TV-Series
Description
Martina Xoana Mel Navratilova is the princess of the kingdom of Zoana and later becomes its queen. She first appears as an antagonist in the story when she and her father, the king, plot to capture Princess Amelia of Saillune. Their plan is thwarted by Lina Inverse and her companions, who rescue Amelia and destroy the Zoana castle with a powerful spell. Enraged by the loss of her home and her kingdom, Martina dedicates herself to revenge against Lina. She leaves her ruined land and learns magic, though she proves to be only a modestly skilled sorceress at best. Her particular talent lies in casting curses, which she uses to harass Lina and her group throughout much of their journey.
Martina is a cheerful and lively young woman, but she is also highly obsessive. She tends to latch onto any idea or plan with extreme intensity. She believes devoutly in a demon god she calls Zoamelgustar, a being she invented entirely on her own. She carries a talisman of this god and often holds one-sided conversations with it, shifting her voice and expression as if she is speaking to a real entity. This behavior sometimes gives the impression of a double personality. She is also extremely fickle in romantic matters, becoming infatuated with almost any man she meets. Over the course of the series, she develops crushes on several characters, including Zelgadis, Gourry, and Xellos, each relationship ending in disappointment when the person does not meet her expectations. Ultimately, she forms a lasting attachment to Zangulus and marries him.
Martina serves primarily as a comic foil and recurring antagonist throughout most of the series. She follows Lina and her companions, attempting to interfere with their activities and exact revenge, but her schemes rarely succeed. Despite her relentless pestering, she occasionally proves useful through her curse magic, which, while not especially powerful, can be annoying. She is also surprisingly resourceful at making a living, taking on various jobs and selling handmade items such as paper flowers and Zoamelgustar talismans. Her character undergoes noticeable development over time. Although she begins as a determined enemy, she gradually becomes more of a nuisance than a true threat and eventually grows into a genuine ally. When Hellmaster Phibrizzo attacks the group during the final battle, Martina is struck down. In her last moments, she urges Lina to keep fighting and to save Gourry, showing that her earlier enmity has given way to care and loyalty. After the conflict, she marries Zangulus in a simple ceremony and sets about rebuilding Zoana. Her story is exclusive to the television series and does not appear in the original novels or manga.
Martina is a cheerful and lively young woman, but she is also highly obsessive. She tends to latch onto any idea or plan with extreme intensity. She believes devoutly in a demon god she calls Zoamelgustar, a being she invented entirely on her own. She carries a talisman of this god and often holds one-sided conversations with it, shifting her voice and expression as if she is speaking to a real entity. This behavior sometimes gives the impression of a double personality. She is also extremely fickle in romantic matters, becoming infatuated with almost any man she meets. Over the course of the series, she develops crushes on several characters, including Zelgadis, Gourry, and Xellos, each relationship ending in disappointment when the person does not meet her expectations. Ultimately, she forms a lasting attachment to Zangulus and marries him.
Martina serves primarily as a comic foil and recurring antagonist throughout most of the series. She follows Lina and her companions, attempting to interfere with their activities and exact revenge, but her schemes rarely succeed. Despite her relentless pestering, she occasionally proves useful through her curse magic, which, while not especially powerful, can be annoying. She is also surprisingly resourceful at making a living, taking on various jobs and selling handmade items such as paper flowers and Zoamelgustar talismans. Her character undergoes noticeable development over time. Although she begins as a determined enemy, she gradually becomes more of a nuisance than a true threat and eventually grows into a genuine ally. When Hellmaster Phibrizzo attacks the group during the final battle, Martina is struck down. In her last moments, she urges Lina to keep fighting and to save Gourry, showing that her earlier enmity has given way to care and loyalty. After the conflict, she marries Zangulus in a simple ceremony and sets about rebuilding Zoana. Her story is exclusive to the television series and does not appear in the original novels or manga.