Taki

Origin

A fierce Demon Hunter and Kunoichi, Taki travels the world slaying evil supernatural beings and spirits. Born in Japan, Taki was orphaned at a young age. She had a brother, but he would pass as well to the same illness that their parents would fall victim to. Without any other relatives or support, she would subsequently taken in raised and trained by the infamous Fu-ma ninja clan.

Taki would be trained under Master Toki. Taki would grow into quite a skilled and disciplined Kunoichi, learning Musoh-Battoh-Ryu, Ninjutsu, and Taijutsu, as well various other ninja techniques and disciplines, as well as general skills such as blacksmithing.

Over her years of training, Taki would develop somewhat of a stoic and calm personality, being able to put aside emotions, and demonstrate disciplined and methodical approach to matters. This leading to some viewing her as cold and ruthless. Later in her life Taki would have a young apprentice in Natsu.

Creation

Taki is a fictional character that was first introduced in the Namco fighting game franchise Soul Calibur. Her character design is attributed to Kouji Mitsunaga. Her first appearance would be in the video game Soul Edge released in 1995. Like many of her popular Soul Calibur peers she would eventually go on to appear in the franchises other creative ventures, including comics, appearing in Soul Calibur #1 released in 1999.

Character Evolution

Taki is a significantly popular character from the Soul Calibur series, frequently cited and mentioned as one of the most iconic fighters from the franchise. So much so that one of the main criticisms of the Soul Calibur 5 video game was its omission of her, notable as she had appeared in every installment prior.

Taki like many fighting game fighters, draws heavily upon certain tropes and stereotypes. In Taki's case, kunoichi and ninja tropes.

Major Story Arcs

Soul Blade

Towards the end of Taki's journey to destroy Soul Edge she would have to face the dread pirate Cervantes. Taki would be victorious and assist in saving Sophitia in the process. After defeating Cervantes, Taki would carry the wounded Greek warrior to safety. Cervantes defeated body would explode releasing evil energy that eventually come to inhibit the body of German Knight Siegfried.

Soul Calibur 2

In Soul Calibur Toki was still sending out assassins to kill Taki, but one time was different because the assassians that Toki had sent were ordered to capture her not kill her.Once Taki had defeated the ninjas she had searched their bodies and flung a metal fragment. Taki had then found out that master Toki was trying to find out information about Soul Edge, thats why Toki's ninjas were tying to keep her alive, so that she could tell Toki everything about Soul Edge. Taki knowing of all the notorious things that would happen if someone were to wield Soul Edge, knew that she could not let master Toki be the next wielder.

On Taki's journey back to Japan she sensed the precence of Soul Edge, she then knew that time was running out. Taki had then eventually tracked down Soul Edge to the Ostrheinsburg Chapel,an old chapel where Soul Edge and Soul Calibur had fought many years ago.When Taki had gotten there she had seen Heisharo Mitsurugi,another Soul Calibur figher who Taki has had countless runins with.She had seen that Mitsurugi was on his way to fight Soul Edge,but he had stopped, turned around and then he had seen Taki.

He had said to her, "I have had enough of you!". Taki then replied after laughing and saying, "Haven't you had enough?". Taki then somersaulted near him and then they had begun to fight. When the battle was over,Taki had won.Before she was going to take on Soul Edge she had said to Mitsurugi that he needs to go home now knowing that Soul Edge was to powerful for him to face. As Taki had turned around she saw a bright light then she had seen Soul Edge. Everything around her was in flames like there last encounter but Taki soon realized that she was in Hell.

Before Taki and the dreadful sword were going to begin fighting, she powered up Meki-Maru,then the two fought three long battles. After the ballet was over and Taki landed her last blow to Soul Edge. Soul Edge had then begun to float in the air while screaming, Soul Edge had exploded and Soul Calibur was released and stuck into the ground.Moments later everything had cleared up and she was back at the Ostrheinsburg Chapel, but Soul Calibur was not there.Once she was back she had whispered the words to herself,"Demon Captured!".Taki had then set her sights east, she had felt another unusual presence somewhere there.As she headed out you could see a trail of energy coming from both Mekki-Maru and Rikki-Maru.

