Isabella Valentine

Earl Valentine, known for his successes in alchemy, was obsessed with finding Soul Edge, which he called the "key to eternal youth." By his death, he managed to squander his entire fortune, but never achieved success. Soon after his death, Countess Valentine, his wife, also left this world. Thus, Ivy remained the only representative of the Valentine family.

Although in fact the count couple Valentine were not the real parents of Ivy. She was planted at the door of the Count's estate in infancy. Only after the death of the Countess Ivy found out that she was the receptionist. However, this did not matter much to her.

Obeying her father’s last will, Ivy also began to study alchemy and continued her search for Soul Edge. As a result of her research, she found out that this sword has dark energy and is able to absorb souls. At that moment, Ivy vowed to destroy him at all costs. With the help of occult rituals, she called into the world a strange energy, which took the form of the sword-whip Ivy Blade. The sword, with its own will, has become a reliable companion and protector of Ivy.

After meeting the Nightmare, defeating him, and splitting the Soul Edge into shards, Ivy learned that the force that gave life to her own sword was also associated with Soul Edge. In addition, she found out her origin - the real father of Ivy was also a carrier of Soul Edge and obsessed with his strength.

Amazed by this knowledge, Ivy returned home and closed in the laboratory, trying in vain for a long time to destroy Ivy Blade. A few months later, Ivy came to the conclusion that simply destroying the Soul Edge is not enough - it must be completely erased from reality and history. As soon as Ivy learns that the Soul Edge has been shattered, she sets off on a new journey.

Ivy seeks to destroy every shard of Soul Edge, everyone who came into contact with it, every carrier of cursed blood. No one and nothing can stop her on this path, even innocent victims. These are all little things compared to destroying Soul Edge.

On his journey, Ivy learns one more thing - Soul Edge chose her as the next keeper. Attacked by Cervantes, Ivy loses her soul, but alchemy and dark energy help her maintain an artificial life in her body. Now she has one more goal - to destroy everything related to Soul Edge, including herself.

Ivy’s weapon, the “serpent sword,” is unique among other weapons in the game, and has been chosen in front of other character elements. Her design and concept were built to revolve around her, starting with the floor, then physical measurements, and finally reference data. After her appearance and movements were fleshed out in the artist’s concept , her character was rendered into a 3D model by a design team that worked exclusively for her, ^[1] and then animated mainly by Naotake Hirata using motion capture to create her movements in the game, ^{[2 ] [3]} with Yasushi Shibue developing animation for her casts, ^[4] and several animations created without using motion capture to position is difficult for the actors. ^[5] At this stage, the team additionally worked with Solkalibur story, the creators, character processing, its own role in the plot as needed during development. ^[6]

During development, many alternatives for Ivy's design were considered, including a male ninja, a mummy and a little girl, while the weapons remain unchanged, only the size changes. ^[7] With Soulcalibur II , the development team selected her as their favorite character from the previous chapter. ^[8] Producer Hiroaki Yoriyama felt that her fighting style was not fully expressed in Soulcalibur and focused on Ivy from the very beginning of the project to make her more “uniquely fatal”. ^[9] Namco recognized Ivy as one of the three most popular characters in the series on the North American market, along with Taki and The Nightmare . ^[10] Soulcalibur V producer Hisaharu Tago emphasis on this as the basis for including a character for the game, in addition, referring to her fighting style and role in the storyline of the game. ^[eleven]

Design

Ivy looks like a tall, busty girl with short white hair. A bluish-purple swimsuit covers the body and arms, parts of which were removed to expose her neckline, from the buttocks and different parts of the abdomen. Similar leggings cover her legs half below her hips, connected to a swimsuit to buy a garter on gold metal at their peak. Sleeves of the same material cover her right arm and arm, while armor covers her left arm, arm and shoulder. A small shoulder pad covers her right shoulder, while high heels cover her legs, and a white glove covers her right hand. On the left shoulder, the shoulder pads include Rosa Tudor , the traditional heraldic symbol of England, while armor plates were designed to resemble one of her swords. ^[7] The mask covering the right side of her face and eyes were also examined, but abandoned after the original concept of the character. ^[12] while its design was changed a bit as the series progressed, the concept remained unchanged throughout the series, with the exception of removing the glove compartment in later designs. Ivy’s height is 1.79 m, which makes her the tallest female character in the series, ^[13] and with a bust measuring 100 cm (39 V) and the bustiest, although this aspect is that the developers felt that they overdid their appearance in soulcalibur IV on . ^[14]

Ivy is an alternative character design in games as opposed to her main design, with secondary ones from fans in a game consisting of a countess's outfit or blue or red pants, a vest and jacket, white boots covering her legs, and her hair combed back. To the account of the second , third alternative design was added, consisting of a red swimsuit and gloves with gilding, with red stockings on her legs; in addition, the fourth design, reminiscent of her appearance at the conclusion of the warriors - was believed to include a cloak and a caduceus symbol on the front of her swimsuit, clasping her chest, but was not used. ^[15] In the game , a long, pink-themed dress with a hat and veil was used as the third alternate, one of several designs considered. ^[16] For fans of IW , a themed black dress is also used as her only alternative design for the game.

