Hikari Yamamoto

Hikari is a shy and timid young Japanese girl in Galaxy Mew Mew. She is the second member welcomed into the Galaxy Mews, inducted under the alias Mew Radiant Sun. She was eight years old when she first came to the colonies, but is 12 in the main story.

About

First Appearance: Chapter 2 - "To Shine"

Hikari is a young twelve-year-old girl who had been rushed to the ships with her grandmother, Emi Yamamoto, when she was eight years old. At the time, she felt terrified having to leave her home so suddenly, not understanding exactly what was going on or why. Hikari didn't like living under the harsh conditions of colony life, but soon adjusted to them after eventually accepting that she could do nothing to change her situation. She lived with her grandmother who grew quite sick as time passed and ended up needing to take care of her. Unfortunately, Hikari struggled to help Emi, since she was still a young child at that time and was unsure how to do so. Within a year of staying on the colony, her grandmother died, expressing to her grandchild the hope that one day, everyone could return to their home and be happy again. Unfortunately, it seemed that her hopes had died with her, as Hikari did not believe anything in the world would make a difference and was left feeling hopeless after her loss.

Without anyone to take care of her, Hikari was forced to live alone. She could not do very many jobs since they required the strength, stamina, and attentiveness of developed adults, and would be difficult for a child to do. So, she decided to ask the shopkeepers in the marketplace if she could work for them in exchange for food. While many rejected her, Hikari soon found an gentleman named Soren who gladly gave the girl a job. Additionally, once Soren realized that Hikari was on her own, he essentially adopted her, watching over her like his own daughter. Hikari liked being around and working for him, but she was often terrified since Soren would have to leave her alone several times a day to take care of some other business. He trusted her to be able to watch over things, and while she held up well for the most part, there were times where she would slip up.

Becoming a Mew

On one day, when the marketplace was not exceptionally crowded, Soren had to leave Hikari alone like he had before. This time, a group of thieves came and stole some of the merchandise from the stall she worked at. Instead of acting or calling out against their theft, Hikari was terrified beyond all reason and did nothing but watch them make off with the stuff as a result, too scared to react even though she knew she should have. When her elder came back, he was shocked and rather angry. However, he did not blame the child and instead decided to fix the problem himself by teaching her what he knew regarding self-defense. Growing up on Earth, Soren had learned various fighting techniques that he then decided to teach Hikari in order for her to better defend herself and avoid situations like this, as well as protect herself in other situations. He taught her that even in the darkest of places, bravery and strength would cause her to shine brighter than any star in the galaxy.

Hikari was glad to have been helped by the man and, when she was not watching over the shop, practiced what her mentor had taught her in order to continue growing her strength and agility.

At some point, Niji and Akio, on their search for another potential candidate for the Galaxy Mew Project, came across Hikari and Soren one day. They caught sight of Hikari practicing away, and a curious Niji decided to inquire about her, learning from Soren why she'd been doing this. Akio saw opportunity in the situation and asked the shopkeeper if he could take her in while Niji encouraged the child, who later agreed to let the duo transform her into a Mew after she remembered what her grandmother had told her in the past. She decided to take a leap of faith, and knowing how Niji was someone who was fighting for humanity, she trusted her.

Soren let her go proudly, and Hikari then went with Akio and Niji to the laboratory where she was transformed into a Mew. When Hikari arose in her bright sunny-colored outfit, she smiled brighter than ever before. From then on, Hikari was known as Mew Radiant Sun.

Personality

Hikari has the tendency to be very shy, which makes it hard to get close to her. She scares easily, and she's fairly anxious and afraid of a lot of things, typically hesitant to take action on anything. She used to be quite a cheery girl back on Earth, but these nervous and avoidant tendencies developed after her time growing up and living on the colony, especially since she was left alone for a while after the death of her grandmother. Hikari gets better over time, and while she still has some self-defeating tendencies, she can stay strong so long as she has the support of at least one person.

Despite the negative aspects of herself, Hikari can actually be quite outgoing when around people she's familiar with, after having enough time to know and trust them enough to be herself without worry. The young Mew is very curious and childish, but also knows how to treat others with respect and kindness. Compared to someone like the far younger Hotaru, Hikari is quite mature for someone her age. While she can be outgoing around familiar people, Hikari is still very uneasy about being alone and can often let her fear consume her if she is not careful. Her teammates will typically have to keep her calm and take care of her under such circumstances. She tries to be responsible, but can become overwhelmed by negativity if she dwells hard enough on these feelings.

