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Mokona Modoki

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File:M19.JPG
Illustration of Soel (left) and Larg (right)

Mokona Modoki (モコナ＝モドキ) is the name given to the two rabbit-like creatures from CLAMP's sister series Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and xxxHolic. The name Mokona Modoki (or simply Mokona) refers to any or both characters, as they are never called by their real names. The black Mokona’s real name is Larg (ラーグ, Rāgu), while the white Mokona’s real name is Soel (ソエル, Soeru). However, the Mokonas always refer to themselves in the third person.

In the Japanese versions of both Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and xxxHolic, Mika Kikuchi provides the voices of the two Mokonas. In English, Mokona are voiced by Carrie Savage.

Name

  • Mokona was named after one of CLAMP's members, Mokona (formerly Mokona Apapa).
  • The name "Mokona Modoki" could be translated as "imitation Mokona" or "imitation of Mokona"
  • The preferred Japanese counter for a number of Mokona is "Mokona", not "hiki/biki/piki" typical of small animals.

History

Larg and Soel are copies of an original Mokona, who appears in Magic Knight Rayearth (another CLAMP series). The two were created by Yūko Ichihara and Clow Reed (who appear to be aware of the existence of Sakura Kinomoto and all of the events in her world). One day, Yūko and Clow encountered the original Mokona, who was traveling through different worlds, and Mokona provided Yūko and Clow with the knowledge of alternate dimensions. After learning that one day a Sakura and Syaoran from an alternate world would come to their world to ask for help, Yūko and Clow created the two Mokona, basing them on the original but with slight differences, such as difference in size and the ability to talk (whereas the original Mokona would only say "Puu!"). Each Mokona was also given an earring which matched the color of the gem on its forehead, the black Mokona being given a blue earring that seals magic power while the white Mokona was given a red earring that boosts magic power. It has never been discovered what exactly a Mokona is. The original Mokona was identified as the creator of the universe, but it is unknown whether the original was part of a species or not, which also raises the question as to where the name Mokona came from in the first place. The most common answer to the question 'What is Mokona?' is: 'Mokona is Mokona!' (which isn't really an answer).

In Chapter 133 of Tsubasa, Yūko explained to the characters of Tsubasa that the two Mokona were created in order to stop the plans of Fei Wang Reed's wishes.

The full story of the two Mokona is told in CLAMP's book SOEL and LARG: The Adventures of Mokona＝Modoki (ソエルとラーグ　モコナ＝モドキの冒険, Soeru to Lāgu: Mokona＝Modoki no Bōken). We also learn in the Drama CD provided with the sepcial edition of the first DVD of xxxHOLiC:Kei that the Mokona chose the 14th of February for their birthday.

White Mokona (Soel)

The white Mokona is a manjū-bun-like creature from CLAMP's manga series Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle that possesses several astonishing abilities, such as traveling to different worlds, teleporting objects from one world to another, and sensing strong auras. Mokona was given to Syaoran and the others by Yūko in return for the prices they paid, enabling them to go to different worlds in the search for Sakura's feathers, and as we later find out, without Mokona they wouldn’t be able to communicate because they all come from different worlds and speak different languages (except for Syaoran and Sakura). With the help of the black Mokona, the white Mokona is able to stay in contact with Yūko, and in the manga there are illustrations showing Mokona talking to the black Mokona in the background.

Mokona is also responsible for locating Sakura’s feathers, and whenever one is around it goes ‘mekkyon’ (scary face) for an instant, which alerts the others. Mokona is a very cheerful, optimistic and energetic being, and loves to tease Kurogane, who occasionally uses violence to get back at him. Similar to Larg, Soel has a strong fondness for alcoholic drinks. The name Soel comes from the rune "Sigil" meaning sun.[1]

108 Secret Skills

Mokona has stated that it has 108 Secret Skills. So far the ones that have been revealed are:

  1. Voice Imitation
  2. Translator
  3. Acting
  4. Breaking In Houses
  5. Traveling Between Worlds (only White Mokona can travel between worlds)
  6. Super Disguise
  7. See Ghosts (only Black Mokona can see ghosts)
  8. Understanding Lonely People
  9. Super Suction Power (of variable strength)
  10. Super Aspiration
  11. Drawing Capabilities
  12. Time Traveling
  13. Feel the Feathers' Wavelength
  14. Clairvoyance
  15. Flirting
  16. Singing
  17. Tease
  18. Writing kanji (Black Mokona is good at it)*
  19. Communicating Between Different Worlds
  20. Making Friends
  21. Super Strength
  22. Super Transformation
  23. Inhibit Magical Curses (Black Mokona can seal magic with its earring)
  24. Augmenting magic (White Mokona can increase magical powers with its earring)
  25. Teleport items between each other
  26. Immune to bad luck
  27. Drink alcohol
  28. N'CHA Cannon (a reference to the manga series Doctor Slump)
  29. Play Chess*
  30. Knit*
  31. Know when someone is sad
  32. Super Deductive Reasoning
  33. Eating Apples Whole
  34. Super Dramatic Power

* Shown in the book "Soel to Larg: Mokona=Modoki no Bouken"

Black Mokona (Larg)

The black Mokona is portrayed as slightly less enthusiastic and energetic than his white Mokona, but nevertheless displays similar energy. He usually calls Watanuki "Watanuki written as the first of April" which results in an angry reaction from him. Little is known about the black Mokona, except that he can see ghosts (which the white Mokona cannot do) and functions primarily to stay in contact with the white Mokona so that Yūko can know where the group is and assist them if necessary. Also, the black Mokona is used for teleporting items to the white Mokona, which he does by swallowing them. Yūko has also remarked that of the two Mokona, the red earring on the white one possesses the ability to enhance magical power while the blue earring on the black one has the ability to seal magical power. In chapter 157 of xxxHOLiC it was shown the sealing earring is sealing away both Sakura's memories of Syaoran and Watanuki's memory of his past. The black Mokona also apparently has the ability to devour spirits and compress them into a ball, although it is not evident if the White Mokona possesses this ability either.

Like Yūko, the black Mokona loves to drink sake and thus is often her "drinking buddy" and has an intimate relationship with her. The two often drink together. The name Larg comes from the rune "Lagu" meaning water.[2]

In being referred to by other characters in xxxHOLiC, Black Mokona takes offense to gender-neutral references (such as "it") which are notably more informal and rude in Japanese than in English.

Reception

In a popularity poll held by Shōnen Magazine in 2005, Kurogane placed fifth among all the characters in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.[3]

References

  1. ^ SOEL to LARG: Mokona=Modoki no Bouken page 18
  2. ^ SOEL to LARG: Mokona=Modoki no Bouken page 18
  3. ^ Flanagan, William (Translator and Adaptor) (2006). Tsubasa CHARACTer GuiDE. New York: Del Ray. p. 150. ISBN 0-345-49484-9. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
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