Princess Tenko

## Tenko

**Princess Tenko** (real name: **Mariko Itakura**) is the protagonist of the 1995-1996 magical animated TV series that aired on Fox Kids known as *Tenko and the Guardians of the Magic*.

A powerful magician, Princess Tenko became a Master Guardian after Hikita Tenko's death, vowing to find the legendary Starfire Gems and to keep them safe from those who wish to do harm.

## History

Tenko descended from a ninja and a samurai and grew up in a Japanese palace.
As a teenage magician, Mariko Itakura waited backstage while a Beast Tamer performed alongside his pet Tiger. The tamer suddenly lost control of the tiger and dropped his ring of fire, setting the entire building ablaze. The entire audience fled except for one little girl who was frozen in fear. The tiger went to attack the little girl, but was stopped by Mariko, who grabbed the little girl and crawled to safety. This brave action caught the attention of Master Hikita Tenko. Master Tenko used the Tenko Box to teleport himself and Mariko to his home, a training academy for promising magicians. There, she was introduced to the twins Jason and Jana Dark, along with Bolt, Steel, and Hawk. Mariko accepted Hikita's invitation to join the group.

As Hikita Tenko's student, Mariko trained in the magical arts while her rival, Jana, refused to put as much effort into her studies. Mariko soon gained Hikita's favor over all of his other students. One evening, he brought Mariko to the Tenko Box and revealed the story of the magical Starfire Gems. He told her that he would not be alive much longer, and wished for Mariko to take his place as Master Guardian, leader of the Guardians of the Magic. Meanwhile, Jana and Jason spied on the pair. Jana was furious that Mariko was chosen over either of the Dark Twins, as they were descendants of the previous Master Guardian who had trained Hikita. She convinced Jason to join her in stealing the Starfire Gems.

Later that night, Mariko found the Starfire Gem-empowered twins standing over Hikita. She and Jana fought briefly until she blasted Jana into a door. Quickly, Hikita gave Mariko the Topaz Gem, allowing her to transform and summon the Golden Lion. She used her new powers to combat the Dark Twins, who merged into a double-headed dragon. Jason relented, not wishing to harm Mariko. When the other apprentices appeared, Jana and Jason fled. Impressed with the apprentices, Hikita gifted each of them a Starfire Gem. He then bestowed the name of Tenko upon Mariko, expressing his pride in his student. Although Tenko wished for Hikita to stay with them, he told her that his "time is finished". He is placed in the Tenko Box, then vanishes.

Princess Tenko later mourned Hikita, though her friends brought her a baby snow leopard to cheer her up. She named this snow leopard Ninjara, as she seemed like a fighter.

The Guardians continued performing their magician acts, and Tenko and her allies next traveled to New York City. There, she encountered a young girl named Ali, who was on the run from the Dark Twins in their dragon form. She had stumbled into the Opal Gem, and the twins sought to steal it from her. Before Tenko could discover more information, the twins attacked and collapsed the building on top of the Guardians. Ali escaped, and Tenko soon chased after her. After transforming with her Rose Quartz Gem, Tenko reasoned with Ali, telling her that Jana and Jason were manipulating her. Ali gave the gem to Tenko, allowing the Master Guardian to defeat the Ice Minotaurs and Ice Griffons that Jana had brought to life.

Later, Tenko and Ali's Father decided to allow Ali to join the Guardians as a trainee. Ali accepted, excited to have finally found a place where she belonged.

Princess Tenko then discovered a news headline about a diamond found in Africa. Believing it to be one of the Starfire Gems, she set off to Africa with her allies, including animal trainer Shonti. During their trip to Africa, Ninjara is captured by hunter Travis Cage, who had been hired by Jana and Jason. To save her, Princess Tenko battled a Cobra, who had been given the Diamond Gem by Jana to greatly enhance its size. Tenko grabbed the Diamond Gem and gave it to Ninjara, allowing her to grow into a fearsome snow leopard and drive off Jana and Jason.

After several adventures, Tenko decided to spend time with her horse, Pearl Rider. Jana and Jason discovered that Pearl Rider was her weakness, so that night, Jana fed Pearl Rider a poisoned apple. This led to Pearl Rider's health deteriorating. Hawk suggested he and Tenko seek out his grandfather, Knowingwolf. They traveled to Hawk's village, but Knowingwolf was nowhere to be found. Unbeknownst to Tenko, Jana had captured Knowingwolf in a trap to steal the Starfire Gems. This plan ultimately failed, as Knowingwolf transformed Jana and Jason into rats. Tenko and Hawk then brought Knowingwolf back to Pearl Rider, where he used his medicinal knowledge to restore the horse's health.

When Jana gained control of the Cat's Eye Gem, she saw a vision of the future where Tenko married Jason. Tenko later helped Jason after he was injured from the Amethyst Gem by placing him in the Tenko Box. Inside the box, Jason realized the mistakes of his past. He told Tenko that he no longer wished to be her enemy. Tenko and Jason were then greeted by Master Hikita's spirit, who reminded Tenko that "all things have their proper time and place." While Tenko was inside the box with Jason, Jana used the opportunity to steal the Starfire Gems. Before she could escape with the gems, Tenko and Jason walked out of the Tenko Box. Despite Tenko's attempts to redeem Jason, he was forced to join his gem with his sister's to transform into the two-headed dragon form. Tenko and the Guardians drove the dragon out of the temple.

Tenko later helped the dolphin Delphy against Jana and Jason. Delphy led Tenko to the Sapphire Gem, which enabled Tenko to summon the Sea Dolphin in battle in addition to several nautical powers.

## Powers and abilities

Princess Tenko gains several Starfire Gems over the span of the series. Her first gem is given to her directly by Hikita Tenko: the Topaz Gem. This gem enables Tenko to summon the powerful Golden Lion familiar to aid her in battle. Her second gem is the Rose Quartz Gem, which enables her to summon the soaring Rose Eagle.

Throughout the series, Tenko exhibits several different magical abilities such as phasing through walls and projecting a concussive wave without the assistance of a magical gem.

## Merchandise

The Tenko and the Guardians of the Magic Toy Line features three different Princess Tenko dolls, each one a different outfit based on the animated series:

Rose EagleGolden LionSapphire Sea Dolphin

## References

1. ↑ "Let the Magic Begin!" TV Special
2. ↑ Episode 1: "Let the Magic Begin"
3. ↑ Episode 2: "Through the City Darkly"
4. ↑ Episode 3: "Diamond in the Rough"
5. ↑ Episode 4: "Strong Medicine, Strong Magic"
6. ↑ Episode 5: "The Stone of Destiny"
7. ↑ Episode 6: "Trust and Betrayal"
8. ↑ Episode 7: "Night of the Dolphin"