
“ | Dame! Muri! | „ |
~ Phrases Madotsuki says when attempting to do an invalid action such as playing Nasu or trying to save in the diary during a crooked neck event |
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“ | Dame! Muri! | „ |
~ Phrases Madotsuki says when attempting to do an invalid action such as playing Nasu or trying to save in the diary during a crooked neck event |
“ | It's always the same dream. Behind my door, there are twelve other doors. Beyond those... I never crossed any of them. Why? Am I afraid? I guess I'll have to go. If I go, I may find the answer. It's all right. If something happens, I can come back immediately. | „ |
~ Madotsuki going to sleep during the beginning of the manga |
“ | Now that I think about it, there was one in the forest too. Those two towers that connected to another world. This world is the same. Doors that don't look like doors. And there could be many. And if there are effects behind those doors... I have to be sure. But even if I say that... What a depressing world. I want to go back. I want to go back to the door's world. I have to bring back the umbrella too. This shines, and doesn't look normal. So it isn't an effect, right? Then, what is it? An un-doorly door? Someone who lives here? | „ |
~ Madotsuki wondering to herself as she travels Dense Woods B (The Road) |
Madotsuki is the playable protagonist of Yume Nikki. She is one of the few characters in the game with an official name.
Like much of the game, Madotsuki's background and life remain a mystery. The only canonical information comes from what is shown in-game, though her dreams are often ambiguous and unsettling, leading to various interpretations of her character.
Her age is never explicitly stated in any official materials, and different interpretations of her age have been presented in official Kadokawa products.
This dropdown contains Different Interpretations from Official Media. Read at your own risk as you may be spoiled otherwise! |
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The story begins with Madotsuki in her room, reflecting on a recurring dream of a room full of doors beyond her bedroom. She has not ventured far enough to explore what lies beyond. After gathering her courage, Madotsuki decides to return to the Nexus. Upon entering her dream world, she chooses to explore the Number World door, but quickly flees to the peaceful Forest World. As she explores, she encounters a gate that takes her to the Face Carpet Plaza, where a crazed Toriningen chases her. She escapes safely but is shocked when a frog leaps into her mouth, traveling down her throat, causing her to collapse. Upon waking up, she tries to pinch herself to wake up from the dream, but cannot due to the transformation into the Frog effect. Chapter 2: The Forest World Madotsuki continues to wander through Forest World, pinching herself in an attempt to wake up. She stumbles upon several Namekuji that wrap themselves around her body, leaking drool and almost engulfing her. She dives for the exit and returns to the Nexus. Her throat swells as the Frog effect dissolves, leaving behind an egg containing the Forest World frog. Madotsuki wakes up and attempts to write about her experiences in her diary, but instead finds a strange message: "collect the effects." Confused, she tries to leave her room, but the door is locked. She decides to play NASU before eventually going back to sleep. Chapter 3: Effects Madotsuki realizes that she must collect the effects and returns to the Nexus. She realizes that these effects are hidden in ordinary objects within the dream world. She explores Block World, where she finds the Hat & Scarf effect. After collecting it, she continues her journey into Puddle World, where she discovers the Umbrella effect. In the process, she encounters a large hand that pulls her into the Dense Woods, where she is teleported to Shitai-san. Here, she encounters a jellyfish and reaches out to touch it, transforming into the Stoplight effect. As she continues exploring, she begins to question the vastness of the dream world and whether she can truly collect all the effects. Chapter 4: Global Search Madotsuki, now with the Frog effect, continues her journey, eventually finding a disc with an umbrella symbol. Stepping on it, she transforms into the Umbrella effect. She discovers that she can swap effects by stepping on various discs. After learning how to switch effects, Madotsuki returns to normal and decides to visit Snow World, where she equips the Hat & Scarf effect to stay warm. In the snowy world, she encounters a Toriningen and an igloo, before being dragged into the Pink Sea by a large hand. Using the Frog effect, she swims to another island where she finds a balloon that transports her to a larger island. On this island, she meets Poniko. Chapter 5: Anger Madotsuki, initially hoping to befriend Poniko, finds herself horrified when Poniko transforms into Uboa. The peaceful room is suddenly filled with chaos as Uboa attacks Madotsuki, stealing her umbrella and beating her with it. After being knocked down, Madotsuki tries to retrieve her effect discs but is once again attacked by Uboa. In anger, she resolves to kill Uboa. She searches for a weapon in the Nexus, eventually finding the Knife effect. Upon returning to the Nexus, Madotsuki is overwhelmed with confusion as the ink from her pen begins to spill onto the diary, the words "Help me stop her from waking" appearing in the pages. Chapter 6: Confusion The ink from the dream diary continues to bubble and morph into Seccom Masada-sensei, who enters the dream world to find Madotsuki. After traveling through the Nexus, Masada discovers the world in disarray and learns that Madotsuki is responsible for the chaos. He seeks out Madotsuki, hoping to stop her. Eventually, Masada confronts Madotsuki, who is slowly transforming into another Uboa. Realizing that this is likely the result of Poniko, Masada tries to control the situation, but the dream world continues to collapse around them. Chapter 7: Mood Change Mars-san, overseeing the dream world, announces that the system is failing due to the collapse. In the Nexus, Poniko, using the stolen effects, manipulates the environment to her advantage. Meanwhile, Madotsuki continues her violent spree, killing dream world inhabitants like the Nopperabou Witches. Eventually, Masada is confronted by Poniko, who reveals her plan to escape the dream world. As the collapse continues, the dream world’s denizens deem Madotsuki a dream destroyer. Chapter 8: Give and Take In Madotsuki’s Room, Madotsuki reencounters a message in her diary and responds by writing that she prefers to continue cutting. Her response causes a disturbance, with Mars-san questioning her reaction. Madotsuki, unfazed, spins in her chair and writes again in her diary, asking where the exit to her room is. When Mars-san does not reply, she returns to sleep and finds herself in a ruined Nexus, now filled with various dream world entities. Madotsuki, undeterred, begins to stab the Wheelies to satisfy her violent urges. However, she is caught by a Toriningen, which sends her to Hell. She simply wakes up, returns to sleep, and re-enters the Nexus, continuing her killing spree. Despite the chaos surrounding her, Madotsuki remains focused on her actions, navigating the dream world as her violence and desire for destruction continue unabated. Chapter 9: Entertainer As the dream world collapses, Madotsuki remains unaware of the chaos unfolding around her. She is abruptly awakened from her dream to find Masada's head in her room. Startled, she questions the situation, but Masada reassures her that she is still dreaming. He tells her something significant has happened outside. Madotsuki steps outside onto the balcony and finds a set of stairs leading beyond the railing. The stairs, a clear signal of her journey's conclusion, beckon her to step forward. Ready to leave the dream world behind, she ascends the stairs, marking the end of her dream.Madotsuki is one of the protagonists in Yume Nikki: I Am Not in Your Dream, exploring her dream world to escape the monotony of her real life. She follows a similar journey to her game counterpart, collecting various effects along the way. Throughout her adventure, she is unknowingly aided by Poniko, who Madotsuki cannot see. However, it is interpreted later on that Madotsuki may not be the dreamer, but instead she is sharing the dreams with Poniko's own dreams. Specifically, Poniko interprets it as Madotsuki is the representation of her expected child. The true nature of the real world is never seen, but it is implied that Poniko's worry over her child's safety created the dream world she is trapped in. |
Madotsuki's name is found right on the pause screen, making it one of the few official names in Yume Nikki[1]. The name "Madotsuki" translates to "windowed," referring to having a window like one in a house. It is displayed as the protagonist's name in the game menu and is one of the two instances of kanji used in the game. The only other use of kanji is the message that appears when Madotsuki sits in her desk chair within the dream world.
