Heruka
| Heruka | |
|---|---|
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| Japanese Name | ヘルカ |
| Character Designer Primary Artist |
Shino |
| Voiced by | Japanese: Shion Wakayama |
| ID No: | 1051 |
| Release Date (JP): | May 19, 2023 |
Heruka was a playable character in the 2017 mobile game Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story: Magia Record. She was the focal character of Puella Historia The Rakshasi of Tibet.
General Info
| Physical Features | |
|---|---|
| Age | Unknown |
| Eye colour | Green |
| Hair colour | Green |
| Magic | |
| Soul Gem | Blue 4 petal star on left shoulder |
| Weapon | Prayer wheel |
| Witch Form | Vimala Upadana |
| Powers and Abilities | Calming people's hearts |
| Wish | “Please erase the Rakshashi from everyone's memory.” |
| Other | |
| Japanese pronoun | watashi (私) |
| Known relatives | None known |
| Origins | Tibet |
| School | Not attending, outside of convent education |
Game Info
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Summary
A magical girl living in a nunnery in Tibet. After her hometown was burnt to the ground by the Mongolian army, she and her childhood friend Dolma took refuge in a nunnery. However, she harbors no hatred for the Mongolian army, and would be content to spend her days enjoying herself rather than taking revenge.
Doppel Description
The Doppel of zealotry. Its form is a sutra. The master of this emotion has lost sight of herself during her efforts to save people, and heavily depends on the zealous faith she receives from those around her. As if to embody its master’s obsession, her Doppel races across the land to bestow divine providence on those who seek salvation, thinking itself to be garbed in all the karmic fires of this world. But far from being saved, those who witness its form have their eyes burned by its intense light, and are enveloped in flame. The Doppel believes this immolation to be true salvation, and its master’s obsession prevents her from looking back, so she carries yet more new karma upon coming to her senses.
Side Story
| Warning, this section contains spoilers. |
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At the Nunnery: Heruka reflects on her past, recalling the night her hometown was attacked by the Mongolian army. She and Dolma fled, eventually meeting the Lama, who brought them to the nunnery. The Lama believed Heruka was special, capable of performing miracles, and intended to train her to become a Rakshasi, a guardian deity. However, Heruka felt defeated after witnessing the destruction of her hometown and being unable to save it. Despite her reluctance, she decided to stay at the nunnery to ensure Dolma’s safety, even though she had no desire to become a Rakshasi. The Lama introduced them to other junior nuns training to become Rakshasi, and Heruka resigned herself to following the nunnery’s customs, though she remained skeptical of the path laid out for her. After some time at the nunnery, Dolma surprised Heruka by declaring her intention to become a Rakshasi. Dolma assured Heruka that she no longer needed to worry, as she would take on the responsibility. Heruka, however, was conflicted. She knew that becoming a Rakshasi meant dedicating one’s life to protecting Tibet, often at great personal cost. The Lama explained that only those chosen by Lord Jataka could truly become Rakshasi, and Heruka remained indifferent to the training, believing that even a Rakshasi couldn’t defeat the Mongolian army. Meanwhile, Dolma excelled in her studies and training, gaining admiration from the other nuns. Heruka continued to struggle with the expectations placed on her. While Dolma thrived and became a popular figure at the nunnery, Heruka fell behind, both in academics and combat training. She pretended to understand the teachings but felt disconnected from the hatred and vengeance that motivated the others. Heruka’s lack of enthusiasm during training sessions drew criticism from the teachers, and she became an underachiever in the eyes of her peers. Despite this, she remained proud of Dolma’s accomplishments, though she worried that Dolma’s growing determination to become a Rakshasi might lead her down a dark path. Heruka spent her time tending to the nunnery’s blue flowers, a task assigned by the Lama. She understood that the Lama wanted her to develop an attachment to the nunnery, but she remained indifferent to the idea of becoming a Rakshasi. Heruka confessed to the Lama that she didn’t feel hatred toward the Mongolian army, believing that hatred was pointless. Instead, she wished for a life filled with happiness and peace. However, the Lama reminded her that without the power of a Rakshasi, they couldn’t protect what they loved. Heruka realized that her one unchanging desire was to protect Dolma. She considered taking on the role of the Rakshasi herself to spare Dolma from the burden, even though she didn’t fully understand the emotions driving the others. Her ultimate goal was to prevent Dolma from facing tragedy, even if it