Sano Matilda Kokoro

Sano Matilda Kokoro (佐野・マチルダ・こころ) is a second year Lily who attends Ludvico Private Girls' Academy. She is a member of the Garden's Top Legion, the Temple Legion, and is the Schwester of Haneda Catalina Mei. Kokoro is a major character in the Ludvico series of stage plays.

Personality

Cheery, yet sly, Kokoro's amiable and at times whimsical personality contrasts her high degree of emotional maturity, making her one of the more approachable, yet reliable figures among Ludvico's second years. Kokoro takes great pride in the diligence she shows to her work, both in and out of the battlefield. She is noted to never neglect her training, and as a result, she ranks among the more competent and experienced fighters within the Temple Legion. As a senior figure, Kokoro is remarkably levelheaded, being shown to be a rather strict teacher whenever supervising the first years' training, and often being the one to remain calm and focused in situations where her friends and juniors give in to their panic.

Kokoro is infamous for acting as an information broker within Ludvico, conducting investigations on behalf of other Lilies in exchange for food or money. As such, despite her usual prudence, Kokoro's investigations will frequently have her take great risks, completely dismissing the warnings of more careful types, such as Matsunaga Brigitta Kayo, whom Kokoro often is accompanied by. Kokoro's diligent nature, coupled with her frequent undercover investigations, led her to awaken the Subskill Stealth, and as such, not only is she notorious for constantly sneaking up on others, she is also able to easily detect when others attempt to hide from her.

Kokoro greatly values the compensation she receives for her services, deeming it as "the fruits of her constant struggle to survive". As such, the fee for her investigations is rather costly, going as far as to charge for each piece of information individually. Furthermore, Kokoro can be easily swayed if offered to be compensated in very large sums, being very reluctant to refuse it even when deemed morally dubious by others.

Hailing from the countryside, Kokoro speaks in an old-fashioned dialect, notably adopting the first-person pronoun washi (ワシ), and referring to others with the pronoun onushi (お主).

History

Much like Mei, Kokoro left her home in the countryside in order to become a Lily, with the further goal of one day becoming an idol.

Stage plays

This information is specific to the stage play continuity.

Schwester's Prayer

Main article: Assault Lily: Schwester's Prayer

Kokoro quickly approaches Ichinomiya Michaela Himari shortly after the Lily's transfer into Ludvico, explaining to her of the variable lineup system adopted by the Garden's Top Legion, the Temple Legion, as well as informing Himari of the strongest Lilies currently in the Garden in exchange for money. Kokoro tells Himari of Fukuyama Jeanne Sachie, Seto Veronica Ichika and Kuroki Francisca Yuria, who have been repeatedly chosen for the Temple Legion since their time as first-years, while also pointing out herself, Matsunaga Brigitta Kayo and one Tachibana Theresia Nagisa as Lilies worthy of note.

As a second year Lily, Kokoro was appointed to supervise the training of the newly enrolled first years. She was put in charge of Haneda Catalina Mei, scolding the Lily for constantly running away from the dummy Huge instead of attacking.

Ludvico receives reports of a Cave nearby, but with no orders to assemble the Temple Legion, all Lilies are deployed for battle. Kokoro joins Sachie, Ichika and Kayo as they are soon faced with an Irregular Large-class Huge. Sachie is unable to fight properly due to experiencing a triggering flashback, and so, Himari takes the lead of the group shortly after arriving at the scene. As the battle continues, the second year Lilies run into first years Kishimoto Lucia Raimu and Amamiya Sophia Seren, who join their counteroffensive against the Huge under Himari's leadership. With the aid of the Battle Arsenal Amatsu Marei of Ryuto Girls' Academy, the Lilies ultimately succeed in neutralizing the Cave.

Later, Kokoro is approached by Kayo, who tells her of the suspicions she harbors over the death of Kishimoto Maria Mirai, Sachie's former Schwester and Raimu's older sister. On Kokoro's suggestion, the pair find their way into a secret room within Ludvico, where they watch Instructors Kosaka Anastasia Ryoko and Izumi Rosa Rina hold a meeting with a group of mysterious figures. After reporting that Himari currently has the highest Skiller Value in the Garden, the figures order the Instructors to conduct "the same procedure that was done to Mirai".

Identifying the figures as GEHENA, Kayo concludes that Mirai had been turned into a Boosted Lily before her death. Kayo decides to tell Sachie of her discovery, but Kokoro is against it, arguing that Mirai must have kept it a secret while she was alive for a reason, and that would be contradicting her wishes. However, Kayo insists that Sachie must know, telling Kokoro that she "can't stay like this any longer", as Sachie had been completely consumed by grief since Mirai's death.

