Alena
The princess who punches through walls to become a warrior.
Alena is a main character in the 1990 video game Dragon Quest IV and the star of its second chapter. Designed by Akira Toriyama, she is voiced in Japanese by Yūko Minaguchi. Alena desires to explore the world and become a strong warrior, but her father, the king, insists she behave more like a princess. Defying him, she punches through her bedroom wall to escape, accompanied only by her retainers, Kiryl and Borya. Their journey takes them from posing as human sacrifices in a village to discovering their kingdom has been wiped out. Alena eventually joins the protagonist to defeat Psaro, the leader of the monsters, and save the world.
- Role
- Princess / Party Member
- First Appears
- Dragon Quest IV
- Status
- Alive
- Weapon Type
- Not specified in source
Lore & Background
Alena's story begins in her kingdom, where she is restricted by her father's overprotectiveness. After breaking out with Kiryl and Borya, they assist various people, including defeating a monster by posing as human sacrifices. A turning point occurs when Alena learns her father has fallen mute; after defeating the Dark Elf boss in the Tower of Mistral, her father is freed from the curse, apologizes, and gives her a Magic Key to open doors within Zamoksva Castle and town. There, she enters a tournament intended for the princess's suitor, winning by defeating opponents in combat. Her path darkens upon returning home to find her kingdom devoid of life, leading to an investigation that reveals a demon named Balzack was responsible. This tragedy unites her with the protagonist in a global quest against Psaro.
In Their Own Story
In Chapter 2, Alena defies her father's wishes by punching through her bedroom wall to leave. She is stopped only when retainers Kiryl and Borya agree to accompany her. Together, they travel the world, first taking on a role as human sacrifices in a nearby village to ambush a monster. Later, after curing her mute father, Alena travels to Endor. There, she joins a tournament where the winner is set to marry the princess; since Psaro does not show up, she wins by default. A dying soldier later urges her to return home, only for her to find the kingdom destroyed. In Chapter 5, after curing Kiryl's fever with the protagonist's help, the trio joins the main quest. They eventually confront Baalzack, killing him in revenge, and face Psaro, who uses the Secret of Evolution to become monstrous before his defeat. In PlayStation and Nintendo DS versions, an extra chapter sees Psaro join Alena and the group to defeat Aamon.
Reader's Guide
Alena is a fan favorite noted as a strong female character on the NES, with RPGFan writer Wes Illiff calling her "the butt-kicking princess we all need and deserve." She stands in opposition to the era's trope of women being mere damsels or healers. Her gameplay inspiration is believed to be based on the Martial Artist class from Dragon Quest III. Readers of IT Media voted her the second most-popular female character in the entire Dragon Quest series. Inside Games writer Gen Gamachi appreciated seeing her "princess and girly side" in later game versions, while writer Satoruri noted her strength in Dragon Quest Tact. Voice actor Hikaru Midorikawa named Alena his favorite cast member of Dragon Quest IV, citing his role as Kiryl as the reason for his affinity.
Did You Know?
- Alena punches through her bedroom wall to escape her father's restrictions.
- She was voiced in Japanese by Yūko Minaguchi, who referenced visiting Luida's Bar and seeing Alena on screens as a fan.
- RPGFan writer Mike Solossi considered her possibly the best female character on the NES.
- In the Nintendo DS version and later ports, an extra chapter allows Psaro to join the main protagonist's party after the main game events.
- Alena was voted the second most-popular female character in the Dragon Quest series by IT Media readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alena?
Alena is the defiant princess of the Kingdom of Wriggle and the central protagonist of Chapter 2 in Dragon Quest IV. Designed by Akira Toriyama, she rejects her royal duties to pursue a life as a warrior alongside her loyal retainers.
What are Alena's powers or abilities?
While specific stats vary by version, Alena is characterized by her immense physical strength, famously demonstrated when she punches through a stone wall to escape. She fights primarily with fists and serves as a durable melee fighter within the player's party.
How does Alena's story end?
After discovering that Psaro has destroyed her kingdom, Alena joins forces with the game's main hero to defeat the sorcerer. She survives the final battle and returns home, having fulfilled her dream of becoming a strong warrior.
Why is Alena important in Dragon Quest IV?
She provides a crucial narrative perspective by revealing the extent of Psaro's destruction early in the story through the fall of her kingdom. Her journey highlights the theme of breaking free from societal expectations to follow one's true calling.
Does Alena appear in other Dragon Quest games?
Alena is exclusive to Dragon Quest IV, where she serves as a playable party member for a significant portion of the game. She does not appear as a main character or recurring figure in any other entries in the series.
Related in Dragon Quest
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Dragon Quest universe
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