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Talim (Soulcalibur)

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Talim (Japanese: タリム, Hepburn: Tarimu) is a character in the Soulcalibur of fighting games. Created by Namco's Project Soul division, she first appeared in Soulcalibur II and in most subsequent titles for the series. The Filipino daughter of a shaman and trained to be a Priest of the Wind, after encountering a fragment of the cursed sword Soul Edge she travels the world to return it to its rightful place. In English, Talim has been voiced by Julie Parker and Kira Buckland, while in Japanese she is voiced by Yukari Tamura.

Talim
Soulcalibur character
Talim in Soulcalibur II
First gameSoulcalibur II (2002)
Designed byAya Takemura and Takuji Kawano[1]
Voiced by
In-universe information
WeaponElbow blades
OriginVisayan Islands[4]
NationalityFilipino

The character has received positive reception since her debut, warmly received as the first Filipino character in video games and a popular subject of cosplay amongst fans. Her character design has also been praised, described as "almost too cute" for the franchise and for the attention to detail in her clothing. However, this has also received some backlash due to her young age, particular for how sexualized many of her outfits are. University of Delaware professor Rachael Hutchinson meanwhile examined Talim's design through the scope of Japanese views towards other Asian cultures, and also how players reacted to a shorter character against much larger opponents in the context of the Soulcalibur series.

Conception and design

As a character introduced in Soulcalibur II, Talim's weapons, a pair of elbow blades, were decided upon before other aspects of the character were.[5] Originally considered for the first Soulcalibur, the weapons were selected to be unique amongst the others characters' weapons in the title.[6] Her design and concept were built to revolve around them, starting with gender, then physical measurements, and lastly background details. Once established her appearance and movement were fleshed out by the team's concept artist Aya Takemura[5] and rendered as a 3D model by a design team that worked solely on the character.[7] Talim was then animated by a motion designer using motion capture and working directly with the team.[5] During this phase the team additionally worked with the Soulcalibur story creators, refining the character's own role in the plot as needed throughout development.[8]

Talim's weapons were built around the concept of dual-weapon usage, with special emphasis that while bladed, the weapons themselves were not actual tonfa, intended more as ritual items used in ceremonial dances. During development it was considered to allow them to transform and be sentient, however the idea was abandoned.[9] In artwork of an early character lineup, her weapons were significantly larger and extending the length of her whole arm.[10] The weapons were shortened as development progressed, due to concerns that their length should cause her "stomach to be sliced open" when she used them and how they restricted her character movement.[11] However, this iteration made it farther into the design process, as finalized concept sketches of her outfit shown in The Art of Soulcalibur II feature the longer blades.[12]

Talim's character concept was designed around the idea of introducing a young female character that the developers felt the series lacked, though due to her design some of the development team confused her for a boy.[9] Early character drafts also gave her a more "determined" personality, emphasized by her facial expressions.[11] Her outfits were based on a "Priestess of the Wind" motif, and meant to represent attire worn by her village during rituals.[13] For her appearance in Soulcaibur VI they focused on a refinement of her costume from Soulcalibur II, incorporating a large hat and ribbons into the design to better emphasize the wind theme.[14] She stands at 144 cm (4 ft 8 in) tall, making her the second shortest playable character in the series, and has a bust size of 70 cm (27 in).[15]

Appearances

Talim was introduced in Soulcalibur II, growing up in a South-East Asian village in the Philippine Visayan Islands. The only daughter of the local shaman, she was trained to be a Wind Priestess, which relied on two elbow blades as part of its ceremonial dance. When a stranger brought a shard of the cursed sword Soul Edge to her village, she sensed the danger from the fragment and left her village to return it where it belonged.[4][16] Talim later appeared in subsequent entries in the Soulcalibur series with the exception of Soulcalibur V, each time venturing to find the source of Soul Edge, or in the case of Soulcalibur IV preventing fellow character Yun-Seong from falling under its influence.[17][18] In English she was voiced by Julie Parker until the release of Soulcalibur IV where she was voiced by Kira Buckland, while in Japanese for all appearances she is voiced by Yukari Tamura.[2][3]

