- "I'm back!"
- —Hero/Heroine, upon returning Home after the events of Teardrop Crystal
The Hero/Heroine (主人公 Shujinkō) is the main playable protagonist of Legend of Mana. The Hero/Heroine essentially acts as the game's silent protagonist, and the player decides upon their names and starting weapons. Said to be imbued with the omnipotent power to shape the world of Fa'Diel, the Hero/Heroine can release the power trapped within Artifacts and thereafter permit Lands to take shape. Although not made clear for the most part of Legend of Mana, the Hero/Heroine is destined to revive the Tree of Mana.
Characteristics[]
The origins of the Hero/Heroine are never explained, either in-game or through external sources (although the players may create one of their own if desired). Throughout the course of the game, the Hero/Heroine essentially acts as the taciturn observer of the litany of quests that they will come to accept at the behest of other central characters.
In English adaptations beyond the original game, the Hero is given the name Shiloh, while the Heroine is named Serafina. Those names were also kept in the anime Legend of Mana: The Teardrop Crystal.
In the anime, the male Hero portrays as a main character while the female Heroine portrays as a complex neutral character which she was initially allied with the male Hero until she was currently sided with Sandra. The female Heroine has a pink nightgown seen in one episode where she was spending the night at Geo and was also shown naked when she was finally dressing herself up to her main outfit by taking off her pink nightgown.
Non-Canon Appearances[]
Manga Adaptation[]
In the manga adaptation, both the Hero and Heroine are given unique identities and names; the former is known as Toto, while the latter is known as Imu.
Toto is described as a complete idiot, tends to cry excessively, is helpless over women, sometimes goes terminally insane and is an obsessive doll collector. His fanaticism as a doll collector especially extends towards the Final Fantasy VIII character, Quistis Trepe. Despite his flaws, Toto is, nevertheless, a caring, protective, brave and funny individual, and his superior strength and skills are recognized by the characters whom he encounters. His best friend in the adaptation is Duelle, and they often get into arguments because of his stupidity. The 2H Sword that Toto wields is revealed to have been purchased at a supermarket at a really cheap price when he fought Drakonis.
Etymology[]
The two heroes' English names both derive from references in Judeo-Christian scriptures:
- Shiloh is a unisex name meaning "heavenly peace", and originally refers to a town associated with messianic kings.
- Serafina may be derived from the seraphim, a high order of heavenly angels said to possess three pairs of wings and perhaps most noted in the works of the prophet Isaiah.
Trivia[]
- Although the Hero/Heroine's weapon is the player's choice, the official artwork portrays them wielding specific weapons of choice; while the Hero wields a 2H Sword, the Heroine wields a Spear.