Ringo Akai
| Ringo Akai | |
|---|---|
| Tokyo Mew Mew character | |
| Mew Ringo/Ringo Akai | |
| First appearance | Tokyo Mew Mew Playstation game |
| Created by | Mia Ikumi[1] |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Mew Ringo |
| Relatives | Mother deceased, older brother Mashio |
Ringo Akai (赤井 りんご, Akai Ringo) is a character in the fictional world of Tokyo Mew Mew.
Despite rumors and speculations by fans, there is no evidence supporting the theory that Ringo is Ichigo’s cousin. There is no indication that Ichigo ever had a cousin in the Tokyo Mew Mew manga or anime, therefore it is highly unlikely that Ringo is in any way related to Ichigo, even though she somewhat resembles Ichigo. Ichigo and Ringo do seem to have a close relationship, yet many of the Mew Mews are close friends.
History
Ringo is a character in the Tokyo Mew Mew video game for PlayStation that was only released in Japan. She is never included in the actual manga series as a Mew Mew, but appears in the bonus story at the end of Tokyo Mew Mew à la Mode volume two, and also in another Petite Mew Mew story at the end of Tokyo Mew Mew volume seven, and has her own bio page near the end of Tokyo Mew Mew volume six. In the Petite Mew Mew story in Tokyo Mew Mew à la Mode volume two, she is a major character. However, her appearance in Tokyo Mew Mew volume seven is very brief. She is shown on page 168 in the bottom right panel. The bio page in of Tokyo Mew Mew volume six features a short segment about her on pages 187 and 188. It describes her weapons and shows some images of her in Mew Mew form.
In the videogame, the Mew Mews meet Ringo while visiting a nature reserve island. Ringo has an older brother named Mashio (赤井 真潮, Akai Mashio), who is a ranger on the reserve and bears a resemblance to Masaya Aoyama (he is also voiced by the same seiyū, Megumi Ogata).[citation needed] Her Mew Aqua pendant necklace was given to her by her mother who passed away.
In the video game Ringo lives with her brother Mashio after their mother died. There is no mention of her father. After Ringo's pet penguin Yuki-chan (this name means "snow") turns into a Chimera Anima, the pendant containing Mew Aqua on her necklace is activated and allows her to transform.
Personality
Before Ringo met the Mew Mews, she had no friends other than her penguin, and so was a bit shy at first. She is childish and energetic, but also very gentle and caring. She refers to herself in the third person and calls everyone "onee-chan" (Japanese for "big sister", and for respect), much like Pudding Fong does. She looks up to and admires her brother Mashio a lot and always tries to do her best.
Romanization
In Playstation game, Ringo's name is written in katakana and hiragana. When she is in Mew form, her name is written in katakana, and when she is "normal", her name is written in hiragana. This was most likely done so that she can hide her identity as Mew Ringo, and for emphasis, as it is common to write Japanese words in katakana.[2]
Profile
- Name Translation: "りんご Ringo" - Apple, "赤 Aka" - Red, "井 i" - Well. When her name is given in Eastern order, it translates directly to mean "red apple", which may have been intended as a pun.
- Name Pronunciation: Reen-gou Ah-kah-ee
- Signature Color: Red
- Grade: 6th year of elementary school by Japanese standards
- Height: 134 cm (4'3")[3]
- Weight: 30 kg (66 pounds)[3]
- Bust-Hip-Waist measurement:
- Blood Type: O
- Hair Color: brown (same in Mew form)
- Eye Color: brown (same in Mew form)
- Likes: Taking walks at night[3]
- Favorite foods: Apples and sweet things[3]
- Least Favorite Foods: Bitter and sour things[3]
- Transformation Saying: "Mew Mew Ringo, Metamorphosis!" (ミュウミュウリンゴ メタモルフォーゼ!)
- Love interest: No known love interests.
Weapons and abilities
Ringo is not infused with the Red Data Animal DNA like the other Mew Mews. Her necklace contains Mew Aqua that allows her to transform into a Mew Mew. She represents the Humboldt Penguin. Her attack is actually a healing technique. She can somehow understand all animals, not just penguins.
- Weapon: Appletick (アップルティック, Appurutikku)[4]
- Attack: Reborn Apple Pop (リボーンアップルポップ, Ribōn Appuru Poppu)
- Ringo's weapon name is literally translated as "Appurutikku", a combination of "apple" and "stick".[4]
In the Japanese version of the manga, the first word of the Mew Mews' attacks is written as リボーン ribōn, which translates to "reborn".[5] In the Tokyopop's English version, it is translated as "ribbon" throughout the entire manga series. The word "ribbon" (リボン ribon) is used in the opening song of the anime series, and リボーン could possibly be intended as a pun on リボン; however, there is no clear indication of this.
Voice actress
In the Playstation game, her seiyū is Taeko Kawata.[4][6]
She does not have an English voice actress due to the game only being released in Japan.
Character songs
Although she does not appear in the anime, Ringo has two image songs sung by Taeko Kawata.[citation needed]
- Rakuen wo Sagashite (Searching for paradise)
- Iyashite Agetai (I want to heal you)
Both can be found on her character CD and Super Best Hits! Cafe Mew Mew side and Super Best Hits! Tokyo Mew Mew side.
References
Template:Contains Japanese text
- ^ Ikumi, Mia. Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode volume 2, page 137 (English translation). Tokyopop. ISBN 1595327908.
- ^ Nihongo o Narau - Learn Japanese Retrieved on July 10, 2007
- ^ a b c d e Strawberry Parfait - Characters, retrieved June 3, 2007
- ^ a b c Ikumi, Mia; Yoshida, Reiko. Tokyo Mew Mew volume 6, page 187. Kodansha. ISBN 406364006X.
- ^ "Death Reborn Revolution and Death Ribbon Revolution: Rebōn in Tokyo Mew Mew", by Ian Andreas Miller, DIES GAUDII. Retrieved on May 20, 2007
- ^ Taeko KAWATA, Anime News Network, retrieved July 5, 2007.