MOTHER/Characters

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Shigesato Itoi's cult RPG trilogy has a cast as large as it is whimsical and charming.

MOTHER

Ninten

A twelve-year-old American boy, who lives with his parents and twin younger sisters outside the town of Podunk (Mother's Day). He sets out to find the Eight Melodies and possibly uncover secrets about his mysterious great-grandparents. Not much information is given about his personality, but he seems to be a kind, brave kid, if with a bit of a temper. He loves prime ribs, penguins, and baseball, and occasionally suffers from asthma.

  • The All-American Boy: He's a bat-wielding Every Man boy from a small American town.
  • Badass Adorable
  • Batter Up: Uses baseball bats as weapons.
  • Berserk Button: Lying about his mother calling him is not a smart move, hippies.
  • Combat Medic: He has a very powerful physical attack, but all of his PSI is assist and healing. He doesn't even get a signature move like Ness's PSI Rockin or Lucas's PK Love. Even so, he is the strongest permanent party member.
  • Fountain of Expies: His appearance (especially his trademark striped shirt) set the standard for MOTHER series protagonists.
    • Ness is the most obvious example, as he is almost an exact copy of him. As Ness is more well-known, this sometimes leads to confusion, as they share the same outfit. Fans often draw Ninten wearing a red neckerchief and with a slightly different shirt stripe pattern to differentiate them, based on a live-action Japanese commercial for MOTHER.
  • The Hero
  • Heroic Mime: Until the ending, at least in the English prototype.
  • Jack of All Stats
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: The novelization written by Saori Kumi portrays him as this.
  • Magic Knight: Has healing and shield PSI, with strong attack and good defense.
  • Nice Hat: The baseball cap that he convinced his dad to buy for him.
  • Official Couple: Ninten X Ana is the only true relationship between the playable characters in the series.
  • Psychic Powers
  • Support Party Member: Has only support/healing PSI, but is capable of powerful normal attacks.
  • Trademark Favorite Food: Prime ribs.

Loid

The eleven-year-old boy genius from Merrysville (Thanksgiving). Loid is brilliant, but is often bullied by his classmates for being a nerd and a weakling. He developed a tendency to hide in trash cans to avoid confrontation. Despite this, he has a great deal of determination, even when it comes to the dreaded gym class. Bullying has left him very shy and cowardly when he joins Ninten, but over time he becomes stronger and more confident in himself. He likes rockets, science, computers, and Superman.

Ana

The only permanent female member of the group, Ana is a twelve-year-old from Snowman. A sweet, but timid girl, Ana has never ventured out of Snowman alone. She is described as kind at heart, with a great sense of direction. Before the start of the adventure, Ana was unable to sleep due to odd dreams, and sets out with Ninten in hopes of finding her abducted mother. She is deeply religious (one of her favorite possessions being a Bible), is a skilled piano player, and also collects stamps and envelopes.

Teddy

Unlike the other members of the party, Teddy is not a kid; rather, he is a young man in his late teens to twenties. Leader of the B.B. (Black Blood Gang), he is the kingpin of the town of Ellay (Valentine) until some kids came in and started messing with his crew. After he is beaten by Ninten, he joins the party as to avenge the death of his parents. He likes smoking, leather jackets, and rock and roll.

Pippi

A pigtailed young girl whom Ninten must save from zombies.

Queen Mary

The ethereal, beautiful queen of the mysterious land of Magicant. She has fallen gravely ill, and the only thing that will restore her to her former self are the Eight Melodies. She is Ninten's great-grandmother, and was the deeply-beloved foster mother of Giygas.

Giegue/Gyiyg/Giygas

The grim leader of the invading alien forces. He leads the invasion to take revenge for the human theft of his race's PSI technology, but his resolve crumbles when confronted with the memory of his beloved foster mother, and swears to come back to finish the job later.


MOTHER 2/EarthΒound

Ness

Don't get homesick!


A perfectly average boy living in Onett, Eagleland. Sets out to find the eight "My Sanctuary" locations and to locate the other three heroes. Little is said about his personality in-game, but his appearances in Super Smash Bros. describe him as being courageous and good-natured.

Voiced by Makiko Ohmoto in Super Smash Bros.

"Even if he had telepathic powers, I don't think he'd use them to mess with you like that. I hear he's a good kid.", from Solid Snake's Codec call on him.

  • Nice Hat: That lovely baseball cap.
    • Heck, it's the one sole piece of clothing he keeps on in the Japanese version of Magicant where he's running around nude. He must really be attached to it a lot if it's the one thing he didn't lose and kept on even at that point of the game after losing the rest of his articles of clothing.
  • Official Couple: With Paula.
  • Out-of-Clothes Experience: In the Japanese version, Ness is naked in Magicant, complete with Barbie Doll Anatomy. (Remember that, in Japan, nudity is used as a symbol of purity.) This was changed in the US version, where he's in the pajamas he was wearing at the start of the game.
  • Psychic Powers
  • Pure Energy: This is what PSI Rockin' is.
  • The Chosen One: Ness, it is my opinion you are that boy. This I believe...
  • Took a Level in Badass: After defeating the darkness in his heart in Magicant, gaining several levels and strong boosts to his statistics.
  • Trademark Favorite Food: Steak, or whatever you put as the favorite food at the start of the game.