Her movement and fighting style were designed around her culture and a bird-theme, emphasizing close horizontal strikes upon opponents as well as freedom of movement.[9] Talim is very quick and evasive, with moves such as "Wind Sault" allowing her to close the distance between herself and the opponent quickly. She has additional moves that allow her to either stun the opponent temporarily or knock them down, with former allowing her to chain into subsequent attacks and apply consecutive stun. However this also makes her a more difficult character to use, and causes her gameplay to have to rely on tricks, gimmicks, and stuns to do significant damage.[18]

Critical reception

 
Talim's design has made her a frequent subject of cosplay by fans

Described by The Art of Game Characters as having "hints of manga in those big eyes",[19] Talim has been positively received since her debut. In 2015 she was voted the most popular Soulcalibur character in the West in an official poll by Namco Bandai,[20] and has been cited as a popular subject of cosplay in literature.[21][22] GameSpy's Christian Nutt stated Talim's "unpredictable nature" made her interesting, though added "she's almost too cute to fit in" alongside the other characters.[23] Tim Rogers in a review for Insert Credit called Talim "the cutest of the young girl characters [in Soulcalibur II] by far," and stated a preference for her symmetrical outfits.[24] Hungarian magazine MultiPlay described her fighting style as one of the most unique introduced in fighting games in the last quarter century, and felt her "lightning-quick" attacks made her the most interesting character in Soulcalibur II.[25] The book The Rough Guide to Videogames meanwhile praised the physical diversity she brought to the cast compared to more voluptuous characters in thee series, feeling it was one of aspects that made Soulcalibur II great.[26]

She has also been cited as the first visible Filipino character in video games, and has been described in a study of the series' characters as "created for the Philippine market".[27] The book Open World Empire: Race, Erotics, and the Global Rise of Video Games noted that her appearance and ability to control the wind gave her ethnic background "a campy cultural 'fragrance' that invites humorous parodies and irreverent performances as well as objectifying gazes," but due to the race's scarcity in video games, she also garnered pride.[28] Game writer Pat Miller in an interview for Polygon stated regarding her cultural background he "was really stoked to see that...I like having those points of identification". Himself part Filipino, he added that her inclusion made it easier to bring new people into the fighting game community.[29]

Talim's image has also been utilized in material revolving around her sex appeal as a female character, by publications such as Play and PSM.[30][31] Gadget Review writer Kristie Bertucci stated that while she was the "girliest" character of the franchise, "that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a sexy side to her", naming her one of the hottest female characters in gaming due to being "built quite nicely with curves in all the right places" and her attire.[32] Matt Sainsbury of DigitalDownloaded.net in multiple articles praised her, calling her "the perfect fighting game character" due to her high speed and how she added to the series' fanservice. He particularly praised her as a "nice, normal-proportioned girl who just happens to wear a harem-style outfit", a clothing style he felt represented "a sensuality and exotic sexuality that is simultaneously more subtle and more typical" of other examples in gaming such as bikinis and schoolgirl uniforms.[33][34][35][36]

However, some criticisms were raised against the character's sexualization. Brazilian Professor Georgia da Cruz Pereira stated that despite representing "a bit of differentiation compared to most of the characters in the game" due to a lack of breasts and hips coupled with her young age, "she is still inserted within a context of sexualization and standardization of the female body" in the series.[37] The Village Voice described her as "mixing it up in see-through pants and a bra top", further calling her a "troubling" example of over-sexualization and costume fetish in the game.[38] Maddy Myers in an article for Kotaku echoed these concerns, stating in Soulcalibur VI she "wears a tiny X-shaped tube top that criss-crosses over her nipples and a string bikini bottom that pokes out of low-slung shorts. Putting the series’ [...] youngest and most innocent characters in bikinis seems unnecessary."[39]