meant sacrificing herself. The Girls’ Uprising: Heruka reflects on her childhood memories of butter tea, which she believed was sweet due to her grandmother’s secret recipe. After her grandmother’s death, she realized the tea was actually salty, but she continued to believe it was sweet to honor her grandmother’s memory. This belief became a metaphor for her desire to hold onto hope and protect Dolma. Meanwhile, tensions rise at the nunnery as Dolma grows impatient with the Lama’s reluctance to hold the Rakshasi ritual. Dolma accuses the Lama of being a traitor working with the Mongols, inciting the other junior nuns to rebel. The nunnery descends into chaos as the girls overthrow the Lama and other monks, declaring the nunnery their own "Shambhala." Heruka, however, sees through Dolma’s actions and realizes the danger of her obsession with becoming the Rakshasi. She resolves to protect Dolma from the consequences of her rebellion. As the rebellion unfolds, Heruka learns that the northern nunnery has been destroyed by the Mongolian army, and its survivors have sought refuge in their nunnery. The Lama announces the decision to abandon the nunnery and evacuate, canceling the Rakshasi ritual. This decision angers Dolma, who accuses the Lama of betrayal and leads the junior nuns in capturing him. Heruka tries to reason with Dolma, but Dolma is determined to become the Rakshasi and take control of the nunnery. Meanwhile, Heruka notices the approach of Mongolian soldiers, signaling an imminent attack. The survivors from the northern nunnery offer to help Heruka restore order, but she feels burdened by their misplaced faith in her as a special figure. Despite her reluctance, Heruka prepares to confront the Mongolian threat to protect Dolma and the nunnery, even though she doesn’t see herself as a hero. Our Cage: Heruka devises a plan to protect Dolma and the nunnery from the Mongolian army. She initially considers surrendering to the Mongols to minimize casualties, but Dolma impulsively charges into battle. Heruka intervenes, using a smoke bomb to create chaos and force the Mongols to retreat. After the battle, Dolma expresses her fear of losing Heruka and her desire to stand by her side as an equal. Heruka, in turn, admits that she wants to protect Dolma, not be protected herself. The two share a heartfelt moment, realizing their mutual need for each other. Despite their victory, Heruka knows the Mongols will return, and the nunnery prepares for future attacks by intensifying training and patrols. The Lama and other adults leave the nunnery, entrusting its future to Heruka and the junior nuns. Heruka reflects on their journey, expressing gratitude for meeting Dolma and finding happiness despite the challenges they face. She resolves to face the future with courage, determined to protect what she holds dear. |
Event Appearances
Powers and Abilities
Heruka can "calm the heart" of those who hear the sound of her prayer wheel. This soothing ability is similar to Alexandra Kurusu's Pacification magic but is described as being even more potent. In battle, Heruka can harness her prayer wheel to generate green light orbs, which she uses as projectiles against her enemies. She can also summon plants, such as vines and flowers, to serve as weapons.
Heruka's Doppel, Vimala Updana, brings salvation to its victims by flooding their vision with an overwhelming light before engulfing them in flames. The Doppel also manipulates a sort of multicolored sand as a weapon.
Etymology
- Heruka is the name of a category of wrathful deities, enlightened beings in Vajrayana Buddhism that adopt a fierce countenance to benefit sentient beings.
Trivia
- Rakshasa (male: Rākṣasa, female: Rākṣasī) in Hindu mythology are a type of demon or goblin. Rakshasas have the power to change their shape at will and appear as animals, as monsters, or in the case of the female demons, as beautiful women.
- Her outfit features the Endless knot, one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols in Buddhism.
- The flowers on her outfit are similar to white jasmine. She also has 4 leaf clovers in her, which are seen as a symbol of luck
- She is the ninth playable character to lack a family name. The others being Lil' Kyubey, Kuroe, Chizuru, Kuro (黒), Kuro (くろ), Ebony, Olga and Gunhild.
- Her artist, Shino, also illustrated Kako Natsume and Kush Irina.
- In buddhism, Vimala is the second of the 10 bhumis, or “lands” through which the bodhisattva must travel on their journey into becoming a buddha.
- Upādāna is a word that roughly translates to 'fuel'. In this case, Upādāna are material needs that one must free themselves of to be able to obtain Nirvana.
- Her Doppel is a reference to a Tibetan Ritual Rice Pot
- It is used to store uncooked rice, barley or any other raw grains for pujas and other rituals.
- Heruka lived in the late 13th century, based on the setting of Tibet and the presence of Mongols as enemy troops - the Mongols first invaded Tibet in 1240 AD. Nemu also explicitly states the time period.
