Natsu + Erza = Starbiter Satsuki
Satsuki’s hair is a similar shade of scarlet as Erza and is typically in a ponytail, resembling a ‘flame tuft’
Like Erza, she has brown eyes
She typically carries a backpack and rolled up sleeping bag much like Natsu usually does on missions and in art depictions
Despite being a master swordsman, she’s predominantly a sword smith- one who forges swords through the use of fire/furnaces
Like Natsu, she has a partner who accompanies her on her journey, Master
While Happy is a cat with bird-like wings, Master is a penguin-like bird with cat-like ears
Like Natsu, Master’s main color scheme is pink and white. He also wears a scarf, matching Natsu’s scarf, and the “pack” Happy wears around his neck
Both Happy & Master tend to emulate Natsu & Satsuki, feed off one another in comical banter, and also share similar traits
Both Happy & Master have catchphrases “Aye sir!” & “Well done.”
Master’s name may have been inspired by FT Chapter 4. Lucy sardonically calls Natsu, “master,” only for Happy to assume the role of, “master.”
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Satsuki & Erza: Love of Sweets & Dango
Dango is a popular traditional Japanese sweet dating back to the Jomon Period, prior to the Edo Period, in which Starbiter Satsuki most likely takes place.
Satsuki & Natsu: Table-manners
In Chapter 1 of FT, Natsu saves Lucy from Bora and is treated to a meal. In Satsuki’s One-shot, she saves Jirou from a pack of wolves and is treated to the same. In both instances, Natsu & Satsuki’s actions, to save Lucy & Jirou, were predicated upon their own self-interests. For Natsu, his involvement with Lucy originated from his desire to meet Igneel while for Satsuki it was the allure of the dango Jirou had.
Satsuki, Natsu, & Erza: Eating Wildlife
All three salivate at the prospect of eating bears, wolves, and dinosaurs respectively.
Satsuki & Erza: Talent & Humility
Despite their master-level skill they are still humble in terms of their ability.
Satsuki & Natsu: Recklessness & Rushing into Battle
Mirroring Natsu rushing in to take on the Oración Seis, Satsuki does the same with the intent to defeat the Wolf Family.
Satsuki, Natsu, & Erza: Fire Swords
Taking its name from one of Natsu’s signature attacks, one of the Demon Swords Master forged is capable of producing fire. This sword mirrors the abilities of Erza’s flame sword (In her dragon-like Flame Empress Armor) and Natsu’s sealed flame sword (used in the Edolas Arc).
Satsuki & Erza: Demon Swords & Enhancement
Satsuki and Master are on a quest to destroy the 100 demon swords Master, her partner and sword smith, created. Erza, when adorning her flame hakama and sarashi, wields the sword Yôtô Benizakura. Yôtô or 妖刀 can often be translated as: Demon Sword. Unlike Erza’s blade, Satsuki’s main weapon is a wakizashi, Starbiter, that serves as an anti-demon-sword. Both Erza and Satsuki imbue these swords with magic thereby strengthening them. Finally, upon “forging” Starbiter, the presence of flower petals is possibly a reference to Erza’s blade, Benizakura = Crimson Cherry Blossom.
Satsuki & Natsu: Raid & Destructiveness
After taking on the job (of her own volition) as Jirou’s “bodyguard,” for the sake of the Lodge, Satsuki storms the Wolf Family’s base, bursting open the door. After defeating the Wolf family underlings she comes face to face with the boss, Wolf Monkey. This is a direct parallel to Natsu raiding the Sabertooth’s lodging and facing off with the Guild Master, Jiemma, out of his own sense of justice.
Satsuki & Erza: Swordsmanship & Victory
In Erza’s fight with Kyouka, she lands the penultimate strike to Kyouka, the finishing blow, however, is ultimately delivered by Minerva. This is mirrored in Satsuki’s fight with Wolf Money, where despite being the one to “defeat” him, Jirou lands the finishing blow.
Satsuki & Erza: Sweets as a Reward
As reward for taking on their respective jobs as an actress and a bodyguard, Erza and Satsuki are payed in sweets.
Erza, Natsu, & Satsuki vs Happy & Master: Potential Inspiration?
Mashima drew Erza & Natsu together adorned in samurai outfits in a traditional Japanese village as a special image for Volume 27. On his twitter, Mashima drew a picture of Happy as a penguin. Both of these images were made well before the release of the Starbiter Satsuki manga (Chapter 400). Concept art of Satsuki and Master was posted on Mashima’s twitter a week prior to the manga’s release. In these concept sketches, Satsuki’s sharp eyes bear a similar shape to those of Erza while her ponytail is more reminiscent of a small flame, paying a nod to Natsu. Finally, the concept for Satsuki may have been, in part, inspired by his Barcelona Interview on October 11th, 2012 (around Chapter 294 of the manga) which touched on the hypothetical child between Natsu & Lucy. This interview has been further elucidated by @thefairystales here.
(Concept Art From: Mashima’s Twitter)
