Gaming
 

Setsuka

From the Soulcalibur Wiki

Setsuka
Setsuka
Setsuka, as she appears in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny
Birthplace Unknown, raised in Japan
Birthdate 1567
Age 24 (Soulcalibur III & Soulcalibur IV)
Height 5'6
Blood type A
Weapon Iaitō hidden in an oilpaper parasol
Weapon name Ugetsu Kageuchi
Fighting style Shinden Tsushima-ryu Battoujyutsu
Family Master, deceased
Parents , Unknown
Appears in Soulcalibur III
Soulcalibur IV
Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny
English voice actor Kari Wahlgren
Japanese voice actor Nanaho Katsuragi

Setsuka (雪華, Setsuka), pronounced "Setska", is a character in the Soul series of fighting games. Her first appearance was in Soulcalibur III as a new addition, along with Tira and Zasalamel. She was introduced during the the official E3 teaser, in which she was referred to as The Resolute Avenger. After her debut, Setsuka returned in Soulcalibur IV as an unlockable character and has been confirmed to come back in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny.

The designers of Soulcalibur III intended to present Setsuka a unique woman reminiscent of a flower by emphasizing the shape of her silhouette and her glamorous kimono.[1] In all of Setsuka’s incarnations, she has been depicted as wearing a kimono or a similar robe. Her first design, as seen in Soulcalibur III, was similar to the Japanese courtesans known as Oiran, who wore cosmetics and clothing similar to geisha but tied their sashes in the front of their belts instead of wearing a backwards obi. This similarity was referenced in one of Setsuka’s kicks, “Oiran kick.”

At the 2005 Tokyo Game Show, Setsuka was considered a fan favorite due to her lightning-fast attacks and her appearance.[2] Her gameplay is largely centered on fast attacks and combos that overwhelm the opponent, making her capable of lunging at top speed to access ranges she normally would not be able to reach with her weapon alone. Although her attacks, when used without any accompanying assaults, are deceptively weak, Setsuka can deal a great amount of damage if her abilities are maximized. However, she was criticized as being too difficult for inexperienced players, since her combos tend to be hard to execute properly.[3]

What lies in her soul is Devotion.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Setsuka was not a native of Japan. She had pale, milky-white skin, glossy black hair, a chiseled face and hazel brown eyes. Those around her shunned her since she was young; she was looked with disdain because of her appearance. 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).

Her caretaker worked as a bodyguard in the region. He taught Setsuka the technique he used to protect his patrons, and it would became the way for her to protect herself, but it was the joy she felt when he praised her that made her devote to the training. Time passed, and Setsuka grew into a beautiful woman. She learned to ignore those who still looked her with disdain, letting nothing trouble her.

One day, her master entrusted her with a letter, whose destination was far away. It would take her many months to travel there and back. Her master saw her uneasy look, and reassured her that her home will be always there for her. Setsuka left and, after a long journey, found the man to whom the letter was addressed. The old martial artist ran a dojo in a small village, and asked Setsuka many times to stay and train there, but she refused his invitation and started her long way home.

Upon her return, she found her master lying on the floor injured. Although he would not reveal how he received the wounds, she was certain that he lost a duel. The injuries he received would prevent him from wielding a sword ever again. But still, the man tried to behave as always, even if Setsuka couldn't hide her concern. His lessons become more strict and demanding, but he also showered her with overwhelming love, something new to her. Even if their modest lifestyle couldn't afford luxuries, he bought her an elegant long-sleeved kimono. As she blushed under the man's smile, her feelings for him grow 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. Visiting his grave, she 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." That fateful fight had been the most exciting moment of his life. He taught her his fighting style so she can carry on the art, as he wanted her to live freely, unbound of hate or fear. Before dying, he told her his enemy's name: Heishiro Mitsurugi.

She shed no tears when her master died. Only later she realized her feelings and finally understand what it meant to fall in love. Her master didn't wanted her to live bound to feelings of revenge, but she was decided. With undying love in her heart, she went on a lone journey with a target in mind: a wandering swordsman who challenged swordsmen throughout the land, which no one saw him after he crossed the sea several years later in search of a swordsman named Nightmare. With few clues, she decided to track down Nightmare, believing it would lead her to Mitsurugi.

In Soulcalibur IV, Setsuka is still searching for Mitsurugi, and she had no problems picking up his trace, since he has been through so many towns, looking for clues about Nightmare. But people have been warning Setsuka that he is too powerful for anyone to battle. They also told her that he has been involved in a lot of battles in a couple of wars in order to fight a huge amount of opponents.

These stories about Mitsurugi did not frighten Setsuka. It was all the better for her. Once she finds him, she plans to rise to his challenge. But then she wondered if she is strong enough. Setsuka never knew if she even surpassed her deceased master. She then decides to become stronger, which she does by having faith in herself. Everytime she slashed her sword, she became faster. But Setsuka hopes to obtain the excellent speed that her master had.