Paula Polestar

I'm calling out to you who I've never met...


A young girl who lives in Twoson and who possesses powerful psychic abilities. Ness must come to her rescue after she is kidnapped by the Happy Happyist cult.

  • Alliterative Name: Not official (the guide says that her last name is 'Jones') but most people think her last name is Polestar, the name of the preschool she and her parents work at.
  • Badass Adorable: Cute little girl dressed all in pink. Can set you on fire with her mind.
  • Black Mage: She's the primary offensive magic user, later sharing this spot with Poo.
  • Chekhov's Skill: Her unique ability, 'Pray', is generally useless in battle, as its effects are completely random—a full-party heal is nice, but do you really want to risk reviving all your defeated enemies or having everyone start feeling strange? You use it to call out to the whole world for help in the final battle against Giygas.
  • The Chick
  • Damsel in Distress: Happens three times. Getting her back the third time is one of the hardest parts of the game; you will not take her for granted afterward.
  • Every Girl Is Cuter With Hair Decs: Wears a large red ribbon in her hair, and has access to unique ribbon accessories.
  • Expy: Of Ana.
  • Fire, Ice, Lightning: She's got all three as her offensive PSI.
  • Fragile Speedster: She has the highest speed of the four heroes, and is about as durable as a wet piece of tissue paper.
  • Frying Pan of Doom: Uses a frying pan as her main weapon.
  • Hair Decorations: Has a large red ribbon in her hair, and has ribbons as most of her 'other' equipment.
  • Hair of Gold
  • Glass Cannon
  • The Lancer
  • Lady of Black Magic
  • Official Couple: With Ness. D'aww.
  • Pink Means Feminine
  • Psychic Powers
  • Squishy Wizard: Easily two-shotted due to her low level at first, and then two-shotted at later levels due to her mediocre defense and terrible HP growths. She has around 250HP at LV60-LV70, and that's if the game was generous with RNG and if you're not (ab)using the game breaking rock candy + sugar packet trick. The other party members' HP will be double (or triple in Ness' case) that. She has the best offensive spells (and a couple good defensive spells too), and is fast enough to get them off before her foes can act, but she'll always trail behind the other party members in terms of HP and defense.
  • White Magician Girl: Subverted: has the personality of one, but almost all of her PSI are destructive in nature. Make of this what you will.

Jeff Andonuts

Uh, those glasses look good on you.


A child prodigy attending a boarding school in Winters. Comes to Ness and Paula's rescue after they are captured by zombies, after receiving a telekinetic message from Paula.


Poo

I am the one who will fight beside you.


The prince of Dalaam who comes to Ness's aid to fulfill a prophecy dictated by his mentor. He arrives after Ness and company accidentally trip out on some Magic Cake.


King

Awoooof! (I'm outta here!)


Ness's lovely little pet dog. He's a Guest Star Party Member early on in the game, and does substantial damage. He chickens out and runs away when Buzz Buzz appears, because the party limit is four.

BUT! It was meant to be five! That's right, King was meant to be a permanent party member. This model does however return in Boney.

King: I'm not going out again. I don't care if everyone thinks I'm a stubborn mutt.


Porky/Pokey Minch

Come and get me, loser!


Ness's next-door neighbor. A selfish, spoiled brat who loves to cause trouble and is Giygas's right-hand man, pulling strings behind the scenes.


Giygas

Ness... Ness, Ness, Ness, Ness, Ness, Ness.


The Universal Cosmic Destroyer who once again menaces Earth, and according to Buzz Buzz, successfully obliterates it in the future. Things are... different this time.


Mr. Saturn

Dakota!

A race of cute, innocent creatures that live in the secluded Saturn Valley. Actually highly intelligent in spite of their goofy personalities, they help Dr. Andonuts create the time machine necessary to reach Giygas.

Buzz-Buzz

A small, bee-like (or not) visitor from the future, who has traveled back in time to warn Ness of Giygas' pending invasion.

The Runaway Five (The Tonzura Brothers)

A famous jazz band that the party befriends in Twoson after helping them out of their debts.

  • Big Damn Heroes: Bursting into the room to save Ness and Jeff in the Monotoli Building.
  • Cut the Juice: How they defeat the Clumsy Robot.
  • Expy: Themed after the Blues Brothers. The English version reduced this by recolouring their black suits into brighter colours.
  • Work Off the Debt: They're not too great with contract negotiations. The party has to bail them out twice. Though they do repay the favor by giving them rides in their tour bus, and by bailing Ness and Jeff out of a boss fight.


Dr. Andonuts

Would you like a donut?


