Mai Sakurajima
Mai Sakurajima |
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| Kana: | 桜島 麻衣 |
| Rōmaji: | Sakurajima Mai |
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| Age: | 17-18 |
| Gender: | Female |
| Height: | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
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| Birthdate: | December 2, 1996 (Sagittarius) |
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| Debut | |
| Anime: | Episode 01 |
| Light Novel: | Volume 01 |
| Manga: | Chapter 01 |
| Portrayal | |
| Japanese: | Asami Seto |
| English: | Erica Mendez |
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— Mai Sakurajima
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Appearance
Mai Sakurajima is a strikingly attractive character, often referred to as an “inside-out beauty” by her sister, Kaede. She has long, flowing black hair that cascades down to her waist, with bangs swept to the left and accented by a cute bunny-shaped barrette. Her captivating blue-violet eyes and slender, athletic build further enhance her presence. Standing at 165 cm, she is notably tall for a Japanese girl.
When she dons her bunny costume, Mai showcases her figure in a black leotard that complements her form. The outfit features translucent black tights that cling to her long legs and elegant black high heels. The leotard is designed with a tasteful cut, creating a modest yet flattering neckline. To complete her look, white cuffs adorn her wrists, and a stylish white collar with a black bowtie graces her neck. A playful white bunny tail rests on her waist, adding to the charm of the ensemble. Although she wears this costume only twice in the series, Mai maintains a bunny-themed aesthetic with her signature barrette and a personalized phone case shaped like bunny ears.
In her daily life, Mai is often seen in her school uniform, which includes a crisp white collared shirt, a red tie, and a cream-colored vest paired with a light brown unbuttoned blazer. She complements her uniform with a blue skirt and translucent black tights, along with brown shoes. Outside of school, her casual style consists of a light blue sleeveless button-up shirt layered with an open white jacket, dark blue long pants, and light black high-heeled sandals.
Notably, in the trailer for the second film, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out, Mai is depicted wearing glasses, further showcasing her versatility in style.
Mai’s full apperance in her school uniform.
Mai’s full apperance in her bunny outfit.
Personality
Mai Sakurajima embodies a blend of kindness and seriousness, particularly evident in her interactions with Sakuta Azusagawa. Initially, her character displays a somewhat cold demeanor, stemming from a bitterness shaped by her childhood fame. She often preferred solitude, evident when she donned a bunny costume at the library for attention yet remained reluctant to draw excessive focus to herself. Typically seen with her earphones in, she sought solace in music rather than social interaction. This aloofness was largely a product of her fame, which hindered her ability to forge friendships during her school years.
However, meeting Sakuta proved transformative for Mai. As she resumed her acting career, she gradually began to open up, revealing the kindness, maturity, and professionalism expected of someone in her position. An academically accomplished student, she also offers support to Sakuta in his studies and excels in cooking. Mai exhibits characteristics of a type B tsundere; while she is not overtly harsh, she can easily be irritated by Sakuta’s lewd jokes, occasionally reacting with snappy or violent retorts. Nevertheless, her tsundere traits are largely subdued, and she does not shy away from expressing her feelings, openly affirming her love for Sakuta.
When confronted with uncomfortable topics, Mai tends to suppress her feelings rather than confront them. Before Sakuta helped her regain visibility, she grappled with anxiety over the fear of being forgotten and the circumstances surrounding her hiatus, feelings that have since diminished as she transitioned to a new acting agency. While she shares Sakuta’s sarcastic sense of humor, Mai is inherently innocent and often becomes shy and flustered by his teasing. At her core, Mai is genuinely polite, levelheaded, and altruistic. This is exemplified by her public denouncement of the false hospitalization rumors to protect Sakuta’s reputation and her thoughtful gesture of giving a dress to Kaede Azusagawa, Sakuta’s younger sister, to encourage her to reconnect with the outside world. Kaede admires Mai as a role model, cherishing her beauty and kindness.
Although Mai can be strict and blunt with Sakuta regarding his inappropriate comments—often calling him a pervert or an idiot—she is equally affectionate, consistently affirming her love for him. As their relationship deepens, she becomes more relaxed and openly affectionate, shedding her earlier strictness. Ultimately, Mai is a genuinely kind and good-hearted individual. Like Sakuta, she possesses a quick wit while also demonstrating unwavering loyalty and virtue. Her selflessness is highlighted when she sacrifices herself to save Sakuta from an oncoming car, ultimately becoming a heart donor for Shoko. Fortunately, she is revived just in time thanks to Sakuta’s efforts to save her.
Background
Mai Sakurajima began her acting career at just six years old, landing the lead role in a morning drama where she portrayed a character known as “Maiko-chan.” This early success catapulted her into the public eye, leading to numerous appearances in films, television shows, and commercials. Despite the pressure that came with fame, Mai enjoyed the spotlight. However, her promising career took a sudden downturn when her mother, who also served as her agent, coerced her into participating in a swimsuit photoshoot against her wishes. This experience left Mai feeling exploited and disillusioned, prompting her to take a hiatus from acting.
During her time off, Mai enrolled in high school but faced challenges when she joined midway through her first year. By then, social groups had already formed, leaving her feeling like an outsider. Though the other students had no malicious intent, they were apprehensive about associating with her, fearing it might lead to their own isolation. This social alienation went unnoticed by Mai, but it profoundly impacted her emotional well-being. As a consequence of the stress and loneliness, she developed adolescence syndrome, which rendered her almost invisible to others. Initially relieved to escape the constant scrutiny of fame, she soon realized that her very existence was at risk of fading away entirely.