[edit] Personality

Setsuka's only goal is revenge. She seems to harbor hatred due to her experience during her youth and after her master's death. Although she very well knew that revenge won't make anyone happy, including herself; but because of her master's death at the hands of Mitsurugi, she had no choice but to do it even of it is against her master's wishes to bring justice to him. She shows little or no care at all at her opponents. She is strongly devoted to her master and to her revenge. However, this is not to say that she is evil. She has some degree of kindness as evidenced she let Algol live and let him decide what his life will be after she defeated him and telling her opponents to fight and die with honor. And her soft side is also shown when it concerns her master, which is the only one Setsuka loved and cared about, and stopping a person that will take the same path that she did. Overall, she is considered a neutrally-aligned character.

[edit] Endings

[edit] Soulcalibur III

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 Ending 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.

[edit] Soulcalibur IV

Setsuka stands victorious over the fallen king, Algol. Then Soul Edge and Soul Calibur fall near her feet. "So they vanished," Setsuka comments. Algol then asks her why is she hesitiating, for he does not need her mercy. Setsuka merely shows Algol her blade, stating that her weapon "is weeping" and does not want to become an instrument of hatred. Setsuka points her blade at Algol's neck, stating that she has put an end to what he was, what he has become. She then turns her back to him as she sheathes her weapon and opens her umbrella, walking slowly away. As she leaves, she tells Algol that whatever he makes of his life from there on is up to him.

A text-only epilogue reveals that in a secluded grave in Japan where snow silently fell, an umbrella has been laid in memorial, suggesting that Setsuka has finally found peace and moved on, letting go of her thirst for vengeance.

[edit] Weapons

[edit] Ugetsu Kageuchi

A hidden Iaito concealed in the handle of an oil paper parasol, similar to a shikomizue. (AKA cane sword) 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". Setsuka uses a style of Japanese swordsman ship known as Iaijutsu, which is centered around the drawing, slashing, cleaning, and re-sheathing of the blade in as few motions as possible. The term Iai is commonly used synonymously with the term Batto. While there are certain implications within the Japanese language when using these terms, they are similar enough that many schools use them interchangeably, and the classification of a certain technique as Iai or Batto is usually a simple matter of preference. Setsuka's official profile states she uses battojutsu, but the listing of her weapon as an Iaito implies that she uses Iaijutsu.

[edit] Other Weapons

[edit] Stages

[edit] Jyurakudai Villa (SC3)

The blossoms of the cherry tree already fall like snow. What more can the wind ask of them?

--Ohshikouchi no Mitsune

This poem, recited in lament of the sight or fleeting cherry blossoms as they wilt away, comes from a bygone age of flowery aristocratic culture, when the capital city of Kyoto was called "Heiankyo", meaning "capital of peace".

Times has since passed, and the worls is now one of warrios. The land is ruled by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The dazzling Azuchi Momoyama era is in full bloom.

Hideyoshi built his great citadel upon the remains of the imperial palace. This villa, too, with its fusion of the extravagant style of the time with the traticional beauty of the cherry blossom, presents an imposing grandeur which invites spectadors into a dream-like world.

Thia mansion stands as a symbol of Toyotomi's power, yet it will face destruction within a mere ten years. The cherry trees, perhaps foreseeing its fate, perhaps not, continue to silently shed their petals into the wind...

[edit] Jyurakudai Villa - Virgin Snow (SC4)

[edit] Jyurakudai Villa - Twill Damask and Brocade (SCBD)

[edit] Quotes

[edit] Soulcalibur IV

  • "At least end your life, fighting with honor."
  • "It will be over before you know it."
  • "I live only for revenge."
  • "Why do you stand in my way?"
  • "The battle will be decided in an instant!"
  • "You shall feel the wrath of my master's blade!"
  • "I swear on my blade, I fear nothing!"
  • "It's time to finish this!"
  • "Accept death with dignity."
  • "The battle was decided before I even drew my blade."
  • "You don't even have time to blink!"
  • "Let the wounds from my blade bring your demise."
  • "That was close. I still have a lot to learn."
  • "You deserve no mercy."
  • "A man consumed with his sword, cannot defeat me."
  • "My blade has reached perfection."
  • "Such a fragile flower. So short lived."
  • "Drops of blood fall from my blade like cherry blossoms."
  • "Why do you hesitate? I don't need your mercy."
  • "This sword, it is weeping."
  • "It does not want to be turned into a blade of hatred."
  • "That's why I put an end to what you were, what you have become."
  • "What you do from here,..."
  • "...is up to you to decide."
  • "Give up and die!"
  • "Be gone!"
  • "Bloom..."
  • "...and fall!!"
  • "Depart!!"
  • "End of the line!"
  • "This is it!"
  • "Accept, your doom!"
  • "Heh, this is ridiculous."
  • "Wither and die!"
  • "Just give up!"
  • "...and die!!"
  • "Can't dodge this!"
  • "That's it!"
  • "Die!"
  • "Scatter!"
  • "Die now!"
  • "One!!"
  • "Two!!"
  • "Three!!
  • "Disappear"
  • "I wasn't strong enough."

