MAR facts for kids

MÄR, which stands for Märchen Awakens Romance, is a cool Japanese story told in both manga (comic books) and anime (animated TV show) forms. The manga series was published from 2003 to 2006. The anime TV show aired from 2005 to 2007 and had 102 exciting episodes. A follow-up story called MÄR Omega was also created.

Journey to MAR Heaven: The Story of MÄR

The story of MÄR follows a Japanese boy named Ginta. He feels like he doesn't fit in at school and often dreams of a fantasy world. One day, his dreams come true! He is suddenly transported to a magical place called MAR Heaven. This world is full of amazing creatures and looks just like a fairy tale.

Magical Items and New Friends

In MAR Heaven, people use special magical items called ARMs. These ARMs can do all sorts of things, from creating fire to healing wounds. Ginta quickly meets a powerful witch named Dorothy. She is on a quest to find a very rare and strong ARM called Babbo.

Ginta and Dorothy find Babbo, but there's a huge surprise: Babbo can talk! Most ARMs are just objects, but Babbo is alive and has his own personality. He can't remember anything about his past, except his name. Babbo quickly becomes Ginta's loyal friend and partner.

Team MÄR and the War Games

As Ginta explores MAR Heaven, he gathers a group of brave friends. They call themselves Team MÄR. Their main goal is to stop an evil group known as the Chess Pieces. The Chess Pieces want to turn MAR Heaven into a scary nightmare world.

To defeat the Chess Pieces, Team MÄR must compete in a big fighting tournament called the War Games. Ginta also hopes to find a way back home to Japan. He believes the ARM that brought him to MAR Heaven might also be able to send him back.

The Final Battle and Victory

As the story gets closer to its end, some big secrets are revealed. The leaders of the Chess Pieces, known as the King and Queen, are actually Ginta's father, Danna, and Dorothy's older sister, Diana. Danna is being controlled by an evil spirit called Caldia's Orb.

Team MÄR faces off against Caldia's Orb, Diana, and the Chess Pieces' strongest knight, Phantom. The final battle takes place in a huge floating castle called Lestava Castle. Team MÄR fights bravely and wins, saving MAR Heaven from destruction. After the victory, Ginta and his father, Danna, are finally able to return home.

Meet the Characters of MÄR

This section introduces the main characters you'll meet in the world of MÄR.

Team MÄR: The Heroes

Team MÄR is the group of brave heroes who fight to protect MAR Heaven. Their mission is to defeat the evil Chess Pieces.

• Ginta Toramizu: He's the main character and the leader of Team MÄR. Ginta comes from Tokyo, Japan. Even though he's just a normal boy from Earth, he has a very strong imagination. In MAR Heaven, he becomes a powerful fighter.
• Babbo: A unique ARM that can talk and has a human soul. He looks like a ball and chain with a hammer-shaped handle. Babbo is very proud and sees himself as a "gentleman." He can change into different forms, like a weapon, a gun, a winged monster, or even a powerful shield.
• Dorothy: A skilled witch with pink hair. She travels on a broomstick and is always looking for powerful ARMs. Dorothy comes from a land called Caldia. Her older sister, Diana, turned against their people and became evil. Dorothy wants to stop her sister.
• Jack: A friendly boy who looks a bit like a monkey. He lives with his mother on a farm and grows vegetables. Jack uses a shovel-shaped ARM and can make plants grow super fast to use in battles. He wants to become stronger and grow a giant beanstalk.
• Snow: A kind and polite young princess. She is the rightful ruler of Lestava Castle. Snow had to run away when Diana took over. She uses ARMs that create ice attacks. Sometimes, she can be a little hyperactive and quirky.
• Alviss: A mysterious young man who was responsible for bringing Ginta to MAR Heaven. He has a special mark called a Zombie Tattoo. This tattoo slowly spreads, and if it covers his whole body, he will be in danger.
• Nanashi: The leader of a group of thieves called Luberia. Nanashi joins Team MÄR to get revenge on the Chess Pieces for harming many of his fellow thieves. He can be a bit lazy but is a strong fighter.
• Alan: Snow's protector and a very calm, skilled fighter. He fought in an earlier war. For a while, he shared his body with Edward due to a curse, but he is later freed. He is allergic to cats!
• Belle: A small fairy who is a good friend to Alviss.
• Edward: Snow's loyal servant, a dog who wears glasses. He was cursed to share a body with Alan but is later freed.