"Madotsuki" is not typically used as a name in Japan and may not represent the character's actual name. Instead, it could serve as a metaphor, symbolizing the character as a "window" through which the player observes the game's dream world. Additionally, it could reflect the game's theme of isolation, emphasizing a lack of personal identity by giving the protagonist a functional rather than personal name.
Interestingly, when the name "Madotsuki" is reversed in Kunrei-shiki romanization as "Madotuki," it spells "Ikutodam." This resembles the Japanese phrase "行くと駄目" or "行くとダメ" (iku to dame), meaning "it is useless to go" or "going is futile." While this may be coincidental, it aligns with Madotsuki's refusal to leave her room in the "real world", representing her preference for the vast and imaginative world of her dreams.
Little is known about Madotsuki, requiring gathering clues throughout the game to get some ideas.
This covers more theorized personality that has proof within the game, but due to the game being in a dream where a lot of repressed emotions can be executed, it is harder to tell if this truly applies fully to them as a person.
Madotsuki keeps her eyes closed at all times, giving her a detached or introspective expression. Due to this we are not fully aware of her eye color, except for when she opens her eyes with the cat effect and they are red. She has red-brown hair styled into twintails, secured with small hair ties. Her facial features are simple yet expressive, with a neutral mouth and a small nose.
She wears a bright red, long-sleeved jacket that contrasts with her darker burgundy skirt. The skirt falls just above her knees, and she is usually depicted wearing red shoes with white socks. Her outfit has a minimalistic yet distinct design, making her recognizable despite the game's simplistic art style.
The most notable feature of her clothing is the design on her shirt, which features a symbol resembling the CJK character 囧. This symbol can mean "window," aligning with the meaning of her name, or "clear," which could hint at her personality or state of mind. It is also widely recognized as an emoticon expressing sadness or shock, which may reflect the surreal and sometimes unsettling nature of her dreams.
Additionally, her shirt design closely resembles the emblem of the Japanese Tsuchiya clan, which could suggest a historical or cultural connection. It also bears similarities to the geometric patterns seen on Incan military tunics, potentially linking her imagery to indigenous or ancient influences. This detail, combined with the strange and symbolic elements present in her dreams, adds to the mysterious nature of her character and the world she explores.
Poniko's relationship with Madotsuki varies greatly on interpretation, in the base game, going off scene alone there is not much to gather from both of their relationship as Poniko just seems to be another NPC. It could be gathered from her annoyed expression that she may not like people entering her room, though she allows Madotsuki to walk around and explore it. Another point is the Uboa event, this could be interpreted as Madotsuki annoying her by repeatedly turning the lights on and off which makes her enter her Uboa state.
Madotsuki initially admires Poniko upon their first encounter, expressing curiosity about whether Poniko will become her friend and complimenting her appearance. This admiration quickly turns to fear and resentment when Poniko transforms into Uboa and relentlessly attacks her. By attacking Madotsuki, stealing her effects, and trapping her in a nightmarish state, Poniko cements herself as a threatening and malicious figure in Madotsuki's mind.
As the story progresses, their relationship becomes even more complex. After using Madotsuki's stolen powers to attack Seccom Masada-sensei, Poniko is tasked with exterminating Madotsuki. However, instead of following through with this violent act, she chooses a different path. By destroying Madotsuki's dream diary, Poniko sacrifices the dream world to free both herself and Madotsuki from their destructive cycle. She notes to do this because she doesn't "want to be leave the dream world as a 'good girl'".
Despite this act, Madotsuki’s lingering hatred manifests in the form of a monstrous figure that ultimately consumes Poniko.
Initially, Poniko serves as the narrator of Madotsuki's journey through the dream world, acting as an observer and guide to her progress. However, once Poniko encounters Madotsuki, the focus shifts from Madotsuki's journey to Poniko's own quest for understanding. Poniko becomes determined to uncover the reason for her presence in Madotsuki's dream and seeks a way to escape. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Madotsuki is not the dreamer but rather another dream character within Poniko’s own subconscious mind. Madotsuki exists as Poniko's shadow, representing the manifestation of Poniko's unborn child, an embodiment of her maternal fears and anxieties. The true nature of the real world is never explicitly shown, but it becomes clear that Poniko's concern for the safety of her child created the dream world as a form of mental escape. This revelation adds depth to their relationship, as it is not just a matter of Poniko trying to help Madotsuki, but rather Poniko trying to overcome her own fears and trauma associated with the unknown future of her child.
Origin: Yume Nikki
First Appearance: Yume Nikki
Company: Kadokawa Game Studio
Creator: Kikiyama
Sexuality: Unknown
Pronouns: She/Her
Age: Unknown, most likely Adolescent to Young Adult (Madotsuki's age is never directly stated or known, though there are some hints across each media that heavily support her being from an Adolescent to Young Adult in age, please read the misconceptions section for more info), potentially not born in the Light Novel Interpretation (The Light Novel takes a different interpretation where Poniko is interprets that she is the dreamer in this take instead of Madotsuki, constantly trying to chase after and talk to Madotsuki[15]. Poniko interprets this as Madotsuki was her child that she had a miscarriage with[16]. At the end of the novel Poniko furthers the assumption that in a way the newborn and her are sharing the same dream somehow and she has been keeping her locked away within this dream and is finally ready to embrace her[17])
Time Period: Unknown, likely early 2000s (As the game was made in 2004, and many locales in the dream world are more modern for the early 2000s)
Timeline: Main Timeline
Homeworld: Earth
Residence: An Apartment in Japan
Story Role: Main Protagonist, The Dreamer
Legacy: Unknown Legacy (Not much is known about Madotsuki's regular life, though it's likely that she is not known as she is a shut-in)
Influence: Unknown Influence
Language: Likely Japanese
Ethnicity: Asian (Seems to be in a region of Japan)
Religion: Unknown
Classification: Dreamer, Hikkikomori (Shut-In)
Species: Human (With different effects, she becomes: Yuki-onna, Cat-Human Hybrid, Frog, Medamaude, Nopperabou, &Demon)
State of Being: Regular in most interpretations, potentially Dream Construct in the light novel interpretation (The Light Novel takes a different interpretation where Poniko is interprets that she is the dreamer in this take instead of Madotsuki, constantly trying to chase after and talk to Madotsuki[18]. Poniko interprets this as Madotsuki was her child that she had a miscarriage with[19]. At the end of the novel Poniko furthers the assumption that in a way the newborn and her are sharing the same dream somehow and she has been keeping her locked away within this dream and is finally ready to embrace her[20])
