Character: Umi Ryuuzaki
Fandom: Magic Knight Rayearth
Character Notes:History: Umi is an only child of dedicated, loving parents. She's from a wealthy family and accordingly attends a snobby prep school. So it's only natural that on a school visit to Tokyo Tower, she'd get sent to another world with two other girls.
Thus begins her journey as a Magic Knight. Although critical and outraged at first, Umi quickly comes into her own and takes on the task of saving Cephiro. She was taught magic by and received armor from Clef, and recovered the mythical element Escud, from which Presea made her her weapon. Her elemental affiliation is water, and as she has fenced for years, uses a rapier.
She's told by Clef that the Pillar of Cephiro, Princess Emeraude, summoned her and the other two Magic Knights (Hikaru and Fuu) in order to save the country. They're led to believe that High Priest Zagato has kidnapped Emeraude and they need to rescue her; in reality, however, Zagato and the princess are deeply in love, and Emeraude can't pray solely for Cephiro any longer. If the Pillar doesn't focus his or her attention on prayer for the land, the country will fall apart, but a Pillar isn't allowed to take their own life and the people of Cephiro aren't allowed to kill them either as per the laws of the world.
So the Magic Knights are summoned to save Cephiro by killing a Pillar that has become incapable of doing their duty; and so were Hikaru, Umi and Fuu summoned. They're forced to kill Zagato and Emeraude both, and are wracked with guilt even when they return home to Tokyo. The second half of the series details the attempts of other countries to invade Cephiro and take it over by having one of their ruling class become the new Pillar, but Mokona, the cute bunny thing, summoned the Magic Knights back because despite his cynicism as creator of both Earth and Cephiro, he cares deeply for them both.
There's a lot of fighting all around, and then Hikaru becomes the new Pillar, vowing not to let the cycle repeat itself again. The Pillar doesn't need to be alone to pray for Cephiro: through love, the Pillar is supported and helped by all of the other people in the land.
Personality: Umi is far from the typical ice/water based character. She has a quick temper, and frequently overreacts; she openly and without hesitation expresses her anger and affection in turns, and despite her formal and wealthy upbringing is rather casual and rude. In her deepest heart, she is grateful to her parents for everything they've given her, and is determined to pay it back to them. This leads to her being fairly well-adjusted and quick to befriend others, despite her judgemental and practical outlook. She is intensely loyal, but pretty much oblivious to romantic interest even though she wants to grow up to be a bride. She likes looking good and supporting others, even if that means slapping some sense into them.
Other: I'm taking her exclusively from the manga. I've never seen the anime and as I understand it there's a few discrepancies.
Additional Links: It's CLAMP, so obviously she's
absurdly pretty. Here's the
Wiki and a decent
fan shrine.
And if it influences your decision any,
here I am with her at the fourth wall event.
First Person: So, this is what's been distracting Fuu so much, huh? You should've told me sooner, Fuu! Geez! You kept disappearing and coming back looking all worried - it's not fair to do that to your friends!! Your "I'm fine"s mean about as much as Hikaru's do.
From what she's said, everyone here is aware of other worlds. How did you all learn about it? It wasn't really through the internet, was it?!
It's so different from Cephiro... I wish everyone there could use it, too, so we could keep in touch more easily.Well, at least I can practice my English here. I'm Umi Ryuuzaki, first year in high school, and I enjoy baking and fencing. Oh, and making new friends!
Third Person: She bit her lip as she sifted the flour.
Really, what was up with Fuu lately? Hikaru always had a lot worrying her - or at least distracting her - so Umi could understand not being exactly forthright with her... It'd be inconsiderate to burden her. But she and Fuu were close! She knew they were; she could tell that she was the first person Fuu had told about the breakup with Ferio, and it hurt Umi to think that
Fuu was hurting, all alone.
Her hand was starting to get tired, as she'd tightened her grip unconsciously while thinking. Sighing, she turned and cracked the eggs neatly into a bowl, disposing of the shells and wiping her hands on a towel laid out for that purpose.
The front door creaked open. "We're home," called her parents, back from a joint meeting.
"Welcome back," she said, smiling as they came into the kitchen. "I'm making a soufflé!"
"Ohhh, what kind?" Even through the walls, she could hear her mother scolding her father for being such a glutton.
"Strawberry jam. And no, you can't have any! It's for Fuu!"
