| Overview |
Tia, known in the Japanese version as Tio (ティオ, Tio) and Megumi Oumi (大海恵, Ōumi Megumi) are two fictional characters in the manga and anime series Konjiki no Gash Bell! and are considered the female protagonists of the series and the first official and main allies of the main protagonists Zatch Bell and Kiyo Takamine. Tia is mainly skilled in Defense magic and Healing magic but has a few offense spells as well. Tia placed 5th in the battle overall.
Appearance[]
Part I[]
Tia is a small mamodo girl with long, straight red hair that has a slight pinkish tone, extending past her shoulders, and large, expressive red eyes that give her a cheerful and childlike look. Her standard outfit never changes throughout the story: a short-sleeved red top with small white buttons on the sleeves and a distinctive white wing-shaped scarf decoration fastened at the chest with a large red gem-like brooch. Over this, she wears a pale pink dress with a scalloped hem that reaches below her knees. On her feet, she wears red strap shoes with white socks rolled down to the ankles, giving her a neat but playful style. Around her wrist, she has an orange bracelet, and she often carries a small bag, which according to the official fanbook was handmade by her. The watch on her wrist was a gift from her partner, Megumi. Her overall appearance emphasizes a cute, innocent, and approachable presence, reflecting her gentle and caring personality while still having a magical and distinct look among the mamodo children.
Megumi is portrayed as a beautiful young woman with long, flowing black hair (depicted as brown in the anime adaptation), large, clear eyes, and a slender figure characteristic of an idol. Her visual design emphasizes a sense of purity and elegance rather than sensuality, aligning with the shōnen demographic of Weekly Shōnen Sunday where the series was serialized. She is not shown in excessively revealing or provocative outfits, and her gestures never overtly emphasize her body. Instead, she consistently projects the image of a “pure and innocent” idol type, both in her private life and on stage. An exception appears in the film Zatch Bell!: 101st Devil, where she briefly wears a short camisole that exposes her shoulders and midriff, but this is not reflective of her main-series wardrobe. In the manga and anime, Megumi’s clothing is more modest yet stylish, often centered around green-based outfits, which seem to be her signature color. Her casual attire usually consists of midi-length skirts or her distinctive green blazer and wrap skirt ensemble, which resembles a pseudo-uniform.
She frequently wears skirts above the knee, allowing her slender and graceful legs to be showcased—a detail that has been noted positively by readers and fans. Her school uniform was not shown in detail in the manga proper (only briefly on an inside cover illustration), leaving ambiguity about footwear. In the anime version, she was depicted with beige tights and loafers, while later cover art for the Complete Edition Volume 2 showed her with dark high socks (black or navy), suggesting either a redesign or artistic variation. Overall, Megumi’s appearance balances the idol-like charm expected of her character with a grounded sense of modesty, reflecting both her personality and the series’ emphasis on her pure-hearted, supportive role.
Part II[]
Tia undergoes a dramatic transformation from a young child into a confident young woman. She has grown significantly taller, trading her soft, rounded features for a lean, athletic physique. Her signature vibrant pink hair is now much longer, cascading down her back, while her straight-cut bangs remain as a familiar callback to her younger self. Moving away from her frilly, Victorian-style dresses, she now wears practical, combat-oriented attire consisting of a sleeveless high-neck tunic with gold trim and salmon pants tucked into red calf-high boots.
Megumi has also matured, transitioning from a high school student into a sophisticated young adult. Her honey-brown hair is styled more softly than in her school days, flowing elegantly over her shoulders. Her wardrobe has shifted from a green school uniform to a refined, professional ensemble featuring a white, sleeveless high-collared tunic cinched at the waist with a thick dark belt. Her overall aesthetic is more grounded and mature.
Personality[]
Tia smiling checking the time.
