Setsuka (Soulcalibur)

Setsuka (雪華?) is a character in the Soul series of fighting games, starting from Soulcalibur III-IV. She returns again in Soulcalibur VI.

In her debut appearance, the designers of Soulcalibur III intended to present Setsuka as a unique woman reminiscent of a flower by emphasizing the shape of her silhouette and her glamorous kimono. To represent her Western origin and Eastern upbringing, Setsuka's appearance has a constant east-meets-west theme. In all of Setsuka’s incarnations, she has been depicted as wearing a kimono or a similar robe.

Since she's not born but raised in Japan, some fans suggest that Setsuka is of European or more specifically of English origin based on her alternate outfit in Soulcalibur IV, which some fans dubbed her "Mary Poppins" outfit. Because the Portuguese arrived in Japan as the first European traders in 1543, it is also possible that Setsuka has roots in Portugal. The name she gave herself, Neve, means 'Snow' in Portuguese or "radiant" in English/ Irish language. Neve is the Anglicised form of Niamh a irish feminine given-name which pronounced just like the Anglicised version of it. Her look post-Soulcalibur IV further increases the possibility of her being from Portugal, Ireland or somewhere in Great Britain. Her blonde hair makes it likely that she is from northern Europe as blonde hair would be uncommon or even non-existent in other parts of Europe and the world at the time period the Soul series is set in. It is known however, that Project Soul is not aiming for a realistic approach to character design.

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. Also, Setsuka's Soulcalibur IV 1P costume bears a striking resemblance to the character Ochō Inoshika from the 1973 sexploitation revenge features Furyō Anegoden: Inoshika Ochō (English Title: "Sex & Fury") and Yasagure Anegoden: Sôkatsu Rinchi (English Title: "Female Yakuza Tale"). She, too, hides blades in her umbrella and exposes her right arm and shoulder from her kimono sleeve in order to maximize freedom of sword-arm movement.