Physiology: Humanoid Physiology (With different effects, her physiologies change to: Yuki-onna Physiology (With Yuki-onna[21]), Cat-Human Hybrid Physiology (With cat effect[22]), Frog Physiology (With frog effect[23]), Inorganic Physiology (With neon lights effect[24], lamp effect[25], stoplight effect[26]), Medamaude Physiology (With Medamaude Effect[27]), Nopperabou Physiology (With nopperabou effect[28]), Witch Physiology (With witch effect[29]), & Demon Physiology (With Demon Effect[30]))
In-Universe Creator: Unknown
Occupation: None
Affiliations: Poniko (In the light novel interpretation)
Enemies: Poniko (In the manga interpretation)
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Status: Unknown (Though it looks like Madotsuki commits suicide in the ending of the game, there are a lot of cases pointing towards even the "real world" being merely a dream world rather than the actual real world, one of the main things being that in the ending, stairs suddenly appear[31] that were not present in the balcony back at the beginning of the game[32]. In this case, the ending could be taken as an interpretation of Madotsuki trying to truly wake up from her sleep, media such as the manga and -Dream Diary- further supports this with its ending, where Madotsuki wakes in the "real" real world and finally leaves her room[33])
Alignment: True Neutral (Madotsuki has no moral obligations within the dream world, being kind to other NPCs or outright killing them based on the player's input. While her actual alignment is technically not known, her actions within the dream world are likely reflective of Madotsuki as a person. In the manga, the one time she wishes to use the knife is after Uboa attacks her and takes all her effects away from her[34], She also later goes to stab all of the denizens of the dream world to try and escape the dream world[35][36][37][38][39][40]), Chaotic Evil as the Dream Destroyer (Within Madotsuki is all of the inner evil within her, being just pure evil, being described as "evil beyond any reasoning"[41])
Threat Level: Mental Threat in the Manga Interpretation (In the manga, Madotsuki greatly shifted and destroyed the entire dream world[42][43]. Within Madotsuki is all of the inner evil within her, being just pure evil, being described as "evil beyond any reasoning"[44], where it was noted that it would consume everything in the dream world[45][46], this included the other dreamers[47])
Tabber Information
Tier: 10-B
Cardinality: Finite
Dimensionality: 3-D
Power Source: None
Attack Potency: Average Human level (Physically a young woman that potentially rarely leaves her room)
Durability: Average Human level. Her Immortality makes her very difficult to kill (As even the "Real World" may be a dream the same instance applies in the novel Yume Nikki: I Am Not in Your Dream, where it is noted that things that normally would have killed her does nothing to her in the dream world as it is merely a dream[48])
Striking Strength: Average Human Class
Lifting Strength: Average Human Class
Travel Speed: Regular Human Speed
Attack Speed: Regular Human Speed
Reaction Speed: Regular Human Reactions
Stamina: Average
Range: Standard Melee
Intelligence: Unknown Intelligence (Madotsuki seems to have a great array of imagination within her dream world, though her overall knowledge and intelligence are never explicitly known)
Knowledge: Unknown level
Key Information
Grade: A | S
Pseudo-Tier: 10-B, 9-C with Knife | At least 8-C
Cardinality: Finite
Dimensionality: 3-D
Power Source: Different Effects (Can transform herself into different objects by using effects along with gaining different abilities with some effects[50])
Attack Potency: Average Human level (Physically a young woman), Bone level with Knife (Can kill NPCs with a single stab[51]) | At least Building level (Size) (Her size naturally reaches this large[52][53]). Can ignore conventional durability with Consumption (Noted that it would consume everything in the dream world[54][55], this included the other dreamers[56])
Durability: Average Human level, likely Higher (Madotsuki is able to upgrade her health by buying drinks from vending machines, though the boost itself is not quantifiable as she does not fight). Her Immortality makes her very difficult to kill (In the novel Yume Nikki: I Am Not in Your Dream, it is noted that things that normally would have killed her does nothing to her in the dream world as it is merely a dream[57]) | At least Building level. Her Immortality makes her very difficult to kill
Striking Strength: Average Human Class | At least Building Class (Size)
Lifting Strength: Average Human Class, likely Higher (In YUMENIKKI -DREAM DIARY-, she can rip wooden planks off[58]) | Unknown: Powerful Class
Travel Speed: Regular Human Speed, Higher with the Bicycle (Can travel around faster with it[59]) | Unknown: True level
Attack Speed: Regular Human Speed | Unknown: True level
Reaction Speed: Regular Human Reactions | Unknown: True level
Stamina: Unknown
Range: Standard Melee, Extended Melee with Knife. At least Kilomters with Weather Manipulation (With the Umbrella, summons an entire rainstorm no matter where she is[60], this can also be used to take out massive fires[61]. With Yuki-onna, creates a natural snowstorm whenever she enters this form[62])
Intelligence: Unknown Intelligence (Madotsuki seems to have a great array of imagination within her dream world, though her overall knowledge and intelligence are never explicitly known)
Knowledge: Unknown level
Effects are the main source of items in Yume Nikki, in the novel, Poniko names them these as they are items in the dreams that leave an impression on the dreamer, dripping with significance and essentially leaving an "Effect" on them[154], effects naturally reverse causality and circumvent logic as well[155][156].
Transform into a frog.
Appearance: Madotsuki morphs into a humanoid frog, taking on a hunched posture, moving in a distinct, amphibious manner.
Passive Effect: Madotsuki walks at a normal pace through water, making aquatic areas easier to navigate.
Action: (1) Madotsuki hops in place like a frog, giving a lively and playful vibe to her movements.
Location: Found in Forest World or Dense Woods B (Frog Path) by interacting with the Frog.
Practical Uses: - Speed up travel across the Pink Sea and Uboa's Trap. - Can also be replaced by the Bicycle, though the frog form gives a more natural feel when moving through water.
Use an umbrella.
Appearance: Madotsuki holds a vibrant red umbrella, adding a splash of color to her otherwise muted world.
Passive Effect: The umbrella creates a constant rainstorm until unequipped, accompanied by thunder and lightning when the Demon effect is activated.
Action: (1) Madotsuki spins the umbrella gracefully, a fun and soothing action that matches the calming sound of rain.
Location: Pick it up from the ground in Puddle World.
Practical Uses: - Can be used to douse the flames in the Blazing Corridor, similar to the Yuki-onna effect. - Stop the rain in Dense Woods A by equipping and unequipping.
Wear a hat and scarf.
Appearance: Madotsuki dons a cozy hat and scarf, giving her an adorable snowman-like look when transformed.
Passive Effect: In snowman form, Madotsuki cannot pinch herself awake due to a lack of arms, and her movement is halved.
Action: (1) Transforms into a snowman when the weather turns snowy, adding a fun and thematic element to the environment.
Location: Find it in Block World - Pick it up from the ground.
Practical Uses: - While in snowman form, interacting with Mafurako ensures a quick teleport back to her side, saving time on exploration. - In the Blazing Corridor, standing too close to fire will melt Madotsuki, immobilizing her and creating an interesting dynamic.
Become a Snow Woman.
Appearance: Madotsuki transforms into a mystical Yuki-onna, embodying the spirit of snow and cold.
Passive Effect: Snow falls continuously while this effect is active, which also turns the Hat & Scarf effect into the snowman form.
Action: None.
Location: Find it in Snow World by interacting with the Yuki-onna.
