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Xianghua

From the Soulcalibur Wiki

Xianghua
Xianghua
Xianghua, as she appears in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny.
Birthplace Peking, Ming Empire (present-day China)
Birthdate 2 April 1571
Age 16 (Soulcalibur), 20 (Soulcalibur II-Soulcalibur IV)
Height 5'0 (152 cm)
Weight 46 kg
Blood type B
Weapon Jian (Chinese Blade)
Weapon name Krita-Yuga (Soulcalibur)
No Name (later games)
Fighting style Sword arts passed down from her mother
Family Father, Kong Xiuqiang (deceased according to her mother.)
Mother, Chai Xiangfei (deceased)
Sister, Xianglian (deceased, never knew of her existence)
Appears in Soulcalibur
Soulcalibur II
Soulcalibur III
Soulcalibur III: Arcade Edition
Soulcalibur IV
Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny
First game Soulcalibur
English voice actor Wendee Lee (Soulcalibur II-Soulcalibur IV)
Japanese voice actor Aya Hisakawa (Soulcalibur-Soulcalibur III)
Ryoko Shintani (Soulcalibur IV)

Chai Xianghua (チャイ・シャンファ, Chai Shanfa, Chinese: 柴香華 Pinyin: Chái Xiānghuà) is a character in the Soul series. She has appeared in Soulcalibur, Soulcalibur II, Soulcalibur III, Soulcalibur IV, and Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny. Since her first appearance, she has become one of the most recognizable and iconic characters in the franchise.

What lies in her soul is Love.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Pre Calibur History

Xianghua's ancestors, the Chai family, have groomed men and women alike into seasoned warriors of China for many generations. The Chai family was born in the heritage of General Ming. The woman who would become Xianghua's mother, Xiangfei, was sent to the prestigious Ling-Sheng Su Temple to learn the art of swordplay. She diligently trained and became supremely skilled with the tai chi jian, surpassing many of the monks at the temple. Following her father's passing, Xiangfei forged a forbidden romance with a monk at the temple, Kong Xiuqiang, thought to be the most prominent candidate for inheritor of the holy bo staff, Kali-Yuga. Not until the illegitimate birth of their first daughter, Xianglian, was their love made known to the other monks. The monks remained very strict regarding the temple's edicts and Xianglian was taken from her parents on her second birthday. Xiangfei became too wrought with grief to remain at the temple. Han Dongxiu, a sworn brother of both Xiuqiang and Xiangfei, urged Xiuqiang to leave with her and start a family with his lover, but Xiuqiang refused, and Xiangfei agreed that it was for the best. But as a final goodbye, Dongxiu helped Xiuqiang sneak the Krita-Yuga to his lover, to serve as a promise the two would one day meet again.

Unknown to Xiuqiang, however, was that when Xiangfei had left the temple, she was pregnant with a second child. She secretly returned to her homeland, was taken in by the Chai home there, and became a soldier in the Ming Dynasty Imperial Guard. Months later, she gave birth to her second daughter, Xianghua, but never revealed anything about the girl's father or his lineage to her. By this time, the temple had realized that the Krita-Yuga was missing, and found that Xiuqiang had stolen it. He was exiled from the temple, but Xianglian was to remain there to be trained as an orphan. Xiuqiang eventually discovered Xiangfei's whereabouts, but the Chai family asked him to leave her alone, as she believed that he was training and she would be happier in her ignorance. Meanwhile, when monks from the Temple came to Xiangfei, searching for the missing sword, all they found was young Xianghua playing with a battered tai chi jian, and they gave up the search years later. Only Xiuqiang had known that the jian Xianghua had been holding was actually the Krita-Yuga in disguise. As time passed, Xianghua had learned to use the jian just as well as her mother when Xiangfei died sometime after Xianghua's tenth birthday. Six years afterward, Xianghua became a member of the Imperial Guard.

[edit] Soulcalibur

Eventually, the emperor of Ming Dynasty China had become displeased with the search for the "Hero's Sword"; he never heard back from any that had ventured out, including . He sent members of his Imperial Guard to help the quest advance more quickly. The guards traveled under the guise of a traveling opera troupe, with Xianghua to be the main attraction, so as not to raise suspicion of their true motives. As she prepared for her journey, she recalled her mother's dying words--that she was born to complete an important task and that she must cut her own path through an uncertain future. With her mother's keepsake tai chi jian, Xianghua left on her own. On her journey, she encountered a member of the Ling-Sheng Su Temple in China, Kilik, and a Japanese pirate of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, Maxi. Told of the sword's evil nature by Kilik, she agreed to aid both of them in their journey to destroy the evil blade, not knowing all the while that her long-lost older sister, Xianglian, had been killed by Kilik as she had been consumed by a berserker rage on the night of the notorious Evil Seed .