Tia is best described as a somewhat vain and stubborn tomboyish girl who is not afraid to stand up and face even the strongest of enemies or get hurt, but she is also a generally sweet child that enjoys spending time with her friends and will do anything to help them, refusing to leave them behind in times of trouble. This is mostly emphasized in battle, or towards people like Megumi, Kiyo, or even Zatch, whom she has a crush on. Although, she often hides this crush by pretending to have a crush on Kiyo. She also has an immense fear of heights. However, she also has a fearsome temper and, when provoked or angered, will comically strangle the one who irritates her; ironically, the one who suffers this punishment the most is Zatch Bell. Because of this, she has earned the reputation of a bully in the Mamodo World, as Kanchome referred to her as "Tia the Strangler" upon seeing her. She also has a great admiration for Megumi, as she is constantly seen imitating Megumi's pop idol side. Tia works hard for Megumi so Megumi can follow her dream of becoming a pop star.
Even though she's a pop star, Megumi is just like a regular girl. She's often seen in dresses or skirts. She aspired to become a singer because of a long time dream to make people happy with her songs, and eventually made it as a successful teen idol to males and females alike, although she had no clue as to her future with the friend she would make after resolving to join the battle. On some occasions, she has stated that she wanted "a normal life," most likely due to her hard-working lifestyle as a pop idol. She has a very kind-hearted and very charismatic personality. She helps out whenever she can and even sees Tia like a little sister, often calming down her fits of rage and helping explain the world to her. Megumi is shown to have feelings for Kiyo. When Megumi teases Suzy on her relationship with Kiyo, Tia noted that this behavior is unheard of and wonders if she has eyes for Kiyo. During the assault on Faudo when Unko Tin Tin asks Megumi to say his name, Tia states that Megumi will not willingly say it so she can't embarrass herself in front of Kiyo. Tia again gives an example as she tells Megumi that it is her chance to "kiss" Kiyo as he is in need of CPR. While she at first states that it is vulgar, she ties her hair in preparation to perform CPR however Momon beats her to the punch. In the anime her feelings are more prominently shown as there are many instances of Megumi blushing while in the company of Kiyo such as the time when Apollo said Kiyo brought his "girlfriend" with him on their trip. She blushed greatly while Kiyo was flustered by Apollo for the comment.
Biography[]
Background[]
When Tia first arrived in the Human World, she was overwhelmed by anxiety—both about the impending Mamodo Battle and the uncertainty of who her human partner would be. She wandered aimlessly in search of the owner of her spell book while simultaneously attempting to avoid enemy mamodo. During this time, she encountered another mamodo, Maruss, and his human partner, Rembrandt, at a church (on a cruise ship in the anime). Because Maruss was an old acquaintance, Tia initially felt relieved, believing she was safe. This sense of security was quickly shattered when Maruss betrayed her. He coldly declared that friendship had no place in the Mamodo Battle and that victory could only be achieved by eliminating every opponent, regardless of past bonds. He further asserted that Tia’s trust in him had already ensured her defeat. Although deeply angered and hurt by this betrayal, Tia recognized that she could not defeat him without a partner. She attempted to flee, but Maruss attacked her regardless, though he ultimately failed to burn her spell book.
Severely injured, Tia fell into the ocean and nearly drowned. She was later found and rescued by Megumi Oumi, who took her to a hospital to recover. Traumatized by Maruss’ betrayal, Tia emotionally withdrew, sealing her heart and refusing to trust anyone out of fear of being hurt again. Over time, Megumi resolved to care for Tia despite the mamodo’s cold demeanor. Gradually, her warmth and sincerity began to break through Tia’s emotional barriers. However, the lingering effects of Maruss’s cruelty led Tia to believe that she owed Megumi something in return for her compassion. When Tia concluded that she could offer nothing—and that her presence was only a burden—she attempted to run away. Megumi stopped her and explained that their bond went beyond obligation; they were friends. This moment marked the first true step in healing Tia’s wounded heart, and Megumi was formally chosen as her partner. After learning about the Mamodo Battle, Tia’s past trauma, and the burden she carried, Megumi chose to fight alongside her despite Tia’s initial reluctance. The pair repeatedly encountered Maruss and Rembrandt, who were able to track them easily due to Megumi’s fame as a popular idol. Because Tia and Megumi’s spell set was almost entirely defensive at the time, they were often forced to flee rather than fight directly in order to survive.
