Machiko Irie is the mother of Naoki and Yuuki and the wife of Shigeki Irie in the anime Itazura na Kiss. She is portrayed as a well-meaning but overly controlling and somewhat naïve woman. Her deep desire for a daughter is established early on; she even dressed young Naoki in girl’s clothing, an act that contributed to his later aloof personality. When Kotoko Aihara comes to live with the Irie family after an earthquake, Machiko is overjoyed and quickly becomes Kotoko’s strongest supporter within the household. She is the one who most actively encourages Kotoko’s feelings for Naoki, often scheming to bring the two closer together. Her methods, however, are unorthodox and often comically intrusive. She frequently dons various disguises to spy on her children and devises elaborate plans that she believes will help them, though these plans typically only she considers beneficial. Her motivation stems from a genuine, if meddlesome, love for her family and a wish to see her children happy, especially in matters of the heart. In the story, she serves as a catalyst for many of the romantic misunderstandings and comedic situations between Kotoko and Naoki, while also acting as a warm maternal figure who prevents Kotoko from giving up on her pursuit. Her key relationships are with her sons and Kotoko. With Naoki, she is affectionate but often overwhelmed by his coldness. With Yuuki, she is similarly doting. Her relationship with Kotoko is the most significant: she takes on a role closer to that of a supportive mother-in-law even before the marriage, fighting off other love rivals and reassuring Kotoko of Naoki’s true feelings. Over the course of the series, Machiko’s character does not undergo a dramatic transformation but rather remains consistently enthusiastic and scheming, though her satisfaction is complete when Kotoko and Naoki finally marry. Her notable abilities include a talent for sewing and creating disguises, an unshakable optimism, and a knack for turning private moments into public photo opportunities, often to the embarrassment of the couple.