amaha rihoko
Amaha Rihoko ("Riko") is one of the main characters in Witchblade. An adorable six-year-old with an extensive list of household skills, Rihoko moves to Tokyo with her mother (Masane) in the first episode of the series. It is Rihoko's dream to find a home in which she and her mother can live peacefully, far away from the NSWF Child Welfare division that seems intent on destroying their relationship.
In Tokyo, Rihoko befriends everyone she meets. She is a sociable child with genuine opinions and spunk, but she's also generous and sensitive to the needs of others. When Rihoko meets up with Masane after the latter is attacked on Takayama's ship (episode seven, "Past") she is spotted for the first time by Soho Reina. Almost immediately Reina seems intrigued by the child, though given Rihoko's popularity this doesn't seem at all surprising. It is only when Reina begins going out of her way to "bump into" Rihoko that things become more interesting.
In episode eight ("Reciprocity") Reina speaks with Rihoko for the first time in a rather stilted street-side conversation during the young girl's shopping trip.
Reina: Hello.
Rihoko: Hello. Um... did you want something?
Reina: Not really. Do you want a reason why I'm here?
Rihoko: Um... my mama is waiting for me.
Reina: I see. Your mother, huh?
Rihoko: Well, goodbye!
Reina: Is that how it is?
Reina seems perplexed by this meeting as does Rihoko, who opts to keep the conversation secret from Masane when she returns home. During the next episode preview (which takes the form of a letter from Rihoko to Masane), the little girl lists her various new friends in Tokyo. This includes all the folks at Marry's bar in addition to:
"I don't know her name, but I often run into this pretty lady." - Riko
By episode nine, Reina has become an odd fixture in Rihoko's life, with the two meeting up again when Reina helps get some paprika off a high supermarket shelf for the little girl. As they walk together, Rihoko (who is nothing if not polite) attempts to engage in another conversation.
Rihoko: Um, we certainly meet often.
Reina: ...
Rihoko: Uh...
Reina: Do you always go shopping alone? Where's your mother?
Rihoko: Oh, she's sort of busy with work...
Reina: Oh. Do you like your mother?
Rihoko: Yeah!
Reina: In what way?
Rihoko: What do you mean? We're family!
In the following episode Reina leaves Furumizu's direct employ, citing that she has found something she personally regards as more interesting than the Witchblade. This "something" is in fact Rihoko, whom Reina believes to be her long-lost daughter. After assisting Rihoko when she collapses in episode eleven ("Danger"), Reina submits a DNA test to ascertain whether or not Masane's daughter is in fact her own. The test results are confirmed in episode twelve ("Prisoner"), Rihoko is Reina's biological daughter.
In episode thirteen ("Separation") the NSWF Child Welfare division seek to revoke Masane's custody and return Rihoko to her biological mother. Sakurai, from the NSWF, states in no uncertain terms:
"This person... let's call her 'S-san' just happened to pass by you when the Great Quake struck six years ago, and then they wound up separated. She had never imagined she was still alive. But then just recently, she happened to catch sight of Rihoko-chan and felt absolutely certain it was her. The agency doesn't reveal information about the parties in such cases, but they have no qualms in taking Rihoko back to her biological mother." - Sakurai
Masane is clearly shocked and upset by this turn of events (believing Rihoko to be her child) and, despite her protests ("Riko is the most important thing to me!") she is promptly told they have a day together before Rihoko is returned to her biological mother. In true Amaha fashion, Masane decides she will run away with Rihoko (as they've done countless times before). What the pair don't count on is Nishida sending Nora to obtain Rihoko, fascinated by the potential in Reina's daughter (as a Neo-gene descendant fathered by someone other than Furumizu).
Thankfully Reina steps in and protects Rihoko when Masane is unavailable. This leads to the first direct discussion between the two mothers, both of whom have Rihoko's best interests in mind.
Masane: Did you protect her?
Reina: It is only natural to protect one's own child. Why did you run away with her? You aren't her mother. Which is why you didn't care about placing her in danger... I only did what a mother would do. What were you doing?
When Rihoko awakens from being gassed by Nora, Masane pushes her away and declares "We're not family anymore" (very Harry and The Hendersons). Reina is finally able to reunite with the daughter she thought she'd lost forever, but Rihoko finds it difficult to rationalise leaving the only mother she's ever known.
