Movie
Description
**Maetel**, daughter of Queen Promethium of the mechanized empire and the anti-mechanization scientist Dr. Ban, is the twin sister of Emeraldas. Her origins lie on La Metal, a planet plunged into eternal darkness after the black sun Ra collided with Earth. To survive the harsh environment, Queen Promethium enforced widespread mechanization, a path Maetel and Emeraldas rejected despite societal pressure.
Her appearance follows the distinctive Leiji Matsumoto style: tall stature, long blonde hair, pronounced eyelashes, and brown eyes often conveying melancholy. She typically wears a dark coat with fur trim, boots, and an Astrakhan hat, described as "clothes of mourning." Fur trim color varies by continuity: white in her youth (*Maetel Legend*), blue (*Cosmo Warrior Zero*), and red (*Space Symphony Maetel*). The nature of her body is ambiguous; X-rays reveal a human skeleton, yet other evidence suggests mechanical properties or camouflage. This ambiguity extends to unresolved questions about cloning, fueled by her resemblance to Tetsuro Hoshino's mother. An "original" body resembling hers is buried on Pluto, where she displays deep emotional vulnerability.
Maetel embodies profound internal conflict. Tasked by her mother to recruit individuals for the mechanized empire, she simultaneously collaborates with her father—whose consciousness resides in a pendant she wears—to sabotage it. This duality forces her into morally complex actions, such as guiding companions like Tetsuro toward the empire's heart while covertly working toward its destruction. Her loyalty to both parents creates sustained tension.
In *Adieu Galaxy Express 999*, set three years after the original film, Maetel's role evolves. Rumors suggest she succeeded Promethium as queen, though her true allegiance remains dismantling the empire. She summons Tetsuro back to the Galaxy Express 999 but later urges him to disembark, signaling protective intentions conflicting with her mission. Her connection to La Metal resurfaces, including revelations about her resemblance to Queen Larela and the planet's role in her lineage. She confronts Promethium's lingering consciousness within the mechanized planet Great Andromeda, exposing the empire's horrific energy source: life force drained from captive humans. Her actions culminate in destroying the empire's central system using Dr. Ban's pendant, though Promethium implies their conflict remains unresolved.
Her abilities reflect her La Metalian heritage and experiences, granting an extended lifespan and enhanced physical capabilities like dodging lasers and breaking superalloy chains. She demonstrates proficiency with weapons such as the Gravity Saber rifle and Blitz Whip, alongside technological interaction skills—her brain interfaces with advanced machinery like the Galaxy Express 999. Her pendant serves multiple purposes: housing Dr. Ban's consciousness, facilitating communication, and possessing planet-destroying capabilities linked to La Metal's central computer.
Her relationships define key aspects of her journey. With Tetsuro, she exhibits maternal care, guiding his ethical growth while concealing her motives, a dynamic pivotal in her ultimate defiance against Promethium. Her bond with Emeraldas remains strong despite divergent temperaments—Emeraldas favors direct conflict, while Maetel seeks diplomatic solutions. Figures like Captain Harlock and Tochiro Oyama earn her respect for their autonomy and idealism, reinforcing her commitment to preserving humanity's essence against mechanization.
Her appearance follows the distinctive Leiji Matsumoto style: tall stature, long blonde hair, pronounced eyelashes, and brown eyes often conveying melancholy. She typically wears a dark coat with fur trim, boots, and an Astrakhan hat, described as "clothes of mourning." Fur trim color varies by continuity: white in her youth (*Maetel Legend*), blue (*Cosmo Warrior Zero*), and red (*Space Symphony Maetel*). The nature of her body is ambiguous; X-rays reveal a human skeleton, yet other evidence suggests mechanical properties or camouflage. This ambiguity extends to unresolved questions about cloning, fueled by her resemblance to Tetsuro Hoshino's mother. An "original" body resembling hers is buried on Pluto, where she displays deep emotional vulnerability.
Maetel embodies profound internal conflict. Tasked by her mother to recruit individuals for the mechanized empire, she simultaneously collaborates with her father—whose consciousness resides in a pendant she wears—to sabotage it. This duality forces her into morally complex actions, such as guiding companions like Tetsuro toward the empire's heart while covertly working toward its destruction. Her loyalty to both parents creates sustained tension.
In *Adieu Galaxy Express 999*, set three years after the original film, Maetel's role evolves. Rumors suggest she succeeded Promethium as queen, though her true allegiance remains dismantling the empire. She summons Tetsuro back to the Galaxy Express 999 but later urges him to disembark, signaling protective intentions conflicting with her mission. Her connection to La Metal resurfaces, including revelations about her resemblance to Queen Larela and the planet's role in her lineage. She confronts Promethium's lingering consciousness within the mechanized planet Great Andromeda, exposing the empire's horrific energy source: life force drained from captive humans. Her actions culminate in destroying the empire's central system using Dr. Ban's pendant, though Promethium implies their conflict remains unresolved.
Her abilities reflect her La Metalian heritage and experiences, granting an extended lifespan and enhanced physical capabilities like dodging lasers and breaking superalloy chains. She demonstrates proficiency with weapons such as the Gravity Saber rifle and Blitz Whip, alongside technological interaction skills—her brain interfaces with advanced machinery like the Galaxy Express 999. Her pendant serves multiple purposes: housing Dr. Ban's consciousness, facilitating communication, and possessing planet-destroying capabilities linked to La Metal's central computer.
Her relationships define key aspects of her journey. With Tetsuro, she exhibits maternal care, guiding his ethical growth while concealing her motives, a dynamic pivotal in her ultimate defiance against Promethium. Her bond with Emeraldas remains strong despite divergent temperaments—Emeraldas favors direct conflict, while Maetel seeks diplomatic solutions. Figures like Captain Harlock and Tochiro Oyama earn her respect for their autonomy and idealism, reinforcing her commitment to preserving humanity's essence against mechanization.