Contrary to both viewpoints, University of Delaware professor Rachael Hutchinson noted elements of her design suggest innocence, namely the pink ribbons in her hair, and observed that Talim's costume was not as revealing as other female characters within the series. While discussing her design, she stated that as the series progressed Talim's black hair shifted to a more blue hue, and believes this was meant to signify her as the "Other" to Japanese viewers: Asian, but not Japanese.[27] In another study, Hutchinson emphasized Talim's height against the series' much taller male characters, stating that being able to fight them with her "inverts stereotypical gender expectations and provides entertainment through deviation from the norm", due to the expectation male opponents should win due to their superior size.[40]

References

  1. ^ Namco Bandai Entertainment America. "SoulCalibur V - Behind The Game". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ^ a b c "Talim Voices (Soulcalibur)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "resume.pdf" (PDF). Kira Buckland Voice Actress. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Deats, Adam; Joe Epstein (2008). Soulcalibur IV. BradyGames. pp. 136–143. ISBN 978-0-7440-1006-0.
  5. ^ a b c Staff (December 7, 2007). "Behind the Game: Soul Calibur III". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  6. ^ 開発者公募１. soularchive.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
  7. ^ De Marco, Flynn (September 20, 2007). "Tgs07: Soul Calibur Director Katsutoshi Sasaki on Weapons, Characters and Storyline". Kotaku. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  8. ^ Staff (October 10, 2005). "Soul Calibur III Interview". CVG. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c 「ソウルキャリバーII」開発者インタビュー [Soul Calibur II developer interview]. Impress Watch (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  10. ^ Takahashi, Yoshinori [@masuooyama] (May 4, 2020). 外出ままならぬGW。何か楽しんでいただけるものでも、ということで先輩から継承した秘蔵のキャリバー2初期設定画を公開。御剣とタキが不在（画像内の侍と忍者は別人…！）、淑やかなカサンドラ、タリムの巨大武器など、最終形と色々と違っていて味わい深いですね。 [GW where you can't go out. In the hope that you'll enjoy it, I've released the treasured Caliber 2 initial setting image that I inherited from my senior. There are many differences from the final form, such as the absence of Mitsword and Taki (the samurai and ninja in the image are different people!), the graceful Cassandra, and Talim's huge weapon, which makes it very interesting.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ a b Takahashi, Yoshinori [@masuooyama] (May 4, 2020). 初期タリムは勝気な性格だったらしく、表情にも出ていますね。技のモーションも、一部にはその名残が見られます。武器サイズが変更された理由は主にモーション都合で、トンファーのように振り回した際に大きいな刃だと腹を切ってしまい、動作の制限が厳しかったためだと聞いた記憶があります。 [In the early days, Talim seemed to have a strong personality, and it shows in his facial expressions. Remnants of this technique can also be seen in some of the motions of the techniques. I remember hearing that the reason why the weapon size was changed was mainly to improve the movement of the weapon.If you swing it like a tonfa, a large blade will cut you in the stomach, so the movement was severely restricted.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Davis, H. Leigh (2003). The Art of SoulCalibur II. BradyGames. pp. 56–57. ISBN 0-7440-0295-8.
  13. ^ @soulcalibur (June 15, 2021). "Concept art for Talim. This is a refinement of a costume from SC2, which is close to the period setting. The design is based on the "Priestess of the Wind" motif, and is designed as folk costumes that are used in the rituals of the Village of the Wind Deity. (1/2)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ @soulcalibur (June 15, 2021). "(2/2)In the rough draft stage, we considered several variations of the costume, crossing the better parts from past works. The big hat and the long ribbons that swept in the wind are the features of SC6" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ SoulCalibur: New Legends of Project Soul. Bandai Namco Entertainment. May 16, 2014. p. 155. ISBN 978-1926778952.