"If I'm with her (Masane) she can't be free. We can't be together, can we? Because this person is my mama. My real mama." - Riko
Although satisfied with taking Rihoko into her custody, Reina finds reconciling motherhood with her own reality a little difficult. When Rihoko seems distressed by her change in surroundings Reina states coolly, "It's all right. There is no need to worry. You're my daughter now", though neither party seems placated by these words. The change in situation appears to test them both. Reina is quietly confident in her parenting skills (having been educated on the accepted roles of mother and daughter), but her cold demeanor and strict attitude put Rihoko off.
When Rihoko first moves in with Reina in episode fourteen ("Family"), her new mother showers her with gifts. At first this entrances Rihoko, but she is quick to learn that these toys are merely to placate and they have no sentimental feeling behind them whatsoever. Rihoko mentions that her room is "like a toy store" to which Reina replies, "I didn't know your preference so I gathered a variety of items". There is a certain scientific edge to the way Reina appears to approach motherhood, with her methods reflecting her background as a researcher. This becomes particularly apparent when she begins keeping voice logs of her time spent with Rihoko.
log: Have relocated Rihoko to my home. Commencing record of our parent-daughter relations as of today. There are no particular issues with Rihoko's actions at the present time. Some agitation is apparent, but is no cause for concern. I, myself, have not experienced any noteworthy changes. Things are proceeding extraordinarily well.
Reina sees her adoption of Rihoko as continuation of the research she began when she first conceived the child. Parenthood, like so much in Reina's life, is merely a test. Takayama elaborates on Reina's self-experimentation when he discovers that she is Rihoko's mother.
"She was always making observations about herself as a Neo-Gene. Not just her body, but her mentality as well. It seemed like everything about herself was a subject of research. She probably wanted to assess things on her own, including children." - Takayama
Rihoko too, finds everything to do with her new mother sterile and uninvolved. The little girl is very fond of cooking and, while living with Masane, making meals was a responsibility she adored. With Reina in episode fourteen, Rihoko is delegated to the role of "child" and not allowed to participate in the preparation of food because "It is a mother's job to prepare dinner. Children are supposed to play". When the meal is served, Rihoko asks about the ingredients (as the meal differs from her personal approach to the dish). Reina's response is very telling.
"I simply made everything according to the recipes." - Reina
This is the core difference between Rihoko's life with Masane and her life with Reina, the affectionate spontaneity has been replaced by calculated methodology. Everything in Reina's life is practiced and planned, there is a designated method for everything. Rihoko's presence however, begins to challenge her mother's practiced composure.
When Rihoko brings Reina some tea at the end of episode fourteen, Reina is confused — "I didn't ask for any". Rihoko smiles and tries her best to break down Reina's stony exterior by insisting that she help prepare dinner, "I want to talk with you lots more!". Reina suddenly begins to cry.
She simply cannot comprehend why she is so moved by her daughter's actions. In a very Reina move, she quickly tries to dismiss her tears with science — "It appears to be a hypersecretion of tear fluid. Changes in my endocrine system are likely affecting bodily functions". This last-ditch grasp at logic fails to stop her sobs and her confusion heightens. When Rihoko takes out a handkerchief to help dry her mother's tears, Reina is left dumbstruck.
"What is this? What is this sensation?" - Reina
For the first time, Reina is unable to understand her own reactions and it disarms her completely. In episode fifteen ("Bonds") she verbally logs her condition and concerns.
Log: Breakdown progressing. Mental condition has also begun to deteriorate. However, it is not as unpleasant as anticipated. In fact, it feels nice. Is this how Shiori felt as she broke down? Or might these be the motherly feelings I've been trying to ascertain? Unknown.
Just when it seems as if Rihoko is finally beginning to teach her mother about human affection, Maria enters the scene and demands to see "Maria's mama". Reina needs no guidance in shielding Rihoko from the unstable Neo-gene and quickly makes it her priority to protect her.
After driving away from her apartment, Reina is forced to confront Maria in order to keep Rihoko safe. During their last moment together as mother and daughter, Reina realises that she has little chance of winning against Maria, "but...". When she sees how frightened her daughter is, Reina does something she has never done before — she lies.