Mew Form

Hikari has been infused with the DNA of a Black Cat, relative to her curiosity and cautiousness as well as her ability to be outgoing under certain circumstances. As Mew Radiant Sun, Hikari controls Fire and Light (primarily heat), channeling it through her weapon.

Hikari will typically try to apply what she has learned in her time training under Soren in battle when she can. Her animal traits heighten her finesse and agility, making it easier for her to outrun her enemies and utilize what she learned under her mentor more effectively. Hikari harnesses the energy and power of the Sun as a Mew, and her weapon is the Blazing Bell. The sunny Mew attacks with Ribbon Flame Blast.

Relationships

Akio Fujioka

Hikari likes to mess around with Akio and tease him from time to time, but she truly does respect and care about him. She considers the man something of a mentor, almost a father figure in much the same vein as Soren. Hikari often likes to check up on what Akio is doing, always curious about the nature of his work even if she doesn't totally understand it. Unlike her younger friend Hotaru, she knows when to distance herself and not be a pest, and can actually talk to Akio with the same level of maturity as her other older teammates.

Niji Harada

Not having had much of a maternal figure in her life other than her grandmother, Hikari sees Niji as a sort of foster mother. This is partly because the two girls have known each other the longest out of the other Mews, since Hikari was the second person to join the team. She takes very kindly to Niji and makes sure to turn to the galactic Mew when in trouble. At times, Hikari lets herself be too reliant on the young woman, but she tries not to be overbearing and does what she can to follow in Niji's leaderly footsteps by being independent and learning to shape up where needed.

Chrysalis Müller

Hikari doesn't like Chrysalis' tougher attitude sometimes, nor how she often teases her sunny teammate for being such a scaredy-cat. Hikari is hesitant toward Chrysalis at first, but over time they do start to get along. Hikari gets good advice and little lessons from her lunar teammate, and finds her straightforwardness valuable in certain contexts and situations despite not being okay with it all the time. She looks up to Chrysalis' ability to stand her ground as well, and thinks of the young woman as strong and independent. When Chrysalis isn't teasing her, Hikari finds that she can be a very good friend, one who will help comfort her when she has to. Hikari somewhat considers Chrysalis a big sister.

Hotaru Kojima

Hikari and Hotaru get along well together and consider one another close friends. There will be minor childish disagreements sometimes, but otherwise the pair collaborate well as the youngest members of their group. Because they are both quite young, each girl understands the way the other thinks and is inclined to see things in a way the older Mews do not. However, because Hikari is both older and more timid than Hotaru, she does sometimes have some trouble dealing with her. She treasures Hotaru, but sometimes isn't sure whether to follow her entirely. She also finds Hotaru's flashy nature a bit too overwhelming at times. Nonetheless, the two are close and like to play around together. Often, when the others are too busy for Hotaru, Hikari will spend time with her.

Nexus

Hikari looks up to Nexus greatly, and loves both getting advice from Nexus and hearing stories about her home. Since the Ecorian girl is so understanding and kind, Hikari considers her a good friend, mentor, and confidant, in the same motherly light as Niji. While she cares for her leader, Hikari believes Nexus is the one whose gentle personality she resonates with most.

Theme

借りぐらしのアリエッティ「Arrietty's_Song」 — 借りぐらしのアリエッティ「Arrietty's Song」

Gallery

Created by AnnikaDoll

Galaxy Mew Mew
Galaxy Mews	Niji Harada ✦ Hikari Yamamoto ✦ Chrysalis Müller ✦ Hotaru Kojima ✦ Nexus
Other Characters	Akio Fujioka ✦ Ehne ✦ Side Characters
Races	The Ecots ✦ The Ajra
Chapters	1 ✦ 2 ✦ 3 ✦ 4 ✦ 5 ✦ 6 ✦ 7 ✦ 8 ✦ 9 ✦ 10 ✦ 11 ✦ 12 ✦ Writing Process
Epilogues	1 ✦ 2 ✦ 3 ✦ 4 ✦ 5 ✦ 6 ✦ 7 ✦ 8
Other	The Colonies ✦ Galaxy Mew Mew Gallery