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.

Quick Facts

Series: Dragon Quest
First game: Dragon Quest IV (1990)
Creator: Yuji Horii
Designer: Akira Toriyama
Voice: EN: Denise Gough; JA: Shoko Nakagawa

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; she seeks out a treatment for him, and after she cures him he apologizes to her. There, she enters a tournament intended for the princess's suitor, winning by defeating opponents in combat. This tragedy unites her with the protagonist in a global quest against Psaro.

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?

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.