During Ludvico's Easter festival, a Cave forms near Ludvico, with the Huge converging at the Garden's cemetery, Maria's Hill, where Raimu happened to be. Predicting the appearance of a Gigant-class Huge, the Temple Legion is assembled, with Kokoro being chosen as one of its members. The Legion members arrive at Maria's Hill, and being promptly met by the Gigant-class Huge, the Temple Legion begins a Neunwelt Tactic. During Kayo's turn with the Magisphere, she's unable to keep her emotions restrained, and ultimately tells Sachie of Mirai's fate in the middle of battle, with Seren further revealing that Mirai's death had been caused by her own Magie causing her to explode. Though left in shock after learning of her sister's fate, Raimu ultimately succeeds in taking the Neunwelt's finishing shot and destroying the Gigant-class Huge, seemingly awakening to the Rare Skill Shukuchi in the process.

In the aftermath, Kokoro, Kayo and Ichika discuss the circumstances of Mirai's death, with Ichika concluding that it was likely a result of her Rare Skill, Phase Transcendence, being overloaded beyond her control due to the Boosting experiments she endured. Changing the subject, Kayo points out to the other two how during the previous battle, she felt much more connected to her teammates and her own abilities than usual, and hypothesizes that Raimu's Rare Skill might not actually be Shukuchi.

Schwester's Secret

Main article: Assault Lily: Schwester's Secret

Immediately after their takedown of the Gigant-class Huge, Kokoro, Kayo and Ichika make their way back to Ludvico when they run into first year Lilies Mei, Hasegawa Gabriella Tsugumi and Saeki Julia Karen, who were fighting off the surrounding Huge by themselves. The second years immediately take the lead in the battle, and as Tsugumi leaves to retrieve backup, Kokoro attempts to convince Karen and Mei to flee as well, but the pair insists on staying behind and fighting the Huge.

Kayo's Rare Skill, Lunatic Trancer, drives her to fight in a highly uncontrolled manner, continuously disrupting the other Lilies as they attempt to fight the multiple Large-class Huge surrounding them. However, after Ichika injures her leg, Kayo immediately falls into a panic, frantically holding onto Kokoro and preventing her from continuing to fight. This, in turn, leads Karen to attempt to take the lead in the battle, but after she fails to take down one of the Large-class Huge, she is saved by Ichika, who uses her body to shield her from the Huge's attack. Finally, Kokoro takes down the Huge, while Karen and Mei carry the severely injured Ichika back to the Garden.

Later on, Ludvico's Cave alarm goes off, and as the Lilies begin to preemptively deploy for battle, Kayo refuses to activate her Lunatic Trancer despite Kokoro, Himari and Nagisa's protests, as she fears she may cause her teammates to be hurt again. As the Temple Legion members begin to be appointed, Nagisa brings Kayo along, believing she'll be chosen as usual, but Tsugumi is instead chosen in her place, prompting her to quickly leave the battlefield. The Temple Legion then carries on a Neunwelt Tactic, however, despite its finishing shot being a direct hit, the Huge is not defeated. Depleted of their Magie, the Lilies are suddenly met by Kishimoto Maria Mirai, appearing still alive, and using her Rare Skill, Phase Transcendence, to divert the Huge away from the Temple Legion.

Some time later, Kokoro finds Kayo by herself, having failed to show up for training for five days since their last battle. Kokoro attempts to convince Kayo to return to the field, arguing that despite the dangerous nature of their duty as Lilies, they should still strive to continue chasing after their own aspirations. Kokoro proudly tells Kayo of how her diligent work in her investigating job ultimately led her to awaken the Subskill Stealth, leading Kayo to conclude that if she can awaken to a Subskill of her own, she'll be able to fight without needing to use her Lunatic Trancer.

Motivated, Kayo leaves to research more on Subskills, while Kokoro notices that Mei had been observing her. She calls out directly to the first year, and revealing herself, Mei tells Kokoro of how impressed she is by the second year's ability to become completely imperceptible, as she greatly admires ninjas herself. Mei asks that Kokoro become her mentor, but she quickly refuses, telling Mei that she hopes to one day become an idol, and though Mei welcomes the idea of forming an idol pair with Kokoro, the second year still worries about needing to split her investigation fees between the two of them. However, Kokoro immediately changes her mind after learning that Mei comes from a wealthy family, ultimately agreeing to take the first-year as her pupil.