In video games

As brought into the warriors , Ivy was raised by St. Valentine, to a noble family in London ( England ). Ivy's father became obsessed with the soul of the edge of the damned sword, and worked himself to death. Her mother died shortly afterwards, and it turned out, Ivy, that she was not their biological daughter. Having become an alchemist , Ivy learned that her father was obsessed and decided to destroy the soul of the land. She created an animated, segmented sword, animating it, unknowingly invoking the soul of the edge in the current node, a nightmare, and was convinced to become one of his servants, not realizing that he was operating the blade she was looking for. Having learned the whole truth, and that her real father was the sword of the previous owner of Cervantes and she will be near him, she left. Continuing his quest to destroy the sword in later games, Ivy was attacked by Cervantes and her soul consumed in soulcalibur IV on . Using an artificial soul to keep herself alive, she acts as a teacher for young warriors when the sword reappears years later. ^[17]

Ivy also appears in the prequel to Fans of Legends , linking himself to the main character Siegfried , and shares a common language with his other allies, Lloyd Irving. ^[18] In In soulcalibur: A Broken Fate 's “glove” plot, a side plot unfolds after the events in soulcalibur IV. Ivy helps the character Hilda and her party develop a cure for her father's ailment. When he was told that Cervantes would need a soul as payment, they try to reconsider, only for Ivy, to use the main character returned to the chair, repeating her terms. ^[nineteen]

Designed as a weapon, with the longest reach in Solkalibur , ^[20] Ivy Valentine's Sword consists of several small blades connected by a chain capable of taking either broadsword or whip chain shapes. These forms represented different positions. Ivy can be used in a row, changing many of her attacks for each application and various uses or type of weapon, with some, such as spiral lust, a component of an existing attack. In addition to this sword, it can also have segments that can be divided, in which case they will attack the enemy in different ways before recombining onto the sword chain. ^[21] due to its diversity, Ivy was seen as an opportunity to attack from any distance, however, it was also described as difficult to use correctly if using a variety of opponents is weak. ^[22] however, attacks such as Ivy Brambler allow her greater variety in assortment, and allow traction in other attacks after a successful strike. Other attacks, such as the challenge of suffering and distress, Symphony, attract fights with the enemy to damage them, however, use sophisticated management tools that require them to be used in combination with other movements. ^[23] With the Xbox a live release of fans , due to its complexity the former was used to achieve . ^[24]

Promotion and merchandising

Ivy was featured among other characters in soulcalibur II 's Arcade Flyer, ^[25] and was featured in other print ads for the games in the series. She also appeared on the cover of all Sony-console games in the series, ^{[26] [27] [28]} , and also in soulcalibur legends for Nintendo for Wii . ^[29] she is also visible on the white Xbox 360 console in soulcalibur IV for the arcade joystick together by Hilda and Siegfried, ^[30] and in the art field for Korean distribution of lilac-colored PSP . ^[31] in addition, the character was used to demonstrate the graphic capabilities of both Soulcalibur IV and the subsequent Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny game in a technical demonstration and advertising flyer, respectively. ^{[32] [33]} Ivy was also in addition to Siegfried in the manga adaptation of , published in the Japanese shoken magazine Kerokero Ace ; The manga, written in a humorous tone, used Siegfried’s jest annoying that Ivy is significantly taller than he was. ^[34]

Several figurines and figurines were made like Ivy. Following the release of Soulcalibur , a resin kit by Kurushima was released, ^[35] along with a figurine on Kesa . ^{[36] The} c-era era released a 1/12 scale Ivy action figure in a set of three titles, as well as with equipable weapons. ^[37] In August 2003, Todd McFarlane Productions released Ivy sculptures among five based on Soulcalibur II . The motionless figure was modeled after her main outfit and stood six inches with the base and extended her sword. ^[38] Eugene released a four inch tall figurine based on her soulcalibur II and art, as part of their "Namco Girls Series # 5" line and gashapon figurines. ^{[39] A} twelve-inch-high immobilized PVC action figure modeled on her game appearance was released on the enterbrain site in September 2008, using a white version of her outfit and an extended sword; ^{[40] A} navy outfit for the “international color” version of the sculpture was also produced. ^[41]