Supporting Characters in MAR Heaven

These characters help Team MÄR on their journey or play important roles in the story.

• Koyuki: Ginta's friend from Tokyo. She looks a lot like Snow and sometimes dreams about Ginta's adventures from Snow's point of view.
• Danna: Ginta's father. He was a brave fighter in a previous war in MAR Heaven. His body was taken over by Caldia's Orb for a time. After Caldia's Orb was defeated, Danna returned and reunited with his family.
• Ginta's Mother: Ginta's unnamed mother, who writes fantasy novels.
• Jack's Mother: Jack's unnamed mother, who runs a farm with her son.
• Gaira: A strong man who fought alongside Danna and Alan in the first War Games.
• Pozun: A purple creature with pointy ears who acts as a referee for the War Games.
• Caldia's Grand Elder: A very old and powerful wizard who leads the land of Caldia.

The Chess Pieces: The Villains

The Chess Pieces are the main villains in MÄR. They want to turn MAR Heaven into a dark and scary place. They are organized into groups named after chess pieces, like Pawns, Rooks, Bishops, and Knights. The King and Queen, Caldia's Orb and Diana, are their ultimate leaders.

• Caldia's Orb: The King and true creator of the Chess Pieces. Caldia's Orb is made up of evil spirits trapped inside a glass orb. It first tried to control Babbo's body, but later took over Danna's body.
• Diana: The Queen of the Chess Pieces and Dorothy's older sister. She turned evil and became the Queen of Lestava. Diana is very greedy and collects powerful ARMs. Dorothy wants to stop her for betraying their home, Caldia.
• Phantom: The powerful leader of the Thirteen Zodiac Knights. Phantom lives in the floating Lestava Castle. He can be kind to his friends but is also very cruel and dislikes humans.
• Peta: Phantom's close friend. He was responsible for harming many members of Luberia, which made Nanashi join Team MÄR.
• Halloween: A Knight named after the holiday Halloween. He wears a large pumpkin as a mask and has a tombstone on his back. He was once Alan's friend but became cruel after finding an ARM that creates fire.
• Chimera: A mysterious Knight who wears a skull-shaped mask and doesn't speak much. Chimera is actually a woman named Eileen, who became vengeful after her husband was defeated. She uses Ghost ARMs.
• Rolan: A friendly man who deeply respects Phantom. He can grow bird wings and fly.
• Weasel: An old man, 84 years old, with a tree growing out of his head. He can use plants as weapons. He was involved in the defeat of Jack's father in the first War Games.
• Ian: He started as a Rook but later became a Knight. He cares deeply for Gido, a Pawn, who was affected by Chimera's magic, making Ian seek revenge.
• Magical Roe: A clown who used to cheer up Snow when she was younger. He serves Diana and captures Snow during the War Games. He later turns against Diana to save Snow.
• Galian: The former leader of Luberia, who left his group to join the Chess Pieces.
• Ash: A cheerful man who loves children. He wears a skull-shaped mask with its tongue sticking out.
• Candice: A woman who is devoted to Phantom. She seems to enjoy both giving and receiving pain.
• Pinocchion: A living toy puppet, named after Pinocchio. Diana built him as a gift for Dorothy. His nose grows when he lies and can even turn into a cannon.
• Rapunzel: A cruel and dangerous woman. Ian defeats her to earn his place among the Knights.
• Kouga: A large Knight who hides his face with a mask, believing his appearance is his greatest strength.
• Chaton: A girl who has the ears, tail, and playful personality of a cat. She develops feelings for Alan.
• Aqua: A mermaid girl who always smiles, even when hurt. She is defeated by Rapunzel.
• Loco: A girl who uses voodoo-like ARMs. Using a certain ARM causes her to get younger until she turns into a baby. Her ARMs are kept in a suitcase.
• Pano: A young girl with green hair who develops feelings for Jack.
• Garon and Leno: Pano's father and older brother.
• Gido: A Pawn and Ian's close friend.