Emeraldas, also called Queen Emeraldas, navigates Leiji Matsumoto's shared universe as the older daughter of Queen Promethium of La Metal's Machine Empire and Dr. Ban, with Maetel as her twin. Fundamental disagreements over the Empire's forced conversion of civilians into Machine Men fracture her family ties, particularly with her mother. Rejecting this heritage, Emeraldas chooses a solitary life adrift among the stars. Her striking appearance features lavender eyes and long hair depicted as ginger or blonde across adaptations, marked by a prominent scar on her left cheek. This scar originates from the Earth rebellion against Illumidus; she was shot defending Maya, Harlock's lover. Emeraldas deliberately retains the scar as a testament to vulnerability and defiance. She consistently wears red and black clothing adorned with jolly roger motifs—often a bodysuit, skirt, hooded cloak, white gloves, boots, and tights. A gravity saber and handgun remain constant companions, signaling her combat readiness. Fierce independence defines her character. Emeraldas pledges allegiance to no faction or individual, adhering strictly to a personal moral code that sanctions violence only against the cruel or unjust. Despite her formidable pirate reputation, profound loneliness shadows her solitary journey and transient relationships. She steadfastly refuses a Machine Body, even when critically ill, viewing mechanical immortality as a betrayal of her humanity and an extension of her mother's despised ideology. Key relationships shape her path. She shares a deep, platonic bond with Captain Harlock, forged through mutual respect and shared experiences like the Illumidus occupation; their interactions reflect understanding and unspoken trust, especially concerning loss. Her connection with Tochiro Oyama shifts from indifference to deep affection. Tochiro recognizes her solitude, and their relationship significantly broadens her perspective on human connection. Yet, divergent dreams—his for engineering, hers for wandering—prevent permanence. After Tochiro's death, grief and memories drive her distance from their daughter, Mayu. She occasionally mentors determined individuals like Hiroshi Umino, gifting him Tochiro's Cosmo Dragoon pistol in recognition of his spirit. Within "Arcadia of My Youth," Emeraldas operates as a licensed free space trader, emphasizing neutrality. However, encountering Harlock and Tochiro draws her into the Earth rebellion. Defining moments include defending Maya during a police raid—earning her facial scar—and fighting the Illumidus fleet. Her declaration, "Living does not mean clinging on to Earth and becoming filthy pigs," underscores her rejection of compromise and decision to join Harlock's exile. Her ship, the Queen Emeraldas, flies a skull-and-crossbones flag stained with Maya's blood, a symbol of freedom and sacrifice she fiercely protects, confronting impostors who misuse it. Her portrayal varies across Matsumoto's flexible continuity. In "Galaxy Express 999," she appears bedridden by an unspecified illness, an android replica commanding her ship. This contrasts sharply with the "Queen Emeraldas" OVA, depicting her as a physically formidable combatant, notably in a gravity saber duel against Queen Baraluda. These differences reflect the non-linear nature of her appearances.