With Kilik and Maxi's help, Xianghua stormed Ostrheinsburg Castle. Maxi stayed behind and defeated the castle's guard, Astaroth, disappearing soon after. Kilik and Xianghua together slayed the enemy hordes and reached Soul Edge. Kilik used his holy bo staff Kali-Yuga to defeat Nightmare, but immediately afterward, the combatants were pulled into an ethereal void where they stood opposed to Inferno. His prior battle had left Kilik too weary to fight. As Xianghua readied herself, her mother's keepsake sword unveiled herself as the holy sword. After a fierce struggle, Xianghua defeated her opponent with Soul Calibur's protective power. As the void started to collapse, she carried Kilik out of it, though her mother's keepsake sword was left behind.

[edit] Soulcalibur II

After destroying the sword she was sent to find, a mysterious man approached her and awarded her with an unnamed jian in return for the great deed she had done. Once she returned, Xianghua fell in disfavor with the Emperor because of her failure to find Soul Edge. She was stripped of her rank and reassigned to a menial position. Xianghua kept her role in Soul Edge's destruction secret and never reported it. Four years later, news reached her that the emperor had attacked Xiwei (present-day Xi'an), which had been the center of government in the Ming Dynasty's western territory. The emperor believed that the fortress had been withholding Soul Edge from him, and when the fortress guards killed his envoy in annoyance of his blind obstinancy, he ordered that the city be summarily destroyed and all the citizens executed, under the public justification of a revolt. When the castle fell and the sword was not found, the emperor summoned Xianghua in his stupor and asked her to investigate the ruins, as her experience could be useful in locating the sword among the rubble. Xianghua found out the truth behind the attack from Ming spies. Though she believed that she had destroyed Soul Edge, her investigation proved otherwise, and pieces of it were rumored to exist in this place. If this story had been true, Xianghua needed to find every fragment and destroy them. She left on a second journey alone, convinced that this was a burden she had to bear, since she failed to destroy Soul Edge completely the first time.

[edit] Soulcalibur III

"I couldn't do anything..." The pain of defeat clutched at Xianghua's heart. During her adventure, Xianghua was once again reunited with her companion, Kilik. While on their journey, the two of ran afoul of a "man with a scythe" (Zasalamel), who wished to eliminate people who had the potential to destroy Soul Edge. Zasalamel attacked and defeated Kilik. Afterwards, Xianghua took the gravely injured Kilik back to 's home, where she heard that Kilik would make full recovery. After leaving a letter for Kilik, she departed, seeking an old general whom Edge Master had arranged for her to meet. Training with the old general, Xianghua's skills improved significantly. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake off an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy due to her failure to help Kilik. She told herself, "Don't be afraid!!!" in meager attempts to convince herself. The old general noticed her anxiety and provided sage advice:.

"Sometimes, the path of the warrior requires letting in dark feelings, weighing them, then letting them go."

Xianghua then began to train her mind. Rather than becoming weak, she would be more fluid and allow her heart to filter in both the good and the bad. After months of training, she felt that she was ready and bid farewell to the general, beginning her journey anew. So she left the temple to fight by herself.

[edit] Soulcalibur IV

While traveling west on the Silk Road, Xianghua reunited with Kilik. Then the two of them traveled to India to find Maxi. However, he did not join them. Xianghua was worried that he was searching for Soul Edge so he can have his revenge on Astaroth. She had to stop him.

Meanwhile, Xianghua had no idea of what kind of feelings Kilik had for her. But her feelings for him were clear. However, she can never tell him of those feelings. They had to destroy Soul Edge. Because they did not destroy it properly last time, a lot of calamities were happening all over the world. But she was determined that this time, they will eliminate the evil sword.

When she saw the meteor shower heading west, she knew that the final battle was coming.

[edit] Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny

She appears on Chapter 21, in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny's The Gauntlet mode, looking for Kilik but ends up fighting the player after a possible misunderstanding. After accomplishing Chapter 21-1, she slaps Kilik for being a jerk and Cassandra jokingly says that her slap was "Unblockable".

[edit] Endings

[edit] Soulcalibur

The Krita-Yuga she wielded revealed its true form as if it heeded the call of destiny. The sword gave her unparalleled strength and in return, Xianghua channeled her pure spirit through it. The interminable battle came to a close with Xianghua's victory.

