Tomako Angel

"There is no need for that. I disarmed you, the best form of victory, for it is achieved without harm." ―Tomako Angel, Chapter 7
Tomako Angel is the protagonist of EngelReise, but will often share this role with Kim Young.
Tomako is the only child of the renowned Angel farming dynasty, located in the northern island of Kushyrin, belonging to the Imperyean Empire. She possesses a passion and specialty in developing quality horses to sell, and has hidden dreams of escaping the menial farm labor she handles to start a full-time career dealing with horses. Tomako carries the great burden of being the only child of Soga Angel, whose failure to produce a son indicates that the famed Angel dynasty will soon fade into history due to Tomako's ineligibility to keep the Angel name alive through marriage. Consequently, Soga has for the near entirety of Tomako's life chosen to lambast her for not being a son. In the aftermath of the unthinkable Swats-Imperyean War, which saw the Imperyean Empire defeated and colonized by the very distant Swatslandic Empire, Tomako's family is abducted per the Swatslandic 'People of the Crop' mandate, where they will be forced to farm in Swatsland instead. Perfectly loyal to her parents, a naïve and inexperienced Tomako embarks on a quest to the Swatslandic Empire to bring them back to Imperyea, not realizing that the world around her is not as honorable and negotiable as she.
==Appearance==
Tomako is an Imperyean of brighter skin and with a black hime cut hairstyle. Her eyebrows are thick but adjusted regularly to be smaller, sometimes shaped with some triangular form. On very rare occasions, Tomako will turn to makeup to try and elevate her beauty, but this is done almost exclusively for when she is trying to court a man's interest.
In EngelReise, Tomako's everyday attire is subject to change as she encounters more clothing. Both in and out of the story, Tomako most often wears her 'rancher' outfit which consists of a simple brown robe top and less saturated brown work pants. Her boots start out brown in the story, but not long into her adventure are swapped out for a tan pair. Owing to her strong dedication to the Puritonist faith, Tomako always features a belt buckle relating to her religion, with her Imperyean sword, EngelReise, attached to the belt itself.
When going out to negotiate, Tomako will put on a black, blue, and gold (referencing the Imperyean flag) dress along with sandals. While Tomako does not make any effort to hide her bare feet, a severe childhood injury to her left foot has resulted in her big toe being permanently dislocated, overlapping the neighboring toe. Tomako daringly leaves her feet exposed while dressed up, still believing that this compliments her dress, but does not paint her nails out of fear that doing so would draw attention to her deformity.
==Personality ==
Tomako can be summarized as loyal, diplomatic, and deeply religious in nature. Having grown up the only child of a farm, her social life by adulthood is dismal, so much so that Tomako regularly discusses matters with horses rather than human beings. This extreme isolation has, however, also led to extreme loyalty to the only humans she regularly socializes with: her parents. Despite the cruel treatment Soga has imposed upon Tomako all her life, she treats her father as the most important figure in her life (especially as an elder), and endeavors to satisfy his every wish. A similar loyalty exists toward her mother, Togami, but differs in that this is respect and loyalty Tomako wants to give. Tomako's loyalty extends forth to the horses she cares for, seeing the wellbeing of these animals as a moral responsibility as well as a profitable one.
A primary aspect of Tomako's character is her ability to approach a person or situation diplomatically. Having grown up into a role of conducting trade on behalf of her family's farm, Tomako has good experience working with merchants, and she has applied this experience to everyday matters both calm and dangerous. While Tomako is generally skilled at defusing a situation or striking a deal, her naïve belief that life's adversities can be overcome through diplomacy has a tendency to land her into trouble.
Religion plays a substantial role in Tomako's personality, as her devotion to the Imperyean religion—Puritonism—affects how she views and interacts with the world. As with most Imperyean women, Tomako's central focus is on achieving the prophecy of birthing the Perfectly Honorable One, a teacher of flawless honor who will establish a school to guide the future with. Tomako, much like her mother before her, believes that by leading an especially honorable life, she will be the one to give birth to this figure. Ironically, despite being such a powerful believer in the Perfectly Honorable One prophecy, and a self-proclaimed servant to the gods, Tomako is very quick to become curious about elements of other religions she encounters. Often times Tomako will try and make sense of another religious belief by trying to apply it to her own faith, essentially trying to find ways to synchronize her religion with another. She is quick to cease her flirtation with other religions when called out on the act.