Part I[]
Their first official appearance was when it was officially announced that the number of remaining competitors in the battle was reduced to seventy. Tia was revealed to be able to completely trust her book owner Megumi, but still thought of every other mamodo as an enemy. The two discussed trying to become allies with other mamodo, specifically Zatch Bell, but Tia refused due to not only not trusting anyone (due to Maruss' betrayal stil haunting her mind), but also because it was well known that Zatch was an outcast because of his weakness and was probably one of the early removals; she is proven wrong when she encounters him sneaking in so he could see the show. Eventually, she ran into Maruss once more and tried to run away, but was stopped when Maruss threatened to attack the fans. Tia then hoped to strike a deal: if she let Maruss send her back to the mamono world, then he would leave Megumi alone; Maruss only laughed at this and said he would attack the concert as soon as he finished her off. This prompted Zatch to protect her, but asked her to bring his partner Kiyo, but he could defeat them. She agreed to, but after remembering the night her heart was stepped on, went back and got Megumi instead, believing that Zatch would only betray her like Maruss did despite her attempts to reassure herself that Zatch isn't like that. Upon returning, she found a heavily injured Zatch, who asked why she didn't bring back Kiyo, but Tia only reminded him that it was hopeless for him to win, although in her heart, she made the same cruel choice that Maruss did, ignoring Zatch's pleas because she was angry and scared. Tia and Megumi resolved to fight Maruss themselves, but were quickly defeated by Maruss's underground assault, but Tia stood once more, resolving to fight alone just as she always did; she was then saved by Zatch and Kiyo, who easily gain the upper hand over Maruss. She and Megumi were awestruck by Zatch and Kiyo's teamwork, especially Tia, who was in disbelief at how strong Zatch became, and wondering why they were helping them, to which Megumi explained that it was probably due to their great courage and greater battle experience. Maruss, after being knocked around, asked why Zatch and Kiyo were protecting Tia and Megumi, especially since it was inevitable that even if they succeeded in helping them, they would have to fight them someday. Zatch only answered that even though they would be enemies someday, he still felt sorry for them, as they were constantly pushed around and forced to live in fear because of Maruss's cruelty. Seeing that Zatch hadn't really changed, Tia resolved to join the battle, and together, the two defeated Maruss when he got his shirt torn; even though Tia finally saw that Zatch was honest in wanting to help her, she still knew they were enemies, but was finally able to heal her heart upon hearing that Zatch had no intention of fighting her now and learning of Zatch's goal to become a kind king who would end the battle and the suffering it caused. This allowed Tia to set a goal for herself in the battle: to become a kind king as well, in case Zatch somehow failed; from then on, the two teams recognized each other as allies.
Kiyo, Megumi, Zatch, and Tia promise to help each other and later fight together successfully against Purio and Zoboron and their bookkeepers. They become a team of sorts and fight together again when Penny sends Ancient Mamodo after Zatch and Kiyo. During the battle against the Ancient Mamodo, Dalmos, Tia is given Zatch's spellbook to protect and is able to do so with the help of other mamodo teams who have vowed to defeat the Ancient Mamodo and their leader, Zofis.
During the 10 months of Clear Note's recovery, Tia meditates under waterfalls to help improve her defensive abilities, which can be seen dramatically.
At the final battle, Tia and Megumi join Zatch, Kiyo, and Sunbeam as they race to the battleground on Ponygon's back. Tia uses her enhanced defense spells to shield them from Clear's powerful long range attack spell. She manages to protect them long enough for Clear's spell to be destroyed. However, the strain of holding back Clear's massive attack is too much and her book begins to deteriorate and then burn. Tia tells Zatch that she was glad she could help him reach the final battle. Before fading away she tells Zatch to win and that she will see him tomorrow.
After Clear Note returned to the Mamodo World, Megumi returned to being a pop idol. She can be seen visiting Zatch and Kiyo with a lonely face, having missed Tia. A month after the battle to decide the Mamodo King ended, Megumi received a letter from Tia and tearfully read it.
