Mari Wakatake is the main protagonist of the anime Blue Drop: Tenshi-tachi no Gikyoku. Her background is marked by a devastating event: five years before the story begins, she was the sole survivor of the Kamikaku Island incident, in which all other inhabitants, including her parents, died overnight. The trauma caused her to lose all memories from before that night. After the tragedy, her wealthy maternal grandmother took her in and, out of concern, provided her with home tutoring instead of sending her to a regular school. When the grandmother’s health declined, she enrolled Mari in Kaihō Academy, a girls’ residential school, against Mari’s wishes.

In terms of personality, Mari initially appears cautious, reserved, and emotionally distressed. She misses her home and struggles to adjust to her new environment, feeling isolated and reluctant to engage with others. Her traumatic past makes her wary, and she tends to hide her feelings. As the story progresses, she gradually begins to come out of her shell, showing resilience and a growing capacity for trust.

Mari’s primary motivation is to recover her lost memories and understand what truly happened on Kamikaku Island. She is also driven by a complex, conflicted attraction to her classmate Hagino Senkōji, who is revealed to be the commander of an alien battleship sent to scout Earth. This relationship forms the emotional core of the narrative.

Her role in the story is that of a human caught in the midst of an impending alien invasion. Through her connection to Hagino, she becomes a key figure in the unfolding conflict between humanity and the Arume, the all-female alien race. Mari’s journey involves uncovering the truth about the island incident, which was actually a violent encounter between the alien crew and the island’s inhabitants, and grappling with her feelings for an enemy who may hold the answers she seeks.

Mari’s key relationship is with Hagino Senkōji. Their bond is fraught with tension: initially, Hagino reacts violently to touching Mari, attempting to strangle her, which leaves Mari torn between anger and an inexplicable pull toward her. Over time, their interactions deepen, and Mari begins to trust Hagino, even as she learns of her true identity. This relationship is central to Mari’s emotional development and to the broader story of understanding and reconciliation between two species.

Throughout the series, Mari undergoes significant character development. She starts as a withdrawn, anxious girl and gradually becomes more assertive and open. Her determination to confront her past and her willingness to reach out to Hagino reflect her growth. She learns to trust not only others but also her own instincts.

Mari does not possess any supernatural abilities. Her notable qualities are her resilience as a survivor, her emotional sensitivity, and her role as a bridge between humans and aliens by virtue of her unique connection to Hagino and the lingering effects of the island incident. Her memory loss and the mystery surrounding it are central to the plot, making her personal quest for truth a driving force in the story.