ability to create illusionary replicas of himself to confuse an enemy^[64] In a physical fight, Kish uses a pair of tonfas.^[63] In the anime, the tonfas are changed to a set of weapons called the Dragon Swords, which are similar in appearance to sais.^{[citation needed]}

In the anime adaptation, Kish has a much darker personality, with a greater penchant for violence and an a stronger obsessive nature. He enjoys causing trouble and fighting. He is also positioned as the leader of the aliens, after Deep Blue, being the main one to communicate with Deep Blue and the one who leads most missions. Despite his personality he displays great tactical intelligence and a penchant for devising plans to attack the Mew Mews. In the anime, he is also more defiant of Deep Blue, chafing under the position of subordinate and holding a deep distrust for their leader. This is later justified when the aliens learn that Deep Blue intends to destroy Earth completely rather than reclaim it for them. Kish's death in the anime is also depicted differently. In the anime series, he turns against Deep Blue after realizing that Deep Blue wants to destroy the Earth and he is brought back to life when Mew Ichigo releases the combined powers of the Mew Mews, rather than through Masaya's releasing of the mew aqua.^{[episode needed]}

In the anime series, Kish's voice actor is Daisuke Sakaguchi. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation his name is changed to Dren and he is voiced by Andrew Rannells.^[70]

[edit] Tart

Tart (タルト, Taruto^?) comes to Earth with Pie to aid Kish in preparing the planet of the arrival of Deep Blue. Energetic and often childish, Tart taunts Kish for losing to the Mew Mews, saying he's weak.^[71] Like Pie and Kish, Tart can fly, teleport himself, and create chimera animas. He primarily fights with physical attacks and the chimera animals, but is also capable of manipulating plants and using them to bind people and to use an energy beam attack.^[72][73] In the anime, he is also shown fighting with a click-clack toy.^{[episode needed]}

Tart doesn't like Ichigo, and often argues with her until they descend to name calling. He doesn't understand why Kish would like an "old woman" like her.^[72] He particularly hates being called a "midget," which Ichigo uses to make him accidentally free a captive Pudding by taunting him into blindly attacking.^[73] He and Pie once captured Pudding and Tart was in charge of guarding her under the Tokyo Dome. During this encounter, Pudding bewilders him by refusing to cry, speaking to him in a friendly manner, giving him a piece of candy, and calling him her "bud."^[74] After he is defeated by the Mew Mews, he calls Pudding "spooky," but then looks down at the candy she gave him and laughs.^[75] In the anime, rather than being saved by from the underground cavern by the Mew Mews, Pudding is saved by Tart after he realized she was starting to suffocate from a lack of oxygen.^[76] Towards the end of the anime, Tart catches Pudding when she falls from exhaustion and says he doesn't want to fight anymore. Pudding tells him that his being with her makes him stronger and puts her face close to his.^{[episode needed]}

At the end of the manga series, after Pie and Tart are defeated by the Mew Mews in the final battle, Tart tells Pudding that he never hated her, and Pudding cries over him.^[77] After Deep Blue is defeated and the aliens are preparing to return to their world, Pudding gets upset by Tart leaving and kisses him, giving him a candy drop at the same time. She also gives him other presents and tells him she doesn't want it to be goodbye. Tart blushes and says he may come back to get another candy drop from her.^[78]

In the anime series, Tart's voice actor is Asai Kiyomi. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation his name is changed to Tarb and he is voiced by Jimmy Zoppi.^[79]

[edit] Pie

Pie (パイ, Pai^?) comes to Earth with Tart to aid Kish in preparing the planet of the arrival of Deep Blue.^[80] Serious natured, he is calmly analytical during his initial attacks on the Mew Mews, scientifically escalating the "mortality rate" of each chimera anima he sends and, when they are defeated, noting that "stronger tactics will be needed.^[81][82] Pie, like the other aliens, has the ability to fly and to transport himself. He attacks using chimera anima creations and with physical attacks.^[83][84] In the anime, Pie also fights using a fan weapon that can produce several wind and thunder-based attacks.^{[episode needed]}

Unlike Kish and Tart, Pie does not outwardly express his emotions often, rarely smiling even when taunting the Mew Mews and after Deep Blue's awakening.^[85] Towards the end of the anime adaptation, Pie seems to gain an understanding of the Mew Mews, in part due to Lettuce trying to convince him that they don't need to fight.^{[episode needed]} He also sacrifices himself to aid the Mew Mews, smiling at them before doing so.^{[episode needed]}

