Mei

Mei is the main character you play as in the book Legend of the Willow.

Her name cannot be changed at the beginning of the story. In the beginning, you can personalize her appearance by choosing between 3 different facial features (Listed from Left to right): Northern province type, Southern province type, or Island province type.

Most choices you make for this character influence one of the following variables: Mei can develop a 💥 Passion personality (games description: her expressiveness and temperament) or she can develop a more ❄️️ Coldness in her personality (games description: her discretion and composure). Mei also has to decided what kind of magic fox she becomes: ✨ The Pearl fox who prefers various illusions or 🔥 The Amber fox who relates to fire in one way or another. These choices change the story, the interactions you have with other characters and the scenes you will be able to play.

About Mei

This story follows a young woman who is learning to become a Geisha in a setting similar to feodal Japan. During an intimate ritual Mei accidentally transforms into a fox discovering that she is a Kitsune. Now she will have to learn how to control her new magic ability while being chased by humans and other mysterious forces.

Relationships

Kazu: A shinobi. Depending on your choices, you can develop friendship or romantic relationship with him. Their relationship revolves mutual trust and respect. He gives her freedom and choices during their romance journey but always there to support her.
Takao: A sorcerer and the leader of the ninja clan. Depending on your choices, you can develop friendship or romantic relationship with him. Despite older, Takao is not experienced with woman, making their dynamic seems clumsy at first.
Masamune: A ronin. Depending on your choices, you can develop friendship or romantic relationship with him. Mei often takes charge in their relationship, making their dynamic more equal compare to the others.
Sumiko: Mentor.
Grandpa Chongan: A kind elderly ninja who lets Mei live with him.
Azumi: A kunoichi (female ninja) who lives in the ninja village and harbors jealousy toward Mei.
Shino-Odori: A yokai who lives in the forest near the ninja village and a love interest. Depending on the player, Mei can have friendship or romantic relationship with her. Shino-Odori is very straightfoward and honest. She often makes funny yet true remarks about people or situation around her.
Satoshi: A shinobi who is also her teacher on camouflages and disguise. Satoshi is sarcastic and often makes inappropriate remarks, much to Mei's discomfort and annoyance. But they've come to understand each other and work well together.
Yasuhara Sawada. Shogun of the Noiryo Empire.
Lady Eri Hatakeyama. The lady who is in charged of managing Shogun’s household; she has soft spot for Mei.

CGs and in-game images

Mei’s Appearance

Starter looks

Foxes

Mei’s Make up

Mei’s Hairstyles

Mei’s Outfit

Mei’s Trinkets and accessories

Q&A about Mei

Interview from the writer: Alexander

Why did you name the main character “Mei”?

I was looking for a name that exists in Asia, while it is present in different nations and will be euphonic for different language groups. In addition, it does not run counter to the character of the main character.

How is the fox transformation process for Mei? Does it hurt for her?

Mei kitsune, and its transformation is directly related to magic, is painless.

What happens to Mei's clothes when she transforms into a fox? Does it just subside?

It's magic, clothes are transformed with Mei.

What kind of relationship did Mei have with other maiko / geisha? Did she have friends?

All I want to tell you - I will tell you in a story.

What kind of relationship did Mei with Lady Sumiko?

When Mei was brought to Okiya, she was immediately assigned a mentor. Sumiko not only taught the protagonist the art of presentation and tea ceremony, but also spent a lot of time with her. The mentor was jealous of Mei's upbringing, avoiding any interference in every possible way, even from Mother Kinuyo. Despite the sometimes uncompromising character of the main character and Sumiko's severity, all strife remained strictly between them. Sumiko, in fact, was Mei's only close person.

At the beginning of Episode 3 of Season 1, May knows who could help with her conversion, namely a prisoner. Where did she get this confidence?

She thinks about who will help her in the issue of disappearing from the city, not conversion. She had never seen any other criminals, perhaps knowledgeable in a similar matter.

Why did Mei turn into a fox in the tunnel in episode 5 of season 1, fainted, and when she woke up, she was still fluffy?

Takao said about sleep: “Falling asleep, you calm down. Returning to the familiar human form. " It takes time. In the tunnel, May passed out briefly. She did not fall asleep, did not calm down, did not recover - she fainted.

References

Writer: Alexander