History Main / MysticalWaif

* Garnet from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'' -- [[LastOfHisKind One of only two remaining summoners]].
* Aerith from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' -- [[LastOfHisKind Last of the Ancients]].
* [[spoiler:Ellone]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' - mysterious past, flowing robes, special powers desired by both sides.
* Terra from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' -- HalfHumanHybrid of an Esper (the summons).
* Rydia from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' -- [[LastOfHisKind Last of the Summoners of Mist]]... [[NiceJobBreakingItHero thanks to the main character]].

* Subverted in ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIII'' with Maia, who is a mysterious, solemn, white-haired maiden who washes up on the beach, has no recollection of her past, and gets abducted by a dragon on her and [[TheHero Rhys]]' wedding day. Turns out the dragon is her shapeshifted brother, her amnesia was entirely mundane, and there's nothing unusual about Maia herself except that, [[EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses of course, she's a princess.]] She doesn't even use magic.

* Ciri from the ''Series/Witcher2019''. She is very important to Geralt's story, as he is prophesied to meet her , with decades before she is even born, and when she is actually born she becomes his child of surprise. To go further, she is a teen princess whose mysterious magical powers of unknown origins, whose home was invaded and destroyed, forcing her to run away and search for Geralt. What's even worse, it' s implied she is the reason why Nilfgaard invades Cintra and kills her family.

* Rosalina, at least in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'', with her tragic backstory and enigmatic nature. Her other appearances eventually avert this, revealing she's quite a bit more [[GlacierWaif resilient]] and [[NotSoStoic playful]] than most examples.

%%** Micaiah from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTellius Radiant Dawn]]''. Partially subverted, Micaiah being the leader of her army and the first main character of the game.

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': Through a horrifying series of events, the mantle of [[BadassBookworm The Archive]], the repository of all knowledge, was set upon a young girl. She can give a showing for herself in magical brawls set up as a trap for her personally.

* Yagami Hikari from ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' and ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'', the human lightbulb. Also an IllGirl, she is the only one to have a Crest (Light) that ''doesn't'' refer to an innate virtue or trait. The powers of this Crest usually manifest themselves in weird ways, and she has been shown as both 1) unusually self-sacrificing and 2) drawn to the Dark Ocean, because of her powers and walled-in emotional problems. She's also empathetic to the point of being borderline psychic, which sends her into two {{Heroic BSOD}}s in 02 (and during the last one, her best friend Miyako has to [[GetAHoldOfYourselfMan literally bitchslap her]] back to sanity).

** ''Film/TheScorpionKing'': The fifth movie features Amina, the keeper of the Book of Souls [[spoiler:though she is actually the Book ''herself'']] which the heroes intend to use to stop the EvilOverlord Nebserek from rampaging over the tribes of Egypt. Unusually, the bad guys aren't pursuing her in specific, they want TheHero since Nebserek has a score to settle with him and its the protagonists using her to stop his evil instead.

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%%* Leeloo, the title character of ''Film/TheFifthElement'', though she doesn't exhibit any magical powers [[spoiler:(at least until the end when she destroys the BigBad)]]. She does mix it up with Zorg's {{mooks}} with some mean WaifFu, however.
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%%* Possibly Naminé from ''Franchise/KingdomHearts: Chain of Memories'' and ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts2''.

%%* Arguably, Lalah Sune from the original ''MobileSuitGundam'', though she counts a bit more as WaifFu since she's one really powerful Newtype ''and'' a skilled pilot.

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* The very young looking Nami from ''VisualNovel/AoiShiro'' (pictured above) who has amnesia and mysterious [[HealingHands healing powers]].

%%* Quito Power in the LeagueOfIntergalacticCosmicChampions.

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%%* Nia Teppelin from ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann''.
%%* Chi from Manga/{{Chobits}} is an almost perfect example of this trope.
%%* Asuna Kagurazaka from ''MahouSenseiNegima''. The only exception is that she is rather {{tsundere}}, but shows the canonical catatonic personality in flashbacks.

%%* Melfina from ''OutlawStar''.

* Kanna from ''VideoGame/ThreeTheHardWay'', the ReallySevenHundredYearsOld alchemist, who is mysterious, secretive, and enigmatic in personality, and seems to know the BigBad quite well. Gameplay-wise, she's a unique character with a relatively low physical ''and'' magical abilities, but can create and have access to alchemical weapons that can easily decimate Bosses. Despite being relatively useless in normal battles, one of the strongest party member actually remarks that they don't stand a chance against the BigBad without her.

%%* Sera from ''DigitalDevilSaga'' and ''Digital Devil Saga 2''.