After Deep Blue is defeated, Pie and the others return to their world. Ryou gives Pie the rest of the mew aqua, and Pie promises to use it to make their world beautiful again.^[39] Pie can be seen in the second volume's special section "Berry's Rush Report 2" as Berry asks what happened to the aliens and their planet after the events in Tokyo Mew Mew.^[86]

In the anime series, his voice actor is Nobutoshi Kanna. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation his name is changed to Sardon and he is voiced by Pete Zarustica.^[87]

[edit] Deep Blue

Deep Blue (ディープ・ブルー, Dīpu Burū^?) is the leader of the aliens and the primary reason they have returned to the Earth.^[36] Deep Blue went to sleep within the Masaya personality, leaving Masaya with no memories of whom or what he really was, though he retained Deep Blue's disgust for the way humans were treating the environment.^[38]

Unlike Masaya, Deep Blue is cold natured and cruel hearted. When he first emerges, he attacks Ichigo, cutting her arm.^[38] He also ignores Kish's plea that he not hurt Ichigo, determined to kill anyone who defies him.^[88] When Kish later challenges Deep Blue to a dual to protect Ichigo, Deep Blue kills him without any hesitation.^[89] Killing Kish enables the Masaya personality to temporarily re-emerge.^[90] Masaya is able to hold back Deep Blue when he tries again to kill Ichigo, then he releases the final mew aqua inside Deep Blue, which kills Deep Blue and himself but releases a healing force across Tokyo that restores Kish to life and heals the wounds of the Mew Mews, Ryou, Pie, and Tart.^[91]

Though Deep Blue is the series primary antagonist, he does not actually appear until the end of the sixth volume of the manga.^[38] In the anime series, however, he appears in the form of a blue light to whom Kish gives progress reports.^[92] In the twenty-sixth episode, after Kish brings him a bit of mew aqua, Deep Blue is shown in a shadowed version of his true form until his full awakening in the forty-ninth episode.^[93][94] Deep Blue's death is also changed in the anime, with Masaya still holding Deep Blue at bay, but it being Mew Ichigo who uses her finishing attack to kill Deep Blue and free Masaya.^[95]

To keep the true identity of Deep Blue a secret in the anime, he is listed in the original credits of the first two episodes as "Mysterious voice" (謎の声, Nazo no koe^?) with a question mark in place of his voice actor's name.^[92][96] After the second episode, he is listed by name, but the question mark remains in the voice actor's spot until the forty-ninth episode when his identity is revealed. At that point, the credits are changed to show that the voice actor is Megumi Ogata, who also voices Masaya and the Blue Knight.^[94]

Deep Blue is one of the few characters in the Mew Mew Power dub version whose name remains unchanged, however he is also changed from being a savior for the aliens to being a destructive force that wanted to destroy the Earth, which causes the others to turn against him.^{[citation needed]} In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation of the anime series, he is voiced by Scottie Ray.

[edit] Saint Rose Crusaders

The Saint Rose Crusaders (セント・ローズ・クルセイダーズ, Sento Rōzu Kuruseidāsu^?) are a group of humans who act as the primary villains in the two-volume Tokyo Mew Mew sequel, Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode. The group is comprised of four teenagers and their leader Duke. In a flashback to the group's founding, Royal Highness, Happy Child, Blue Bayou and Sweet Juliet are said to have been born with varying special powers which resulted in their being shunned by other people. Their families also abandoned them by sending them away to a boarding school, where they met and, discovering their commonality, began to plot to blow up the school. As they talked about their plans, they were approached by a mysterious person, known only as "Duke," who convinced them not to waste their lives because they were necessary to the world and important.^[98]

The Saint Rose Crusaders claim they are seeking to reshape the "boring grownup world" into their own utopia using their "intelligence, philanthropy, and elegance."^[99] To do this they use the chimera anima that has been left behind by the aliens after the events in Tokyo Mew Mew. The Mew Mews continue to defeat the remaining alien parasites and the Saint Rose Crusaders try to capture and kill their new leader, Berry Shirayuki.^[26] Berry is saved by other Mews and the returned Mew Ichigo, so the Saint Rose Crusaders use subliminal messages and hypnotism to turn the citizens of Tokyo against the Mew Mews, including Berry's best friend, and growing crush, Tasuku Meguro.^[100]