- Her voice actor also voices Takina Inoue.
Gallery
Game Gallery
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Magia Record Four Star Art -
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Magical Girl Seal 2024
Official Art
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Heruka is seen on the lower middle left in light green. -
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Memoria Cards
To edit a memoria's details, click on the specific memoria
| Card | Effect | Cooldown | EN Text | JP Text |
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**Unique to Heruka** It was just a common flower, nothing unusual. But this flower brought a special meaning... People pray and dream to this blue flower as if clinging to hope. As if they were drowning in bad drugs and escaping from reality. | めずらしくとも何ともないありふれた花にすぎなかったのに
この花には特別な意味がもたらされた… 希望に縋るように人々はこの青い花へ祈り、夢を見る 悪い薬に溺れて現実から逃避するかのように |
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I knew from an early age that I was a little different from others.
Every time something would get done, it took me away from myself. If you're saying that if I don't meet your expectations, you won't look at me. I can't, I want to be myself...dull in this slumber. | 他の人と自分が少し違うのは幼い頃から知っていました
何かができてしまうと、その度に私から私は奪われました 期待に応えると私を見てくれなくなるというのなら 私はできない私でいたい…このまどろみの中で鈍っていきたい |
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Whenever I was beaten down, she was the one who always reached out to me.
She was very special to me. That's why I, and I alone, wanted to help her. That's all there is to it... why can't I be special to you? | 打ち負かされたとき、いつも彼女が手を差し伸ばしてくれた
彼女はあたしにとっての特別な存在だった だからあたしは、あたしだけは彼女を助けてあげたかった それだけなのに…どうしてあたしはあんたの特別になれないの？ |
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The first time I was able to support you...the first time I was able to stand side by side...
And I will never forget this place we arrived at. I'll never forget how you were shaking so badly, and how you were so fragile when I didn't hold you close. Above all, I will never forget that you were a normal girl... | はじめて支えることができた・・・・はじめて横に並べた・・・
そしてたどり着いたこの場所を生涯忘れることはないだろう ひどく震えていたことも、抱き締めないと壊れそうだったことも 何よりあんたが普通の女の子だったことも・・・・ |
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Its appearance is so godly that it makes those who see it grow in faith.
You no longer have to think, just follow behind. That's the only way to get to Shambhala... And so, leaving all burdens behind, people are saved. | その姿はあまりにも神々しく、見る者に信仰を芽生えさせる
もはや何も考えなくていい、ただ後ろについていけばいい それだけでシャンバラへたどり着く… そうしてすべての重荷を預けて、人々は救われていく |
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I was asked to be a special existence to save people, but I couldn't be special
I was defeated and should have given it all up once and for all. That one and only special existence...to protect her, I will go on the path of the savior again. Somewhere in the hope that it will prove my existence. | 人々を救う特別な存在であることを求められたが、特別になれなかった
打ち負かされ、一度はすべてを諦めたはずだったが たったひとりの特別な存在…彼女を守るために再び救世主の道を行く それが自分の存在証明になると、どこかで期待して |
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Magical girls who try to resist their fate end up in sorrow.
The witch breeds sadness and paints over the history that has seeped into it. Breaking the chain of sorrow is the legend that connects hope to the future. When the despair engraved in history is connected to the present, hope is carried to the future. | 運命に抗おうとも悲しみで終わる魔法少女
その染みついた歴史に、魔女が悲しみを繁殖させて上塗りする 悲しみの連鎖を断つのは、希望を未来へ繋ぐ伝説 歴史に刻まれた絶望が今と結びついたとき、希望は未来へ運ばれる |
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"This shape, it kind of resembles my favorite bamboo shoots!"
"In that case, it's more similar to cheese! I bet Mami feels the same way!" "Hmmm, I'd say it looks more like shortcake to me." When girls of that age get together, competitions become secondary. Food is their topic of conversation. | 「この形、なんだか吾の大好物タケノコに似てるのだ！」
「それならチーズのほうが似てるのです！マミもきっと同じです！」 「うーん、私はショートケーキに見えるわね」 年頃の女子が集まれば競技は二の次。食べ物の話題に花が咲く |
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External links
Gameplay Videos
- Recording of Heruka's Transformation Video on Youtube (JP)
- Recording of Heruka's Magia Video on Youtube (JP)
- Recording of Heruka's Doppel Video on Youtube (JP)