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Mio

Mio (澪, also rendered as みお or ミオ), formerly known as the Black Spider of Calamity (災害の黒蜘蛛, Saigai no Kuro Gumo), is one of the two main female deuteragonists of the series Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy. A powerful and unique existence within the Goddess’s world, Mio was once feared for her destructive nature and insatiable hunger. After being defeated and subdued by Makoto Misumi, she forms a contract with him and now serves loyally as one of his primary companions.

Personality

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Appearance in Anime

Mio is fiercely loyal to Makoto Misumi, often to an extreme and potentially dangerous degree. Her devotion is unwavering, and she does not hesitate to eliminate anyone she perceives as a threat to him regardless of their status, background, or strength. This intense attachment drives many of her actions and fuels both her protective instincts and personal growth.

While she is highly instinctual by nature, Mio also demonstrates surprising intelligence and adaptability. After forming a contract with Makoto, she quickly learns new skills such as cooking which she takes on enthusiastically to please him. Her loyalty is straightforward and single-minded, but her motivations evolve as she develops a deeper emotional connection with those around her.

Before encountering Makoto, Mio was driven mad by a constant, unending hunger that prevented her from expressing emotions or reason. His intervention not only tamed her hunger but also restored her capacity for rational thought and emotional expression.

Mio has a notable weakness for flattery. Even those she initially finds annoying can earn her favor if they compliment her provided they pose no threat to Makoto. She also exhibits occasional sadomasochistic fantasies, particularly in relation to Makoto, often imagining scenarios where she is dominated by him. Despite these tendencies, she maintains a certain innocence when it comes to romantic and physical affection. Mio is often flustered by simple gestures such as hand-holding or cheek kisses, and later becomes bashful when confronted with the topic of intimacy.

In battle, Mio can be calculating, merciless, and coldly logical. She shows little hesitation in using psychological and physical tactics to defeat her enemies, though this ruthlessness contrasts with the more vulnerable and childlike aspects of her personality.

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Appearance

In her human form, Mio appears as a beautiful young woman with long black hair adorned with a red headband tied in a blooming knot. She wears black lace gloves and a luxurious black-and-red kimono styled like a yukata, complete with white frills on the sleeves and hem. Despite its elegant appearance, the kimono possesses some defensive capabilities, having withstood damage that even surprised the Elder Dwarves when it was partially cut during combat. She typically conceals a folding fan within her chest area as a hidden accessory. Though the outfit appears restrictive at first glance, Mio is remarkably agile while wearing it.

As of Season 1, following Makoto Misumi’s compliment on her outfit, Mio adopts a slightly altered version as her default attire. The updated design includes a fully covered black-and-red kimono with the removal of the original white frills, replaced instead by spider web motifs on her left arm and legs. She also switches to black footwear and continues wearing her signature black lace gloves throughout the series. When preparing food, she wears a white apron over her kimono.

In her original form as the Black Spider of Calamity, Mio takes the shape of a massive, ominous spider with a dark purple-black exoskeleton and a sinister presence. Her body is supported by eight enormous, powerful legs capable of piercing concrete and metal with ease. She possesses eight glowing yellow eyes, with the two central ones being the largest, and hides a set of razor-sharp teeth within four large, blade-like jaws. Her monstrous appearance reflects the terrifying power and destructive nature she once wielded before forming a contract with Makoto.

Background

Mio, formerly known as the Black Spider of Calamity, is an ancient and fearsome being whose origins remain unknown. For generations, she roamed the world in a mindless state, driven by an unrelenting and insatiable hunger. Stripped of reason and consciousness, she became a living catastrophe devouring anything within her reach and leaving destruction in her wake. Her presence instilled terror across the lands, as she was not only indiscriminate in her consumption but also developed a particular taste for rare and historical artifacts. This trait made her especially feared by craftsmen and artisans, such as the Elder Dwarves, whose creations were frequently destroyed and consumed by her.

