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{{Short description|Character in the Soulcalibur video game series}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox character
|name=Sophitia Alexandra
|image=Sophitia.png
|caption=Sophitia in ''[[Soulcalibur II]]''
|series=[[Soulcalibur]]
|firstgame = ''[[Soul Edge]]'' (1995)
|designer=Aya Takemura and Takuji Kawano<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG-vETVBWUU&t=1m49s |author=Namco Bandai Entertainment America |title=SoulCalibur V - Behind The Game |website=[[YouTube]] |date=6 July 2011 |accessdate=2023-04-26 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425164431/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG-vETVBWUU&t=1m49s |archivedate=2023-04-25 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|voice={{Collapsible list|title=[[English language|English]]|
|Diane Holmby <small>(''Soulcalibur II'')</small><ref name="behindthevoiceactors.com">{{cite web |title=Sophitia Alexandra Voices (Soulcalibur) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Soulcalibur/Sophitia-Alexandra/ |website=Behind The Voice Actors |access-date=2019-09-16 |archive-date=2018-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620001807/http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Soulcalibur/Sophitia-Alexandra/ |url-status=live}}</ref><br/>[[Erica Lindbeck]] <small>(''Soulcalibur VI'')</small><ref name="lindbeck">{{cite tweet |authorlink=Erica Lindbeck |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006054142/https://twitter.com/ericalindbeck/status/1053322372055322624 |archivedate= 2021-10-06 | user=ericalindbeck | first=Erica| last=Lindbeck | title=#SOULCALIBURVI | number=1053322372055322624 | date=2018-10-19 | access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref>}}
{{Collapsible list|title=[[Japanese language|Japanese]]|
|[[Michiko Neya]] <small>(''Soul Edge''–''Soulcalibur III'')</small><ref name="behindthevoiceactors.com"/>
|[[Chie Nakamura]] <small>(since ''Legends'')</small><ref>{{cite video game | developer=[[Project Soul]] | title=[[Soulcalibur Legends]] | publisher=[[Bandai Namco Entertainment|Bandai Namco Games]] | scene=Ending credits, 9:32 in, VOICE OVER ACTORS (Japanese) | year=2007}}</ref><!-- url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nDAi9z2kLQ --><ref name="behindthevoiceactors.com"/><ref>{{cite video game | developer=[[Project Soul]] | title=Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny | publisher=[[Bandai Namco Games]] | scene=Ending credits, 5:34 in, VOICE OVER ACTORS JAPANESE | year=2009}}</ref>
}}
|origin=[[Athens]], [[Greece]]
|nationality=Greek
|weapon=[[Xiphos]] and shield
}}
{{nihongo|'''Sophitia Alexandra'''|ソフィーティア・アレクサンドル|Sofītia Arekusandoru|lead=yes}} is a character in the ''[[Soulcalibur]]'' series of video games. Created by [[Namco]]'s [[Project Soul]] division by designers Aya Takemura and Takuji Kawano, she first appeared in ''[[Soul Edge]]'' and its subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise related to the series. A baker turned warrior from Athens fighting with a Xiphos and shield, Sophitia became involved in the search for the cursed sword Soul Edge at the behest of the god [[Hephaestus]]. The affair soon affected her other family members as well, including her sister, [[Cassandra Alexandra|Cassandra]], and later her children, [[List of Soulcalibur characters#Pyrrha|Pyrrha]] and [[List of Soulcalibur characters#Patroklos|Patroklos]].
Originally voiced by [[Michiko Neya]], Sophitia's designs focused heavily on her beauty typically with outfits reflecting Greek themes, however the emphasis on making her beautiful led to the development team trying to find a balance between a "sacred" and "vulgar" appearance for her character. In later entries in the series she has been one of the first characters to be implemented into the game, and served as a benchmark for other later characters to test against as they were implemented. While her gameplay has evoked mixed reactions, the character herself has received positive reception. While her beauty was often praised by the media, she has also commonly been cited in scholarly literature as an example of oversexualization in video game women.
