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 Mew Mews. The project chose endangered species because they felt that these species would have 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 are later called on to fight the aliens that were the source of the chimera anima invasion. The creation of the first six Mew Mews occurred accidentally; the head of the project, Ryô Shirogane, originally intended to inject a chimera anima with the endangered animal genes directly, to see if that would reverse the effects of the infection.
The Mew Project was started by Ryô's father, Dr. Shirogane, five years before Tokyo Mew Mew is set. The manga never explains why the project was started or how they knew about chimera animas and the aliens, but Dr. Shirogane does mention that they must learn how to inject animal genes into human DNA in order to fight the aliens. In the anime adaptation, Dr. Shirogane discovered the fossilized remains of an ancient civilization, called the Chimera, during an archaeological dig and began researching the race of people who lived there, with his assistant Keiichirô Akasaka. This would eventually become the Mew Project. A laboratory explosion kills Dr. Shirogane and his wife, leaving then 10-year-old Ryô orphaned. He moved to Japan, with Keiichirô, to continue the Mew Project. According to the anime, the lab explosion was caused by a Chimera fossil that woke up, setting the house on fire.
In Tokyo Mew Mew, there are six Mew Mews: Ichigo Momomiya, Mint Aizawa, Lettuce Midorikawa, Pudding Fong, Zakuro Fujiwara, and Yuki Momomiya. Each Mew Mew has a "mew mark" left on her body, identifying her as a Mew Mew. Each mark is unique to the girl, representing an aspect of their power, such as Mew Ichigo's mark, located on her inner thigh, being shaped like her Strawberry Bell Bell weapon, Mew Mint's being a wing symbol on her back, and Yuki's being a snowflake due to her name and on her hand. The girls have powers related to their animal DNA when transformed. They can also boost Mew Ichigo's power by combining their powers. The group were originally called the "Mew Mews", until they were accidentally caught on live television and Mew Ichigo introduced the group to the viewers as "Tokyo Mew Mew". This became the name the public would call them thereafter. As part of being Mew Mews, the girls work as waitresses at the Cafe Mew Mew, their headquarters, from where they gather information on chimera anima activity. In Tokyo Mew Mew a La Mode Ichigo moves to England for a little while and a seventh Mew Mew, Berry Shirayuki, fills in for Ichigo as the leader of the Mew Mews.
The Mew Project was started by Ryô's father, Dr. Shirogane, five years before Tokyo Mew Mew is set. The manga never explains why the project was started or how they knew about chimera animas and the aliens, but Dr. Shirogane does mention that they must learn how to inject animal genes into human DNA in order to fight the aliens. In the anime adaptation, Dr. Shirogane discovered the fossilized remains of an ancient civilization, called the Chimera, during an archaeological dig and began researching the race of people who lived there, with his assistant Keiichirô Akasaka. This would eventually become the Mew Project. A laboratory explosion kills Dr. Shirogane and his wife, leaving then 10-year-old Ryô orphaned. He moved to Japan, with Keiichirô, to continue the Mew Project. According to the anime, the lab explosion was caused by a Chimera fossil that woke up, setting the house on fire.
In Tokyo Mew Mew, there are six Mew Mews: Ichigo Momomiya, Mint Aizawa, Lettuce Midorikawa, Pudding Fong, Zakuro Fujiwara, and Yuki Momomiya. Each Mew Mew has a "mew mark" left on her body, identifying her as a Mew Mew. Each mark is unique to the girl, representing an aspect of their power, such as Mew Ichigo's mark, located on her inner thigh, being shaped like her Strawberry Bell Bell weapon, Mew Mint's being a wing symbol on her back, and Yuki's being a snowflake due to her name and on her hand. The girls have powers related to their animal DNA when transformed. They can also boost Mew Ichigo's power by combining their powers. The group were originally called the "Mew Mews", until they were accidentally caught on live television and Mew Ichigo introduced the group to the viewers as "Tokyo Mew Mew". This became the name the public would call them thereafter. As part of being Mew Mews, the girls work as waitresses at the Cafe Mew Mew, their headquarters, from where they gather information on chimera anima activity. In Tokyo Mew Mew a La Mode Ichigo moves to England for a little while and a seventh Mew Mew, Berry Shirayuki, fills in for Ichigo as the leader of the Mew Mews.