[edit] Fighting Style

Setsuka has a lot of lightning fast attacks and combos that overwhelm the opponent. She can close in and attack from long distances with top speed despite her blade's short length. Her Just Frame attacks are damaging but require precise timing and patience. When her attacks are counted as Counter Hits, they can be followed by another damaging assaults, sometimes leaving the opponent hard to recover. Her combos are stylish and damaging, even some of them can reduce almost half of the opponent's life bar on a single combo, if uninterrupted. Setsuka can also perform damaging wall combos when the opponent is cornered. Her throws are very damaging and some of them can start a combo. Mastering Setsuka takes dedication, precision, patience, and persistence. However, inexperienced players criticize her as difficult to master, as her moves are difficult to execute properly and her low attacks are weak and can be easily evaded. Ever since Soulcalibur III, Setsuka is regarded by the tournament community as a high to top-tier character and she is commonly used in the tournaments.

[edit] Critical Finish

Setsuka sprints forward and swings a devastatingly fast blow at her opponent. The screen goes black, and a gray line slashes to the left. Then, the screen splits vertically, showing her several yards behind her opponent. She says "You won't even know what hit you". Then the opponent falls as she sheaths her sword and then says "Yet another opponent unworthy of my blade!"

[edit] Trivia

  • In Soulcalibur III, Setsuka's weapons and fighting style are available under the discipline "Soul of Setsuka" to characters created under the Ninja class.
  • Setsuka is nicknamed "The Resolute Avenger" in Soulcalibur III and "A Storm of Deadly Cherry Blossoms" in Soulcalibur IV.
  • Since she's not born but raised in Japan, some fans suggest that Setsuka is of European origin (more than likely French based on her outfit in Soulcalibur IV), as described by her 2P Soulcalibur IV costume and her facial features. Also, her blonde hair makes it likely that she is from northern Europe as blonde hair is uncommon or even non-existant in other parts of the world, and would be extremely rare outside of Europe in the time setting of the Soul series.
  • Setsuka's appearance and concept seem to be largely based on Shurayuki Hime (English title: "Lady Snowblood"), a Japanese manga/movie heroine who also wields a blade hidden in an umbrella, seeking revenge for her mother. The movie is said to have had a huge influence on Quentin Tarantino's double feature "Kill Bill".
  • In Soulcalibur IV, Setsuka has has been misinterpreted to say a bad word when she performs the Silver Moon Combo and the Sakura Fury Combo when the game is played using the English audio language. Since most of the dialogue is direct translation from the original Japanese, the voice acting for the word "batsu" which is defined as "strike, attack, penality or punishment" is not clear and has been misinterrpreted for a vulger English word which sounds like "Fu.!" but actualy sounds as "Ba!" for what suppose to be "batsu".
  • According to one of her designers, Setsuka's Soulcalibur III outfit was designed to have a "Queen of Hearts" theme. Even her hair & head make a heart.

[edit] Relationships

  • Seeks revenge against Heishiro Mitsurugi for the death of her master ever since Soulcalibur III.
  • Can possibly travel alongside a created character in Soulcalibur IV, then she leaves for personal goals after finishing the 2nd stage during his or her Story Mode.

[edit] Series' Appearances

[edit] Gallery

Setsuka from Soulcalibur III

Setsuka render from Soulcalibur III

Setsuka art from Soulcalibur III

Setsuka art from Soulcalibur III

Setsuka wallpaper from Soulcalibur III

Setsuka portrait from Soulcalibur III

Setsuka defends the attacks of a woman

Setsuka from Soulcalibur IV

Setsuka's alternate costume in Soulcalibur IV

Setsuka art from Soulcalibur IV

Setsuka art from Soulcalibur IV

Setsuka art from Soulcalibur IV

After the fight with Algol, Setsuka saves his life

Setsuka wallpaper from Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny

[edit] References

  1. ^ Behind the Game: Soul Calibur III from 1UP.com
  2. ^ IGN: Soulcalibur III preview
  3. ^ Soul Calibur 4 Character Spotlight: Setsuka
Main characters in the Soul series
Algol | Amy | Astaroth | Cassandra | Cervantes | Charade | Dampierre | Edge Master | Hilde | Hwang | Ivy | Kilik | Li Long | Lizardman | Maxi | Mitsurugi | Necrid | Nightmare | Olcadan | Raphael | Rock | Seong Han Myeong | Seong Mi-na | Setsuka | Siegfried | Sophitia | Taki | Talim | Tira | Voldo | Xianghua | Yoshimitsu | Yun-seong | Zasalamel
Retrieved from "http://soulcalibur.wikia.com/wiki/Setsuka"