At some point in the past, Mio fought Shèn (now known as Tomoe), though the details of their encounter remain unclear. Mio later admitted to having no memory of the event, and the reason for her departure from the fight remains unknown.

Before encountering Makoto Misumi, Mio also crossed paths with formidable individuals such as Demon General Io and members of the Hero’s Party from Limia. Despite their combined strength, none of them were able to defeat her. However, they survived only because Mio lost interest mid-battle and chose to leave, rather than due to any strategic retreat or victory on their part.

Mio’s rampage ultimately came to an end when she was subdued by Makoto. Rather than destroying her, Makoto offered her understanding and stability, forming a contract that freed her from the torment of endless hunger and restored her sentience. This moment marked the beginning of her transformation from a feared calamity into a loyal and powerful companion.

Etymology

The name Mio (澪) was given to her by Makoto Misumi and holds symbolic meaning. It is derived from the Japanese characters for “zero” and “water.” The “zero” represents a fresh start signifying Mio’s rebirth and new identity following her past as the feared Black Spider of Calamity. The “water” element reflects Makoto’s affinity with water magic, making the name both personal and meaningful within the context of their bond.

Relationships

Makoto Misumi
Mio is deeply devoted to Makoto, exhibiting unwavering loyalty and affection. She often goes out of her way to serve him, taking pleasure in cooking his meals and watching him while he sleeps. Her attachment is so intense that she openly threatens to harm anyone who hurts him or interferes with moments of intimacy between them. In Chapter 305 of the web novel, Makoto initiates a romantic encounter with Mio, fulfilling a long-held desire of hers. This moment marks a turning point in their relationship, solidifying her feelings and happiness. The following morning, while Mio is in the kitchen, Tomoe visits Makoto’s room and initiates her own romantic interaction, which results in a heated confrontation when Mio returns. The altercation between the two makes their relationships with Makoto publicly known throughout the Demi-Plane.

Tomoe
Tomoe and Mio share a complex relationship characterized by rivalry and camaraderie. While they often compete for Makoto’s attention and affection, Mio frequently seeks Tomoe’s advice and shares her interests in anime and Western media. The two occasionally clash over their entertainment preferences, which can lead to minor disputes. Despite their rivalry, Mio secretly views Tomoe as an older sister figure, a sentiment she keeps hidden out of embarrassment. She even confesses this privately to Tomoe’s parent but admits she would be mortified if Tomoe ever found out.

Shiki
Mio tends to intimidate and reprimand Shiki, often acting domineering toward him. Nonetheless, beneath her harsh behavior, she harbors a sibling-like affection for him. She demonstrates her trust by asking for his assistance when developing new spells, suggesting a level of respect and reliance behind her teasing exterior.

Tamaki
Like Tomoe, Mio is cautious around Tamaki. While her reasons may differ, she finds Tamaki difficult to trust, often keeping her distance and showing signs of suspicion toward her motives.

Trivia

    • Mio’s spider form is often noted for its resemblance to the real-world Black Widow, a species of spider known for its lethality and the female’s tendency to consume her mate, an aspect reflected in Mio’s possessive and predatory affection toward Makoto.
      • Her exact age and origins remain unknown. However, ancient tales suggest that Mio has existed for millennia predating even the arrival of the Goddess and the creation of the other Greater Dragons.
      • The origins of Mio’s descendants, the Alke species, are also unclear. What is known is that, like Mio in her earlier state, they were tormented by uncontrollable hunger until she, in her human form, offered them salvation and guidance.
      • Mio may have been partially inspired by Ungoliant, a character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion. Both are described as ancient, powerful entities with mysterious origins, taking the form of immense spiders and driven by an ever-growing hunger that leads them to consume everything around them.
      • Her behavior after becoming attached to Makoto particularly referring to him as her “favorite meal” may further reflect the real-world biological behavior of certain female arachnids.
      • Subtle nods in the anime suggest that Mio has a fondness for Spider-Man, as several of the morning cartoons she watches appear to reference the iconic web-slinging superhero, aligning with her spider-themed identity.