Rosalina

“Do you hear the baby stars? These newborns will grow up to become galaxies someday. When stars die, they turn to stardust and scatter across the cosmos. Eventually, that stardust reforms to create a new star...And so the cycle of life continues. But the cycle never repeats itself in quite the same way...”

—Rosalina, Super Mario Galaxy

Rosalina (known as Rosetta in Japan, Estela in Spain, and Harmonie in France) is a character who appears in Super Mario Galaxy. She first appears in the Gateway Galaxy. She looks oddly similar to Princess Peach and is generally portrayed as a kind and noble princess. Rosalina is also the adopted mother of the Luma. Princess Rosalina also has a castle. Her duty is to watch over and protect the Cosmos as well as the Luma.

Biography

Cosmos Protector

Rosalina debuted in Super Mario Galaxy, seeking the aid of Mario. In an earlier event, Bowser attacked her observatory stealing the stars and Grand Stars. Rosalina later appeared to Mario after Peach is kidnapped. In order to aid Mario she gave him a Luma-the same one seen with Peach at the Star Festival. After Mario collected enough stars to power the ship Rosalina flew the observatory to the center of the universe for the final confrontation with Bowser.

Rosalina's back-story is chronicled in a storybook told by her in the Comet Observatory's Library. Nine chapters are unlocked throughout the game, and the last is unlocked by completing the game.

Beginnings

The story begins with Rosalina finding a rusty spaceship (resembling the Starshroom) with a Star Child inside. The Luma introduced itself, revealing it was waiting for its Mama. Rosalina bonded with the Luma, and promised that she would wait with it. Armed with her father's telescope, Rosalina stargazed for years, searching for the comet that carried the Luma's mother. Fearing it was taking too long, Rosalina and Luma fixed and boarded the spaceship then set off into space.

Traversing through asteroids, Rosalina grew very hungry. She had brought essentials for the trip: the telescope, food, her stuffed bunny (resembling a Space Rabbit) and tea, but forgot water. At the sight of a pouting Rosalina, the Luma then told her that Star Bits would be all she needed, and began to share them. Leaning out the spaceship the two collected Star Bits to eat.

One night a shimmering Comet made of ice flew past the ship. Hoping Luma's mama would be there, the two set foot onto it. Mama was nowhere to be found, but star bits clustered to the south.

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Concept art of Rosalina as seen in the Prima Collecter's Edition Strategy Guide.

One night in a dream, Rosalina remembered her Mother. Rosalina's mother greatly resembled how she herself would come to look. In the dream Rosalina's mother was going away. Rosalina's mother told her not to worry, because she would always be watching her. Clinging to her mother, she cried. Upon awaking Luma noticed tears coming from Rosalina's eyes (and mistaking them for Star Bits). However, Rosalina explained what they were upon waking. She was crying them because she would never see her mother again. At this, they both broke down in tears over their lost mothers.

Continuing the search, Rosalina comforted the Luma, and told it she would take of it, and with that a spark in her heart went off. She became determined to mother the Luma and then started to make the home out of the comet. With tools found inside the comet, Rosalina built what would become Domes housing the Galaxies for Mario. For now, however, it was a shelter for Luma. Once completed it seemed very large for her and just one Luma.

One day a comet flew close, and another Luma came out of it. It was silent once the Lumas met, until one affectionately called out and said Rosalina was it's Mama. "My Mama, My Mama!" the Lumas fought over her love. Rosalina found this so touching she couldn't help but laugh. Out of the comet many more Luma came, and all of them called her Mama and fought over her. She took them all under her wing, and named all of them, moving them all into her newly built house on the comet.

One night Rosalina remembered her home planet, and wondered if everything was all right there. She looked through the telescope until she could make out its surface, even seeing grass and a tree. She saw her favorite spot for stargazing, and it reminded her of her family. She wanted to go home, but she knew she'd never see her mother again. At this time it was revealed her mother had died, and was buried under the tree in view. Rosalina had been aware of this all along, but was unwilling to truly believe it.