Although often referred to as one of the most difficult characters to play like a soul series, Ivey received a great positive reception and was described as one of a series of the most “basic” and “strong” characters. ^[42] Of her fans of the second appearance, Ivy was nominated for a G4 2004 2004 Foria Awards show under the "Hot Character", along with Vanessa Z. Schneider and Rikku ; ^{[43] [44]} She was also a symbol in their 2005 video game Fox Awards, winning the “Perverted Accessory” category. ^[45] Several other “top ten” listings were also Ivy in a similar context, including the Xbox team , ^[46] Machinima.com , ^[47] and Spike TV. ^[48] In 2009, she appeared on the cover of the French IG magazine, along with other female characters in video games, as one of the best heroines of the games. ^[49]

Ivy was mentioned in the book “Disconnected of America,” as an example in soulcalibur II with a 'C' difference from the name including Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter in terms of comparable real experience. ^{[50] The} play magazine called her one of the “best females in all 3D fights”, adding characters to the series, she was the one they liked to play, like most. she took second place in the GII - s “In soulcalibur: in the top ten” article, which stated: “few, if any, souls of fighters are so capacious to summarize that the series is about how Ivy Valentine.” ^[51] according to IGN also included her on the list of guest characters they would like to see in Super Smash Bros. Brawl , ^[52] and in the "Top 50 Chicks Behave Badly" list, describing it as "pain in the ass, but she has a tight, so she is so on us." ^[53] on gamespy called her one of the “25 Rudest Debauchers” in video games, glorifying the brutality of her fighting style and weapons. ^[54] Tome of the game named her one of the fifty greatest female characters in video game history, declaring that as "an anti-hero who often clashes with other souls, Ivy is a fascinating character for fighting game." ^[55] UGO.com ranked her sixteenth on the Top 50 Evil Women list, noting her role as an antagonist in the first fans , adding that it might be “hard to really appreciate her meanness” because of her attractiveness. and adding that her appearance and attitude made her a "dangerous competitor." ^[56] In 2013, the complex credited the top 20 characters from the series, ranking its seventh best character. ^[57]

Ivy appeared several times in GameDaily's “Baby of the Week” series of articles, ^{[58] [59] [60]} including in a separate article and eleventh in the list of “Top 50 Hottest Games Babes” articles. ^{[61] [62]} they later named her among other female characters in the soul series as an example of a strong and iconic female character in video games. ^[63] in the New York Times felt that her appearance came from the same "Goth cyberaesthetic [...] that the Matrix gave us", the one they felt was already morally obsolete. ^[64] UGO.com ranked her eighteenth in the “Top 50 Beauties Video Game” article, which said, “however much she instills fear in our hearts, we revel in the opportunity to look at her safety of our televisions.” ^[65] in subsequent articles, they called her one of the top eleven girls of the game at number ten and one of the top eleven heroines of video games at number eight, about “what can you say about the girls who carry the whip? If you're talking about Ivy from the Soul Calibur series, you can say that she’s pretty scary. ” ^{[66] [67]}

Like a sex symbol

Ivy's appearance and manner of behavior were at the center of discussions, she is often compared or described as a lady , ^{[68] [69]} and was noted as the most beautiful woman in the series and one of the “most beautiful women in games”. ^[70] She was featured in various third-party media, her semblance, appearing in the material including swimsuit magazine pin-up issue, ^[71] periodicals such as play 's annual “Girls from Games” series, ^{[72] [ 73] [74] [75]} and pornographic doujinshi . ^{[76] The} commercials also drew attention to its outward appeal, such as the Segas television commercial for fans of Dreamcast's port. ^[77] other facet media drew parallels between her and Lara Croft in terms of attractiveness, ^[78] or portrayed them as rivals along with other female characters in a similar context. ^{[79] [80]} other sources used her as a standard for the archetype character, comparing late created female characters to her design and appearance. ^[81] Studies on video games noted Ivy in the theme of the game "growing", discussing the growing popularity of the "video game babes" and the reactions of men and women to them. ^[82]

Game book : The history and culture of video games cited Ivy as an example of the realistic design of characters affected by the "Japanese, deformation of the aesthetic and global influence of animated animation," noting that she made characters such as Lara Croft look "positively monastic " for comparison. ^[83] race, gender, Multimedia: given the variety of different audiences, Content and producers use it as an example, most female characters in video games describe their bodies and clothes, and are created solely for the pleasure of players, most often men. ^[84] Rachel Hutchinson, an assistant professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Delaware , described her intimate looks and behavior as devices used by developers to emphasize her taller than average female characters in the title as “deviant,” justifying “social and cultural expectations regarding female forms ”in the process. ^[85] in an article on Kotaku , King Lee Alexander Ivey is used as the main example of the game representations of the ideal male and female or in the real world, and the concept that “ sex sells ”, noting the unconscious appeal of such a character as to imagine the game. ^[86]