At a later time, the Temple Legion is once again assembled to neutralize a Cave, with Kayo finally rejoining them thanks to Tsugumi's persuasion. They begin a Neunwelt Tactic, but before they can take the finishing shot, Mirai reappears, though this time, she immediately begins attacking the Lilies. Mirai is able to completely overpower the Temple Legion before long, and Yuria presumes that she underwent a second Boosting experiment after her apparent death, causing the Huge cells in her body to go out of control and overtake her completely. Concluding that the only way to defeat her is by shooting her with the Magisphere, the Temple Legion members work to restrain Mirai in place, allowing Raimu to successfully take the shot, bringing Mirai down.

In the aftermath, Nagisa and Kokoro congratulate Kayo for taking the Schwester's Oath with Tsugumi. Kayo then tells the pair of how during her research into Subskills, she came to learn that Raimu's Rare Skill was not in fact Shukuchi as previously thought, but instead Charisma, with the speed she previously displayed being merely Shukuchi's Subskill form Invisible One.

White Resistance ~The Promise's Path~

Main article: Assault Lily: White Resistance ~The Promise's Path~

Following the sudden resignation of Instructor Rina, Kokoro invites Kayo to join in further investigating the circumstances of her departure. The pair once again enter a secret room within Ludvico, where they watch Instructors Ryoko and Toride Suzanne Reika discuss the necessity of GEHENA's experiments on Ludvico's students. After the Instructors leave, Kokoro uses a stolen security card to search for Rina's whereabouts in Ludvico's databases. However, they are suddenly interrupted by Instructor Makabe Melania Sayoko, Rina's substitute, who had found them after noticing Mei attempting to follow them into the room. After retrieving the card, Sayoko allows the Lilies to leave, promising to keep the matter a secret in return for "becoming her friend".

Mei is very apologetic for causing the pair to be caught, but Kokoro is not bothered, and encourages the first year to not pay it any mind. Meanwhile, Kayo, recalling Ryoko and Reika's conversation, surmises that Ludvico itself had been complicit in the Boosting experiments conducted on Mirai and Yuria, and that they're likely attempting to continue to perform more.

After learning that Himari had been suddenly ambushed by a Cave while tutoring Hanaoka Angela Moe, the Temple Legion members set out to rescue them. Though shortly reaching Himari and Moe, the Lilies are soon surrounded by multiple Huge, including three Large-class. They struggle to hold their ground, being repeatedly knocked down by the Huge, but as Himari is about to be killed by one of the Large-class, Moe's panic causes her to awaken to the Rare Skill Phantasm, allowing the Lilies to promptly repel the surrounding Huge. In the aftermath, Sachie declares her intention to leave the Temple Legion and form a Legion of her own, as she can no longer trust the Garden's administration.

Sachie attempts to invite her fellow second years to join her new Legion, but Kokoro refuses, as joining the Temple Legion had been a long held dream of hers. Kayo, on the other hand, is greatly conflicted due to her discoveries on the Garden, and does not offer an immediate answer. Later on, Kokoro finds Kayo still ruminating on her choice, and scolds her after the Lily attempts to make her decision on shallow terms. Kokoro argues that the Temple Legion is merely assembled by the Garden's administration, and that it does not prevent them from also standing against Ludvico if they deem it right.

Later, Mei brings Kokoro into Rina's room, claiming to have found clues to aid in Kokoro's investigation. Upon arriving there, however, they instead meet Instructor Kaido Beatrice Chiharu drenched in blood, just as she falls dead before the two Lilies. Kokoro and Mei become greatly distressed, and they are soon found by Instructor Ryoko, who, after ascertaining Chiharu's wounds to have been caused by a CHARM, urges the two Lilies to leave the place and keep what they've witnessed a secret. The Cave alarm goes off, and Kokoro, quickly gathering herself, brings Mei out of the room.

Mei, however, is unable to snap out of her shock, cowering in tears as they reach the battlefield despite Kokoro's urges that she focus on fighting the Huge. Mei laments acting behind Kokoro's back, remarking that she only wanted to be useful to her mentor, and annoyed, Kokoro declares Mei to be disowned as her pupil, but while this only further saddens Mei, Kokoro tells her that she instead wishes to become her Schwester, assuring Mei that she had long accepted the first year as she is. The pair exchange their Medalhas, with Kokoro in awe of the large, diamond-encrusted pendant given to her by Mei.

Kokoro, followed by Mei, reach the rest of the Temple Legion as they make contact with the Huge. They soon meet Sachie's new Legion, titled Ironside, who turn to clearing the area of the surrounding Huge as the Temple Legion performs the Neunwelt Tactic. However, Moe is unable to properly control the Magisphere during her pass, causing it to be lost, and with no other choice, the remaining Temple Legion members join Legion Ironside as they perform their own Neunwelt, which ultimately succeeds in destroying the Huge.