Ichigo Momomiya
Ichigo Momomiya is the series' main protagonist and the leader of the Mew Mews. Ichigo is merged with the DNA of the Iriomote Cat, giving her the ability to transform into Mew Ichigo, a powerful and heroic cat girl. The transformation also causes her to exhibit various feline mannerisms while in her human form. At first, her cat ears and tail appear when she is excited, but eventually her cat DNA grows strong enough that when she is very excited she turns into a small black cat. She remains in a cat form until someone – human or animal – kisses her.
At the start of the series, Ichigo has a crush on Masaya Aoyama. Although she believes that he is oblivious to her feelings, he later returns them and they begin dating. Midway through the series, Ichigo gains a mysterious protector, the Blue Knight. Throughout the series, Ichigo repeatedly rejects repeated advances by Kish and although she can not accept his final declaration of love, she cries over his death and holds him as he dies. Ichigo dies after transferring her own life force into Masaya after Masaya kills himself and Deep Blue. She is subsequently revived by the last of the mew aqua which was housed within Masaya. Before Masaya goes off to study abroad in England at the end of the series, Ichigo participates in a mock wedding with Masaya. Tokyo Mew Mew a La Mode reveals that Ichigo lost all of her Mew Mew powers and joined Masaya in England, but returned to Japan when her powers began to manifest again to aid in the battle against the Saint Rose Crusaders.
Her attacks are also Ribbon Strawberry Check and Ribbon Strawberry Surprise, using her Strawberry Bell Bell. Her attack is usually used last to take the alien parasites out of the victim.
At the start of the series, Ichigo has a crush on Masaya Aoyama. Although she believes that he is oblivious to her feelings, he later returns them and they begin dating. Midway through the series, Ichigo gains a mysterious protector, the Blue Knight. Throughout the series, Ichigo repeatedly rejects repeated advances by Kish and although she can not accept his final declaration of love, she cries over his death and holds him as he dies. Ichigo dies after transferring her own life force into Masaya after Masaya kills himself and Deep Blue. She is subsequently revived by the last of the mew aqua which was housed within Masaya. Before Masaya goes off to study abroad in England at the end of the series, Ichigo participates in a mock wedding with Masaya. Tokyo Mew Mew a La Mode reveals that Ichigo lost all of her Mew Mew powers and joined Masaya in England, but returned to Japan when her powers began to manifest again to aid in the battle against the Saint Rose Crusaders.
Her attacks are also Ribbon Strawberry Check and Ribbon Strawberry Surprise, using her Strawberry Bell Bell. Her attack is usually used last to take the alien parasites out of the victim.
Mint Aizawa
Mint Aizawa is the second Mew Mew to be introduced in the series. Infused with the genes of a Blue Lorikeet, Mint grows a bird's tail and a pair of bird wings when she transforms into Mew Mint. Initially depicted as spoiled, snobbish, and self-centered because of her wealth, she is shown to be an empathetic person who cares deeply about her friends as the series progresses. Mint idolizes fellow Mew Mew, Zakuro Fujiwara.
Her attacks are Ribbon Mint Echo, using her Mint Arrow, blowing her enemies away in an echoing blast.
Her attacks are Ribbon Mint Echo, using her Mint Arrow, blowing her enemies away in an echoing blast.
Lettuce Midorikawa
Lettuce Midorikawa is the third member of the Mew Mews formally introduced to the readers. Infused with the DNA of a Finless Porpoise, Lettuce's legs can change into a porpoise's tail while she is underwater, greatly improving her swimming ability. In the anime adaptation, this change can only occur when Lettuce is in the presence of mew aqua. Lettuce is portrayed as a shy character lacking self-confidence and is the subject of frequent bullying. She is afraid of her Mew Mew powers at first, causing them to go out of control until she is calmed by Ichigo and Mint. The other members of the group consider Lettuce to be a kind and selfless person. As the series progresses, Lettuce becomes a more confident person through the other Mew Mews' regular encouragement.
Her attack is Ribbon Lettuce Rush, using her Lettuce Castanets, which sprays the enemies with a powerful blast of water.
Her attack is Ribbon Lettuce Rush, using her Lettuce Castanets, which sprays the enemies with a powerful blast of water.