Part II[]
After the Mamodo World’s devastation, Tia takes command at an ancient temple, sheltering child Mamodos with allies like Lily. When Gunther and his squad of Beliel’s soldiers attack, Tia holds them off with her shield spells, demonstrating her growth as a warrior and leader. She sustains heavy attacks while struggling to heal the wounded child Mamodo, Eru, eventually reawakening Saifogeo through sheer willpower. Meanwhile, Megumi feels a surge in her heart during a concert and abruptly leaves the stage. She pushes through the flames surrounding the venue, grabs their vermillion spellbook, and is transported to Tia. Her arrival restores Tia’s hope, and together they resume their bond as partners. Megumi immediately casts Seushiru to shield against Gunther’s chained giant, then evolves their defenses with Ma Seshield, maneuvering it across the battlefield to protect dozens at once. As Gunther overwhelms them, Zatch and Kiyo arrive, shocking Tia, who believed Zatch had died. Their combined forces repel Gunther’s army, but the true breakthrough is the restoration of Tia and Megumi’s spellbook. After the battle, they regroup with Zatch and Kiyo, later boarding the rescue ship and traveling to the Dragon Fort, where they meet Ashron.
Tia healing Kiyo's wounds
After returning to Japan, she assists in healing Kiyo’s injuries, working alongside Megumi as Saifojio is activated. Once the healing is complete, Tia speaks with Kiyo and asks whether Jilnoz is able to act again, noting that Kiyo must have been surprised by the nature of Jilnoz’s spells. She listens as Kiyo explains the complexity and danger of Jilnoz’s cloning abilities. Later, Tia joins the group at Mary Lou’s potato farm. While harvesting, she initially struggles to pull up potatoes carefully and accidentally snaps the stems due to her superhuman strength. After Kiyo advises her to scoop the potatoes from the soil instead, she succeeds and visibly relaxes, beginning to enjoy the activity. She continues harvesting alongside the others as they talk and catch up. During the shared meal that follows, Tia quietly reflects on the moment. After agreeing with Zatch that the food is delicious, she thinks to herself that she would like to experience something like this again in the Mamodo World, together with everyone.
Spells[]
Tia and Megumi rely mostly on defensive or healing spells, making them very useful in battles as defensive powerhouses. Because of their abilities, they are considered valuable allies to Zatch and Kiyo. It is revealed by Dufort in the manga that her defense spells are powered by her protective feelings, which are a reflection of her true nature.
Non-Canon Spells[]
Spellbooks they burned[]
- Zoboron, at an amusement park (with help from Zatch) (episode 30)
- Boru Bora, near Mochinoki Park (episode 56)
- Alm, at the Devolo Ruins (episode 61)
- Gelios, at the Devolo Ruins (episode 61)
- Wonrei, inside Faudo (at Li-en's request) (manga only, chapter 222)
- Ponygon, at the Rocky Mountains (at Sunbeam's request) (manga only, chapter 311)
Trivia[]
- Megumi's name (恵) translates to "blessing" or "charity". Ōumi (大海) literally means "large ocean".
- Tia made a Volcan 300-like toy named "Volunlun", which appears to be a female version of Vulcan.
- The spellbook colors of the four main mamodos are all "warm" colors. Tia's book is vermillion-colored, Zatch's is red, Kanchomé's is yellow and Ponygon's is salmon.
- Megumi is the only book owner besides Kiyo and Shion who was shown to be going to school.
- Tia and Megumi was the last team with a female Mamodo, but not the last team with a female partner, which was Brago and Sherry Belmont.
- Megumi's birthday is on August 12th.[1] Her star sign is Leo.
- Megumi's blood type is B.[1]
- Megumi's height is 167 cm.[1]
- Megumi's favorite foods are grilled cod roe rice balls and chiffon cake.[1]
- Megumi's hobbies are singing, sports (swimming).[1]
- Megumi's favorite type is a person who can master something (sports or art).[1]
- Tia's starting location in the Human World was in Holland.
References[]
- Absolute Anime (NOTE: The age on the page is incorrect)