Mina Hakuba

Mina Hakuba is the childhood friend and likely romantic interest of Soma Cruz. Her family at the Hakuba Shrine was previously responsible for the sealing of Castlevania within the darkness of a solar eclipse in the battle of 1999, which achieved the true death of Dracula himself. Mina is an extremely sociable lady who has come to know everyone around the shrine prior to the events of Aria of Sorrow, including government agent Genya Arikado and witch Yoko Belnades, and gets along comfortably with Soma Cruz in spite of his intimidating personality.

In the 2035 solar eclipse, at age 18, Mina and Soma are transported to Castlevania, and she agrees to stay behind in the safety of the castle’s front courtyard as Soma travels through for a way out. Later, she finds out Soma's apparent fate as the inheritor of the powers of the Dark Lord Dracula, and though frightened initially, she sends him moral support telepathically when Soma prepares to confront the powers of Chaos and therefore reject the role of Dark Lord. Soma is successful in part due to her influence, and they escape Castlevania together as the place is drawn back into the eclipse. Soma and Mina become closer immediately after the adventure.

In 2036, when Soma is forced to confront Celia’s cult, Mina stays behind at the safety of her home and is not physically involved in Soma’s quest for the most part. She sends him moral support through a letter during Soma’s journey along with her personal talisman. This proves to be vital in preventing the Dark Lord from emerging out of Soma’s body when Celia kills a doppelganger made to resemble a captive Mina and Soma’s emotions overflow; the darkness-suppressive nature of the talisman holds off the dark influence within Soma long enough for Arikado to arrive and save him. After Soma returns to normal, he is able to defeat Celia and Dmitrii at length and escape the crumbling location, where at the outskirts he reunites with Mina and their relationship becomes something of a romantic joke among their other friends, much to both their embarrassment.

Mina, along with Soma, make cameo appearances in the novel Akumajo Dracula: Kabuchi no Tsuisoukyoku, which takes place one year after Dawn of Sorrow.

Mina’s relationship with Soma parallels that of Dracula and Elisabetha and Lisa (women whose deaths had brought Dracula to wage war on humanity against the name of God initially and on two separate occasions), in part due to Soma’s status as the reincarnation of Dracula and when he nearly succumbs to evil upon witnessing Mina’s apparent death.

Quotes
If quotes are seperated, then someone else talks between them.

Castle Entrance
Hey, looks like he's coming to.

''It's OK, Soma. His name is Genya Arikado...''

''Soma! Listen to him, he's telling you the truth!''

When she's unconscious:

......

(First talk after Hammer sets up shop)

''Welcome back, Soma. Hey...''

That man over there...

''His name's Hammer, huh? Don't you think he's a little scary?''

But look at all those weapons he has over there...

''Here!? He's opening a shop in this castle? He's weird...''

''But if you say that he's a good guy... I'll believe you.''

(Subsequent times without leaving room)

Welcome back.

Lately I've had some really bad headaches./Sometimes I just feel so uneasy waiting here./My body feels really heavy at times.

''Yes. No need to worry, I'm fine.''

(After player re-enters room after Hammer sets up shop)

What's up?

Soma, do you know the story of the Amanoiwado Shrine?

In the story, Tensho Daijin hides herself in the shrine to calm Susanoo down.

''Tensho Daijin is the sun. The act of hiding symbolizes an eclipse.'' By hiding herself away, she was able to contain Susanoo's anger.

Yes, people have prayed to eclipses for centuries. And the Hakuba Shrine is a shrine for this very purpose.

And usually, we only conduct ceremonies for Japan's eclipses, but...

Yes...That's what I was told.

That's why I knew the things that Mr. Arikado said were...

''I'm sorry. I haven't been much help to you.''

She also gives hints to Soma, after re-entering entrance after listening the Hakuba Shrine story.

''Welcome back. I have a message for you from Arikado.''

Yes it's, ah...

Initial hints


 * I hear there is an enemy that moves at extremely high speed. He's so fast he's invisible. If you could stop time, perhaps you could see him.


 * I hear that some space is tweaked here in the castle. 
 * And some connected to different spots.
 * In short, in some places, you cannot return to the spot where you came from.


 * Somewhere in the castle, there's a monster that can stop time.
 * I've also heard there are monsters immune to being frozen in time.


 * There should be ancient books that talk about Dracula's power hidden somewhere in this castle.
 * I wonder what they are about.


 * When you're able to swap your HP and your MP, there is an enemy you'll be able to defeat instantly.
 * I don't really understand it, but... this helps you, right?

Hint after beating Headhunter


 * If you stand on the water and jump from that spot, you'll be able to go up there.
 * Stand on the water, what does that mean? Maybe you have to act like a ninja?

Hint after beating Death


 * There is an area accessible by traveling through water.
 * Without scuba gear, it may be too tough for a human to handle.

''Come back again later. Maybe I'll have another message from Arikado.''

Trivia
Mina's full name Mina Hakuba seems to be patterned after “Mina Harker” of the original Dracula novel by Bram Stoker.

Mina Hakuba