White Resistance ~The Blade of Truth~

Main article: Assault Lily: White Resistance ~The Blade of Truth~

Since the formation of Legion Ironside, there are no longer strong enough Lilies in Ludvico to reach the minimum of nine members required for the Temple Legion to perform the Neunwelt Tactic. As such, during a deployment to neutralize a Gigant-class Huge, Kokoro suggests that they once again request Ironside's aid, but the idea is dismissed by Instructor Sayoko, who instead offers to join them in their Neunwelt, ultimately allowing them to take down the Huge.

Later, Kokoro, Mei and Kayo are approached by Raimu and Seren, who tell them of Seren's apparent discovery of Professor Kishimoto, Raimu's father, to be the one responsible for the murder of Seren's mother. Hoping to ascertain the veracity of the story, Seren enlists their help in searching for information within the Garden, offering Kokoro a large amount of money in compensation. While Kokoro is delighted at receiving such a large payment, Kayo is strongly opposed to it, that Seren keep the money.

Seren further tells the trio of how she was told that Professor Kishimoto had killed her mother after failing to use her as a test subject while she was pregnant, as he hoped to observe the effects of Huge cells in the unborn. Raimu tells the Lilies that her father had been missing since Mirai's initial disappearance, however, she suffers a strong headache while attempting to remember her mother. With Sachie and Yuria's approval, Kokoro, Kayo and Mei set off to investigate within the Garden, while Raimu and Seren decide to return to the Kishimoto family home, hoping to find clues in Professor Kishimoto's old belongings.

Entering another secret room in Ludvico, Kokoro once again uses a stolen security card to search for information within the Garden's files. However, they are interrupted by Instructor Sayoko a second time, though this time, she promptly begins attacking the Lilies, particularly slashing Kokoro's leg in order to prevent her from using her Shukuchi. Sayoko overpowers Kayo with little issue, and after Kokoro attempts to shoot her, Sayoko quickly moves in to kill her before being stopped by Mei, who awakens to the Rare Skill Zenon Paradoxa. While initially succeeding in pushing back against Sayoko, the Instructor effortlessly takes down Mei as well, only stopping as Instructor Ryoko enters the room, forcing her to leave. Ryoko uses her Rare Skill, Z, to undo Kokoro's wound, while urging the Lilies to stop looking into the Garden's secrets.

Immediately after, Kayo, Kokoro and Mei begin fighting the Huge as Ludvico is alerted to a Cave, with Kokoro telling Mei that she had previously awakened to her Rare Skill. They meet with Tsugumi, who remarks that Zenon Paradoxa is a perfect match to Kokoro's Shukuchi, much to the delight of the two Schwesters. Kayo attempts to tell Tsugumi of how they were just attacked by an Instructor, but Kokoro interrupts her, arguing they need to keep their focus on fighting the Huge for the moment.

The group is approached by Nagisa and Hojo Monica Asahi, learning from the latter that Raimu and Seren had left the Garden. Worried, the group sets off to look for Sachie's group, hoping that she was able to reach them. Later, they regroup with the remaining Temple Legion members as they work to keep the continuously pouring Huge at bay, while Legion Ironside sets off to rescue Raimu and Seren.

Raimu and Seren bring to Kokoro and Kayo a notebook they’ve retrieved from Professor Kishimoto’s room, which contains a detailed observation journal of the first fourteen years of Raimu’s life, with Kayo noticing that the very last page had been torn out. While the journal contains an alibi that absolves Professor Kishimoto from being the one to kill Seren's mother, it also details the fact that Raimu first awakened to her Rare Skill at only 6 years old. While Kayo points out that it would take a particularly shocking event for that to happen, Raimu does not remember any of it, suffering from a strong headache whenever she tries to.

While going over the journal, the Lilies are approached by Instructor Ryoko, who claims she wants to aid in their investigation in order to prove Rina's innocence. On her request, Kokoro, Kayo, Mei, Raimu and Seren enter Rina's old room, hoping to uncover more information, but they're once again ambushed by Sayoko, and they fight a second time. Simultaneously, a Gigant-class Huge appears near Ludvico, and Sayoko allows Kokoro, Mei and Kayo to leave as they are appointed to join the Temple Legion. Kokoro and Mei decide to set off for battle, but Kayo stays behind, not wishing to leave Raimu and Seren at the Instructor's mercy.