The brooding clouds that covered the firmament until now broke apart to reveal shafts of sunlight from above.

Xianghua: Mother... was this the destiny I was meant to fulfill?

She narrowed her eyes as the brilliant sunlight crosses her innocent, childlike face...

[edit] Soulcalibur II

After defeating Inferno and recovering her mom's sacred sword once again, she promises never to lie again as she journeys home.

[edit] Soulcalibur III

Xianghua and Kilik both face Soul Edge. Kilik offers to destroy the sword, but Xianghua insists that she do it. She walks up to Soul Edge and stabs it with her sword.

Input Ending The screen fades,and then shows Xianghua sitting on a rock in a forest while Kilik trains in the background. "Hey Kilik... where do you want to go next?" Xianghua asks. Kilik replies by saying that he would like to visit his master. Xianghua says it would be a good idea to travel together. Kilik agrees by saying "Yeah, especially since you're such a good sparring partner. Xianghua, unhappy with Kilik's response, bows her head in disappointment. Xianghua says that there is someone she's interested in, hinting to Kilik that that "someone" is him. "Oh." Kilik replies, and then gets back to his training. "Do you understand what i'm trying to say?" Xianghua asks. "Huh? Yeah." Kilik answers.

With a sigh, Xianghua lays back and says "You're hopeless." As Kilik walks up to her and asks if she's ready to leave, Xianghua jumps into his arms playfully and exclaims "I won't give up on you that easily!"

No Input Ending Xianghua shatters the sword and gets shot backwards with great force into Kilik's arms. When she awakens, she asks if Soul Edge is really destroyed. She then stands up and walks over to her sword and Kilik follows her. Suddenly, Xianghua and Kilik's weapons disappear. "So it's finally over." Xianghua says reassuringly. Kilik says "yeah" afterward.

[edit] Soulcalibur IV

Xianghua is shown looking at both Soul Edge and Soul Calibur on each side of her. Kilik walks up towards her and says that this is his responsibility now. He chooses to take over from this point on, and just wants Xianghua to leave and live an ordinary life filled with happiness. "What about your happiness?" Xianghua asks. After Kilik responds by saying that he doesn't deserve to be happy, Xianghua tells him that he is what makes her happy and he is all she needs. She then asks him why he can't understand that. Kilik, who is deeply saddened by the choice he must make, tells her, "You don't know how that pains me. I hate myself for not being able to answer you. I want to be with you, too, but there is just no way." He then grabs Soul Edge and begins to show signs of pain as the sword glows. Xianghua runs up to him and hugs him from behind. Kilik tells her to leave, but Xianghua refuses and says that she is going to stay with him.

As the screen fades to white, Kilik's voice can be heard saying, "Thank you, Xianghua."

The text-only epilogue reveals this: The two disappeared together. The two powers rested in peace and never stirred again.

[edit] Fighting Style

Xianghua's fighting style resembles that of a Wushu practitioner. She is known for being unpredictable and confusing for an opponent as she has a lot of feint attacks in her arsenal. Her speed is on par with other quick Soul Calibur characters. She can put up a lot of combos to maximize damage. She can cancel most of her attacks and attack with a different one immediately to put the opponent off guard and exploit its weakness. What Xianghua lacks is strength; but her combos that veteran players use deal impressive damage to make up for this weakness. She is considered by many as a mid-tier character.


[edit] Personality

Chai Xianghua is a cheerful young woman. She seems sound a little childish. She is kind. She never gives up and is faithful to her friends. She shares many similarities with Ling Xiaoyu of Tekken and Lei Fang of Dead or Alive.

[edit] Weapons

[edit] Critical Finish

In Soulcalibur IV, Xianghua's finisher starts with her slashing her opponent multiple times. Then right as her opponent is getting up, she delivers what appears to be a blue water bubble explosion.

[edit] Stages

[edit] Emperor's Garden (SC)

This grand garden was designed to be the Ming Emperor's summer home. It made perfect use of the natural landscape giving visitors the beautiful scenery of the four seasons. Aside from the Emperor and his family only the royal guards, including Xianghua, were permitted to enter the house. When Xianghua received the order to search for the Soul Edge she visited the garden for the first time. The garden, as if celebrating her departure, was in full bloom.

(Note: known as Ming Emperor's Villa in the arcade version.)

[edit] Xiwei Siege Ruins (SC2)

Xiwei, positioned near the west border of the Ming Empire, was a vital stronghold for maintaining the empire's western territories. Tragically, when the Emperor believed the castle was hiding the Hero's Sword from him, he dispatched an army to seize the castle. Ultimately, the citadel was destroyed. Sadly, the army failed to find the sword in the rubble of the stronghold. Was Soul, known in this region as the Hero's Sword, really at Xiwei? Or was this place destroyed due to a misunderstanding? No one can answer these questions now.

