Maaa

Maaa is impulsive, emotional and initially careless with other people's possessions. She is fascinated by Meinya and handles the creature so roughly that she seriously injures it without apparently understanding the consequences.

After suffering the Balancing, Maaa becomes much more sympathetic. She treasures the doll that survives the punishment and gradually develops a genuine attachment to Riko. Although ordinary speech is impossible for her, her emotions are easily understood through gestures, expressions and repeated vocalizations.

Maaa can also be brave when someone she cares about is threatened. Her later actions demonstrate that the companionship she develops with Riko is more than simple curiosity.

Maaa possesses a Narehate body created within Iruburu. She is physically stronger than her small appearance suggests and can carry Riko and move effectively through the village.

Her communication is extremely limited. Other villagers cannot simply translate her repeated "Maaa" sounds, so she relies heavily on body language.

Maaa was created by Iruburu from excess Value rather than being a human delver who entered the village and surrendered a previous body. Her existence is therefore tied directly to the village itself.

Maaa first grabs Meinya in Iruburu's marketplace and squeezes the animal badly enough to injure it. The village's Balancing immediately calculates compensation for what Maaa has taken from Riko and strips away possessions and parts of Maaa's body until the debt is satisfied.

Afterward, Maaa repeatedly encounters Riko and eventually begins accompanying her alongside Majikaja. The relationship changes enough that Maaa becomes one of Riko's closest local companions.

During Iruburu's destruction, Maaa repeatedly helps protect Riko. Because Maaa's existence depends upon the village, the collapse of Iruburu ultimately prevents her from continuing beyond its boundary.

Riko initially despises Maaa for hurting Meinya, but their relationship gradually develops into genuine friendship.

Meinya is the creature whose injury triggers Maaa's punishment by the Balancing.

Majikaja travels with Maaa and Riko through Iruburu and helps the group understand the village.

Moogie is another Iruburu resident who assists Riko and her companions during their time in the village.