Queen Rafflesia commands the Mazon empire, an advanced civilization of plant-based aliens resembling human women. Her driving purpose is securing a new homeworld for her species following the destruction of their original planet, leading directly to the Mazon invasion of Earth and positioning her as the primary adversary to Captain Harlock and his crew.

She embodies Leiji Matsumoto's signature artistic style: tall, willowy, with pale white skin, long flowing dark blue hair, and narrow blue eyes. Rafflesia typically adorns herself in a long black dress featuring a heart-shaped opening extending from shoulders to abdomen, often paired with a crown whose central jewel divides into three congruent sections around her head. In combat, she switches to a form-fitting magenta and green outfit.

Initially a wise and benevolent ruler solely dedicated to her people's survival, prolonged conflict and repeated colonization failures hardened her. Witnessing planets turn to desolate wastelands under her command fostered increasing indifference towards native inhabitants, especially those ruled by apathetic or corrupt regimes like Earth's. Her encounters with Harlock create a complex dynamic; she views him as an obstacle yet acknowledges his defiance with intrigue. She demonstrates willingness for direct dialogue, meeting Harlock personally to discuss their opposing paths, indicating no personal animosity and framing her actions purely as necessary duty to the Mazon species.

As conflict escalates, her tactics grow ruthless. She authorizes kidnapping Mayu Ōyama, Harlock's deceased friend Tochirō Ōyama's young daughter, to lure Harlock into a trap—a decision causing discord within Mazon ranks over its perceived dishonor. Her leadership involves advanced Mazon technology, using projection devices for communication and wielding a specialized sword effective in close combat and energy beam projection.

A pivotal revelation occurs in her final duel with Harlock: he discovers she is biologically human, not Mazon, recontextualizing her role though the circumstances of her ascent remain undisclosed. Defeated, Harlock spares her life, permitting her and the surviving Mazon forces to depart Earth and seek a home elsewhere, concluding her direct antagonism.

Her name derives from the *Rafflesia*, a parasitic Southeast Asian flower lacking stems, leaves, or roots, surviving by latching onto hosts to absorb nutrients. Known as the "corpse flower" for its odor resembling rotting flesh, this etymology reflects her thematic connection to conquest and resource consumption, drawing sustenance from invaded worlds often at the expense of native life. Depictions consistently show her bearing the immense burden of ensuring species survival, justifying extreme measures through necessity rather than malice.