Pudding Fong
Pudding Fong is the fourth Mew Mew introduced to the readers. Infused with the DNA of a Golden Lion Tamarin, Pudding grows a monkey tail and ears while transformed, and fights with a pair of rings. The other Mew Mews agree that her monkey DNA is a perfect match for her personality as she is full of energy and loves having fun, to the point Mint considers her very immature. Despite her age, Pudding is raising her five younger siblings and managing the family finances while their father is training in the mountains. The manga never mentions Pudding's mother, while the anime adaptation states that she died. Midway through the series, Pudding befriends Tart when he captures her and holds her hostage. She is reluctant to fight Tart during the final battle until he affirms they have no choice, and cries over him after he is defeated. Pudding kisses Tart at the end of the series and tells him she does not want it "to be goodbye." He replies by saying that he may return to see her. In the anime adaptation, the relationship between Pudding and Tart is expanded and the circumstances of their initial friendship changes – instead of being saved by the Mew Mews, Tart himself saves Pudding from an underground cavern when he realizes that she is suffocating from a lack of oxygen.
Her attack is Ribbon Pudding Inferno, using her Pudding Ring, which temporarily traps her enemies in a giant ring of yellow pudding, delaying their attacks for a little bit for the others to attack.
Her attack is Ribbon Pudding Inferno, using her Pudding Ring, which temporarily traps her enemies in a giant ring of yellow pudding, delaying their attacks for a little bit for the others to attack.
Zakuro Fujiwara
Zakuro Fujiwara is the last of the main Mew Mews introduced. As with the others, she first appears at the endangered animal exhibit without being named. Zakuro tends to be a loner and initially refuses to join the other Mew Mews, but changes her mind after they come to her aid. Infused with the DNA of a Gray Wolf, Zakuro has a wolf tail and ears while in her Mew Mew form. Zakuro is a professional model and is presented as a mature character. As her biggest fan Mint effuses, Zakuro has "long, glossy, raven hair" with "dark, intelligent, yet sensitive eyes" and "long, strong and thin legs". Zakuro's background is more developed in the anime adaptation and she is said to be estranged from her family since leaving home two years earlier. Her quirky feature is that she is extremely scared of bugs.
Her attack is Ribbon Zakuro Spear, using her Zakuro Staff, which she can use as a whip to attack her enemies. Her power is about as strong as Mew Ichigo's power, so she can seal alien parasites on her own. She is also reasonably good at martial arts and hand on hand combat.
Her attack is Ribbon Zakuro Spear, using her Zakuro Staff, which she can use as a whip to attack her enemies. Her power is about as strong as Mew Ichigo's power, so she can seal alien parasites on her own. She is also reasonably good at martial arts and hand on hand combat.
Yuki Momomiya
Yuki Momomiya is the sixth Mew Mew and has the genes of the Himalayan Snow Leopard. She is not introuduced in the manga. However, she is introduced in secret episodes of Tokyo Mew Mew and in the Instagram book, Mew Project. She is the long-lost twin sister of Ichigo. She and Ichigo realize they were made by a type of Mew Aqua called Cribonite. Ichigo and Yuki are now inseparable, now that they've found each other. They do everything together, even at the café. In Yuki's first fight, Kish notices Yuki and falls madly in love with her. The two become a couple, but more problems become of that. Kish soon turns on Deep Blue, which this makes Deep Blue angrier and brings more powerful Chimera Animas. Ryou and the Mew team think this is wrong for a Mew Mew to like an Alien, but Pudding and Ichigo go to her side. Ryou and the team finally accept this, and all seems well. Yuki is a sporty girl who can play any kind of sport or game. Soccer, baseball, basketball, you name it. one she is bad at is making new friends. It was easy with her sister, but with her new school? Things are troublesome for Yuki, but with her sisters and her friends, they can stand up to anything. She has a daughter one day, that she names Maka. She also has a son and names him Asaji.
Berry Shirayuki
Berry Shirayuki is introduced in Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode as the sequel series' main protagonist, the seventh Mew Mew, and, while Ichigo is studying abroad, the temporary leader of the Mew Mews. She becomes the first Mew Mew to be infused with the DNA of two endangered species: the Andes Mountain Cat and the Amami Black Rabbit. Like Ichigo, she is given a robot companion, Ucha, who gives her guidance and transforms into the staff Berry uses to fight. As the "second strongest" Mew Mew, Berry becomes the primary target of the series antagonists, the Saint Rose Crusaders. Throughout a la Mode, Berry comes to realize that she is in love with her close childhood friend Tasuku, which confuses her until she is able to come to terms with her feelings. Together, they use their warm feelings of love to release the city's citizens from the Saint Rose Crusaders hypnotism and to change the hearts to the Crusaders.At the end of the series, Berry and Tasuku, the "lovebirds” of the café, work side-by-side as the cafe's new door-to-door delivery service and celebrate being in love.