Midori Tokiwa
Midori Tokiwa |
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| Kanji: | 常盤 みどり |
| Romaji | Asahina Takuto |
| Statistics | |
| Age: | 16 |
| Birthday: | August 19th |
| Height: | 161 cm (5’3″) |
| Portrayed by: | |
| Japanese: | Yūki Kaneko |
| English: | Juliet Simmons |
Midori Tokiwa (常盤 みどり, Tokiwa Midori), is one of the deuteragonists in the Tamako Market anime series. She is Tamako Kitashirakawa’s classmate, childhood friend, and a member of the baton club. Midori brings energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of warmth to the story as one of Tamako’s closest friends. While she is not the central character, her relationship with Tamako plays a significant role in the emotional dynamic of the series, and her playful, lively nature offers a great contrast to Tamako’s more introverted and sometimes naive demeanor.
Midori’s life is deeply intertwined with the Usagiyama Shopping District, as her grandparents own and run a toy shop. Her connection to the shopping district and her fondness for Tamako enrich the narrative, giving the series a deeper connection to community, friendship, and tradition. Throughout the series, Midori plays a supporting role in Tamako’s journey, helping her face the challenges of love, friendship, and self-discovery.
Background
Appearance in Anime
Midori Tokiwa comes from a family that is well-known in the Usagiyama Shopping District, with her grandparents owning a toy shop. Growing up in the same neighborhood as Tamako, Midori has known her since childhood and has shared many memories with her. Their long-standing friendship forms the foundation of their strong bond throughout the series.
Unlike Tamako, whose family is deeply involved in the mochi business, Midori’s connection to the shopping district revolves around her family’s toy store, which provides a different perspective on community life. Midori’s grandparents play a subtle but important role in the story, emphasizing the importance of family traditions and small business values that are central to the series’ setting.
Midori is also involved in extracurricular activities, specifically the baton club at school. Her active and enthusiastic personality makes her well-suited for such activities, and her involvement in the club showcases her vibrant and energetic nature. Her friendship with Tamako serves as an important emotional pillar for both of them, as they navigate the ups and downs of adolescence.
Appearance
Midori Tokiwa has a bright and cheerful appearance that matches her lively personality. She has long, straight hair often tied in a ponytail, which suits her active lifestyle. Her expressions are always full of energy, and she is often seen smiling or laughing, exuding an approachable and warm aura.
Her clothing style is casual and practical, often reflecting her sporty and energetic nature. She is typically seen in school uniform or comfortable outfits suitable for her baton club activities. Midori’s appearance is designed to make her appear as an accessible and relatable character, someone who is easy to connect with and who brings positive energy to her interactions with others.
Personality
Midori Tokiwa is lively, energetic, and caring. She has a personality that is full of enthusiasm, and she is not afraid to show her feelings. Midori is outgoing and often takes the initiative in her relationships, especially with Tamako. She is deeply loyal to her friends and has a strong sense of community, especially when it comes to the Usagiyama Shopping District and her family’s toy store.
Though she is generally cheerful and full of energy, Midori is not without her own moments of vulnerability. She cares deeply about Tamako and often serves as her emotional support, even though their friendship is sometimes tested by the presence of others in their lives. Midori’s own emotional journey in Tamako Market is centered around her evolving feelings for Tamako and her role as Tamako’s closest friend.
Midori’s strong sense of loyalty and commitment to those she cares about makes her a supportive figure in the series. She is the type of person who is always there for her friends, and she isn’t afraid to be honest and upfront with them when needed.
Role in the Story
The Responsible Friend: Throughout the series, Midori often keeps Tamako grounded, reminding her of deadlines, practices, and responsibilities. She helps organize events for the shopping district and baton club, and her presence is key to keeping things on track.
Internal Conflict and Emotional Growth: As Tamako’s social world expands, particularly with the arrival of Prince Mecha Mochimazzi and growing affection between Tamako and Mochizō, Midori begins to feel uneasy. These emotions spark moments of introspection, where Midori questions her own feelings and the shifting dynamics of their group.
Supportive Yet Struggling: Despite her personal turmoil, Midori remains a supportive friend, choosing not to act on her feelings if it means risking their friendship. Her restraint and emotional maturity reflect one of the show’s subtler narratives how teenagers grapple with identity and change.
Relationships
Tamako Kitashirakawa: Tamako is Midori’s best friend, and their bond is deep-rooted in childhood memories and shared experiences. Midori harbors feelings for Tamako that extend beyond friendship, but she chooses not to confront them directly. Her affection is shown through quiet care, gentle scolding, and emotional support.
Mochizō Ōji: Midori has a complicated relationship with Mochizō. Though not antagonistic, she views him as a potential rival for Tamako’s affection. Over time, she begins to accept his role in Tamako’s life, prioritizing Tamako’s happiness over her own feelings.
Kanna Makino: A fellow baton club member, Kanna and Midori share a casual, friendly relationship. Kanna’s eccentric behavior often brings levity to Midori’s more serious mood, making their dynamic fun and complementary.