Mina Hakuba


Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Mina hangs around the entrance area to the Castle Corridor, and she later appears in the game's best ending
Mina chats with Soma in the intro scene, and she in the game's ending sequence arrives to comfort the battle-worn Soma

Mina Hakuba was the only daughter of the man known as the Hakuba Shrine's caretaker and its head priest. The young Mina was known to be extremely friendly, and she was well-liked by all those who made her acquaintance.

And even though Soma Cruz was ever the intimidating personality, she always felt comfortable around him. A true testament to her amiable nature were her relationships with other relevant parties--mainly Genya Arikado and Yoko Belnades, two mysterious characters who often frequented her father's shrine. In 2035, when Mina and Soma climbed to the top of the Hakuba Shrine to get a better view of the impending celestial event, they were both whimsically transported into Castlevania, which had been sealed away in the darkness of the eclipse. Before Soma awakened from his unconscious state, Mina had already recovered only to discover that Genya Arikado was lurking about, too.

When Soma regained his senses, neither he nor Mina was certain of Genya's intent, but they knew for sure that they were both pawns in a dangerous game. Soma's proved to be the more troubling plight, his mission more urgent, so Mina did what she had always done: During his journey, as he struggled to find his true self, she continued to ease Soma's tension and make him feel at home amongst his suspicious new friends (most notably, she'd offer clues to a befuddled Soma and furthermore replenish his HP and MP meters). Her friendship proved to be all the more valuable when Soma faced his greatest threat, the essence of chaos; she pooled together all of the troops in order to use their collective power to psychically contact Soma with the words of encouragement that would give him the strength to attain victory. After the fight had ended, when it was clear that inside Soma lay the sleeping spirit of Dracula, she would not let this chilling fact break their bond. Instead, she promised that she would stand by him, no matter what--that she would always rush to his aid.

One year later, while she and Soma were discussing the events that so troubled him, Celia Fortner appeared and threw a wrench into things. It was clear that Celia and her new cult were trying to goad young Soma into another painful ordeal, and he would have to respond. Though she would not be joining him in his new quest, Mina would be with her friend in spirit. Though, her participation would extend further: She entrusted with Genya Arikado a special talisman, which she wanted Soma to have for when the situation required its use. Upon meeting with Arikado in the guest house of the cult's hideaway, Soma received the talisman as Mina had requested.

When Celia used a doppelganger disguised as Mina to trick Soma into thinking his trusted friend was dead, he gave in to temptation and let his hatred boil over, almost transforming into the Dark Lord incarnate. Though, by equipping Mina's talisman, Soma was able to hold back the forces of chaos until the doppelganger's presence was discovered. That plan was thwarted, and Mina did indeed live up to her promise to protect him. When the battle was over, and the exhausted Soma stood seaside as the cult's hideout collapsed into the sea, it was Mina who showed up unexpectedly to further comfort her friend.

          

 
 
Next Character