Each of the Crusaders features in a single major attack against Mew Berry and/or the other Mew Mews, before fading into the background. Towards the end of the series, Mew Berry is able to break the brainwashing spell cast on the public and Tasuku, Duke admits that the methods the Crusaders used were wrong. They are last seen in the series standing together on the roof of a building, enjoying the warm feelings being spread by Mew Berry.^[32]

[edit] Duke

The leader of the Saint Rose Crusaders, Duke (公爵, Dyūku^?) is never clearly identified within the series as being male or female and due to the ambiguous character designed used, it is left to the readers to decide. Reviewers of the series found it both interesting and disturbing that Duke's clothing is similar in design to the white robes worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan, an American white supremacy group once lead by a man named David Duke.^[34][101] Within a la Mode, Duke is not shown to have any racial prejudices: instead he appears before four ostracized children endowed with special powers that have been shunned by their families and societies because they were different. Duke, drawn by their loneliness and internal cries for help, takes them in, assures them that they are important, and helps them find purpose.^[98] The manga suggests that Duke came up with the plan to use the remaining chimera anima to take over the world.^[32] Duke approaches Tasuku and uses his growing feelings for Berry to hypnotize him and turn him against her after the plans to kill Mew Berry fails.^[102]

[edit] Royal Highness

Royal Highness is the first of the Crusaders to reveal himself to the Mew Mews. He is presented as being somewhat vain about his appearance, referring to his own face as beautiful when it is scratched, and another character, Happy Child, says that Royal Highness angers very easily.^[103] Royal Highness is seen displaying powers of telekinesis, in flashback sequences, though he does not use them within the main story.^[98] During the series, he is shown to be capable of mass hypnosis and as having a thirst for blood.^[103] His primarily appearance in a La Mode is to commence the first attack on Mew Berry. During his introduction to the students, it is said that he graduated from an overseas university and is a Nobel Peace Prize candidate.^[104] He poses as the special lecturer Yuzen Akizuki (秋月 友禅, Akizuki Yuuzen^?) at Berry's school, hypnotizes her classmates and teacher, and uses them to capture Berry so he can bite into her neck and drink her blood. Tasuku and the Mew Mews rescues Berry and Royal Highness retreats after his defeat is pointed out by Happy Child.^[103]

[edit] Happy Child

Happy Child first shows himself to the Mew Mews when he comes to retrieve Royal Highness and later makes his main appearance during the second attack on Mew Berry.^[103] Happy Child is able to teleport himself, float in mid-air, speak directly into other people's minds, and attack with ultra-sonic waves.^[103] In the flashback where the Crusaders first met Duke, Happy Child attempts to commit suicide by jumping off the roof. The others call out to him, using the name "Utamaro", but they are not able to stop him. Duke saves him by catching him when he goes over the roof's edge.^[98] Happy Child attacks Berry by using his ultra-sonic attack, but is defeated by Berry when Mew Ichigo turns up to assist Berry.^[105]

[edit] Blue Bayou

Blue Bayou (ブルーバユー, Burū Bayū^?) is the least developed of the Crusader characters. He is described as having extraordinary physical strength and is shown in a flashback cracking a wall with his fist as a child.^[98] He makes his main appearance when he teams up with Sweet Juliet for the third, and final, attack against the Mew Mews.^[98][106] Together, Blue Bayou and Sweet Juliet use subliminal messages to encourage the public to love the Mew Mews, then publically accuse the Mew Mews of betraying the public, and by further use of subliminal messages, turn the public against the Mews Mews.^[107]

[edit] Sweet Juliet

Sweet Juliet, the only Crusader whose job is mentioned, is a television drama actress, and is referred to as a "genius" in the field by Blue Bayou.^[108] She is shown to tune things out when she can't understand something, doing so when the Crusaders first explained their plan to defeat the Mew Mews. This requires them to explain it all to her again and gives an opportunity for Ikumi to explain the Saint Rose Crusaders' plan to the readers.^[109] For her part in the final attack on the Mew Mews, Sweet Juliet disguises herself as an announcer named "Otome Sakuragasumi" who gives an enthusiastic report of the Mew Mews saving the day.^[110] Sweet Juliet claims to feel bad for Berry towards the end of the series, when the plan successfully causes the public to attack Berry for "making the Mew Mews evil," but she also notes that she "guesses" Berry deserves it.^[111]