(Note: Xianghua shares this stage with Mitsurugi)

[edit] Lotus Garden (SC3)

Originally constructed as a retreat for the Ming Emperor, this garden is now a large park open to the public. Most of the area is made up of water, and a combination of bridges and peninsulas creates a deep, complex landscape. The view from the palace, the former residence of the royal family, is especially beautiful, entertaining visitors with the blossoms that change colors with the seasons. Currently, the park is under the management of a powerful, elderly general of the Ming Empire. Thanks to the kindness of the general, Xianghua now trains secretly here amid the morning mist.

[edit] Hall of the Warrior God (SC4/SCBD)

[edit] Quotes

[edit] Soulcalibur

  • I've got to win!
  • I said no mercy!
  • That's all there is to it!
  • Thanks again!
  • Justice will prevail! Just kidding!
  • Ahem! How's that?!
  • You're finished!
  • You're mine!
  • Here's a freebie!
  • I got you!

[edit] Soulcalibur II

  • Here I come!
  • OK, time to say your prayers!
  • Are you sure you want to fight?
  • Come on!
  • Go me!
  • You're going to regret this.
  • Last chance if you want to quit!
  • We live in a dangerous world.
  • Don't worry, it'll be over soon.
  • There's no turning back.
  • Show me what you've got!
  • You're gonna be sorry!
  • Don't cry, okay?
  • Come and get me!
  • Justice will prevail! Just kidding!
  • I'm stronger than all of you!
  • That was great! Yeah!
  • Hope you have a long life! Just kidding!
  • Here we go!
  • I said no mercy!
  • How's that?
  • Do you want more?!
  • That was fun!
  • That's that.
  • Oh, was I being a meanie?
  • How's that? I said no mercy!
  • Huh?
  • How?!
  • What?!
  • Sorry I'm late, I'll get you this time!
  • I can't let you go any further, Kilik.
  • Evil must be destroyed! It's the only way!
  • What you're trying to do is too dangerous!
  • Here...
  • ...we go
  • Forget it!
  • Gotcha!
  • Shut up!
  • Eat this!
  • Here's another!
  • Go away!
  • Stay there!
  • How's this?
  • Sorry!
  • Tricked ya!
  • How's that?
  • Dummy!
  • Just kidding!
  • Hey!

[edit] Soulcalibur III

  • Are you ready for this?
  • My resolve cannot be swayed!
  • I will defeat you with my own hands!
  • I will not have regrets I swear it!
  • This time, I won't run away!
  • I'm sorry, but I won't give in!
  • Okay, I have to do this. Let's go!
  • Look, aren't I cute? Just kidding!
  • Open wide, cause here I come!
  • I guess I'll fight ya.
  • You're going to regret this!
  • Show me what you've got! Come on!
  • You're gonna be sorry!
  • Come and get some!
  • Last chance if you wanna quit!
  • Don't cry when you lose!
  • This is your last chance to apologize.
  • Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit.
  • You sure you wanna do this?
  • Not very friendly, are we?
  • You think you can keep up?
  • Don't worry, it'll be over quickly.
  • You must cut your own path through fate!
  • Never will I hesitate again!
  • Did you think this sword was decoration?
  • I knew I wouldn't walk away from this fight without a scratch.
  • I know I can do this. I won't give up!
  • It's not easy, but I won't give up!
  • I'm gonna try one more time!
  • I can't give up. I have to keep my spirits up.
  • You'll have to do better... if you wanna beat me!
  • Not bad, if I do say so myself.
  • I really wish we could have met under different circumstances.
  • Okay, one down!
  • Did I zing ya?
  • Shall we call it a day?
  • And that's the end of that!
  • There, are you satisfied now?
  • You really did this to yourself!
  • That was pretty good!
  • I told you I won't hold back.
  • Well, that wraps things up.
  • Thanks for the match!
  • Justice will prevail!
  • Ahem! How's that?
  • How about another?!
  • Did you like my ultimate attack?!
  • Cha cha cha TOH!
  • You should retire for your own good!
  • That was pretty fun!
  • Yep yep, that's that!
  • You can't believe it? Well, believe it.
  • That was so blah.
  • It's over!
  • Spin!
  • Pretty good!
  • There!
  • It's over!
  • This is the end!
  • Gotcha!
  • Go!
  • How's another?!
  • Here!
  • How's that?
  • Tricked ya!
  • How about this?!
  • Way too easy.
  • (Yawn)
  • One down!
  • Hey!
  • No way!

