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. So you'll see..."

- Rosalina

Rosalina is a character who made her debut appearance in the game Super Mario Galaxy. Rosalina first appears in the Gateway Galaxy, and she is also the adopted mother of the Luma. Rosalina commands the Comet Observatory. She is a very powerful figure, as her duty is to watch over and protect the cosmos as well as the Luma.

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

Rosalina's story begins when she was a young girl living on Mushroom World (possibly in the Mushroom Kingdom). One day, Rosalina discovered a rusty spaceship (resembling the Starshroom) with a Luma inside. The Luma introduced itself, revealing that 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 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 Star Bunny) 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 with her. 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 discovered Star Bits clustered to the south.

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. She told her not to worry, because she would always be watching her. Clinging to her mother, Rosalina cried. Upon waking up, Luma noticed tears coming from Rosalina's eyes (and mistook them for Star Bits). However, Rosalina explained what they actually were. She was crying because she would never see her mother again. At this, they both broke down into tears over their lost mothers.

Continuing the search, Rosalina comforted the Luma, and told the little star she would take care 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 that would link to various galaxies. For now, however, it was a shelter for Luma. Once completed it seemed very large for her and just one Luma.

One day another comet flew close to Rosalina's new home, and from the comet another Luma appeared. The Luma affectionately called out and said Rosalina was it's "Mama." Soon the other Luma joined in: "My Mama, My Mama!" 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. She took them all under her wing, named them, and moved them all into her newly built house on the comet.

One night Rosalina remembered her home planet of Mushroom World, and wondered if everything was all right there. She looked through her telescope until she could make out the planet's surface. She found her favorite spot for stargazing, on top of a hill with a lone tree, 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 the crying Rosalina, assuring her that she shouldn't be sad. They told Rosalina 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, including stars, comets, and planets. 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 own. 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 the Luma were her new family, and she was determined to raise them and help them all fulfill their destinies. It was 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 one hundred years the Comet Observatory passes over the Mushroom Kingdom so that she can re-visit her homeworld.

Super Mario Galaxy
During one of these centennial visits to Mushroom World, the Comet Observatory was attacked by Bowser, who stole the observatory's Power Stars and Grand Stars. Rosalina later appeared to Mario/Luigi after Peach is kidnapped. In order to aid Mario/Luigi she gave him a Luma, the same one seen with Peach at the Star Festival. After Mario/Luigi collected enough stars to power the ship, Rosalina flew the observatory to the center of the universe for the final confrontation with Bowser. When the player collects 120 Power Stars and defeats Bowser again, a secret movie, starring Rosalina, will play after the credits. In this movie, Rosalina thanks the player and leaves with some Lumas, traveling through space again.

Mario Kart Wii
Rosalina makes her first playable appearance in Mario Kart Wii, where she is a Large-Sized unlockable character. Rosalina rides in Large karts, and is the first female character to ever be in this class. Rosalina can be unlocked by having a Super Mario Galaxy save file on the player's Wii and racing in 50 races. Alternatively, the player can attain at least 1 Star Rank for all Mirror Grand Prix Cups. While racing, a Luma orbits around Rosalina. Rosalina's racing symbol is a Grand Star. Like Peach and Daisy, Rosalina appears in a biker suit while racing on any of the motorbikes, only that the color scheme is different to the overall color scheme of her main dress. Her signature bike is the Twinkle Star and her signature kart is the Dragonetti. Rosalina is the staff ghost character for Rainbow Road.

Current Depiction
Rosalina currently appears in a teal dress said to be a color that only exists when the sun peers out of the clouds. Her brooch and crown are silver star shaped accessories. Her earrings are also star shaped, but gold colored. The brooch's jewel is yellow and her crown jewels are pink in the front and back, and blue on the sides. The dress cuts off at the top of her chest, where a light teal flap loops around. The dress has long sleeves with wide openings at the bottom, which are topped with light teal frills. At the bottom of her dress is a unique light teal frill that loops around until turning up to a point at the middle; under this a layer of a white lined under-dress is visible. Rosalina's nail-polish is a light purple. In Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina holds a silver wand with a golden star at the top. Rosalina has silver dress shoes.

Rosalina's hair is depicted as a very pale blond, a much lighter blond than Peach's. Rosalina's hair style is very similar to Peach's, as it consists of two separate flips on the sides. Unlike Peach's hair, however, Rosalina's includes one large bang (which covers her right eye completely), two long, straight side-burns and two rows of flips at her shoulder. Continuing from her shoulder is a large single flip.