"It's all right. I'll be back for you." - Reina
Rihoko is suddenly brought back to reality as Reina leaves her behind, thinking to herself — "She seemed a little bit like Mama just now..." Reina, on the other hand, is still considerably confused as she engages Maria in battle. She cannot understand her own actions.
Log: A second generation Neo-Gene has appeared. I appear to be the target. Have decided to split up from Rihoko. "It's all right. I'll be back for you." Why did I make such a groundless promise?
Even battling Maria confuses Reina, as she does not understand what compels her to fight in Rihoko's stead. Every time Maria threatens to finish Rihoko off once Reina is dead, the older Neo-gene fights harder. Both Neo-genes find this motivation difficult to understand.
Maria: Why are you stopping me?
Reina: Good question... It is incomprehensible...
As Reina is fatally injured by Maria, Rihoko is rescued by Masane and finally reunited with the mother who raised her. Takayama stays by Reina's side as she muses on their child -and her own incomprehensibility- until the very end.
Reina: You know it's over now... My time's up... Where is she?
Takayama: She's safe.
Reina: I see...
Takayama: Reina... Give her back...
Reina: Yes. My research is over now. Do as you wish with her...
Takayama: Understood.
Reina: Say, that was the first time I felt pleasure while fighting... Was it because of my breakdown or because I protected her?
Rihoko never mentions (or even laments over) her biological mother after this, Reina's role in the series having been served. Although she paid a high price for the time she spent with her daughter, it seems doubtful that Reina would have traded her "final experiment" for anything else in the world.
relationship
Despite being painfully brief, Reina's relationship with Rihoko is utterly life-changing. It is through spending time with Rihoko that Reina is finally able to experience real snippets of human affection (even if she is never able to reconcile the legitimacy of these feelings). While Reina concedes that Rihoko was an experiment, there is not doubt that their bond is more significant than that. Reina conceived Rihoko to challenge herself, to push her faculties as a Neo-gene to their limits. Although apart for six years, when reunited, there is little doubt that Rihoko does just that. She is a challenge for her biological mother, but not just in scientific terms.
Rihoko is a very human child, her needs are not limited to just the physical. She wants for love and companionship too. Reina, having no experience in this area, is forced to confront these foreign feelings in order to truly address the concept of a mother-daughter bond. While she seems to treat Rihoko with almost clinical precision and distance, Reina genuinely values the time they spend together. After all, Reina became aware of the Cloneblade's capacity to break down not long after meeting Rihoko. In a way, taking custody of her child during the final stretch of her life could be equated to Reina's dying wish. A means to finally complete her life's research by getting to know the child she thought was gone forever. Getting to know Rihoko is one final, golden opportunity for both woman and scientist.
"She is my child." - Reina
Rihoko, being unaware that Masane was not her birth mother until episode twelve, is understandably hesitant to embrace the time she spends with Reina. The little girl has always had a loving mother and never wanted for affection, so being thrown into a cold relationship -with no network to support her- was clearly going to be a difficult experience. Reina never intentionally tries to isolate or upset Rihoko, but her inexperience with hands-on parenting and her over-reliance on data leaves the child longing for her days with Masane.
"I don't want a different Mama." - Riko
But Rihoko is an open, loving girl despite being the product of a liaison between two emotionally stunted scientists. Even though it hurts her to be away from Masane, she does everything she can to fit in with Reina and to alleviate her suffering. Wherever she is, Rihoko wants to have a home and be part of a family. It is unfortunate that despite her best intentions, Reina can never be the family that Rihoko seeks. In the end, neither can Masane. Ultimately Rihoko is blessed by the time she spends with her two mothers before they die, her experiences with each of them giving her hope for a bright future with her father.
"I get the feeling that someone was watching me this whole time." - Riko
The brief relationship shared by Rihoko and Reina is important for both parties, though it is shown to have a greater impact on the stoic Reina. Forced to confront human emotions and her own child for the first time, Reina ends up dying a noble death in defiance of the logic that had once defined her. Thanks to her mother's sacrifice, Rihoko is spared her half-sister's wrath and afforded more time with her adoptive mother. There are no particularly happy ends in Witchblade, but Rihoko and Reina were at least fortunate enough to meet one another.