| Mafurako | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| Role | Teleports Madotsuki around Block World |
| Collectibles | None |
| Events | None |
| Location | |
| Other | |
| Size | Standard |
| Killable? | Yes |
Mafurako (マフラ子, "muffler girl") is an NPC who can be found in Block World. She appears next to a house-like structure that serves as a one-way access from Windmill World, which can be found by going west from the Nexus door to the long comb-like structure, then directly south.
Overview
Initially, Mafurako appears to be invisible and only the hat and scarf she wears can be seen. By using the Traffic Light effect, her true appearance is revealed to be a girl with dark brown hair covering her eyes, a blue sweater, purple pants, and black shoes.
Interacting with Mafurako will teleport both her and the player to one of five locations through Block World, all normally inaccessible due to being atop the world's blocks. One of the teleport locations has a black gate that leads to the White Desert A.
When interacting with her again, she will once again cause herself and the player to teleport. Normally, the player will be teleported to one of five lower spots away from Mafurako. The return location is always dependent on which upper platform you were on. When this happens, she will return to her original location on the lower level and the player will have to seek her out again. However, if Madotsuki interacts with her as a snowman using the Hat and Scarf effect, Madotsuki will always return to her side on the return trip, shortening the process of finding her and the White Desert gate.
Trivia
- Interestingly, Mafurako's sprites are located in Madotsuki's sprite sheet in the game's files. She is the only NPC with this distinction other than Madotsuki's Ghost. Her graphics replaced a version of Madotsuki wearing the hat and scarf without braids found in previous versions of the same sheet.
- In versions 0.04 and 0.06, she was located in the Checkered Tile Path. Interacting with her there would still teleport Madotsuki to one of the teleport spots in Block World, although there were only three spots as opposed to five.
- One of the spots Mafurako could teleport Madotsuki to in these versions was near a gate which housed the now-removed Toriningen's Bed event. This event was replaced by the White Desert in 0.07.
- Strangely, Mafurako would not teleport alongside Madotsuki, meaning that the player would be forced to either wake up or use the Medamaude effect upon being teleported due to being isolated there. She was also unaffected by the Stoplight and Hat and Scarf snowman effects in this version. This persisted even when Mafurako was moved to Block World in 0.07. Her effect reactions as well as her teleporting alongside the player would not be finalized until 0.08.
- Returning from a higher area as a snowman preserves Mafurako's location. If she teleports you to the same higher area, she will not necessarliy appear alongside you, but instead on the spot she was at when you interacted with her to return. This only takes effect when returning as a snowman, not as any other form, and does not require that you teleport back up as a snowman. This quirk resets if you leave Block World or if you return to the lower area while in any other form.
Theories
It is possible that Mafurako represents Madotsuki's feelings of shyness. It is evident that Mafurako wants to be unseen, as even when she is visible her fringe covers her face. A fringe covering a character's eyes is also a common character design trait given to sensitive or shy characters in media. The fact that she becomes visible when the Stoplight is used may imply that she is consciously attempting to be invisible, and the Stoplight stops her from doing so.
Furthermore, Mafurako seems to seek solitude. She is the sole resident of the very spacious Block World and prefers to ditch Madotsuki in a distant location rather than teleport back together. She only seems comfortable around the snowman, with whom she can relate (they share a penchant for winter clothing) yet is also impersonal and non-threatening. Mafurako's traits could possibly be interpreted as projections of Madotsuki's own solitude and her habit of interacting with inanimate objects (such as her diary, bed, and Famicom) rather than people.
Gallery
Mafurako's starting location. This is where she is found by default when entering the world or when teleporting back from a higher area.
Mafurako's first teleport location. The gate to White Desert A lies here.
Mafurako's second teleport location, on a thin platform to the right of the restroom.
Mafurako's third teleport location, on a small block near the Nexus door.
Mafurako's fourth teleport location, on the long comb-like structure north of Mafurako's starting location.
Mafurako's fifth teleport location, on the low platform south of her starting location.
The first return location, near the long poles west of the starting location.
The second return location, at the entrance of the long tunnel structure south-east of the starting location.
The third return location, within a flat purple block resembling a hook, just north-west of the restroom.
The fourth return location is just above the comb platform you teleport from, between two blocks that resemble walls.
The fifth return location, just south-east of the Nexus door.
