Mao, Melissa

Seiyuu / Dub

Geke, Tanja· Japanese

Neya, Michiko· Japanese

Noya, Fátima· Japanese

Nyírő, Eszter· Japanese

Song, Do-yeong· Japanese

Beaudoin, Claire· French

Benedito, Dany· French

De Bortoli, Barbara· Italian

Keith, Allison· English

Rodríguez, Adriana· Spanish

Summary

Melissa Mao, born on May 11, 1976, is a B-type blood type American character who serves as the second-in-command of Mithril’s Special Response Team alongside Gail McAllen, operating under the call sign Uruz-2. Originally holding the rank of Sergeant Major, she was promoted to Second Lieutenant by the time of the novel Dancing Very Merry Christmas, becoming a commissioned officer. Her electronic warfare expertise is highly valued by the Pacific Battle Group Tuatha de Danaan. While proficient in Arm Slave piloting, her control lacks precision, favoring fast and aggressive firearm tactics. Although she rarely pilots in later series, her skills remain high, though not on the level of Sousuke Sagara or Kurz Weber. She speaks fluent Cantonese, a skill acquired during her time in Hong Kong, particularly in Kowloon. Personality-wise, Melissa is a ruthless insulter and a heavy drinker, drawing comparisons to Misato Katsuragi from Neon Genesis Evangelion, who is also voiced by Alison Keith. She is known for her rudeness, using heavy language when angered or dealing with people she dislikes. Her background as a Marine Corps drill instructor influenced her training methods, such as providing Sousuke with a manual containing language inspired by R. Lee Ermey in Full Metal Jacket. She enjoys practical jokes, once jokingly permitting Sousuke to "jump her bones" to tease Tessa, and later handcuffing Tessa to herself to prevent her from sneaking into Sousuke’s room. Born to Chinese-American parents in New York City, Melissa was raised under strict traditions that included an arranged marriage. She fled home in her wedding gown to join the United States Marine Corps, eventually receiving a dishonorable discharge. She holds bitter feelings toward her father, a former United States Air Force member. After her discharge, she lived with maternal relatives in Hong Kong. Scouted by MITHRIL, she commanded her own team until two comrades were permanently injured, forcing her to recruit replacements at the secret training camp in Berutarube. She initially dismissed Sousuke due to poor test scores but noticed him during an Arm Slave simulation where he defeated an M6 piloted by a top recruit. During a mission in Berutarube to rescue Maria from communist rebels, she forced Sousuke and Kurz to reveal their true skills, ultimately recruiting them after they helped defeat the guerrillas. She was later assigned to guard Kaname Chidori in Tokyo. Near the end of the first series, she was wounded by Gauron in AS combat on Berildaobu Island but helped kill Guen Bien Bo by throwing surgical scalpels. She is close friends with Tessa, giving her access to her office, and maintains good relations with former friends Gail McAllen and Belfangan Grouseax. Following heavy SRT losses during the defense of Merida Island, she solidified her position as the team's second-in-command.