Practical Uses: - Use it to extinguish the fire in the Blazing Corridor, similar to the Umbrella. - Can stop the snow in Snow World when the effect is equipped and unequipped.
Equip a kitchen knife.
Appearance: Madotsuki wields a sharp kitchen knife, creating a sense of danger and intrigue.
Passive Effect: Mobile NPCs flee in terror, while stationary characters exhibit rapid movements, as if in panic.
Action:
Location: Found in Dark World - Pick it up from the ground.
Practical Uses: - Use it for killing or wounding NPCs. - Scare NPCs to clear the way. - Interact with environmental objects. - Collect money by eliminating NPCs. - Unlock new areas or access hidden paths. - Useful for clearing out the Stabbing Room.
Become Medamaude / Warp into an Eye Palm.
Appearance: Madotsuki's head becomes a giant hand with an eye in its palm.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: (1) Madotsuki closes her palm and teleports to the center of the Nexus.
Location: Eyeball World - Interact with Medamaude.
Practical Uses: Can be used to teleport back to the Nexus quickly and escape from traps (such as being caught by a Toriningen or Uboa) without having to pinch yourself awake.
Notes: When Madotsuki pinches herself, you can notice a little teardrop.
Get fat / Balloon in size.
Appearance: Madotsuki becomes fatter.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: (1) Madotsuki's belly rumbles and an emote appears.
Location: The Docks B - Interact with Strober.
Practical Uses: None.
Become small / Shrink in size.
Appearance: Madotsuki becomes very small.
Passive Effect: Madotsuki can fit through certain small entrances.
Action:
Location: Candle World - Catch and interact with the Dwarf.
Practical Uses:
Play a flute / Brandish a flute.
Appearance: Madotsuki holds a flute to her lips.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: (1) Madotsuki plays a short tune. There are a few different tunes that Madotsuki randomly plays.
Location: The Music Room in the Mall - Pick it up off the floor.
Practical Uses: None.
Become a neon light / Glow like a neon sign.
Appearance: Madotsuki glows like a neon sign.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: (1) Causes the screen to change color as if bathed in a neon light. The effect wears off when the effect is unequipped. Pressing the 1 button again causes the screen to cycle randomly between shades of red, blue, yellow, and violet.
Location: Neon World - Interact with the Neon Parrot.
Practical Uses: None.
Become the faceless ghost / Materialize as a faceless ghost.
Appearance: Madotsuki becomes a Noppera-bō.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: (1) Madotsuki's head jumps off her shoulders and spins around.
Location: Sewage Processing Plant B in The Sewers - Interact with the Nopperabou Ghost.
Practical Uses: None.
Become a severed head / Be reduced to a severed head.
Appearance: Madotsuki becomes a severed head.
Passive Effect: Madotsuki's height and speed decrease. She also cannot pinch herself awake due to her lack of arms.
Action: None.
Location: Guillotine World - Interact with the Guillotine.
Practical Uses: Allows Madotsuki to see Closet Madotsuki, as her normal height blocks the view.
Wrap up in a towel / Wrap yourself in a towel.
Appearance: Madotsuki has a towel wrapped around her.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: (1) Madotsuki sneezes.
Location: The Infinite Wilderness - Interact with Ittan-momen.
Practical Uses: None.
Grow ears and a tail / Sprout cat-ears and a tail.
Appearance: Madotsuki grows cat ears and a tail.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: (1) Madotsuki faces the camera and meows like a cat, with large red eyes. She paws the air with her right hand and holds a koban coin in her left, resembling a Maneki-neko.
Location: Shield-Folk World - Interact with Nekoin.
Practical Uses:
Notes: In most cases, this allows you to move characters out of your way without using the Knife Effect to kill them. This may be in tune with the Maneki-neko being loosely associated with Guanyin, who is revered in Japan as Kannon (観音), the goddess of mercy and compassion. Maneki-neko with their left paw raised are also said to bring in people or customers, thus why it attracts certain NPCs.
Become a lamp / Change into a lamp.
Appearance: Madotsuki's head transforms into a lamp.
Passive Effect: When the light is on, dark areas light up, improving visibility.
Action: (1) Switches the light on and off.
Location: Lamp World - Interact with the Walking Lamp.
Practical Uses:
Ride a bicycle / Mount a bicycle.
Appearance: Madotsuki rides a bicycle.
Passive Effect: Madotsuki's speed is doubled.
Action: (1) Madotsuki rings the bicycle's bell.
Location: Graffiti World - Pick it up off the floor.
Practical Uses: Can be used to travel through the dream world much faster than by walking, catch fast-moving characters, and escape from lunatic Toriningen.
Grow long hair / Grow long hair.
Appearance: Madotsuki's hair becomes longer.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: (1) Madotsuki sits down (same as default).
Location: Mural World - Interact with the long-haired Mouth Monster.
Practical Uses: None.
Grow a poo-shaped hairdo.
Appearance: Madotsuki's head gets a big poop on it.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: (1) Madotsuki grows a turd on her head.
Location: Egg World - Interact with Poo_Party.
Practical Uses: None.
Grow long, golden hair / Glow long blonde hair.
Appearance: Madotsuki's hair becomes long and blonde.
Passive Effect: None.
Action:
Location:
Practical Uses: None.
Wear triangle kerchief / Put on a Spirit Headband.
Appearance: Madotsuki wears a triangle kerchief as a tiara, symbolizing death in Japanese culture.
Passive Effect:
Action:
(Older versions: The 1 key gradually decreased visibility, while the 3 key increased it.)
Location:
Practical Uses:
Become a witch / Become a witch incarnate.
Appearance: Madotsuki dons a witch outfit, including a pointed hat and robe.
Passive Effect:
Action:
Location:
Practical Uses:
Become a demon / Reconstitute as an oni.
Appearance: Madotsuki’s skin turns red, she gains horns, and wears animal skin.
Passive Effect: None.
Action:
Location:
Practical Uses:
Body becomes soft and squishy / Change into a squishy blob.
Appearance: Madotsuki wobbles like jelly while walking.
Passive Effect: None.
Action:
Location:
Practical Uses: None.
Become a stoplight / Change into a traffic light.
Appearance: Madotsuki transforms into a stoplight.
Passive Effect:
Action:
Location:
Practical Uses: When the light is red:
See the instructions again / Review the game's tutorial.
Appearance: None.
Passive Effect: None.
Action:
Location:
Practical Uses:
Practical Uses: Learning how the game works
Press RS to reveal hidden paths and items.
Appearance: None.
Passive Effect: None.
Action:
Location: The Docks. Upon arriving at the train with the thin creature, there is a sign on the left side by the ledge Madotsuki dropped off from. Madotsuki can interact with the wall there which in turn also gives her a wooden plank that she will need for later.
Practical Uses: The Hasma can be used to find secrets around areas by putting a special light over the secret item.
Press X Y A B while holding LB to play.
Appearance: None.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: Plays musical notes with the flute. Some NPCs react.
Location: Mall. In a clinic-like area around the right side of the second floor. Talk to the humanoid with the O-shaped head at the clinic.
Practical Uses: The flute can be used to play tunes with the humanoid at the clinic and to play tunes wherever.
Press X to attack.
