TV-Series
Description
Mari Nikaido serves as a teacher and manager at Suminoe Kindergarten in Japan. She develops as Kinnikuman's initial romantic interest during early story arcs. Her first interactions involve inviting Kinnikuman and his companion Alexandria Meat to the kindergarten, where she administers first aid after children tease Kinnikuman. She expresses gratitude to Meat with a kiss after a monster defeat, sparking jealousy in Kinnikuman. Their relationship features outings like funfair field trips and beach visits, where Kinnikuman protects her modesty following a monster incident.
A rivalry emerges between Mari and Natsuko Shōno, who also holds romantic feelings for Kinnikuman. This escalates to public insults featuring visual puns based on Japanese language nuances. Mari frequently attends Kinnikuman's wrestling matches, observing his victories at events like the 20th Choujin Olympics. Her role diminishes following the arrival of Bibinba, who becomes Kinnikuman's primary love interest. Feeling overshadowed, Mari ends her romantic pursuit and departs Japan to study overseas.
In the sequel series *Kinnikuman Nisei* (*Ultimate Muscle*), Mari returns to Japan as the adoptive mother of Rinko Nikaido. She discovered Rinko as an infant left on her doorstep and raised her from that point. Flashbacks depict their familial bond, showing Mari teaching Rinko to cook, participating in three-legged races, and attending coming-of-age ceremonies. Mari assumes the position of principal at Suminoe Kindergarten and continues volunteering at Gakincho Orphanage, playing piano for the children and assisting with cooking.
During the Ultimate Choujin Tag Tournament arc, Mari becomes indirectly involved when Rinko and Bibinba identify her as the potential "Key Person" capable of breaking the Devil's Hourglass curse afflicting Kinnikuman. They observe his pain lessens whenever Mari looks at a screen showing his suffering. Mari agrees to help and attempts to embrace Kinnikuman to break the curse, but he refuses to betray his commitment to Bibinba, choosing to endure the curse instead. Mari accepts this decision, and Bibinba thanks her for her willingness.
Mari's appearance varies. The manga depicts her with black shoulder-length hair, a fringe parted four ways, and bright blue eyes. The anime portrays her with wavy brown hair reaching her shoulder blades, a three-parted fringe, and dark brown eyes, often dressed in a red button-up shirt, peach skirt, and red shoes. In *Kinnikuman Nisei*, her design shifts to blue hair just above the shoulder blades, an unkempt fringe, a light blue button-up shirt with lighter cuffs and collar, dark blue denim shorts, and red glasses in initial scenes.
A rivalry emerges between Mari and Natsuko Shōno, who also holds romantic feelings for Kinnikuman. This escalates to public insults featuring visual puns based on Japanese language nuances. Mari frequently attends Kinnikuman's wrestling matches, observing his victories at events like the 20th Choujin Olympics. Her role diminishes following the arrival of Bibinba, who becomes Kinnikuman's primary love interest. Feeling overshadowed, Mari ends her romantic pursuit and departs Japan to study overseas.
In the sequel series *Kinnikuman Nisei* (*Ultimate Muscle*), Mari returns to Japan as the adoptive mother of Rinko Nikaido. She discovered Rinko as an infant left on her doorstep and raised her from that point. Flashbacks depict their familial bond, showing Mari teaching Rinko to cook, participating in three-legged races, and attending coming-of-age ceremonies. Mari assumes the position of principal at Suminoe Kindergarten and continues volunteering at Gakincho Orphanage, playing piano for the children and assisting with cooking.
During the Ultimate Choujin Tag Tournament arc, Mari becomes indirectly involved when Rinko and Bibinba identify her as the potential "Key Person" capable of breaking the Devil's Hourglass curse afflicting Kinnikuman. They observe his pain lessens whenever Mari looks at a screen showing his suffering. Mari agrees to help and attempts to embrace Kinnikuman to break the curse, but he refuses to betray his commitment to Bibinba, choosing to endure the curse instead. Mari accepts this decision, and Bibinba thanks her for her willingness.
Mari's appearance varies. The manga depicts her with black shoulder-length hair, a fringe parted four ways, and bright blue eyes. The anime portrays her with wavy brown hair reaching her shoulder blades, a three-parted fringe, and dark brown eyes, often dressed in a red button-up shirt, peach skirt, and red shoes. In *Kinnikuman Nisei*, her design shifts to blue hair just above the shoulder blades, an unkempt fringe, a light blue button-up shirt with lighter cuffs and collar, dark blue denim shorts, and red glasses in initial scenes.