* Julius from ''VideoGame/SwordOfMana'' is a very rare example, seeing as he's male (even if he [[CampGay doesn't always]] [[CreepyCrossdresser act it]]) and an antagonist to boot. He's still the LastOfHisKind, exclusively uses magic, has a MysteriousPast, and is integral to the plot of the villain, who [[spoiler:[[TheVirus out-and-out]] [[HijackedByGanon hijacks his body]]]] eventually. His... uh, ''[[HoYay friend]]'' Dark Lord (the other main antagonist) seems to know exactly who and what he is and is implied to be sheltering him from the prejudice of the world while simultaneously [[MoralityChain keeping him from falling completely to evil]].

!!Examples

%%* The titular Eureka from ''EurekaSeven'', though, like Ms. Sune further up the list, she's quite the accomplished pilot.
%%* [[spoiler: Marie Parfasy]] from ''{{Gundam 00}}''. Subverted when she grows up into [[spoiler: DarkActionGirl Soma Peiris]].
%%* Anthy from RevolutionaryGirlUtena fits this description quite well in her manga incarnation.
%%* Quon from ''RahXephon''.
%%* Sulia Gaudeamus in the FatalFury Motion Picture.
%%* Very rare male example: Kakyou Kuzuki from {{X 1999}}.
%%* Neya from ''InfiniteRyvius''.

%%* Young Neese from ''RecordOfLodossWar'' could be the poster girl for this trope. Her mother Leylia played a similar role in the OVA series, but is actually very tall.
%%* This is one of the standard fantasy plots ridiculed by ''YuruYuri'', with "the girl who fall from the sky".

* ''{{Exalted}}'':
--> Once, there was a maiden...
--> ...who fled a shadow, in the company of a friend.
--> They traveled through strange places, and among strange people.
--> “How can you trust me,” he asked, “with such horror behind you?”
--> “Love endures,” she said.
--> --''The Scripture of the Bride''

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* Flute, in the ''Literature/{{Elenium}}'' trilogy by David Eddings, is a small girl who is revealed, slowly, to have greater magical powers than anyone else in the party. She can control time and animals, among other things. Eventually [[spoiler:they find out that Flute is actually the goddess Aphrael]], which explains everything.

%%* Alicia from ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles'' fits many of the traits from this trope, but it's all evened out by the fact that she's also an incredibly {{Badass}} ActionGirl.

[[caption-width-right:300:InTheNameOfTheMoon, [[ReachingTowardsTheaudience hold my hand]].]]

Typically introduced as a part of the CallToAdventure, the Mystical Waif often appears to the hero seeking for his help while providing him with an exposition to the unknown aspects of their universe. Her introduction is what usually propels the plot from random adventuring to serious world-saving, as she recruits the rest of the party to help her [[GottaCatchThemAll collect the crystals]], and she may spend some time as a DamselInDistress before eventually joining the Heroes' team. If the story includes romance, she may eventually develop to be the Hero's LoveInterest, or at least a contender for one.

%%* [[spoiler: Marie Parfasy]] from ''{{Gundam 00}}''. Subverted when she grows up into [[spoiler: DarkActionGirl Soma Peiris.]]

* Wendy from ''Manga/FairyTail'' has elements of this, including a MysteriousPast, bad guys wanting her (in the case of Brain), non-action status, bit of a DistressedDamsel, purehearted and kind, and TheMedic.

* Fina from ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'' practically defines this trope - she's a futuristically-dressed, kind, naive, shy girl with the highest magic attack and most potent healing abilities in the game, who is a descendent of one of the lost Ancient Civilizations and is doggedly pursued by [[TheEmpire the Valuan Empire]] (due to the fact that [[spoiler:every member of her race gets their life force from one of the Silver Moon Crystals, and the only other member of the race the BigBad has access to is TheDragon and is therefore not expendable]]) to the point that the game ''begins'' with botching the Valuans' first kidnapping attempt. The game revolves around her, in fact; the part of the game you spend neither helping her on her quest (which, to hammer the trope home, is to [[GottaCatchEmAll collect all]] of the [[MineralMacGuffin Moon Crystals]] to stop the villains from using them to destroy the world) nor trying to save her is about one dungeon long, and it's at the very start of the game between bringing her to your hometown and [[DoomedHometown the Valuans destroying it to get to her]]. Oh, and she's also one of the hero's two LoveInterests alongside the GirlNextDoor.

%%* Nina from ''BreathOfFire: Dragon Quarter''. Her backstory was so creepy that parts of it were [[{{Bowdlerise}} removed from the US version]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' gives us Emeralda, who in addition to being ReallySevenHundredYearsOld is a VoluntaryShapeshifter. She fits this trope so perfectly, it's damn scary.

* Alouette from ''[[LaPucelle La Pucelle Tactics]]'' hits enough of the required traits to fit here. Although not the last of her kind, she is found with amnesia, is mostly good with magic (although, as with all Nippon Ichi games, you can customize her as you like), is self-sacrificing and [[spoiler: is the current Maiden of Light, even if she doesn't know it, which is a powerful position held only by one woman at a time and chosen directly by the Goddess.]]