Appearance: None.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: Stabs in the general direction in front of Madotsuki.
Location: Dark Alleyways/Market District. In a messy room, just progress through the area. Located in the room after the street chase. Inside a processing area, stuck on hanged meat.
Practical Uses: Useful for attacking random enemies or NPCs.
Hold LT to make it rain. Press A while in the air to double jump.
Appearance: None.
Passive Effect: None.
Action:
Location: White Desert/Sky Garden. Under a bench in the area that opens right after the Glyph puzzle. The puzzle is as follows:
The three runes can be obtained after trapping the hair eater entity, which causes the villagers to come out.
Practical Uses: The Umbrella main use comes in its upgrade to Madotsuki's manuverability, allowing her to jump and glide around areas.
Hold RT to light up dark areas.
Appearance: None.
Passive Effect: None.
Action:
Location: School (Dream within a dream). Second floor of the school, upon entering the leftmost door on a floating platform. Progressing to the right side of this room will have Madotsuki jump on floating platforms, the second floating platform will have a street lamp and a regular looking lamp on the right of it which is the effect itself. 2nd floor of the red school. This door is locked on the normal version, and has a broom in front of it. Large platform with the street lamp.
Required Effect: Umbrella
Practical Uses: Useful for dark rooms and to get the Mask of Fear item from Uboa.
Press LS to put them on.
Appearance: Madotsuki wears a hat and scarf.
Passive Effect: Changes the effect of the Umbrella effect.
Action:
Location: Snow World. Mafurako's game needs to be beaten first in the Block World. To enter Block World, go to sleep and enter the Sewers door, go right, down and down to the right down corner of the Sewers map and use the stairs to enter the Block World. Once there talk to the shy Mafurako girl sitting on a block, this will show an animation of how one of the door's puzzles is activated, requiring Madotsuki to complete the rest of the puzzle. Once the puzzle is completed, the door will open and teleport Madotsuki to snow world. Meet the Yukionna to talk to her and get the Hat and Scarf Effect.
Required Effect: Umbrella
Given by: Mafurako
Practical Uses: Mainly for freezing rivers to get items.
Hold RB to wear it.
Appearance: Madotsuki wears Poniko's Uboa mask.
Passive Effect: None.
Action: Distorts the screen and makes enemies afraid of Madotsuki as she walks by them. Kills anyone that attacks Madotsuki.
Location: Poniko's Room. The item is given to by Uboa, though first Madotsuki must go through a couple of dream worlds to get there. First she must enter into Docks and reach the train area. Once there, go right and pass the Lighthouse level, afterwards Madotsuki will enter the dark forest. Once passing the sentient tree, Madotsuki will enter a snowy area, continue until she reaches the igloo. Enter it and touch the pink puddle. Once in the Pink world, go to the right and find a balloon to fly (make sure to not press any buttons during the flying sequence). Once Madotsuki lands, go further and find another balloon and repeat this process until she arrives at colorful pyramids and enter inside. This will take her to Poniko's room where she must switch the off the lights repeatedly until the room becomes completely dark. Once completely dark, use the lantern effect to reach Poniko's desk and interact with it to enter Uboa's world, and approach Uboa. Once Madotsuki interacts with Uboa they will give her the Mask of Fear.
Required Effect: Lantern
Practical Uses: Useful for getting past Monoko during her chase segment. Kills red eyed youkais that attempt to kill Madotsuki with red beams.
Madotsuki pinches her cheek, causing her to wake up and exit the dream world. This allows her to get out of situations where she's trapped or leave an area faster.
Madotsuki stabs the target with her knife, causing them to fade from existence.
Standard Tactics
Weaknesses
Madotsuki's standard walking animation.
Madotsuki pinching her cheek in order to wake up.
Madostuki moving around on her chair.
Madotsuki spinning around in her chair.
Madotsuki using the Eye Palm effect.
Madotsuki's stomach growling after becoming fat.
Madotsuki hopping up and down as a frog.
Madostuki wearing a hat and scarf.
Madotsuki as a snowman.
Madotsuki wielding a knife.
Madotsuki switching her knife between hands.
Madotsuki as a midget.
Madotsuki duplicating herself as a midget.
Madotsuki as a Yuki-onna.
Madotsuki pause icon with crooked neck
Madotsuki.
Madotsuki beside Shitai-san.
The rampaging dream creature regains Madotsuki's memories.
Madotsuki's Room.
Uboa attacking Madotsuki.
The Ending.
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Concept Madotsuki
Promo
Larger, grainy Promo
Alley
Street
City
Railing
Steam card
This segment gathers the various themes represented in Madotsuki's mind through the different dream worlds, many of these are "canon" as they are gathering segments from the games world, thus they are a theme of Yume Nikki.
Madotsuki's isolation is a central theme throughout the game, starting with her confinement to her apartment. Throughout the course of the game, Madotsuki is never shown leaving the safety of her apartment, providing a sense of confinement. There are subtle markers in the game that indicate the passage of time, such as her visits to the balcony, where the changing sky reveals that night has passed and day has arrived. This signifies the slow passage of time, but also her inability to engage with it. When interacting with the door in the real world, Madotsuki shakes her head in refusal, reinforcing the idea that leaving the room is not an option.
In contrast, within her dream world, the door in the real world transforms into an opportunity for escape. The dream realm allows Madotsuki to venture beyond the confines of her apartment, through doors that resemble the one in her apartment, opening up new areas of exploration. Through these portals in the Nexus, Madotsuki can access various dream locations, further emphasizing the escape from isolation, but only within the confines of her dreams.
The feeling of isolation and loneliness persists throughout the dream world. The world is eerily quiet, with no dialogue or significant interaction with NPCs. Most NPCs ignore Madotsuki completely, creating a sense of emptiness. There are, however, a few exceptions: certain NPCs will acknowledge her presence, but they seem distant or disinterested, further emphasizing the solitary nature of her existence. For instance, the shoppers in the Mall, when approached, will flee from Madotsuki and become deformed, making a strange, unsettling noise as they disappear. This interaction further solidifies the sense of isolation, as even the few interactions that occur are abnormal and unfriendly.
The locations themselves often feel vast, empty, and unwelcoming. These locations are not only large but also repetitive, looping back on themselves in a way that fosters a sense of disorientation and solitude. Particularly near The Nexus, these locations often lack distinctive features, adding to their sense of abandonment and emptiness. The soundtrack further contributes to the isolation, as it consists of shorter, repetitive tracks that add to the feeling of time slipping away. Unlike longer compositions in other games that mark the passage of time, the shorter pieces in Madotsuki's dream world create a sense of timelessness, as if time is irrelevant or lost altogether.
Toriningenparty
Throughout her journey, Madotsuki encounters mysterious and towering creatures referred to as Toriningen by fans. These creatures are generally considered to be enemies due to their hostile behavior when in a "lunatic" state. When Madotsuki encounters these creatures in this state, they trap her in areas from which escape is impossible, further emphasizing her sense of powerlessness. Unlike other NPCs that appear in isolation or in smaller groups, the Toriningen have a distinct group dynamic that sets them apart. This dynamic is different from other NPC groups, such as the Wheelies, who appear individually rather than as a cohesive unit.