[edit] Supporting Characters

[edit] Masaya Aoyama

Masaya Aoyama (青山 雅也, Aoyama Masaya^?) is first introduced in Tokyo Mew Mew as a classmate of Ichigo who invites her to visit an exhibit on endangered species. Ichigo has a crush on him, though she thinks he is oblivious to her—when Ichigo trips and falls on him, accidentally kissing him in the process, Masaya doesn't seem to react at all. Ichigo worries that he doesn't feel anything for her, but it is shown a few chapters later that he does feel the same, calling Ichigo his "all-time favorite kitty" and by tying a bell around her neck so he won't lose track of her.^[112][113] In describing him to readers, Ichigo notes that Masaya is "smart", "cute", "very athletic" and "popular at school", and that she loves his smile the most.^[114] Masaya realizes that Ichigo is Mew Ichigo the first time he sees the Mew Mews, but he keeps it to himself because he realized she didn't want him to know—he only reveals that he knew, confesses that he loves her and promises to keep her secret after an attack by Kish forces Ichigo to transform in front of Masaya.^[115]

In terms of personality, Masaya is shown to be a very polite and calm person, though he does have moments when he yells at others in anger. When Ichigo appeared to put herself in danger during a date to the zoo, Masaya yelled at Ichigo and making her think he hates her, before giving her the bell.^[113][116] He also shows some jealousy when meeting Ryou, and possessiveness in reminding Ichigo that he is the one who put a bell on her.^[117] Towards the end of the series, Masaya reveals that as a child he decided that "being good" was his way to survive and be adopted out of the orphanage where he was raised. He acted the role of the "perfect child" to live up to people's expectations. In truth, he was sick of humans and disgusted by how they treated the planet. Ichigo was the sole exception, and it was only with her that he felt like a "real human being."^[118] He is also is shown to have a deep concern for the Earth's environment and actively supporting recycling and cleaning up pollution.^[119][120] In the anime adaptation, Masaya's concerns about the environment are reduced^{[episode needed]}, and Ichigo is the one who invited him to the endangered species exhibit.^[96]

As the Mew Mews and the aliens approach their final battle, Masaya and Ichigo discover that he is the Blue Knight, the mysterious protector of Mew Ichigo. Masaya was unaware that he was transforming into the Blue Knight, and as the Blue Knight he appears to have had no memory of who he really was. After Kish kidnaps Ichigo, Masaya transforms into the Blue Knight, but retains his memories and is initially confused as to what happened—his transformation was born of his desire to protector her, having been plagued with dreams of a crying Ichigo in front of him.^[121] Shortly after this revelation, Masaya collapses and reawakens as Deep Blue, the leader of the aliens and the Mew Mew's final enemy. Deep Blue tells Ichigo that he created Masaya to deceive the world.^[38] Deep Blue tries to kill the Masaya personality within him, but when Deep Blue kills Kish, Masaya is able to partially take over his body again to tell Ichigo he loves her.^[122][123] In order to keep Deep Blue from killing Ichigo, Masaya releases the final mew aqua inside his body, killing both Deep Blue and himself. This releases a healing force across Tokyo that restores Kish to life and heals the wounds of the Mew Mews, Ryou, Pie, and Tart. Ichigo pours her power into Masaya, bringing him back to life but killing herself in the process. When Masaya kisses her, the mew aqua in his body revives her, and they are able to celebrate their victory together.^[124] At the end of the series, Masaya decides to go to England to study endangered species, so he and Ichigo have a mock wedding before he goes since they will be apart for a long time.^[125]

In Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode, it's shown that Ichigo ended up going to England with Masaya. He is the first to sense the new danger to the Mew Mews, and encourages Ichigo to return to help her friends.^[126] Towards the end of a la Mode, he also returns to Tokyo to support Ichigo.^[127]

In the anime series, his voice actor is Megumi Ogata. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation his name is changed to Mark and he is voiced by Scottie Ray.^[128]