The Luma comforted a crying Rosalina, assuring her that she shouldn't be sad and that her mother is a part of her and will always be close by. It was at this time the Luma she met inside the ship had an idea. The Luma transformed the comet into the Comet Observatory to help in finding all their Mamas. The Luma explained that when they grow up, they transform into various things. Rosalina was so overcome with emotion due to this selfless act she thanked all the Luma that had huddled around to hug her. From that day on Rosalina never cried again.

The observatory grew and grew into a better home, and Rosalina and the Luma were proud to call it their home. At a welcoming party for a new Luma, Rosalina and the others baked a cake topped off with Star Bits. Coming together in such a way made her realize they were her new family, and she was determined to raise them and send them off to all their destinies. It's at this time she began to call herself the mother of the Luma.

Rosalina was reminded yet again of her home one night. Even though she had a new goal in her life, she thought it'd be nice to visit her favorite spot from her past. So every 100 years the Comet Observatory passes over the Mushroom Kingdom so that she can re-visit.

The New Girl

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Rosalina's artwork in Mario Kart Wii.

Rosalina makes her first playable appearance in Mario Kart Wii, where she is a unlockable character. She rides in Large karts. Her appearance in Mario Kart Wii marks the first game to feature more than two human females in a multi-player Mario game; excluding baby characters. She is also the first female character to ever be in the Large class. She can be unlocked by having a Super Mario Galaxy save file on the player's Wii. If the player doesn't have a Super Mario Galaxy file saved, attain at least 1 Star Rank for all Mirror Grand Prix Cups.

Like Peach and Daisy, Rosalina appears in a biker suit while racing on any of the bike vehicles. While racing, a Luma orbits around Rosalina. Her racing symbol is a Grand Star.

Character Description

Rosalina wears a cosmic blue dress, star-shaped earrings, dark lipstick, nail polish on her fingernails, and a gray crown with rubies and sapphires. The color of Rosalina's dress is a color that only exists when the sun peers out the clouds. Her dress is also loose with long sleeves. Like many Human characters, her eyes are blue and she has pale blonde hair.

In early plans, creators contemplated the idea that Rosalina was related to Princess Peach, explaining why their features are very similar. Her long bangs represent her outward strength and inner sorrow of loneliness.

Personality

Rosalina is generally wise, kind, thoughtful and mother-like. She has an intimate knowledge of the universe and cares deeply for the Lumas. Rosalina is also a friend of Mario and Luigi; towards the end of Galaxy she aids Mario to reach Bowser in order to save Peach. Her outward strength and inner sorrow is most likely due to the loss of her mother, as Rosalina is often described as feeling lonely.

It has also been shown that Rosalina's voice is rather monotoned; even when excited. Like most players, Rosalina enjoys special activities, but in a very humble manner.

Powers and Abilities

Princess Rosalina has special powers as seen in Super Mario Galaxy. For example, once sufficient power is restored to the Comet Observatory, Rosalina is able to use her powers to surround the observatory in a force field, transforming it into a starship as a form of transportation. Also, she can be protected by a force field that resembles a bubble. She appears to also have the ability to float in mid-air just like the Lumas.

Relationships

Luma

Main article: Luma

The most notable relationship Rosalina has is with the Luma species. All call her 'mama' and she cares for them as if they are her children. Rosalina also reads bed time stories to them.

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Rosalina collecting Star Bits.

Polari

Main article: Polari

Polari is Rosalina's adviser, who seems to know more about Lumas and the galaxies. Polari is trusted most likely because he is the oldest Luma.

Appearances

• Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) – 2007 (Non-Playable)
• Mario Kart Wii (Wii) – 2008 (Playable)

Portrayal

Rosalina is voiced by veteran voice actress Mercedes Rose.

Trivia

• Her Spanish name, Estela, is the contrail of a comet.
• Her French name, Harmonie, is the French equivalent of the word harmony.