Dola
Dola is a major character in the animated feature film Laputa: Castle in the Sky. She serves as the formidable leader of the Dola Gang, a band of sky pirates, and acts as captain of their flagship airship, the Tiger Moth. Initially pursuing the young protagonists to obtain the powerful Volucite crystal and the legend's lost treasures, she eventually becomes a crucial ally and guiding figure to Pazu and Sheeta.
Overview
Dola is a major character in the animated feature film Laputa: Castle in the Sky. She serves as the formidable leader of the Dola Gang, a band of sky pirates, and acts as captain of their flagship airship, the Tiger Moth. Initially pursuing the young protagonists to obtain the powerful Volucite crystal and the legend's lost treasures, she eventually becomes a crucial ally and guiding figure to Pazu and Sheeta.
Appearance
Dola is a heavyset woman in her fifties with black eyes and pink hair styled into large twin braids. She wears hoop earrings alongside a long-sleeved blue blouse featuring a frilled collar and wide blue pantaloon pants. On occasion, she wears a frilled skirt over her pants. The interior of her private cabin displays a portrait depicting her younger self wearing blue attire.
Personality
Dola possesses a fierce, dynamic, and authoritative disposition fit for a pirate commander. Though demanding and tough toward her subordinates and sons, she is deeply perceptive and harbors a warm, protective nature. She recognizes strength of character in others and displays genuine sympathy for those facing hardship. Highly energetic and assertive, she also boasts a massive appetite, unabashedly devouring large helpings of meat and seafood during meals.
Abilities
Dola is exceptionally capable in combat and logistics, skillfully operating handheld cannons, grenades, and concealing heavy weaponry such as a grenade launcher within her attire. She exhibits advanced driving capabilities, remarkable physical endurance, and swift foot speed. Intellectually, she is adept at advanced navigation using calculation tools and demonstrates master-level cryptography by easily deciphering high-level military radio transmissions.
Background
Dola inherited the sky piracy business from her father, operating equipment mostly invented by her late husband, a brilliant inventor who was originally captured as a hostage before they fell in love. Having grown up hearing legends of Laputa, she long harbored a dream of finding the airborne island. After intercepting a military operation to secure Sheeta and her crystal, Dola encounters Pazu, taking the duo aboard the Tiger Moth to reach Laputa before the military.
Relationships
Dola leads a crew that includes her three sons—Charles, Louis, and Henri—alongside her veteran engineer Hara Motoro and various henchmen. She forms a tight maternal bond with Sheeta, seeing a reflection of her own youth in the girl's resolve. She also comes to admire Pazu's courage and character, welcoming him into her crew and assisting him in crucial rescue operations.
Trivia
Official design materials and her in-cabin portrait reveal that Dola shared a striking facial resemblance to Sheeta during her late teens, prior to marked changes in her facial features as she aged. Her bold and powerful characterization was inspired by director Hayao Miyazaki's own mother.