[edit] Blue Knight

The Blue Knight (蒼の騎士, Ao no Kishi^?) is an unknown male who is introduced at the end of the fourth volume of the manga. During a battle with Kish at an aquarium, Ichigo is in danger of losing when the Blue Knight appears and rescues her.^[129] The Blue Knight tells Ichigo that he "is hers" and that he was "born to protect her."^[130] During the rest of the series, Ichigo initially suspects Ryou of being the Blue Knight due to both having blue eyes, blond hair and their both saying that she is heavier than she looks the first time they carried her. She later suspects Keiichiro of being the Blue Knight after he turns up with an injury in the same spot as the Blue Knight on the same day. As the final battle of the series approaches, it is revealed that the Blue Knight is actually the alternate persona of Ichigo's boyfriend, Masaya, created out of his desire to protect her.^[121]

In the original Tokyo Mew Mew manga, the Blue Knight initially appears only as needed to protect Ichigo—fighting with an unnamed sword and disappearing soon after.^[131] After his true identity is revealed, he goes with Mew Ichigo to fight together with the other Mew Mews once before Masaya is revealed to also be their enemy Deep Blue.^[132] In the anime series, the Blue Knight is given a larger role, fighting with all of the Mew Mews several times. In addition to fighting, he would often advise the Mew Mews of the chimera animas' weak points and encourage them when they feel like giving up.^{[133][134][135][136][137]} The anime also depicts Mew Ichigo using her "Ribbon Strawberry Surprise" attack to boost the Blue Knight's attack in order to defeat chimera animas,^{[episode needed]} while the manga shows him defeating both chimera animas and Kish single-handedly.^[131][66]

The Blue Knight disappears from Tokyo Mew Mew when Masaya transforms into Deep Blue, except for Ichigo remembering him in a flash back after Masaya's death. In Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode, Masaya notes that he no longer possess the powers he had as the Blue Knight.^[126] Neither the manga nor the anime clearly states if Masaya's Blue Knight powers came from the sleeping Deep Blue within him, or if they were his own powers. In the anime adaptation, his voice actor is Megumi Ogata. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation he is voiced by Sean Schemmel.

[edit] Ryou Shirogane

Ryou Shirogane (白金 稜, Shirogane Ryō^?) is a wealthy high school student, the head of the Mew Project, and the owner of the Cafe Mew Mew. He also created the robot assistants of Mew Ichigo, and later Mew Berry, R2000 (Masha) and R3000 (Ucha).^[138][24] The Mew Project was first started by his father in the United States five years before the time when Tokyo Mew Mew is set. Ryou is said to be a genius in the manga, and in the anime series it is said that his IQ is higher than 180.^[139] At the age of ten, he had already decided he would be a scientist like his father, and had succeeded in culturing cells his father had not been able to. His father worried about involving him in the project but felt he would be able to succeed in introducing the animal genes into humans. Later the same day, a lab explosion killed both of Ryou's parents, as well as his dog Daisuke. Ryou decided to go to Japan to continue the project. When the technique for injecting the genes was ready to try, Ryou tested it on himself first to ensure the chosen girls would not be harmed. As Ryou was not a compatible host, the only effect on him was that he can change into a cat at will, but if he remains in cat form for more than ten minutes, he will remain that way permanently.^[5] Ryou tends to talk roughly but he has a very strong sense of personal responsibility, particularly for having to turn the girls into Mew Mews.^[5] He also encourages the girls in his own way, such as helping boost Lettuce's self-confidence during a party on his yacht.^[140] He enjoys teasing Ichigo and making her blush.^[141][142] In his cat form, he helps Ichigo when she herself changes to a cat, but does so under the name Alto. Not knowing it is Ryou, Ichigo kisses the feline Alto to help her change back several times. When she learns it was Ryou all along, she's very embarrassed.^[5] Like Keiichiro, Ryou's age is never mentioned in the anime or manga, however, in the official game guide for the 2002 Playstation game Tōkyō Myū Myū – Tōjō Shin Myū Myū! – Minna Issho ni Gohōshi Suru Nyan, he is listed as being fifteen years of age.^[143] In Mew Mew Power promotional material he is listed as being sixteen.^[144]

In the anime series, his voice actor is Kouichi Toochika. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation his name is changed to Elliot Grant and he is voiced by Sean Schemmel.^[144]