Rosalina's skin is very light and she has short, thin, dark blond eyebrows. Most of her facial features and structure are similar to Peach's, but not all the same. At first glance, it is not easy to notice Rosalina's sharper facial features; her features are sharper than Peach's, whose are already drastically sharper than Daisy's. Like other main human characters, Rosalina has blue eyes, though hers have a noticeably lighter hue. Rosalina appears to have a similar body composition to Peach and Daisy, though she is taller and is even classified as a Large-Sized character as a result.

Athletic Wear
As bikes were a newly added feature to Mario Kart Wii, each human female participant was depicted in a biker suit if riding on any of the bikes. Like Peach and Daisy, Rosalina's biker suit has the same design in general, but with some differences that were still exclusive to her. Rosalina's color pallete for her outfit when riding motorbikes is primarily white and teal. Specific elements were still included to make Rosalina's outfit unique including her star jewelry. Other than that, Rosalina also has her version of the outfit's general design including pairs of biker boots and gloves, and a teal scarf that rests to the side of her chest. A white heart with a teal outline is present on her back; the heart is hidden by her hair unless it is flowing up.

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
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. If the player attempts to jump on her, the bubble would appear. Rosalina also has the ability to float in mid-air, just like the Lumas. Referenced by the fact that she visits the Mushroom World every one-hundred years, Rosalina is apparently immortal or has stopped aging. Alternatively, she may in fact age normally. If she is usually traveling through the universe at near light speed then, according to the theory of special relativity, much less time would pass for her than would pass back on the Mushroom World due to time dilation. In this case she may in fact still be a young woman.

Lumas
Main article: Luma One of Rosalina's most notable relationships is with the Lumas. Rosalina has cared for the Lumas since she was a little girl, when she found one looking for its mother. The two quickly bonded and they searched the galaxies together in search of their missing mothers. The Luma comforted her when she cried about her mother and the two soon found more Lumas. Rosalina then decided to build a home for the Lumas and care for them for eternities to come. When Rosalina once again mourned for her mother, all of the Lumas embraced her and together, they baked a cake topped with Star Bits. Rosalina also reads them bedtime stories every night in the Library to help them sleep. One of her most trusted advisors is also the Luma, Polari. A Luma also revolves around her in Mario Kart Wii.

Mario
Main article: Mario

Mario befriended Rosalina during the events of Super Mario Galaxy. When Rosalina was in need of help to recover her lost Grand Stars that power the Comet Observatory, Mario came to her aid. With his help, Rosalina was able to power the Comet Observatory and continue her orbit around the universe. In return for Mario's help, Rosalina helped Mario in his adventure to rescue Princess Peach, by using the Comet Observatory to destroy a fleet of Bowser's airships and transport him to where Peach was being held captive by Bowser. At the end of the adventure, Rosalina appears one more time in front of Mario, and speaks to him about the stars. After that, she bids him goodbye.

Luigi
Main article: Luigi

Rosalina also befriended Luigi who acts just as Mario does in his run-through of Super Mario Galaxy. Luigi tells Mario upon being rescued that he can only have his Power Star if he tells Rosalina that he obtained it for her. Rosalina is also seen alongside Luigi in a secret picture with the Toad Brigade at Peach's Castle that could be obtained upon collecting all 121 power stars with both Mario and Luigi.

Polari
Main article: Polari

Polari is Rosalina's advisor and acts like a father to Rosalina, caring for her very much. Polari always stands by Rosalina's side (except when he's helping Mario).

Appearances

 * Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) – 2007 Major NPC
 * Mario Kart Wii (Wii) – 2008, playable (unlockable)

Portrayals

 * Mercedes Rose is the current voice actress for Rosalina; she has portrayed this Mario series' female character for both Super Mario Galaxy and Mario Kart Wii.

Mario Kart Wii

 * Class: Large-sized
 * Stats:
 * Acceleration: */***
 * Top Speed: ***/***
 * Off-Road */***
 * Actual Bonuses
 * Speed: +1
 * Handling: +1
 * Mini-Turbo: +1
 * Game Bio: "Making her debut on the track, Rosalina shows her experience of space travel translates well to rocketing round the race course. With a friendly Luma by her side, Rosalina is right at home on the track!"
 * Guide Bio: "Watching over and protecting the cosmos sure gets tiring! But with Mario's help, Rosalina can spend some time with her new hobby: riding only the biggest, baddest bikes!"

Quotes

 * "I'll be watching you from beyond the stars." - Super Mario Galaxy
 * "Yes... All new life...Carries the essence of stars... Even all of you..." - Super Mario Galaxy
 * "May the stars shine down on you." - Super Mario Galaxy