One of the most evident flaws of Tomako's character is her naïve view of the world. As Tomako has lived a life of isolation, only occasionally venturing to Boshtang for trade, she lives by a false perception that the world operates in accordance to her own peaceful and diplomatic ways. On her journey to Swatsland, Tomako is genuinely shocked to discover that there are people who live to scam, lie, or even hurt her, with no ear for diplomacy. Worst of all is Tomako's misconception that people with murderous intent can simply be talked out of this through moral convincement. This is a severe weakness that is eventually supplemented by the presence of Kim Young, who is far less trusting of people and more than ready to pull an overly trusting Tomako out of a dangerous situation.
Tomako has very low self-esteem when it comes to her prospect as a wife, and has an unusual tendency to blame this on the flatness of her chest, believing that this severely lessens her sex appeal. In addition to dreaming about having larger breasts, this can lead to socially bizarre moments where she openly envies the breasts of another woman. Tomako does, however, quickly forget about this in moments where she feels attractive for other reasons, such as when she has an opportunity to put on perfume, or wear something considered attractive.
Outside of the EngelReise canon, Tomako is portrayed as the sisterly rival (and sometimes foil) to Chiya Flower, and a sisterly ally of Suri Yaktosh. Tomako is in this reality the primary target of Chiya's friendly egotism, as Tomako/EngelReise is considered the blood successor to Chiya/F-Zero: Seppuku and therefore the greater threat. Tomako will typically suffer Chiya's wrath, but at times may retaliate in similar scale.
==Key Relationships==
===Family ===
====Soga Angel====
"My father did not entertain patience outside of the arts. He is a believer in immediate action over emotions. If something were bothering me, he would expect I answer the problem rather than talk about it." ―Tomako Angel, Chapter 47
Tomako is the constant target of her father's abusive tendencies, but nevertheless treats him with the most respect in the family. Despite the respect Tomako will show and claim, she still makes a conscious effort to try and avoid him at all times, even going so far as to try and avoid him for the entire day if possible. While Tomako recognizes a traditional Imperyean role in caring for the father above all, Tomako takes this to an irrational extreme, almost rewarding her father with complete servitude. Soga, nevertheless, continues to reject Tomako's robotic love and criticize her for not being the son he always wanted. While Soga's abuse is dealt to Tomako's emotional state, the man has never dealt physical harm toward her, but has on numerous occasions gone into destructive outbursts as a result of his ire towards her. Contrary to all of the grief he deals her, Soga still displays a surprising willingness--and even encouragement--of letting Tomako choose her own husband (albeit with his approval) as well as educating her in essential life lessons as relevant situations arise. 
All in all, the relationship of Soga and Tomako can be easily described as a family hostage situation, with some even daring to question what could possibly drive the woman to go on such a suicidal journey across the world, just to rescue her well aged and abusive father.
====Togami Angel====
"It is simple logic. You told me to stay away from the Swatslandic, I acted against your whim and approached the Swatslandic. I mindfully disrespected my mother and the God of Kushyrin felt it necessary to stress a lesson upon me." ―Tomako Angel, Chapter 2
Togami is the preferred parent of Tomako on any hour of the day and largely acts as an intermediary between Soga and Tomako when tension reaches a boiling point. While she easily takes the side of Soga in most cases--displaying a similar kind of obedience to him as Tomako does--she will often try and relax a situation by turning a fuming or hurt Tomako back to her spirituality as a coping mechanism, or on rare occasions, to talk through their issues. Tension usually will not exist between Togami and Tomako, and it was in this relationship where Tomako was educated in the Puritonist faith's women's doctrine, namely the prophecy of the Perfectly Honorable One, who most Imperyean women wish to hold the honor of giving birth to. Togami, knowing that she was not the one to birth the Perfectly Honorable One, finds herself in something of a depression, but nevertheless finds relief in a daughter she is proud of. Tomako, meanwhile, walking in her mother's footsteps, has taken every meaningful step in life to live a truly honorable life in hope of being the one to give birth to this chosen one. To this end, Tomako and Togami find a mutual point of interest.