[edit] Soulcalibur IV

  • I'm sorry, but I won't give in!
  • I will defeat with my own hands!
  • You think you can keep up?
  • I don't want any regrets!
  • I guess we'll have to fight.
  • My resolve cannot be swayed!
  • This time, I cannot lose!
  • I can feel Soul Edge. It's close.
  • You're wrong. I've found my reason.
  • He's too dangerous. I have to do something.
  • I decided to believe in myself.
  • I will shape my own destiny.
  • I must decide my own fate.
  • I will no longer hesitate.
  • Mother, are you watching me?
  • Maxi, don't be foolish!
  • Thanks!
  • Just kidding!
  • This presence...
  • It's over!
  • You're open!
  • How's that?
  • Pretty good!
  • How about this?
  • This is the end.
  • You fell for it!
  • Well, that wraps things up !

[edit] Trivia

  • The three treasures of the Ling-Sheng Su Temple are all named after the Yugas - the names of eras in Hindu philosophy. The Krita-Yuga refers to the age of meditation, a Golden Age free from unhappiness. Hence, the Krita-Yuga/Soulcalibur's reputation as a force of good.
  • Xianghua means "auspicious fire" in Chinese. "Chái Xiāng Huà" may also mean "firewood fragrant flower", if each character is taken literally and logically. "Chái"(柴) is a Chinese surname that can also mean "firewood". "Xiāng"(香) is "fragrant". Huà(花) can mean "flower".
  • Xianghua's No Name looks exactly like Krita-Yuga in Soulcalibur and does not match Edge Master's jian. Krita-Yuga obtains a different look in Soulcalibur II.
  • Xianghua's nickname in Soulcalibur is "Flower in the Breeze."
  • Xianghua's Destined Battle in Soulcalibur is Nightmare. In Soulcalibur II her Destined Battle is Kilik, and in Soulcalibur III her Destined Battle is Cervantes. In Soulcalibur IV, she must fight Algol as her final boss in Story mode.
  • Xianghua has a strong fondness for Kilik, bordering on romantic feelings. This is shown in one of her Soulcalibur III endings, as well as in all of Kilik's endings within the same game. This relationship is greatly expanded upon in Xianghua's Soulcalibur IV ending.
  • Xianghua and Kilik are the only characters to have a weapons demonstration in which both participate together, as shown if the controller is untouched in the Soulcalibur III title screen.
  • Xianghua's Japanese voice for Soulcalibur II was also used for Rikku's voice in Monty Oum's Dead Fantasy.
  • In Xianghua's Story Mode in Soulcalibur IV, she is accompanied by Kilik throughout all of the stages. In Kilik's Story Mode, Xianghua does help him for the first two stages, but then Kilik leaves her behind and carries on ahead.
  • Some of Xianghua's moves are similiar to Ling Xiaoyu's from the Tekken series.
  • Xianghua's Soulcalibur II hairstyle is available as one of the hairstyles in character creation in the Chinese MMORPG Perfect World.

[edit] Relationships

  • Long lost sister of Xianglian.
  • Friend of Meimei, Li Long's sister.
  • Friend and traveling companion of Kilik, who she has feelings for. Shares a Destined Battle with him in Soulcalibur II.
  • Friend and previous traveling companion of Maxi.
  • Defeated Nightmare and Inferno in Soulcalibur.

[edit] Gallery

Xianghua portrait from Soulcalibur

Xianghua portrait from Soulcalibur

Xianghua portrait from Soulcalibur

Xianghua render from Soulcalibur

Xianghua render from Soulcalibur

Xianghua from Soulcalibur

Xianghua again from Soulcalibur

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Kilik and Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Kilik and Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua, Kilik, and Maxi art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua and Sophitia art from Soulcalibur

Mi-na and Xianghua art from Soulcalibur

Xianghua wallpaper from Soulcalibur

Xianghua from Soulcalibur II

Xianghua from Soulcalibur II

Xianghua again from Soulcalibur II

Xianghua render from Soulcalibur II

Xianghua portrait from Soulcalibur II

Xianghua from Soulcalibur III

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur III

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur III

Xianghua wallpaper from Soulcalibur III

Xianghua portrait from Soulcalibur III

Xianghua in Soulcalibur IV

Xianghua's alternate costume in Soulcalibur IV

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur IV

Xianghua art from Soulcalibur IV

Xianghua wallpaper from Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny



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/Xianghua"