[edit] Keiichiro Akasaka

Keiichiro Akasaka (赤坂　圭一郎, Akasaka Kei'ichirō^?) is the manager and baker of Cafe Mew Mew and Ryou's partner in the Mew Project.^[145] Five years before the start of Tokyo Mew Mew, Keiichiro worked with Dr. Shirogane, Ryou's father, on the Mew Project in the United States. After Ryou's parents were killed in a lab explosion, Keiichiro went with Ryou to Japan to continue working on the Mew Project.^[5] Keiichiro cares a great deal for Ryou, and worries when he risks himself to help the Mew Mews. Knowing he couldn't stop Ryou, though, he only makes him promise to return because he'll be waiting with tea to welcome him home.^[146] Keiichiro's age is not given in the manga and anime adaptations. In the official game guide for the 2002 Playstation game Tōkyō Myū Myū – Tōjō Shin Myū Myū! – Minna Issho ni Gohōshi Suru Nyan, he is listed as being twenty-one years of age.^[147] In Mew Mew Power promotional materials, he is stated to be seventeen.^[148]

Keiichiro is considered to be a gentleman by the Mew Mews, with a charming, tactful, and kind personality. He is shown to have a mischievous and flirtatious side, however, such as offering to kiss Ichigo to change her out of her cat form.^[149][150] Ichigo once wondered if Keiichiro might be the Blue Knight after she sees he has an injury in the same spot that the Blue Knight had been injured in earlier in the day. The injury, however, came from Pudding having an accident while practicing a trick.^[150] Although Keiichiro is not shown to have any romantic interests in the manga, in the fourteen episode of the anime adaptation, he is shown to have an ex-girlfriend named Rei Nishina, a researcher studying butterflies. He broke up with her due to their both having busy lives, however he always makes a special cake at the cafe for her birthday. She is attacked by the aliens and her spirit is stolen in an attempt to turn her into a chimera anima. After she is saved by the Mew Mews, they go their separate ways.^[151]

In the anime series, his voice actor is Hikaru Midorikawa. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation his name is changed to Wesley J. Coolridge III and he is voiced by Andrew Rannells.

[edit] Tasuku Meguro

Tasuku Meguro (目黒 侑, Meguro Tasuku^?) is the best friend and love interest of Berry Shirayuki in Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode. According to the character infobox that appears when he is introduced, Tasuku is twelve-years-old and lives by the motto that "Berry is my priority."^[152] According to several flashback sequences and conversations between Tasuku and Berry, they have lived beside each other since they were born, and have been best friends all their lives.^[28] He sneaks into Berry's room every morning to give her a hug, a practice he started to take the place of Berry's mother after she died.^[29] During the events of a la Mode, after Berry transfers to a private junior high school an hour's subway ride away, Tasuku worries about how she will adjust and begins roller blading to her school each afternoon so he can wait for her after school.^[153] When he discovers Berry has become a Mew Mew, he isn't bothered by it at all and reassures her that he would never quit being her friend because she's a Mew Mew.^[154] In the AnimeOnDVD review of the series, Tasuku was noted as being "an excellent complement to [Berry], with his outgoing charm and clinginess that is surprisingly never annoying."^[35]

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Tasuku loves Berry as more than a friend. At first, Tasuku tries to hide his feelings from her and continue pretending to be just her friend.^[155] Berry is slower to come to terms with her feelings, and in her confusion she begins avoiding Tasuku and rejecting his hugs.^[30] He eventually asks her if he can stop being her "childhood friend" and kisses her then apologizes and runs away before she can answer.^[156] While he berates himself for his behavior, Duke uses the opportunity to hypnotize him, twisting his feelings for Berry so that Tasuku begins attacking her.^[157] Berry, finally coming to terms with her feelings, is able to free Tasuki from the spell by kissing him and confessing her love to him. Back to himself, Tasuku asks Berry to stay with him forever, and she agrees.^[31] After the Saint Rose Crusaders are defeated, Berry and Tasuku continue working at Cafe Mew Mew, working together as the cafe's new door-to-door delivery service and celebrating being in love.^[33]

[edit] Masha

Masha (マシャ, Masha^?) is a robot created by Ryou to detect chimera animas and mew aqua. Originally called by her model number of R2000, Ichigo renames her "Masha" after her crush Masaya. Masha likes the new name and likes being with Ichigo.^[158] After the aliens are defeated, Masha chooses to stay with Ichigo when Ichigo goes to London with Masaya.^[159] In addition to detecting the chimera animas, Masha eats the jelly-fish like parasites that come out of the victims after the Mew Mews defeat them.^[160] When the Mew Mews defeat a Chimera Anima, Masha eats the jellyfish-like parasites that come out of the infected animals, plants, and humans.^[161] She can also merge with mew aqua found by the Mew Mews to transform into the Mew Aqua Rod, allowing the Mew Mew to perform the Ribbon Aqua Drops healing attack.^[162] Masha does not have the capability for high level speech, primarily saying "pi" and "tweet." She is occasionally shown saying regular words, with the most advanced being seen in Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode where she says "Masha is going with Ichigo!"^[159]