===Allies ===
====Kim Young====
"I made it out of steatite. If I'm correct, I have forged Jochanism and Puritonism together under one symbol—it is like the special bond you and I now share. I hope you like it." ―Tomako Angel, Chapter 30
left|thumb|Kim and Tomako are the primary allies featured in EngelReise.
As Tomako's journey takes her to the hostile Kingdom of Krucifix, an unlikely alliance is forged between her and the Krucifixan man, Kim Young. This relationship undergoes many obstacles and trials due to them being of rival cultures and religions, made worse from the fact that their first meeting came as a result of Tomako stealing from Kim's farm. In the beginning, Tomako assumes a humble and rather subservient role in their relationship, largely wishing to win Kim's trust and favor, while more ambitiously wishing to demonstrate that an Imperyean and Krucifixan can get along. Kim, although humoring her attempts, is mostly suspicious of Tomako due to her Imperyean blood, genuinely believing that she may strike him dead while his back is turned. The apex of their bad start comes when Kim takes advantage of Tomako's subservient attitude and parade her around town, falsely claiming her to be his Imperyean pocket servicer—the Krucifixan title for a loyal sex servant—which would be coveted by many Krucifixans. This period of mistrust and mastery over Tomako would be short-lived, however, as a mutual danger in Fulin Ji-Hoon would have Kim finally trusting her and later agreeing to accompany her on a journey west.
The later, much more prevailing relationship that these two share would develop into one of equal partnership and a desire to learn more about one another. Tomako often finds herself wanting to better her understanding of Jochanism, and will turn to Kim for this. Kim tends to inquire a lot about Tomako's personal life, values, and dreams. The two also work off each other well in combat situations, with Tomako excelling with her sword while Kim has a very quick draw with his crossbow.
Tomako, overall, has a very affectionate opinion of Kim and values the sight of him in a happier state. Furthermore, she is very desiring of tolerance from Kim—but does not always receive it—and wishes for his lasting respect.
====Otomo Nushikuo====
"You have a caring heart, Tomako. I could never imagine you resorting to murder for personal gain. Perhaps you will need to end the life of one to protect yourself; but if possible, I trust that you will remain honorable and merciful in nature." ―Otomo, Chapter 10
Otomo serves a major role in Tomako's entire life. With the absence of a good relationship with her actual father, Otomo secretly took it upon himself to capitalize on this absence and subtly influence Tomako as a kind of shadow parent. Thus, without realizing it, Tomako grew up with patriotism for Imperyea, a good sense of mercantilism, and a better knowledge of horses due to Otomo's intervention into her life. Tomako, as a result of this early relationship, treated Otomo as a personal friend who she would never miss the chance to meet up with whenever she was in Boshtang.
Following the Swats-Imperyean War, Otomo was forced to live as a full-time merchant, and became completely reliant on the Angel family for their fairly priced farming goods. Under this arrangement, Tomako would bring forth a supply caravan and sell it to him, in which he would then sell on the market for a greater price. With the torching of the Angel homestead by the Swatslandic, Otomo's business was essentially doomed. 
When it came time for Tomako's journey, Otomo was the one to house the woman, care for her crushed feelings, and even try to adopt her as his own daughter. Unable to pierce Tomako's loyalty to her biological parents, he granted Tomako the katana, EngelReise, and taught her some of the basic combat forms. 
Going forward in her journey, Tomako would frequently bring up Otomo with a high level of respect, and the only Imperyean she openly admits missing.
====Elisabet Swanstorm====
"I hate your moral values; I do not hate much, but with all my heart, I hate your Dimmish views on mercy and life." Before Elisabet could get a chance to embrace any form of anger, Tomako concluded, "I still like you, Elisabet, and I wish you well as a friend should." ―Tomako Angel, Chapter 47
left|thumb|Elisabet and Tomako share a bizarre and tense relationship.