Soul Calibur 3

In Soul Calibur 3 Taki had taken on a new appearance. Instead of usually wearing crimson red she had worn navy blue and armor and an armor mask around her mouth.Taki had to face one of the only people in her life, Master Toki. Toki was still under the evil influence of Soul Edge. Taki and Toki had fought under the Hoko Temple, and with Toki being the one who had taught Taki everything she knows the battle was difficult.In the end Taki had won the battle. Before Taki was going to kill him Toki weakly said to Taki, "Taki.....is that you? its very dark..."

When Taki had heard those words come from Toki she knew that it was really him and not the evil being controlling him.Then a spirit had come out of Toki's mouth and vanished into the air. Taki knew at that moment that she had to stop and destroy Soul Edge, before Toki would.Since the sword was weakened it would not be difficult to find. Taki had then tracked a piece of the sword to Japan where she found out that an old enemy had it, Mitsurugi.

Taki demanded that he hand over the shard of the sword, so she attacked, but Mitsurugi was able to block the attacks. Mitsurugi then told her, "If you want it so badly come take it by force!" Taki then replied saying, "Soul Edge your scars run deep, even in death." The two then began to continue the fight, but no one knows what the outcome of this battle was.

Soul Calibur 4

In Soul Calibur 4 Taki had sought to put a complete end to Soul Edge and Soul Calibur. Taki had believed that both of the swords had caused way to much damage to the world and for to long. Taki had set out on a journey to destroy the blades and she had killed anyone that stood in her way of destroying the swords. Her final battle was against Sigefried, he was the latest possessor of Soul Calibur. At the end of Taki's battle against Sigefried they both had landed a strike on each other but Taki had no damage against her, but Sidefried did.

As Sigefried dropped to the ground he began taking to Taki saying, " Why do you stand in my way. Are you saying that my way is wrong, and that I will fail? " Taki then replied saying, " Unfortunately, yes." Taki explained to Siegfried that we must face our fears by ourselves. Sigefried still holding Soul Calibur, was then embodied in crystals freezing him because of Soul Calibur. As he was being crystallized, Taki quietly walked away. There is no way to know how Taki lived there on out, she sealed such a great evil away and then disappeared from history.

Powers and Abilities

Taki wields Kodachi short swords, her most common pair referred to as Rekki-Maru and Mekki-Maru.

With Taki being trained by master Toki she has learned many techniques and the powers that Toki granted her have come useful from time to time. Taki is benn trained to becoming a ninja since she was a child. Taki is a Ninjutsu practitioner being able to perform various acrobatic moves with great speed. She is very good at dodging as well being able to cart-well or even teleport out of the way of attacks from enemies. With Taki's magic powers the most of her attacks with them cannot be blocked by anything. Her main magic moves that she uses are possession, teleportation and ninja cannon.

Taki's ninja cannon allows her to store energy within the palm of her hands and then hitting her enemy with concussive force. Taki's main use of defense are her twin blades Mekki-Maru and Rikki-Maru. She carries these two swords with one on her back and one on her back hip. Taki uses her twin blades very quickly and with Rikki-Maru being charges, her attacks with Rekki-Maru will be much stronger than her attacks with Meki-Maru. Taki has a favorite attack that she uses to finish her opponents off.

First Taki would hold both of her blades together and say ougi! then Taki would do a kick and back-flip off her opponent. She would then cast a spell on her body to duplicate herself into three people and slice her opponent from every angle on their body. Finally for her final hit she would jump into the sky and stab her opponent in the head killing them.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 5'7"
• Weight: 117 lbs
• Eyes: Brown
• Hair: Black

Other Media

Video Games

• Soul Edge (1995)
• Soulcalibur (1998)
• Soulcalibur II (2002)
• Soulcalibur III (2005)
• Soulcalibur IV (2008)
• Soulcalibur: Lost Swords (2014)