Masha is the only character in the series to also appear in Mia Ikumi's short story, Tokyo Black Cat Girl, which would eventually become Tokyo Mew Mew. Though Masha has the same name and general appearance in both series, in Tokyo Black Cat Girl he is a very different character. Instead of being a robot, Masha is an intergalactic police officer who partners with Princess Azumi to defeat alien parasites called the Baku. He is male instead of female, has the ability to change disguise himself as a cell phone mascot, can speak in complete sentences, and is capable of fighting the Baku in small numbers.^[163]

In the Tokyo Mew Mew anime adaptation, Masha is changed to a male character.^{[citation needed]} He is capable of speaking in short sentences and he is shown trying to help the Mew Mews when they fight.^[45] In the original Japanese series, he is voiced by is Junko Noda. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation, his name is changed to Mini-Mew and he is voiced by Tom Wayland.

[edit] Ucha

Ucha (ウチャ, Ucha^?) is the second robot created by Ryou.^[24] Appearing only in Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode, the R3000 is given to Berry Shirayuki who names him Ucha.^[24][25] Ucha has similar abilities to Masha, however it can also speak in complete sentences and tends to complain a lot. It also has a different appearance, resembling a strawberry with bunny ears, and can transform into Berry's staff weapon.^[24]

[edit] Minor characters

• Shintaro Momomiya (桃宮 慎太郎, Momomiya Shintarō^?) is Ichigo's protective father. In the anime series, his voice actor is Katsuyuki Konishi. In the Mew Mew Power English adaptation he is left unnamed and is voiced by Jim Malone.
• Sakura Momomiya (桃宮 さくら, Momomiya Sakura^?) is Ichigo's mother. In the anime series, she is voiced by Takako Honda. In the Mew Mew Power, her name is never mentioned and she is voiced by Amanda Brown.
• Miwa Honjo (本条 みわ, Honjō Miwa^?) is one of Ichigo's school friends. Appearing only in the anime adaptation, she is voiced by Tomoko Kaneda. In Mew Mew Power, she is renamed to Mimi and voiced by Sharon Feingold.
• Moe Yanagida (柳田 もえ, Yanagida Moe^?) is one of Ichigo's school friends. Appearing only in the anime adaptation, she is voiced by Akiko Nakagawa. In Mew Mew Power, she is renamed to Megan and voiced by Caroline Lawson
• Seiji Aizawa (藍沢 誓司, Aizawa Seiji^?) is Mint's older brother and a character that only appears in the anime adaptation. In the original series, he is voiced by Souichirou Hoshi. In Mew Mew Power, his name is changed to Sergio Bucksworth and he is voiced by Jason Anthony Griffith.
• Mint's grandmother is an anime only character voiced by Junko Hori whose name is never mentioned in the original series. In Mew Mew Power, she is given the name Nana Bucksworth and voiced by Veronica Taylor.
• Hanacha (ハナチャ, Hanacha^?), Chincha (チンチャ, Chincha^?), Lucha (ルーチャ, Rūcha^?), and Honcha (, ホンチャ^?, Honcha) are Pudding's younger brothers. They are unnamed in the manga, but given names in the anime adaptation. They are voiced by Asuka Tanii, Akiko Nakagawa, Rika Komatsu, Kiyomi Asai, and Tomoko Kaneda respectively. In Mew Mew Power, their names are not given.
• Heicha (ヘイチャ, Heicha^?) is Pudding's younger sister who was unnamed in the manga. She is voiced by Tomoko Kaneda. In Mew Mew Power, her name is changed to Heidi.

[edit] References

v • d • e Tokyo Mew Mew Production Chapter list • Episode list Characters Protagonists Ichigo Momomiya • Mint Aizawa • Lettuce Midorikawa • Pudding Fong • Zakuro Fujiwara • Berry Shirayuki Antagonists Pie • Kish • Tart • Deep Blue • Chimera Anima • Saint Rose Crusaders Supporting Characters Masaya Aoyama • Blue Knight • Ryou Shirogane • Keiichiro Akasaka • Tasuku Meguro • Masha