Thanks to her previous success, Mai was able to invest in real estate while still in high school, securing an apartment conveniently located across the street from Sakuta’s residence. As she contemplated returning to her acting career, Mai made the bold decision to leave her mother’s agency and join the agency managed by Ryoko Hanawa, ready to reclaim her place in the entertainment industry.
Adolescence Syndrome
Mai Sakurajima’s experience with Adolescence Syndrome manifested as a gradual invisibility, affecting both her and the objects she touched. This condition stemmed from her deep-seated desire to escape public attention, which paradoxically caused her existence to fade from the memories of those around her. As time went on, even people who had previously interacted with her began to forget she ever existed.
This disheartening phenomenon escalated her feelings of isolation, as she found herself slipping further from the consciousness of others. The turning point came when Sakuta Azusagawa, the last person to retain memories of her, boldly confessed his love for her in front of their school. This heartfelt declaration not only brought Mai back into the awareness of her peers but also reaffirmed her existence, compelling both students and faculty to acknowledge her once more.
Relationships
Mai embraces Sakuta’s arm.
Sakuta Azusagawa
Sakuta Azusagawa is the first person to see Mai in her bunny costume at the library. Although Mai initially cautioned him against approaching her again, his curiosity led him to speak with her after school. It is through Sakuta that Mai learns about Adolescence Syndrome and realizes that she may be experiencing its effects. Although she feels frustrated that he knows about her decision to leave acting, she takes decisive action after discovering the source of Sakuta’s knowledge. She contacts the journalist who published the story, preventing her from revealing Sakuta’s personal scars in exchange for an exclusive interview about her return to show business with a new agency. Consequently, she credits Sakuta for inspiring her comeback while keeping his identity private.
Mai’s relationship with Sakuta becomes public only after a tabloid scandal forces her to disclose their status at a press conference. Leading up to this moment, there are clear signs of her feelings for him. During their first night together in a hotel—after they travel over two hundred miles to find people who still recognize her—she exhibits “Type B tsundere” behavior. Mai tolerates Sakuta’s lewd jokes but sometimes playfully retaliates. She shows appreciation for the lengths Sakuta goes to for her, especially during their hotel stay and when he stays awake to ensure he doesn’t forget her.
Mai expresses her gratitude to Sakuta for everything before he drifts off to sleep.
After Sakuta confesses his love in front of their school, Mai reacts with surprise and frustration. She slaps him, steps on his foot, and challenges him to prove his love for an entire month. Although she initially avoids answering his confession in front of their peers, she denies the rumors surrounding Sakuta’s hospitalization. Ultimately, she does not reject him; instead, she chooses to join him when their teachers call him over. From that point on, Mai and Sakuta share lunch together daily.
However, their relationship faces tension when Mai sees Tomoe Koga atop Sakuta in their lunchroom. Although she tries to be understanding—allowing Sakuta to go on a fake date with Tomoe—she witnesses a confrontation between Sakuta and Yosuke Maezawa that escalates as Sakuta flees the scene with Tomoe. Fortunately, Sakuta manages to reset time, erasing the previous events. On the reset date, June 27, Mai affirms her relationship with Sakuta by kissing him on the cheek.
During summer break, Mai’s agency informs her that she is prohibited from dating, but she reassures Sakuta that they can still meet at school. Despite their continued encounters, they have yet to share a proper kiss.
Mai wakes up to find herself in Nodoka’s body.
Nodoka Toyohama
Nodoka, Mai’s younger stepsister, has always looked up to her after watching her first role on television. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that Mai’s parents separated after her birth, and her father later married Nodoka’s mother, which fueled a rivalry between their families. Nodoka’s jealousy over Mai’s early success leads to an unexpected body swap between the two. While Mai remains composed, Nodoka panics, and they agree to navigate their predicament together.
However, Nodoka’s jealousy intensifies, culminating in a heated argument that causes Mai to distance herself. Despite her lack of experience with singing and dancing, Mai’s professionalism shines during a month of rehearsals for a live concert with Nodoka’s idol group, while Nodoka struggles to adapt to the demands of being in Mai’s body. Following a harrowing incident where Nodoka attempts suicide, the two reconcile at Mai’s home and revert to their original bodies, solidifying their bond when Nodoka learns how much Mai has valued her support throughout her career.
Kaede Azusagawa
After hearing about Kaede’s struggles from Sakuta, Mai approaches her with kindness and understanding. Kaede eventually opens up to Mai, particularly after Mai gifts her new clothes. Mai demonstrates her thoughtfulness when she steps away to answer a phone call, ensuring she doesn’t disturb Kaede. Once Kaede regains her memories, Mai helps her adjust by arranging a haircut before she returns to school.
Shoko Makinohara
As Sakuta’s first crush, Shoko initially causes Mai to feel jealous and uncomfortable with their interactions. This tension is exacerbated when Shoko stays at Sakuta’s apartment, leading to an awkward moment for Mai while she is cooking. Despite her initial hostility, Mai recognizes Shoko’s importance in Sakuta’s life during his absence due to work commitments.
Upon learning of Shoko’s difficult circumstances, Mai’s attitude softens considerably. She becomes more compassionate toward Shoko, especially as she grapples with her feelings for Sakuta. Mai even goes so far as to consider sacrificing herself to save Shoko from her illness; however, Sakuta arrives in time to prevent this, and they agree to alter the timeline, which carries the risk of losing their memories of each other.
Etymology
The name Mai (麻衣) translates to “linen robe.” Her surname, Sakurajima (桜島), combines the words for “cherry blossom” (桜, sakura) and “island” (島, shima/jima). Together, her full name can be interpreted as “cherry blossom island.” Interestingly, Sakurajima is also the name of an actual volcano located in southern Kyushu, adding a layer of cultural significance to her character.