The reception of the character’s sexual attractiveness is mostly positive, albeit with some criticism, as well as its design developed on the basis of the series. ^{[87] [88]} Joystiq mourned her appearance in soulcalibur IV, which , describing it as extreme instead of playing, such as dead or alive Xtreme on beach volleyball and noting that so far a complete redesign is superfluous, "at least alive or dead ] holds his chest in context. " ^[89] on msnbc described her outfit as “the apotheosis of the absurd,” noting that while she was revolving around her fateful woman , the design turned out to be physically difficult and made little sense to carry into battle. ^[90] former gamespot editor Jeff Gerstmann described changes in her appearance in soulcalibur IV as unnecessary, stating that “boobs are awesome, but there’s a queue. Ivy for this line. " ^[91] follow content editor David Houghton described her next to similar characters as “a purulent teenage fantasy lover,” adding directly to Ivy “[T] his is not an empowerment of women.” ^{[92] The} theme was later brought up as far back as the 2011 Pax East Convention, in which the All-Women's magazine of the group led by The Fugitive 's, Susan Arendt, decided that while the character was strong and difficult, but useful to master in the original fans , she was reduced to “ great ass bounced around the room ”in later games. ^[93]

Unlike the British magazine CVG cited her appearance in soulcalibur IV as attractive, stating that “Ivy ... we like her because she barely wears anything. Yes, we are like a girls video game. ” ^[94] IGN, in his "beauties in soulcalibur" article, noted that although her outfit pushed the line even according to game standards, they have no real complaints toward that character. ^[95] The Xbox team emphasized that while its appearance played a role in its appeal, its combat skills and unique weapons were also statistically significant, adding that “Ivy never disappoints with swords.” ^[96] did Alexander say in an article for GameSetWatch that during characters like Samus Aran served as “bastions of dignity”, characters like Ivy filled an important role in video games too, stating that “[I] t looks like Ivy again installed in a snap, but she is a game character; she will be fine. Why not just enjoy it? ” ^{[97] The} fugitive noted that the nature of behavior and sexual attractiveness, a certain character, and not serve as an additional aspect, saying that“ Ivy voluptuous mistress demeanor perfectly complements her confidently, punishing a set of movements. ” ^{[ 98]} UGO.com repeated the mood, noting in its “Top 11 Girls from Games” the article “Soul Calibur, a mega-pathos whip holding a beauty in her hands is not the only kid in the game, or even in the most favorable ... but her combination of sultry movement and candid n ranks shoots her schedule. "in the study of feminist points of view about women in games, comedian and writer Liana Kerzner led Ivy as an example of misconceptions empowered female character, noting that in comparison with characters such as Wonder Woman is a goodie, being “empowered” despite similar exhibiting outfits and physical constructions. She further stated that the character was interesting because “to fight her own flawed battle without anyone’s help”, and that the women who were passionate about the game had more in common with the character: “aggressive, intimidating, fighting, and scraped through life by effort will, armed with improvised weapons. " ^[99]

• Ivy is perceived as an evil character, although her goals coincide with the goals of good characters - she just does not consider means. So it’s more correct to consider it neutral.
• Ivy is the only character in the series whose portrait adorns the battle arena.
• Since the first appearance, Ivy has been involved in all introductory videos.
• Ivy is the highest female character in the series.
• Ivy’s shoulder pads and earrings are adorned with the “Tudor Rose” - the traditional heraldic symbol of England.
• According to Cassandra, in the non-canonical mode of Gauntlet Mode SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny, it is Ivy who helps Hilde's father in the fight against his ailment.
• Judging by her knowledge of alchemy, Ivy is probably one of the most intelligent characters in the series.
• The third Ivy costume in SoulCalibur II resembles the Anna Williams Tekken costume. In SoulCalibur V, Ivy stopped aging, so now she looks like Anna and her sister Nina Williams.
• Ivy is the second character in the history of fighting games using a whip sword. The first was Janne de Arc from the SNK Playmore's World Heroes series.
• The first hints that Ivey's real father is Cervantes appeared in SoulCalibur. Officially, their relationship was confirmed in SoulCalibur II.
• Ivy was one of the reasons why SoulCalibur was ported to SEGA Dreamcast, and not to the PlayStation - the Sony console could not cope with the animation of her sword.
• Ivy appeared as a guest character in the Queen's Gate: Spiral Chaos video game, along with Lili Rochefort (Tekken), Dizzy (Guilty Gear) and Noel Vermillion (BlazBlue).
• Ivy is to some extent associated with snakes, which is reflected in the name of her weapon (Snake Sword) and techniques (Ivy Lick, Serpent's Embrace, Coil, etc.).
• Despite his British origin, Ivy pronounces some words with an American accent.
• Among the Black Wind mercenaries, Ivy is known as Dexter Purple.
• Voice actress Ivy also worked on the characters Sindel and Sheeva from Mortal Kombat 9.