The most notable instance of this group dynamic is the Toriningen Party:
This encounter highlights a stark contrast: the Toriningen, often seen as enemies, are portrayed as a community, while Madotsuki exists as an isolated individual. This division between the enemies’ group dynamic and Madotsuki's solitude further reinforces the theme of isolation.
Other Isolated Characters
Aside from Madotsuki herself, there are several other characters in the game who seem to be isolated in their own unique ways. These characters reflect different aspects of loneliness and confinement, whether physically or emotionally.
Poniko is the only character found in the Pink Sea. She, like Madotsuki, is confined to her room and appears to be the sole inhabitant of this isolated space. Poniko's isolation mirrors Madotsuki's own, providing another layer to the game's overall theme of withdrawal from the world.
Mafurako roams the expansive Block World, but much like Poniko, Mafurako is alone. When teleporting, Mafurako typically moves to a distant spot, far from Madotsuki. However, if Madotsuki is in her snowman form, Mafurako always teleports next to her. Mafurako remains mostly invisible, save for a hat and scarf, which could symbolize a desire to remain unseen, either out of shame or a wish to avoid connection with others.
Mars-san, found in the underground area of Mars, provides yet another example of isolation. Mars-san is only accessible by crashing a spaceship into Mars and using an effect to reach a tiny underground entrance. The disparity between Mars-san's small size and the tiny exit adds to the feeling of being trapped. Mars-san, unable to leave or explore, mirrors Madotsuki’s own feelings of confinement, making this encounter another representation of the game’s themes of isolation and entrapment.
Symbolism and Connection to Reality
The many doors in the Nexus could be symbolic of Madotsuki’s desire to explore the world, something she is unable to do in reality. In her dream world, these doors offer a chance to step beyond the confines of her apartment and experience new places and adventures. However, the reality of her life is one of stifling isolation, which makes the dreams feel like an escape, rather than a simple adventure. The Toriningen, with their height, stylish clothing, and unique dynamic, may represent figures in the real world that Madotsuki perceives as being out of her reach, such as a "popular girl." Their hostile, "lunatic" form could symbolize her experiences with bullying, which may have driven her to isolate herself from others.
Mars-san could symbolize Madotsuki’s own feelings of being trapped inside her apartment, unable to break free and experience the world outside. The encounter with Closet Madotsuki, a sleeping version of herself hidden in a closet in the Checkered Tile Path, further reflects her desire to retreat from the world and hide away from others, reinforcing the game's themes of isolation and self-imposed confinement.
The game's portrayal of isolation may also reflect real-world phenomena, such as the Hikikomori culture, where individuals withdraw from society entirely, choosing to remain indoors rather than engage with the outside world. This phenomenon, which affects many teens and young adults, shares a thematic parallel with Madotsuki’s withdrawal into her dreams and isolation from the real world.
The theme of anxiety (and the fear of being watched) is deeply embedded in Yume Nikki, where Madotsuki is constantly confronted by unsettling and bizarre imagery throughout the dream world. One of the most significant sources of this anxiety is the recurring presence of eyes, which seem to follow and watch Madotsuki wherever she goes. These eyes invoke a feeling of being observed, creating a sense of unease and vulnerability. In addition to eyes, hands also appear frequently, further amplifying the sensation of being trapped or overwhelmed.
One of the clearest representations of anxiety in the game is found in the Eyeball World. This area is filled with giant eyes that stare directly at Madotsuki, following her every movement. The presence of these eyes creates a palpable tension, as though Madotsuki is being scrutinized and judged by an unseen force. The overwhelming number of eyes is not just disturbing visually but also emotionally, as it makes Madotsuki feel as though she cannot escape the gaze of others. This sensation is heightened by the dreamlike atmosphere of the world, where normal rules no longer apply and Madotsuki can never truly be sure if what she is seeing is real.
In the Dense Woods and Barracks Settlement, Madotsuki encounters Isee, tall creatures with large eyes that seem to watch her from a distance. These figures contribute to the game's underlying anxiety, as they represent an omnipresent observation that leaves Madotsuki feeling exposed. The Eye People found in the White Desert further intensify this sensation, with their eyes looking down upon Madotsuki, emphasizing her isolation. The giant eyes of these creatures become symbols of constant surveillance, and the fear of being judged or even harmed is palpable as she tries to navigate these worlds.
The motif of eyes is not limited to the Eyeball World or the Dense Woods. In fact, eyes appear throughout the game in various locations, adding to the pervasive sense of anxiety. These eyes serve as a visual representation of Madotsuki’s fear of being observed. Whether they are part of an event or scattered around different dream locations, they remind Madotsuki of the discomfort she feels, as if she is never truly alone. The recurring nature of these eyes heightens the emotional tension, keeping Madotsuki on edge and contributing to the overall feeling of unease.
In addition to eyes, hands are another significant motif that symbolizes Madotsuki's anxiety. The Eyeball World is filled with disembodied hands that reach up from the ground, further adding to the tension in this already unsettling environment. These hands seem to move with purpose, as though trying to grab or touch Madotsuki, intensifying her feelings of being overwhelmed.
In other locations, such as the Staircase of Hands and MonoAnew, the imagery of hands reaching up from below or being part of the landscape suggests a feeling of being trapped or out of control. The hands in these areas seem to symbolize a loss of agency, where Madotsuki is unable to escape from the grasp of whatever force controls the dream world. In the Dark World, a pair of symbols that resemble two hands add to the already ominous atmosphere, while in Graffiti World, a large design of a monkey-like creature that prominently displays its hands emphasizes the theme of touch and proximity.
Another location where the theme of anxiety is evident is in the Uboa's Trap event, which takes place in the White Desert. When Madotsuki is teleported here, she finds herself in a nightmarish landscape where a monstrous creature with multiple hands is seen grasping at the hills in the background. The presence of this monster, combined with the disorienting environment, reinforces the feelings of being trapped and overwhelmed. The hands, in this case, seem to represent a force beyond Madotsuki’s control, one that is constantly reaching for her, further intensifying the anxiety already present in the dream world.
An NPC that may tie into this theme is Organoid, the only character that quickly teleports away when approached by Madotsuki. This reaction adds to the overall sense of alienation and anxiety, as it suggests that even the inhabitants of the dream world are unwilling to interact with Madotsuki. Similarly, the Mall Shoppers react by running away from Madotsuki when she approaches them, emphasizing the theme of avoidance and rejection. Other NPCs, such as the Neon Parrot and Walking Lamp, also flee when Madotsuki interacts with them, especially if she has the Knife effect equipped, suggesting that her presence is seen as threatening or uncomfortable. These NPCs’ responses, whether through flight or avoidance, mirror Madotsuki's own anxiety about social interactions and the fear of being unwanted or misunderstood.
These recurring themes of eyes, hands, and avoidance throughout Yume Nikki collectively build an atmosphere of anxiety, reinforcing Madotsuki’s sense of isolation and discomfort within the dream world. The constant reminders of being watched, the looming presence of hands trying to grab or control, and the fearful reactions of the NPCs all contribute to the feeling that Madotsuki is trapped in a world she cannot escape, both physically and emotionally.