  16. ^ Romano, Sal (July 5, 2018). "Soulcalibur VI adds Talim". Gematsu. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  17. ^ Martinez, Philip (July 5, 2018). "'SoulCalibur VI' Characters: Talim Returns in New Gameplay Trailer". NewsWeek. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Soul Calibur 4 Character Spotlight: Talim". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  19. ^ Hartas, Leo (June 2005). The Art of Game Characters. Harper Design. p. 38. ISBN 9780060724313.
  20. ^ "Talim, Taki, and Mitsurugi Top Project Soul's Official Soulcalibur Character Poll". Shoryuken.com. June 15, 2015. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  21. ^ "Top 6 Video Game Cosplays". Game On! 2016. Scholastic Inc. 2015. p. 158. ISBN 9780545850315.
  22. ^ Han, Yaya; DeBlasio, Allison; Marsocc, Joey (May 2013). 1,000 Incredible Costume and Cosplay Ideas. Quarry Books. p. 183. ISBN 9781610587631.
  23. ^ Nutt, Christian (August 26, 2003). "Soulcalibur II Review". GameSpy. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  24. ^ Rogers, Tim (April 7, 2003). "Soul Calibur II Review". Insert Credit. Archived from the original on October 29, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
  25. ^ "Soulcalibur II". Multiplay (in Hungarian). May 2003. pp. 24–25.
  26. ^ Berens, Kate; Howard, Geoff (September 2008). The Rough Guide to Videogames. Rough Guides. p. 186. ISBN 9781843539957.
  27. ^ a b Pulos, Alexis; Austin, Lee (December 24, 2016). Transnational Contexts of Culture, Gender, Class, and Colonialism in Play: Video Games in East Asia. Springer. p. 172. ISBN 978-3-319-43817-7.
  28. ^ Patterson, Christopher B. (April 14, 2020). Open World Empire: Race, Erotics, ant the Global Rise of Video games. NYU Press. p. 56. ISBN 9781479802043.
  29. ^ Bowman, Mitch (February 6, 2014). "Why the Fighting Game Community is Color Blind". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  30. ^ "Soulcalibur". Girls of Gaming. Vol. 5, no. 5. Play. p. 17.
  31. ^ "Welcome to the 4th Annual PSM Swimsuit Special". PSM. No. 72. June 2003. p. 44.
  32. ^ Bertucci, Kristie (July 5, 2012). "20 Hottest Female Video Game Characters (list)". Gadget Review. Archived from the original on August 8, 2012.
  33. ^ Sainsbury, Matt. "Bandai Namco's finally announced the most important Soulcalibur VI character". DigitallyDownloaded.net. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  34. ^ Sainsbury, Matt (November 27, 2018). "Game of the Year, 2018: Best fanservice". DigitalDownloaded.net. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  35. ^ Sainsbury, Matt (May 26, 2017). "The Friday Ten: The ten top fighting game waifu". DigitalDownloaded.net. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  36. ^ Sainsbury, Matt. "Game Theory: The harem costume – where it comes from and why it's so popular". DigitallyDownloaded.net. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  37. ^ Araújo, Guilherme Pedrosa Carvalho; Pereira, Georgia da Cruz (2017). "Não se preocupem queridos, a cavalaria chegou: análise crítica do design das personagens de Overwatch" [Don’t Worry Darlings, the Cavalry Has Arrived: Critical Analysis of Overwatch's Character Designs] (PDF). Anais do Simpósio Brasileiro de Jogos e Entretenimento Digital (in Portuguese). 16. ISSN 2179-2259. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  38. ^ Hodges, Gary (August 6, 2008). "Lightsabers and Tits in Soul Calibur IV". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2008.
  39. ^ Myers, Maddy (November 20, 2018). "The Inexplicable Sexiness Of Ivy Valentine". Kotaku. Archived from the original on May 1, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  40. ^ Hutchinson, Rachael (2007). "Performing the self: Subverting the binary in combat games". Games and Culture. 2 (4): 283–299. doi:10.1177/1555412007307953. S2CID 10067087.
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