A brilliant scientist from Winters. He is Jeff's father, and helps the party on numerous occasions with his inventions; from the flying Sky Runner to the time machine necessary to reach Giygas. 

He reappears in MOTHER 3, having been kidnapped by Porky to work on his machines, most notably, The Absolutely Safe Machine.

Tony

Jeff's best friend and roommate at his boarding school. He frets over Jeff during his friend's long and dangerous adventure and worries about his health and safety; even going so far as to try to get to know the mysterious person guiding them.


Apple Kid

Orange kid is much better.


An aspiring inventor that Ness & Co. inadvertently start funding. His odd (and oddly-specific) inventions come in handy throughout the game. He proves himself capable by helping Dr. Andonuts and the Mr. Saturns create the time machine necessary to reach Giygas.

MOTHER 3

Lucas

Cheer up!


The protagonist of the second half of the game. He starts as a crybaby, but after his adventure he grows a lot more mature.

Voiced by Lani Minella in Super Smash Bros.

Claus

...make SURE you eat the core!



Flint

I wonder what's under that hat? Nothing. He's bald as a bean!


Hinawa

...You must be exhausted.


Boney

Woof woof! (I can take you for a walk if you'd like, Lucas.)



Duster

Tonda gossa.


Wess

Wess: I'd like to join the search, but they told me to stay here because I'm old. Seems nobody's aware of just how strong I really am.

Kumatora

Outta my way, dammit!


The Magypsies

"Salsa apologized profusely!"

Salsa

Yokuba/Fassad/Locria

  • Arab Oil Sheikh: Fassad looks like one, in any case.
    • It's also worth noting that 'Fassad' is an Arabic word that means 'corruption'. It's also a pun on Façade (no, not the game.). And it's not even official.
  • Back from the Dead and Killed Off for Real: After falling from Thunder Tower, he's brought back to life with two musical horns attached. Much later, after the third encounter, he plummets into the sewers and either dies from drowning or disappearing when his Needle is pulled.
  • Bad Boss: He will make you want to choke him to death before Salsa's chapter is over.
  • Black Sheep: Of the Magypsies.
  • The Corrupter: Serves as this to the entire population of Tazmily. And he enjoys his job very much.
  • Crutch Character: In Salsa's chapter, though Fassad only helpes out when he feels like it.
  • The Dragon: At least until the Masked Man shows up.
  • Evil Laugh: "Nwehehehehehehehehe!"
    • That's one "Nwe" and eight "he"s.
  • Face Heel Turn: He's one of the Magypsies.
  • Fate Worse Than Death: After you defeat Miracle Fassad for the last time, he falls into a sewer, too wounded to so much as move. Since he's later revealed to be a magypsy, this means that he's stuck, drowning, immobile, and alive, until the needle is pulled at the end of the game.
  • Guest Star Party Member: A notable one, as it's likely that he'll be the one doing all the damage while Salsa is taking all the hits (and doing his best to disable enemies so he doesn't get hit).
  • Jerkass
  • Kick the Dog: To Salsa. Over. And over. And over. To the point of instant Moral Event Horizon.
  • Make an Example of Them: Anyone who doesn't play ball and purchase a high quality Happy Box gets their house torched by lightning.
  • Meaningful Name: Fassad's name in the Japanese version was "Yokuba", which comes from the Japanese word for "greed". His name in the fan translation comes from the Arabic word for "corruption" and coincidentally, it sounds like the word "façade". Fassad could also be something of a reference to Lier X. Agerate, a minor character from EarthBound.
  • Musical Spoiler: His horns the second and third time around play a somewhat messy version of the Magypsy's theme whenever he talks.
  • No One Could Have Survived That
  • Pet the Dog: His pet rat.
  • Prophetic Name: The Locrian mode, the scale that Locria is named after, is also known as the 'Diabolus in Musica', a Latin phrase meaning 'Devil in Music', in reference to its dissonant tone. This is likely the reason why the name "Locria" was chosen for the traitorous Magypsy.
  • Recurring Boss
  • The Reveal: While you're heading through the Empire Porky Building, you come across a Magypsy's shell home. Inside you find several banana peels, a pair of musical horns, and Fassad's clothing.
  • Running Gag: Fassad isn't afraid to stop whatever he's doing to eat a banana then throw the peel on the floor. This turns out to be his downfall at the top of Thunder Tower.
  • Snake Oil Salesman: Wouldn't YOU be happier with a Happy Box?
  • Stockholm Syndrome: Fassad may be a chode, but he's an effective teammate (a lot more than Porky or Thomas), and a lot stronger than Salsa. Itoi intentionally wanted to provoke this feeling in players themselves.
  • Trademark Favorite Food: Luxury Bananas. They even heal him for more than they heal your party members.
  • Turncoat: See "The Reveal."
  • Villainous Crossdresser: Inverted -- the rest of the Magypsies are all psychic crossdressing guardians for good, except the comparatively conservatively-dressed Locria/Fassad.
  • We Can Rebuild Him

King Porky Minch

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