In Yume Nikki, it is common for NPCs or backgrounds to resemble body parts or inner organs. These motifs are particularly prevalent in the themes of anxiety, as detailed earlier, with eyes and hands appearing throughout the game. The use of body part imagery adds to the unsettling atmosphere of Madotsuki's dream world, suggesting a deeper exploration of her subconscious fears and discomfort.
One of the most striking locations in the game is the Eyeball World, which is filled with various NPCs that resemble parts of the human body. These include legs, lips, and other body parts. The Mouth Monsters, which feature large mouths, are a notable example. These creatures provide hair-related effects, tying into the theme of body parts being central to the game's overall tone. Additionally, uteri-shaped creatures can be found on the Infinite Road.
One fan theory suggests that KyuuKyuu-kun, a large, colorful, worm-like creature seen rubbing the handrail of a stairway, could represent phallic imagery. This is based on the character’s hidden entrance through a Zippertile on the wall, which resembles a pants fly.
Another prominent body-related theme found in the game is the presence of strabismic NPCs (strabismus being a condition where a person cannot fixate both eyes on one point at the same time, causing misalignment). One of the most well-known strabismic characters in Yume Nikki is Seccom Masada-sensei. There are two potential explanations for the appearance of strabismic characters:
A recurring theme relating to the body that appears throughout Madotsuki’s dreams is the concept of pregnancy or childbirth. Takofuusen is an easily identifiable example, resembling a fetus with a "TRAP sequence" birth defect. Other characters, such as Onsen-san and Roary Straw, feature chord-like appendages that resemble umbilical cords. Additionally, characters like the Henkei Shita have large stomachs with a thin mouth resembling a surgical cut, a trait shared by some of the Mall Shoppers, most notably Obasan, when they distort.
The theme of pregnancy could also explain the instances of characters or structures resembling reproductive organs. These interpretations have been widely debated by fans, and their meaning, if any, remains uncertain.
The reoccurring theme of body parts throughout Madotsuki’s dreams could lead to many interpretations. One possibility is that Madotsuki is afraid of body parts or losing them, as they often appear in gruesome contexts, particularly in the Eyeball World and Mural World with the Mouth Monsters. Some fans speculate that the appearance of characters or structures resembling reproductive organs may relate to a traumatic event or could be connected to themes of gender identity, as explored in the Themes of Identity section.
Additionally, the prevalence of strabismic characters could be tied to Madotsuki herself possibly being strabismic, though this is never explicitly shown in the game, as her eyes are always closed. This revision maintains the length of your original text while aligning it with the requested structure and formatting. Let me know if you'd like further adjustments!
In Yume Nikki, Madotsuki's actions can sometimes involve violence, particularly with the use of the Knife effect. She is capable of using the Knife on nearly all NPCs, which leads to varying results, depending on the character.
Despite its prominence in the game, the Knife is not essential for collecting effects or reaching the ending, and in most cases, it can be replaced by the Cat effect for exploration purposes. However, using the Knife often results in disturbing and alarming events, such as the Severed Heads in the Sky and FACE events.
While wielding the Knife, Madotsuki can be seen as one of the most dangerous figures in the dream world. Even other potentially hostile characters, like the Toriningen or Uboa, tend to isolate Madotsuki without causing direct harm—unlike the Knife, which is a tool of violence. The game's inclusion of a health bar seems to be a remnant of the RPG Maker engine, as it’s rarely relevant to the gameplay outside of these violent encounters.
The Knife is often viewed by fans as a significant object in the game, leading to various interpretations about Madotsuki's potential inclination towards violence. Some fans speculate that Madotsuki may have had a violent past, which could explain why the Knife effect is found in the difficult-to-navigate Dark World—perhaps as a repressed memory. This theory also ties into Madotsuki's isolation in her room, potentially driven by guilt from an act of violence in her past.
In Yume Nikki, various areas and interactions hint at Madotsuki's obsession with traffic accidents or vehicle-related incidents. A prominent example is Shitai-san, a dead individual found in the Dense Woods, surrounded by traffic cones. The Stoplight effect can be obtained here, possibly linking the scene to themes of traffic accidents.
Further instances of vehicle-related events occur in the dream world. Seccom Masada-sensei is depicted as troubled by his spaceship crashing on Mars, while Mars-san can be found crying near a crashed locomotive. Nearby, a train track is located, with a Traincar found elsewhere in the Dense Woods, reinforcing the theme of crashes and transportation-related incidents.
The Stoplight effect also triggers unusual and sometimes disturbing reactions from certain characters when used near them. For instance, the faces of the Wheelies change drastically, and Buyo Buyo freezes while losing its pupil. One of the most striking reactions occurs with Monoko, a girl found in one of the tunnels of the White Desert. When the Stoplight is used near her, she undergoes a grotesque transformation: five arms emerge (one from her head), a wound appears on her stomach, her eyes become strabismic, and one eye spurts liquid, while her mouth opens, seemingly drooling. Using the Stoplight again restores her original appearance, which could be interpreted as a less grotesque representation of an event Madotsuki might have witnessed—potentially a vehicle-related accident.
These recurring themes have led to theories suggesting that Madotsuki could have had personal experiences with a traffic accident in the real world, possibly involving family or friends. This theory could explain her isolation in her apartment—perhaps those involved in the accident died or sustained fatal injuries, leaving Madotsuki alone and trapped in her own memories.
Madotsuki is seemingly confined to her room, though it's unclear whether this is a voluntary isolation or something beyond her control. With little to occupy her time other than playing NASU, writing in her diary, or sleeping, some fans speculate that Madotsuki retreats into her dream world as a means of escaping the monotony or harshness of her reality.
What lies behind the door is something too overwhelming for her to face.
In the dream world, Madotsuki can soar through city skies, immerse herself in video games, interact with various characters, and travel across vast, surreal landscapes. However, despite the freedom her dreams offer, Madotsuki always returns to reality. This return is demonstrated through various dream events:
These events, while seemingly pleasant or adventurous, ultimately tether Madotsuki to the waking world, suggesting that even within her dreams, she is unable to completely escape reality. This reinforces the theory that Madotsuki uses her dreams as a way to escape from the troubles or emptiness of her real life.
Yume Nikki incorporates a number of elements that can be interpreted as reflecting themes of personal identity, including gender, body image, and self-perception. Several effects, such as the Hair effects, might symbolize struggles with body or appearance dysphoria, suggesting a deeper exploration of Madotsuki’s inner conflict with her own identity.
Creatures and entities throughout the dream world also seem to reflect themes of identity. For example, the uterus-like Floyag and the phallic KyuuKyuu-kun could be symbolic of feelings of alienation or discomfort with one’s body. The FACE event, which presents a distorted and grotesque face, may represent Madotsuki’s possible dissatisfaction with her own self-image. Similarly, the Henkei Shita creatures, which resemble figures with large stomachs, potentially allude to feelings of gender or body-related insecurities.
Distorted entities like those found in the White Desert and Sewer Drawings have abnormal limbs, evoking a sense of something struggling to escape, which could metaphorically represent the desire to "come out" or embrace one’s true identity. Additionally, the presence of male and female restrooms throughout the dream world may represent a binary societal framework that Madotsuki navigates in her search for identity.
In the game's ending, Madotsuki's apparent death could be interpreted as a form of "reawakening," symbolizing a personal transformation or the moment of coming to terms with one's identity, such as through self-acceptance or public revelation.