%%* Possibly Naminé from ''KingdomHearts: ChainOfMemories'' and ''KingdomHearts 2''.
%%** [[KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 Xion]] may also count as an example.

%%* Alicia from ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles'' fits many of the traits from this trope, but it's all evened out by the fact that she's also an incredibly BadAss ActionGirl.

* ''{{Lufia}}'' herself (and her analogues in the other games). She [[spoiler:is kinda out-of-place in human society because she's actually a Sinistral, and the other Sinistrals want her to help them stay alive and do evil things, of course. She is also portrayed as cute, innocent, and a love interest of the hero, and of course, has lesser physical stats but uses magic well.]]

* Julius from ''VideoGame/SwordOfMana'' is a very rare example, seeing as he's male (even if he [[CampGay doesn't always]] [[VillainousCrossdresser act it]]) and an antagonist to boot. He's still the LastOfHisKind, exclusively uses magic, has a MysteriousPast, and is integral to the plot of the villain, who [[spoiler:[[TheVirus out-and-out]] [[HijackedByGanon hijacks his body]]]] eventually. His... uh, ''[[HoYay friend]]'' Dark Lord (the other main antagonist) seems to know exactly who and what he is and is implied to be sheltering him from the prejudice of the world while simultaneously [[MoralityChain keeping him from falling completely to evil]].

* Despite being male, Joshua from ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'' is a good example of this trope. [[spoiler: He randomly makes a pact with Neku, is arguably ReallySevenHundredYearsOld, and in a twist ending turns out to be the BigBad, who does a HeelFaceTurn [[TheUnfought after the final boss.]] ]]
* Sophie in ''VideoGame/TalesOfGraces''. Mysterious, plot-relevant past? Check. NoSocialSkills? Check. Futuristic clothing? Check. Lilac RapunzelHair? Check. She's everything ''but'' [[LightningBruiser physically weak though.]]

* Elizabeth from ''[[Videogame/BioshockInfinite Bioshock Infinite]]'' fits this trop to a T: She had a sheltered upbringing (The only character she had a relationship with prior to the game start was a [[MechanicalMonster giant Bird-Man called Songbird]]); she is naive and tries to help the people of [[FloatingContinent Columbia]]; she has [[DimensionalTraveler mystical powers]]; is of huge interest to the antagonist due to her aforementioned powers (And to the protagonist [[spoiler:due to actually being his daughter]]) and gameplay-wise she fits the support role, giving you medkits, ammo, and salts. [[spoiler:She [[TookALevelInCynic takes a level in cynic]] after she is tortured by Comstock on an alternate timeline.]]
* ''FireEmblemElibe'' has siblings Nils and Ninian in ''Blazing Sword'' and Sophia in ''Sword of Seals''. All three of them are [[spoiler: Really700YearsOld HalfHumanHybrids]], can sense the future and fit quite well story- and personality-wise. Furthermore, Nils and Ninian are strictly support units and are not able to attack or defend themselves (Sophia is a [[BlackMagic Shaman]] instead, but still falls under the SquishyWizard category. She also has a [[HealingHands healing touch]], but in game proper, [[GameplayAndStorySegregation it's only used once and off-screen and promptly forgotten afterwards]]). Also, both Ninian and Sophia are possible LoveInterests for TheHero of their respective game.
* ''VideoGame/ChainsOfSatinav'' has Nuri the fairy. The villain needs her for his evil plan (which involves an artifact that can only be used by a fairy, and she's the only one around), and has been searching for her. [[CallToAdventure The main plot of the game gets into gear]] when the protagonist, Geron, finds himself duty-bound to flee his DoomedHometown with Nuri in order to protect her [[spoiler: even though, as his master explains to him [[MentorOccupationalHazard just before his death]], killing Nuri would stop the villain]]. She becomes Geron's LoveInterest by the end as well. Being a fairy, Nuri has several magical abilities, though most of them cause her physical pain if she uses them. Dressed all in bright orange, and with feathers in her hair, she contrasts visually with most of the other characters in the game (who tend to wear neutral colors).

%%* ''Webcomic/RumorsOfWar'' has Occela, who fits most of the requirements for MysteriousWaif and MysticalWaif. Not sure yet if she's a WaifFu practitioner.

%%* Xelha from ''BatenKaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean''.

* Flute, in the ''{{Elenium}}'' trilogy by David Eddings, is a small girl who is revealed, slowly, to have greater magical powers than anyone else in the party. She can control time and animals, among other things. Eventually [[spoiler:they find out that Flute is actually the goddess Aphrael]], which explains everything.

%%* Cheza from WolfsRain

%%* Nia Teppelin from ''TengenToppaGurrenLagann''.

%%* Kagura Tennozou from SpeedGrapher.