TV-Series
Description
Masha, originally known by the designation R2000, is a small robot built by the scientists Ryou Shirogane and Keiichiro Akasaka, the creators of the Mew Mew project. He is the first robot the two men produce, with a second unit, Ucha, following later. R2000 is given to Ichigo Momomiya as a companion and support partner after she becomes a Mew Mew, and Ichigo renames him Masha after Masaya Aoyama, the boy she has feelings for. The robot takes to the new name and grows strongly attached to Ichigo, and in one English-language adaptation he is known as Mini-Mew.
Masha's primary function is to support the Mew Mews in their fight against alien threats. He can detect Chimera Anima and Mew Aqua, which helps the team locate danger; he can shrink down and disguise himself as a cell phone strap so that Ichigo can carry him anywhere unnoticed; and after the Mew Mews defeat a Chimera Anima, he consumes the jellyfish-like parasites that emerge from infected people, animals, and plants. When the Mew Mews obtain Mew Aqua, Masha can merge with it and transform into the Mew Aqua Rod, a weapon that allows the team to perform the healing attack Ribbon Aqua Drops. His speech is very limited, mainly consisting of sounds such as "pi" and "tweet," though in the anime he can produce short sentences and is shown trying to help the Mew Mews during fights, sometimes placing himself in danger to protect them.
Masha's personality is simple, loyal, and eager to be useful. His relationship with Ichigo defines him: she gives him an identity beyond his serial number, and he responds with devotion, preferring her company and following her closely. He also serves the whole Mew Mew team as a mascot and support unit and shares his origins with his fellow robot Ucha. Over the course of the story he develops from an unnamed assistant into a character with clear personal attachment; his most significant moment of growth comes at the end of the first story, when, after the aliens are defeated and Ichigo prepares to move to London with Masaya, Masha chooses to stay with her rather than be reassigned. In later material he continues to accompany Ichigo and finally manages his most complete line, "Masha is going with Ichigo!" In an earlier short story by the creator, a character with the same name and appearance appears as an intergalactic police officer rather than a robot, reflecting the character's origins before the serialized manga and anime took shape.
Masha's primary function is to support the Mew Mews in their fight against alien threats. He can detect Chimera Anima and Mew Aqua, which helps the team locate danger; he can shrink down and disguise himself as a cell phone strap so that Ichigo can carry him anywhere unnoticed; and after the Mew Mews defeat a Chimera Anima, he consumes the jellyfish-like parasites that emerge from infected people, animals, and plants. When the Mew Mews obtain Mew Aqua, Masha can merge with it and transform into the Mew Aqua Rod, a weapon that allows the team to perform the healing attack Ribbon Aqua Drops. His speech is very limited, mainly consisting of sounds such as "pi" and "tweet," though in the anime he can produce short sentences and is shown trying to help the Mew Mews during fights, sometimes placing himself in danger to protect them.
Masha's personality is simple, loyal, and eager to be useful. His relationship with Ichigo defines him: she gives him an identity beyond his serial number, and he responds with devotion, preferring her company and following her closely. He also serves the whole Mew Mew team as a mascot and support unit and shares his origins with his fellow robot Ucha. Over the course of the story he develops from an unnamed assistant into a character with clear personal attachment; his most significant moment of growth comes at the end of the first story, when, after the aliens are defeated and Ichigo prepares to move to London with Masaya, Masha chooses to stay with her rather than be reassigned. In later material he continues to accompany Ichigo and finally manages his most complete line, "Masha is going with Ichigo!" In an earlier short story by the creator, a character with the same name and appearance appears as an intergalactic police officer rather than a robot, reflecting the character's origins before the serialized manga and anime took shape.