Maria Tachibana

Name: Maria Tachibana

Affiliation: Teikoku Kagekidan Hana-Gumi (Vice-Captain)

-Fromerly: New York Mafia

-Formerly: Russian Revolutionary Army

Date of Birth: July 19, 1903

Birth Place: Kiev, Ukraine (then under Russian Rule), Half-Russian Half-Japanese

Height: 186 cm

Weight: 65 kg

B/W/H: 88/60/90

Blood Type: O

Martial Talents: Marksmanship (Trademark Enfield Mark 1: Revolver)

Spirit Powers: Ice

Actress: �‚”T —í (Urara Takano)

Mecha Color: Dark Blue

Maria Tachibana is the daughter of a Russian Diplomat and his Japanese wife; when the Communist Revolution began she joined the revolutionary army. She earned a reputation for fierce efficiency on the battlefield and earned herself the codename Kazuar, a Russian fire-bird or phoenix that sweeps over the battlefield, she also had a very close relationship with her Commander Yuri. Yuri proposed to marry Maria once the communists had won the war, however it was shot and killed in an ambush by the royalist forces.

Yuri's death left and emptiness in Maria, and she drifted, her skills found herself in the employ of the New York Mafia as a bodyguard; she was progressing through the ranks and was very close to becoming a hitman, when Ayame approached her to join the Hana-gumi. Maria accepted the invitation to join the team and found herself in an atmosphere where the old wounds could start to heal if slowly, Maria was very closed when she first arrived at the Teigeki and seemed to care little for having fun; over time she's lightened up a little bit and opened up to her camaraderies somewhat.

Maria as the only original member of the Hana-gumi to have any combat experience was made unit commander, though she found herself at a loss to inspire teamwork among a group of young girls with such clashing personalities. She requested that Ayame find a new commander for the team, feeling she was better in a supporting role. She was, however, not pleased with the appointment of the raw and untested naval officer Oogami Ichirou, and was initially somewhat hostile of the new commander and did not trust his orders; eventually this two resolved their differences.

On the stage Maria always plays male roles, and if Sumire is the Top Musumeyaku Star, then Maria would be the top Otokoyaku, her most famous role is Andre from the Teigeki's signature play Ai Yue Ni or Because of Love. As an Otokoyaku Maria is adored by many of the female patrons of the theatre and even Tsubaki of the Kaze-gumi has a bit of a crush on her (or at least her personae of Andre). Maria is an invaluable member of the team.