Tomako and Elisabet meet each other far into the journey to Svatpa, during which time they established a complicated relationship that, ultimately, could be very loosely described as an alliance. The two, while of vastly different faiths, share in common a system that values honor. The problem that immediately arises is that their respective honor systems are polar opposite to each other, with Tomako's idea of honor coming from selfless acts and peace, while Elisabet's idea of it comes from battle and forms of victory; Tomako finds Elisabet's honor system as borderline evil while Elisabet sees Tomako's honor system as soft and self-destructive. A second point of major tension between the two comes from Elisabet's hypersexual nature, most controversially featuring Elisabet's unyielding fetish for pushing other people to perform sex—all of which she masks as being done to honor her chosen god. This comes as a point of tension due to her pushing for Kim and Tomako to satisfy her desires in this unique way.
Despite there being some major obstacles in their relationship, Elisabet has a genuine desire to help Tomako rescue her parents, and is even a bit thrilled by the prospect of having her (and to a lesser extent, Kim) follow the Army of Triumph all the way to Swatsland. Noticing various flaws in Tomako's combat form, Elisabet duties herself with refining her capabilities with a sword, largely teaching Tomako to take full advantage of the light weight she had and that most men would lack. Furthermore, while not entirely interested in Tomako's religion, Tomako was very interested in hers, especially fascinated by Elisabet's claim that a mountaintop back in her homeland existed where witches could speak to the gods.
Ultimately, Tomako is utterly sickened by Elisabet's character and ambitions, but nonetheless recognizes her as a friend and ally.
==Concept Art + Inspiration ==
==== Concept Art ====
Tomako's design concept was made Sep. 29, 2013, and introduced the character, flag of 'Imperia' (later renamed to 'Imperyea'), as well as an early story logo.
Notable differences with the original design to the current is that her hair is more symmetrical, bangs either not existing or hidden behind a hat, less saturated clothing, a scarf, and her sword has a basic design rather than purple and gold.
==== Inspiration ====
* Chiya Flower (F-Zero: Seppuku) - As the spiritual successor to Chiya Flower, much of the early focus behind Tomako was put toward replicating much of the thought process that led to Chiya Flower. Direct influences from Chiya was the decision to make Tomako a woman, to give her a specific animal to be hype fixated on, and to tackle an ambition that is bigger than life.
* Fred Flinstone (The Flinstones) - An extension of the Chiya Flower inspiration, a strategy employed for the development of EngelReise—and Tomako by extension—was to create a story that is identical to F-Zero: Seppuku but taking place in a distant time. An observed example was the similarities and differences between The Jetsons and The Flinstones, with one taking place in the future, while the other takes place in the past. Thus with EngelReise filling the more ancient role, Fred Flinstone was observed as an example of how to handle a character from the distant past, albeit while conscious of the heavily romanticized setting of the cartoon.
* Samurai Jack (Samurai Jack) - Inspired by Samurai Jack, Tomako was influenced into having a similar kind of modesty and honor, along with the fixation Jack had for fulfilling his primary goal while still helping those he encountered. All of these things would more or less develop Tomako's day-to-day personality.
==Trivia ==
* Japanese/Shinto retcon - From the day of Tomako's design concept, she was described as being a "Japanese Shinto from Imperia," reflecting early intentions for EngelReise to take place on Earth and with historical cultures and religions still in place. Shortly before the release of the story's prologue in 2016, this was retconned, now replacing Japanese with Imperyean, and Shinto with Puritonism.
*Tomako vs. The Dark Knight - Tomako was originally planned to have the Dark Knight as a recurring rival who on Swatsland's order would work to foil Tomako's journey. This was later radically changed due to confusion over how the Dark Knight could stay in constant communication with the Swatslandic crown while being so far away.
* Armored Tomako - At some point in the story, Tomako was meant to abandon her lighter attire and become a heavily armored samurai, sporting blue and silver.