Throughout the gameplay of Yume Nikki, the dream world and the real world are portrayed as separate realms, with no dream elements bleeding into Madotsuki’s waking life. For example, during the Witch's Flight event, Madotsuki falls out of her bed, indicating that she is physically moving in the real world while having a powerful dream.
However, the game's ending raises questions about the boundary between reality and dreams. Two Jellyfish appear during the ending sequence, which takes place in the real world, leading some fans to question whether this moment is truly part of reality or just another dream. Some theories suggest that the entire game could be a dream, pointing to Madotsuki's constantly closed eyes, the continued accumulation of yen after being pinched awake, and the surreal nature of her living situation (such as the lack of food or a bathroom) as evidence for this.
Additionally, the blood splatter that appears in the ending is a recurring element in the dream world, which might be seen as either foreshadowing or the reuse of assets. However, some fans interpret this as symbolic of the idea that Madotsuki is unable to escape her nightmares, even in death, hinting at the possibility that she may be trapped in an endless cycle of dreams, unable to awaken fully.
Though other pieces of Yume Nikki media also support the idea of the "Real" World merely being another dream layer with Yume Nikki itself showcasing that Madotsuki can go to sleep inside of the dream world to go into deeper layers of dreams.
The core issue brought up with this belief is why Madotsuki cannot use any of her effects within the "real world" if it's a dream, which could potentially be answered by either the effects only being useful in those lower layers or Madotsuki herself is unaware she's in a dream in the "Real" World and realizes the truth at the end of the game. The Yume Nikki manga somewhat follows this interpretation too.
In the novel, Dream vs. Reality is brought up a couple of times, during the beginning of Chapter 2 when Madotsuki first goes to sleep and enters the dream world, she feels more clam and at peace there, as if she has "finally begun to live" and all her previous worries are gone, witht he lines between dreams and reality has become blurred[166].
As Yume Nikki is an exploration game with largely no story, the game is left up to interpretation, though there are official Yume Nikki creations that have their own interpretations that can be dervied from.
This misconception comes from the idea that since Kikiyama described the game has having no story or purpose, then her ethnicity is up to interpretaiton and thus she is likely of indingenous descent. While that could be true, there really lacks any concrete reason for Madotsuki to be anything other then Asian descent (most likely Japanese).
The reasons for her being considered of indingenous is due to the Aztec (or possible Paracas, Nazca, Rapa Nui or African) imagery in her dreams, having Aztec Rave Monkey, appearing in the background, Madotsuki's poncho looking similar to poncho's worn by figures in Paracas culture, and other entites/individuals that appear. While it could be possible that these are meant to be Madotsuki being in some way having indingenous descent in her, there comes an issue when looking into other dreams worlds, where they all have some form of different imagery not meant to represent cultural signifcance. Along with having an entire world that's mainly referencing old famicon games[182]. Madotsuki also has a dream world that is on Mars, when she is very clearly not a martian[183].
The main house she stays in is of very clear Asian region, with it even having some customs from Asian cultures, such as having shoes for the balcony, and having similar room designs to one seen in Asian regions[184].
Madotsuki also has a "Famtendo Game" in her room[185], an obvious nod to Nintendo, with "Fam" most likely referring to the Nintendo Famicon, a console specific to Japan only.
Due to this and there being no direct confirmation, Madotsuki's Race is held under the assumption of the region she's in, which is most likely an Asian region. With it most likely being Japan.
Many believe Madotsuki is be a child due to the chibi artstyle used in Yume Nikki and the more childlike designs of the Yume Nikki manga, however Madotsuki's age is never confirmed and likely up to interepretation. Madotsuki is most likely an adolescent to a young adult due to a couple of factors.
Throughout Madotsuki's dreams there's no real implication of her having any family, thus the only person in that house would have to be her, implying she owns it. Even in media like the manga she makes no mention of having family. Thus the house could very likely be hers. In Japan, yu need to be at least 18 years old in order to rent an apartment.
Madotsuki is heavily likely a hikkikomori, the only media that slightly deviates from this interpretation is the manga where she is instead trapped in the room, though this does not necessarily mean she isn't a hikkomori in the manga as she doesn't learn she's trapped in the room until later, meaning that she is used to just staying in her room all day. Hikkikomri are usually found to be around "new%20social%20issue". ages 15 to 39 with an averag age of 31, showcasing another point to Madotsuki at her youngest being adolescent.
Her designs in the Light Novel and -Dream Diary- are not chibi and thus we see that she looks far more like a teenager or young adult then a child.
The imagery Madotsuki has in dreams get very dark, some that seem impossible for a child to have. The manga attempts to rectify this by having the dream world not be Madotsuki's but all dreams combined into one.
In the Light Novel, Yume Nikki: I Am Not in Your Dream, there are several scenes that directly note Madotsuki is not a child, one scene noting that her hair braids are childish, suggesting she is far too old to be wearing those[186], another line indicates Madotsuki reminiscing through the rain as if she were a small child again[187]. There is also mention at one point of Madotsuki thinking of a "younger version" of herself playing with someone else, playing house, hide-and-go-seek, the swing set and slid, and more[188]. This "younger version" is interpreted as a "long forgotten past"[189]. There is another part in the light novel where Madotsuki comes across a girl in her dream that looks like her when she was a little girl[190].
This is actually not the full truth, but moreso a half truth, it comes from Poniko's interpretation of chasing Madotsuki in her dreams as a child she has had a miscarriage with[191], and at the end of the novel she takes it as the child never suffered miscarriage but simply isn't born yet and she has been trying to avert being ready to have a child[192]. However, as Poniko said herself these are just interpretations that she's not sure if she's right about anymore, by this point in the novel Poniko has slowly been too tired out to where she can't even distinguish dream from reality and is making interpretations for why she can't see the things she sees. The novel in actuality is leaving it up for interpretation as Poniko embracing Madotsuki as a newborn can also be viewed in a symbolic lens rather then a literal lens.
Q: What is the reason for Madotsuki being tier 10 instead of around Tier 2 as I see on other sites?
A: Simply Yume Nikki is entirely a dream, Madotsuki enters this world through going to sleep in her bed[193], and does not meet any of our Dream World Standards to be considered usable. For her Dream World Key, she showcases no feats on this level and "waking up" is not a feat. As Pseudo-Tiering is under the guise of making a Pseudo-Tier for feats done within the dream and waking up is taking herself out of the said dream, thus this cannot be placed under pseudo-tiering.
Q: Shouldn't Madotsuki get 2-C for destroying the Dream World when she wakes up?
A: There is nothing that ever actually confirms the Dream World is "destroyed" during the events of Yume Nikki, the dream world is showcased to still exist in both the Novel when Madotsuki wakes up[194] and in the manga when Madotsuki wakes up[195][196][197][198][199].
Q: Why are her abilities listed then if they're all in a dream?
A: As Yume Nikki is an exploration game where the effects are a big part of it, then it only makes sense to index it. Along with this, other interpretations such as the manga interprets the Dream World as a shared collective conscious of girls trying to turn them into "good girls" with characters like Poniko trying to find a way to escape the dream world[200][201][202][203][204].
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