Mari Kurihara is a tall and slender young woman, widely regarded as one of the most strikingly beautiful students at Hachimitsu Academy. She has long, straight black hair that reaches down to her back, with two shoulder-length strands framing her face and side-swept bangs that fall to the right. Her eyes are blue in the manga, though they appear green in the anime adaptation. She is also noted for her pale complexion, full pink lips, and graceful posture, all of which contribute to her refined and commanding presence.

In her standard appearance, Mari wears the school’s female uniform, a beige blazer over a white blouse with a red bow tie, a plaid skirt, and dark tights. During her incarceration in the Prison Block, she dons a form-fitting, striped prison outfit, consisting of a sleeveless crop top and matching short striped trousers, which emphasizes her lithe frame.

Mari Kurihara is known for her calm, composed, and commanding attitude, which naturally establishes her as a figure of authority and respect among the students of Hachimitsu Academy. Proud and highly dignified, Mari carries herself with elegance and unwavering confidence, contributing to both her intimidating reputation and widespread admiration. Although she tends to keep a distance from others, she maintains a close circle of trusted allies within the Underground Student Council and notably prefers the company of crows, creatures she is oddly capable of commanding over most people.

Highly intelligent and strategically gifted, Mari has consistently demonstrated academic and athletic excellence since her middle school years. Her leadership of the Underground Student Council showcases her ability to think several steps ahead, as seen in her orchestration of the DTO operation to expel the boys and her later efforts to protect the USC from the political sabotage attempted by the Aboveground Student Council. Her cunning and resourcefulness make her a formidable opponent in any confrontation.

Mari’s misandrist tendencies are largely influenced by her strained relationship with her father, the lecherous chairman of the school. This tension initially manifests in her harsh treatment of the male students. However, over time, she displays the capacity for empathy and growth, gradually learning to understand and interact with the boys on a more human level.

Despite her outward stoicism, Mari possesses a deeply compassionate side. She is shown to be a protective and caring mentor, particularly to Meiko Shiraki, whom she helped build confidence during their middle school years by shielding her from bullying, most notably from Kate Takenomiya, who would later become Mari’s rival. Mari also shares a close bond with her younger sister, Chiyo Kurihara, with whom she spent her childhood and remained affectionate even as familial relationships fractured.

Mari is also a graceful and accountable individual. After the Underground Student Council is overthrown, she willingly accepts punishment for the physical abuse inflicted on the boys during their imprisonment, showing humility and fairness. Despite her rivalry with Kate, she acknowledges her strengths and offers praise, further reflecting Mari’s maturity and sense of honor.

Chiyo Kurihara
Chiyo is Mari’s younger sister, and despite their differing personalities, Mari holds deep affection for her. She is highly protective of Chiyo, especially regarding her growing closeness with Kiyoshi Fujino. Mari respects Chiyo’s sincerity and never doubts her moral compass, even when Chiyo awkwardly attempted to discuss her own interactions with the boys at the academy. Rather than jumping to conclusions, Mari trusted her sister’s intentions and never misread her words or actions.

Meiko Shiraki
Meiko is Mari’s childhood friend and one of her most loyal allies within the Underground Student Council. Mari was among the first to treat Meiko with genuine kindness and respect, never mocking her insecurities or imposing superiority. She often acts as Meiko’s emotional anchor, stepping in when Meiko’s intense personality begins to spiral out of control. Their bond is built on mutual loyalty, and Meiko continues to serve as Mari’s trusted enforcer and confidante.

Hana Midorikawa
Mari shares a strong, trusting relationship with Hana Midorikawa, the secretary of the Underground Student Council. Even after the controversial “Uroboros” photos were exposed to Hana, an event that could have undermined their alliance, the two remained loyal to one another. They continued to coordinate their plans in secret, maintaining the illusion of resigning from the USC while remaining committed to their shared goals.

Kiyoshi Fujino
Initially, Mari viewed Kiyoshi with disdain due to his repeated infractions, including escaping from the Prison Block and his emotional involvement with Chiyo. However, her attitude began to soften after Kiyoshi risked himself to assist her and even attempted to save her from being attacked by snakes. While she remained composed around him, Mari occasionally showed signs of discomfort such as blushing during awkward or unexpectedly intimate moments. Over time, her coldness gave way to mutual respect.

Kate Takenomiya
Mari’s relationship with Kate is defined by rivalry and hostility. After Mari’s imprisonment, Kate President of the Aboveground Student Council took it upon herself to make Mari’s life as difficult as possible, using her authority to humiliate and dominate her. Mari, in turn, refused to submit and actively challenged Kate’s authority. Their animosity became one of the series’ central conflicts, with Mari’s determination to outmaneuver Kate even becoming a driving force behind her plans to escape imprisonment.

Despite their adversarial roles, there are subtle indications of mutual concern between them. During the conclusion of the Cavalry Battle, glimpses of this complex emotional dynamic surface, hinting at an undercurrent of respect or unresolved tension beneath their outward hatred.

The given name Mari (万里) is composed of the kanji 万 (ma), meaning “ten thousand” or “myriad,” and 里 (ri), meaning “village” or “distance.” Combined, the name can be interpreted as “ten thousand miles” or “vast distance,” possibly symbolizing an expansive intellect or far-reaching ambition—both of which align with Mari’s character.

Her surname, Kurihara (栗原), consists of 栗 (kuri), meaning “Japanese chestnut,” and 原 (hara), meaning “field” or “plain.” Together, the name evokes a natural and traditional image, contrasting with her refined and calculating beheavior.