Kokoro and Mei reach the Temple Legion and Ironside Lilies as they face the Gigant-class, informing them of Raimu, Seren and Kayo's predicament. Himari then orders Sachie, Yuria, Tsugumi and Karen to go to their rescue, while the remaining Lilies of both Legions perform the Neunwelt Tactic as a single team. Before they are able to finish it, however, they are ambushed by Nosaka Jacqueline Kazane, Ichika's previously deceased Schwester, who steals the Magisphere and fires it against the Lilies. The Gigant-class begins to flee, and with Ichika and Nagisa staying behind to fight Kazane, Kokoro is ordered to return to Ludvico in order to retrieve a second Neunwelt Bullet.

Kokoro returns just as Sachie's group safely rejoins the other Lilies, and so, they begin a second Neunwelt. But before they are able to finish it, Instructors Sayoko and Reika approach them as the Gigant-class retreats once again, as they purposefully meant for the Lilies to be depleted of their Magie so they could easily retrieve Raimu. After Himari and Seren refuse to comply with their demands, the Instructors disable the protective barrier surrounding Ludvico's campus, allowing the Huge to launch a large-scale attack directly against the Garden. So, the Temple Legion members (minus Himari) leave to aid in evacuating the Lilies still on the Garden premises, while Legion Ironside stays behind to fight the Instructors and the Gigant-class.

Combat Style

Due to not having participated in the Odaiba Counteroffensive, Kokoro is noted to employ a uniquely distinct combat style than that of her peers, which were largely influenced by the First Generation Álfheimr. She makes full use of the remarkable combination between the speed of her Shukuchi and the virtual invisibility granted by her Stealth, with her style being described as that of a "suddenly appearing phantom".

Though unconventional, her adoption of a completely separate combat discipline is very highly appraised by CHARM makers in particular, and she was noted to have received offers from Amatsu Heavy Industries for a unique CHARM.

Trivia

• Kokoro's baptismal name, "Matilda", is likely in reference to Catholic Saint Matilda of Ringelheim, the queen of Germany during the 10th century.
• Kokoro's frequent encounters with Instructor Makabe Melania Sayoko highlight multiple parallels between the two:
  • Both are users of the Subskill Stealth.
  • Sayoko always approaches Kokoro by sneaking up on her in some form, often when Kokoro is sneaking around herself while conducting her investigations.
  • Sayoko always manages to evade Kokoro's detection, something that Kokoro is not only notorious for doing to other Lilies, but is also able to easily detect whenever anyone else attempts it.
• Kokoro's existence as a character predates her presence in the Assault Lily universe. A character named "Sano Kokoro" appears in other plays by Ludvico Private Girls' Academy and Saint Ludovico Academy dating back to 2013.
• Kokoro is noted to have caught the attention of Miwada Rito, who despite acknowledging her abilities, is completely dismissive of her aspirations to become an idol.
• Kokoro's hobbies include collecting information, sneaking into places and doing idol dances.
• Kokoro's likes include idols, saving money, and period drama pieces.
• Kokoro's favorite food is cheap candy, and she enjoys sweet lactic drinks such as Calpis.

Gallery

Designs

• 
  Kokoro's original design, by Iizuka Haruko

Stage

• 
  As portrayed by Shimizu Rin
• 
  As portrayed by Hoshino Marina
• 
  As portrayed by Todo Miyu

References

Temple Legion Members Ichinomiya Michaela Himari  ·  Tachibana Theresia Nagisa  ·  Hanaoka Angela Moe  ·  Narumi Clara Yuko  ·  Hojo Monica Asahi  ·  Hasegawa Gabriella Tsugumi  ·  Matsunaga Brigitta Kayo  ·  Sano Matilda Kokoro  ·  Makabe Melania Sayoko Former members Fukuyama Jeanne Sachie  ·  Kishimoto Lucia Raimu  ·  Amamiya Sophia Seren  ·  Kuroki Francisca Yuria  ·  Seto Veronica Ichika Related people Haneda Catalina Mei  ·  Nagase Marta Nonoka

Temple Legion Members Ichinomiya Michaela Himari  ·  Tachibana Theresia Nagisa  ·  Hanaoka Angela Moe  ·  Narumi Clara Yuko  ·  Hojo Monica Asahi  ·  Hasegawa Gabriella Tsugumi  ·  Matsunaga Brigitta Kayo  ·  Sano Matilda Kokoro  ·  Makabe Melania Sayoko Former members Fukuyama Jeanne Sachie  ·  Kishimoto Lucia Raimu  ·  Amamiya Sophia Seren  ·  Kuroki Francisca Yuria  ·  Seto Veronica Ichika Related people Haneda Catalina Mei  ·  Nagase Marta Nonoka