TV-Series
Description
Maria Kino, known in her transformed state as Navegante de Jupiter, is a central character in the anime Sailor Moon SuperS. She is the civilian identity of Sailor Jupiter, the Guardian of Protection associated with the planet Jupiter, the element of wood, and the power of thunder and lightning. In the Portuguese adaptation of the series, her name is Maria, while her original Japanese name is Makoto Kino.
Maria is a tall and physically strong girl, standing out among her peers for her height and extraordinary strength. She first appears when she transfers to the same school as Usagi Tsukino, the protagonist, after being rumored to have been expelled from her previous school for fighting. This reputation, however, belies a gentle and deeply caring nature. She is a complex character who balances a tough exterior with a traditionally feminine side. She is an excellent cook, enjoys gardening, and dreams of one day owning a cake and flower shop. She is also skilled in martial arts and excels in athletic activities such as ice skating and basketball. Her signature rose earrings are a consistent part of her appearance both as a civilian and as a Sailor Guardian.
Her primary motivation stems from a desire for love and belonging. Having lost both parents in a plane accident at a young age, she lives alone and is fiercely self-reliant. This independence is coupled with a romantic nature; she is often seen searching for a boyfriend, frequently comparing potential partners to an older sempai from her past who broke her heart. Her deep fear of airplanes is a direct result of her parents' death. Her strongest driving force, however, is her loyalty to her friends. She acts as a protective big sister figure within the group, always ready to use her strength to shield those she cares about.
In the story of Sailor Moon SuperS, Maria serves as Sailor Jupiter, the fourth Sailor Guardian to be discovered by Sailor Moon. Her role is that of the team's powerhouse, providing raw physical strength and powerful electrical attacks in battle. During this season, she gains a new level of power, transforming into Super Sailor Jupiter after receiving the Jupiter Crystal. In this enhanced form, her uniform changes slightly, and she gains access to more powerful abilities. A key moment in this season showcases her fierce protectiveness: when a powerful enemy summoned by Fish Eye threatens to kill both Super Sailor Moon and Super Sailor Chibi Moon, Maria's anger allows her to transform into Super Sailor Jupiter and unleash her Super Supreme Thunder attack to save them.
Her key relationships are formed with the other Sailor Guardians. Her closest friend is Usagi, who was the first person to treat her kindly without fear of her strength or size. She shares a close bond with all the inner guardians, often acting as a confidante and offering romantic advice. She also has a notable friendship with Minako, as both are often depicted as the most boy-crazy members of the team. Her past romantic heartbreak with her sempai continues to influence her interactions with men throughout the series.
Throughout the series, Maria experiences subtle development. While her core personality remains consistent, she learns to rely more on her friends and to balance her independent nature with teamwork. Her role as a protector deepens, and her acceptance of her own dual nature—being both strong and gentle—becomes more pronounced. She is a reliable and unwavering presence within the group.
As Sailor Jupiter, Maria possesses several notable abilities. Her power set revolves around electricity and to a lesser extent, plants. Her primary attack is Supreme Thunder, in which she uses an antenna from her tiara to summon and direct lightning bolts at her enemies. In Super Sailor Jupiter form, she gains the Jupiter Oak Evolution attack, which launches sharp, energy-charged oak leaves. Her superhuman strength is a defining trait, allowing her to lift heavy objects and overpower opponents with ease even in her civilian form. She also possesses a transformation wand and a communicator, standard tools for a Sailor Guardian.
Maria is a tall and physically strong girl, standing out among her peers for her height and extraordinary strength. She first appears when she transfers to the same school as Usagi Tsukino, the protagonist, after being rumored to have been expelled from her previous school for fighting. This reputation, however, belies a gentle and deeply caring nature. She is a complex character who balances a tough exterior with a traditionally feminine side. She is an excellent cook, enjoys gardening, and dreams of one day owning a cake and flower shop. She is also skilled in martial arts and excels in athletic activities such as ice skating and basketball. Her signature rose earrings are a consistent part of her appearance both as a civilian and as a Sailor Guardian.
Her primary motivation stems from a desire for love and belonging. Having lost both parents in a plane accident at a young age, she lives alone and is fiercely self-reliant. This independence is coupled with a romantic nature; she is often seen searching for a boyfriend, frequently comparing potential partners to an older sempai from her past who broke her heart. Her deep fear of airplanes is a direct result of her parents' death. Her strongest driving force, however, is her loyalty to her friends. She acts as a protective big sister figure within the group, always ready to use her strength to shield those she cares about.
In the story of Sailor Moon SuperS, Maria serves as Sailor Jupiter, the fourth Sailor Guardian to be discovered by Sailor Moon. Her role is that of the team's powerhouse, providing raw physical strength and powerful electrical attacks in battle. During this season, she gains a new level of power, transforming into Super Sailor Jupiter after receiving the Jupiter Crystal. In this enhanced form, her uniform changes slightly, and she gains access to more powerful abilities. A key moment in this season showcases her fierce protectiveness: when a powerful enemy summoned by Fish Eye threatens to kill both Super Sailor Moon and Super Sailor Chibi Moon, Maria's anger allows her to transform into Super Sailor Jupiter and unleash her Super Supreme Thunder attack to save them.
Her key relationships are formed with the other Sailor Guardians. Her closest friend is Usagi, who was the first person to treat her kindly without fear of her strength or size. She shares a close bond with all the inner guardians, often acting as a confidante and offering romantic advice. She also has a notable friendship with Minako, as both are often depicted as the most boy-crazy members of the team. Her past romantic heartbreak with her sempai continues to influence her interactions with men throughout the series.
Throughout the series, Maria experiences subtle development. While her core personality remains consistent, she learns to rely more on her friends and to balance her independent nature with teamwork. Her role as a protector deepens, and her acceptance of her own dual nature—being both strong and gentle—becomes more pronounced. She is a reliable and unwavering presence within the group.
As Sailor Jupiter, Maria possesses several notable abilities. Her power set revolves around electricity and to a lesser extent, plants. Her primary attack is Supreme Thunder, in which she uses an antenna from her tiara to summon and direct lightning bolts at her enemies. In Super Sailor Jupiter form, she gains the Jupiter Oak Evolution attack, which launches sharp, energy-charged oak leaves. Her superhuman strength is a defining trait, allowing her to lift heavy objects and overpower opponents with ease even in her civilian form. She also possesses a transformation wand and a communicator, standard tools for a Sailor Guardian.