Waifu Wednesday: Talim (Soulcalibur)

All Articles Features Fighting Games Headliners Waifu Wednesday
Lilia Hellal
January 11, 2023
0

It probably goes without saying that I am not well versed in fighting games at all. But if there is one thing I know, it’s that I love the character of Talim from the Soulcalibur franchise. Having grown up with Soulcalibur as the one and only true fighting game that I would casually play (and spectacularly fail at time and time again) I got early indications that I was pretty incompatible with fighting games. But the character of Talim was one I came to cherish upon discovering her in Soulcalibur II on PlayStation 2.

Here’s to the IP’s ultimate dual-wielding sweetheart — who happens to be a fan favourite to plenty of us. It’s no surprise really when we get into the why!

Who is Talim?

Talim joined the Soulcalibur universe in its third instalment with Soulcalibur II, following Soul Blade/Edge and Soulcalibur. Her sole reason for existence was to bring a truly lawfully good character into the series. Talim is a selfless pacifist through and through, and while many of the series’ characters willingly embrace the darkness of the demonic sword Soul Edge, Talim is actively fighting against everything it stands for at each and every turn. She never allows any shard of it to influence or consume her. At the very heart and core of her character, she is the embodiment of unmoving, unflinching and irrepressible purity.

She takes it upon herself, at the age of 15, to save her homeland and restore peace to the world by setting off on a journey alone with only the wind to guide her and her dual elbow blades in hand. When I first played Soulcalibur II, she felt like an even more badass Yuna from Final Fantasy X in terms of what she represented in my eyes. She truly left a mark on my impressionable, younger self.

Why we love her

Talim is a sweetheart who you want to protect. Her introduction in the series via Soulcalibur II places her as its youngest character in its roster. Much of her dialogue reveals her concerns and self-doubt, something that further showcases just how thoughtful she is of others and how she still has yet to come into her own across a more personal and self-motivating journey of showing her worth and capability for all to see.

As a fighter and a lover, she exemplifies this in multiple ways with just how much of a pacifist she really is across the series. She not only apologies for defeating any opponent, but she readily forgives Algol in her story ending in Soulcalibur IV despite him representing and unleashing such chaos and evil in the world. She may be short and tiny, but as the last of her kind, she is shown to never give up no matter the game, storyline or scenario. She was a breath of fresh air in her initial introduction and remains as the most remarkable and memorable character of the entire series for what she stands for.

Why you will love her

Talim’s idealistic personality and overall design represents purity. With her wind priestess motif, her entire move set and backstory reinforces her innocent nature which is further validated by her heavily white-coloured outfits and flower representation being the Philippine Jasmine. It is wonderfully juxtaposed with how much of a badass cutie she is since despite her being so wholeheartedly against violence; she sure can pack a punch if the situation demands it. She can literally send you flying with wind based attacks, even catching you in a mini tornado.

On that note, her strength as a playable character lies in her speed and agility, since she takes damage more easily than other characters. She’s fragile and poses a risk to those who are not able to block and dodge often enough, but her gameplay is easily some of the most accessible and rewarding in the series, especially in how her combos unleash quick strings of jabs.

Check out the franchise now on a plethora of consoles, starting with Soulcalibur II, of course.

Join The Discussion

Rice Digital Discord
Rice Digital Twitter
Rice Digital Facebook

Or write us a letter for the Rice Digital Friday Letters Page by clicking here!

^{Disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on them. This is at no additional cost to you and helps support Rice Digital!}