Setsuka
| Setsuka | |
|---|---|
| 'Soul series character | |
| File:SC3SetsukaHiRes.jpg | |
| First game | Soulcalibur III |
Setsuka (雪花, Setsuka) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. Her first and only appearance to date is in Soulcalibur III, it has not yet been confirmed whether she will return in Soulcalibur IV.
Biography
The girl's appearance revealed she was not a native of Japan, as she had pale, milky-white skin, glossy black hair, a chiseled face and deep blue eyes. Due to this, she was often shunned and viewed with disdain by others. So, without a family to turn to and exposed to such hate and violence, she finally ran away from her home. Young and alone, she wandered to a city where a man took her in, and named her Setsuka (Snow Flower). Time passed, and Setsuka grew into a beautiful woman.
Her caretaker worked as a bodyguard in the region, and taught Setsuka her fighting technique while she was in his care, which grew more intense after he was defeated in a duel, though at the same time, he showered her with an overwhelming amount love, even buying her an elegant long-sleeved kimono. As she blushed under the man's smile, Setsuka's feelings for him grew stronger than ever. It was not fondness as a father nor reverence as her master. It would not be until after his death that she would come to recognize those feelings as love.
Setsuka recalled the words he had spoken on his deathbed. .."I did not teach you this art for the purpose of revenge. ..One who lives by the sword harbors no regret." Before dying, he told her his enemy's name: Heishiro Mitsurugi. Despite her master's words, with undying love in her heart, Setsuka went on a lone journey with a target in mind: a wandering swordsman who challenged swordsmen throughout the land, who had crossed the seas search of a swordsman named Nightmare. With few clues, she decided to track down Nightmare, believing it would lead her to Mitsurugi.
Weapon(s)
-- Ugetsu Kageuchi
A hidden Iaito Iai sword concealed in the handle of an oil paper parasol, similar to shikomizue or shirasaya styles. Nothing is known about this weapon, but it is speculated to be a gift from Setsuka's master to her. Ugetsu Kageuchi, when directly translated, means "cormorant moon, darkness inside". Iaido is easily confused with the sword style of Battōjutsu, but Iaido concerns itself primarily with the drawing, cutting and re-sheathing of the sword, while battou-jutsu focuses only on cutting technique. Setsuka's official profile states she uses battou-jutsu but judging by her actual style, it resembles Iaido.
In Soulcalibur III, Setsuka's weapons and fighting style are available under the discipline "Soul of Setsuka" to characters created under the Ninja class.
Stages
-- Jyurakudai Villa
Set in the mistranslated Jurakudai, battle takes place outside sixteenth-century Japanese living quarters, on a tier surrounded by cherry blossom. This stage also serves as Aurelia's castle interior during her boss battle.
Epilogues
Rejecting Soul Edge, Setsuka sees a woman about to stab a man from behind. Setsuka queries her motives, before she deflects an attack from the woman, knocking the weapon to the floor:
--No Input Setsuka acknowledges the fact the woman is killing for revenge and comments "If that will make you happy, then I won't stop you" leaving her to proceed.
--Input Ending Setsuka will kick the knife away and tell her revenge is pointless, before walking away with her. The same woman is featured in Mitsurugi's ending, where she is taken hostage by a samurai Mitsurugi is about to kill. The man she was about to kill is the same samurai who took her hostage.
Concept
Setsuka's design is styled as a mix between the Queen of Hearts and courtesans known as Oiran, who wore cosmetics and clothing similar to Geisha but tied their sashes in the front as opposed to wearing a backwards obi. This, along with her overly intricate hair decorations, the extravagant color of her Kimono, and the large platform sandals she wears reflect the Oiran influence in Setsuka's design. In addition, "Oiran Kick" is the name of one of her moves. However, Setsuka herself is neither an Oiran or Geisha.
In the gallery of Soulcalibur III, sketches appear to show her in early designs of her primary costume with blonde hair, like in her secondary costume. Additionally, the character biography published on the Soulcalibur III website before the release of the game describes Setsuka as having "deep blue eyes"; however, Setsuka's finalized image revealed that she had been given hazel brown eyes.