==Conception and design==
As a character introduced in ''Soul Edge'', Sophitia's weaponry, a [[Xiphos]] (greek [[shortsword]]) and shield combination designed to be unique amongst the other weapons in the game, were selected before other elements of the character. Her design and concept were then built to revolve around it by designers Aya Takemura and Takuji Kawano, starting with gender, then physical measurements, and lastly background details. As with all the characters, after her appearance and movement were fleshed out by a [[concept artist]], her character was rendered as a [[3D model]] by a design team that worked solely on her,<ref>{{cite web|author=De Marco, Flynn |date=2007-09-20 |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/tgs07/soul-calibur-director-katsutoshi-sasaki-on-weapons-characters-and-storyline-302211.php |title=Tgs07: Soul Calibur Director Katsutoshi Sasaki on Weapons, Characters and Storyline |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=2008-07-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429050056/http://kotaku.com/gaming/tgs07/soul-calibur-director-katsutoshi-sasaki-on-weapons-characters-and-storyline-302211.php |archive-date=2008-04-29 }}</ref> and then animated by Tomoe Yamashita using [[motion capture]] to create her in-game movements.<ref name="opm">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3146108 |title=Behind the Game: Soul Calibur III |website=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=2008-07-30 |archive-date=2013-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227013155/http://www.1up.com/features/game-sciii |url-status=dead }}</ref> Yamashita, who additionally created the "struck" movements for many other characters in the game, noted particular fondness for Sophitia while designing her.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010709094157/http://www.soulcalibur.com/bladeblz/interview3.html |title=Interview with Yamashita-san |website=Project Soul |access-date=2008-11-29 |archive-date=2001-07-09 |url=http://www.soulcalibur.com/bladeblz/interview3.html}}</ref>
During her creation, designers focused on maintaining an innocent appearance for her face, to give the character a sense of feeling fresh and young. Freedom of movement between the sword and shield were emphasized, with the intention to allow for the blade to rotate around the shield for cyclonic attacks.<ref name="archive-edge">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050327160517/http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/sophitia/soph_cha.htm |archivedate= 2005-03-27|url=http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/sophitia/soph_cha.htm |title=Sophitia concept art |language=ja |website=Project Soul |access-date=2008-12-22}}</ref> The character concept would later be revisited in ''Soulcalibur IV'', appearing as an ally character in Sophitia's story mode and using her fighting style. While developing ''Soulcalibur VI'', Sophitia and [[Mitsurugi (Soulcalibur)|Mitsurugi]] have been the first characters to be created and then used "as a foundation" for the decisions regarding the other characters' based on how well they would fit alongside the pair, and further described her gameplay as representative of ''Soulcalibur'' as a whole.<ref name=":1">{{Citation|last=BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe|title=SOULCALIBUR VI - PS4/XB1/PC - Sophitia Showcase (Developer Diary) (subtitles available)|date=2017-12-22|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf7810AVzQE|access-date=2018-10-20|archive-date=2019-06-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621194949/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf7810AVzQE|url-status=live}}</ref> Sophitia stands at 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) tall,<ref name="SC4Playersguide">{{cite book |title=Soulcalibur IV |last=Deats |first=Adam |author2=Joe Epstein |year=2008 |publisher=[[BradyGames]] |isbn=978-0-7440-1006-0}}</ref> and has a bust size of 90 cm (35 in).<ref name="BD2">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5273676/ps3-vs-psp-ivy-fight |title=PS3/PSP comparison flyer |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=[[Kotaku]] |date=2009-06-01 |access-date=2009-09-25 |language=ja |archive-date=2009-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917030514/http://kotaku.com/5273676/ps3-vs-psp-ivy-fight |url-status=live }}</ref>
Designed with a Greek holy warrior motif in mind,<ref>{{Cite tweet |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312030112/https://twitter.com/soulcalibur/status/1370208172930035713 |archivedate= 2021-03-12 |user=soulcalibur |number=1370208172930035713 |title=Concept art for Sophitia, a refinement of SC1's blue-and-white design with an ancient Greek holy warrior motif. She was one of the earliest characters to be designed, having been created as a benchmark early in SC6 development.(1/2)}}</ref> Sophitia is a blonde woman dressed in a white and brown frock, with boots extending up her thighs and armor plating on her shoulders and chest. As the series progressed, more of her skin became exposed and armor removed, with her outfit taking on a primarily blue appearance starting in ''Soulcalibur'' and then completely white by ''Soulcalibur III''.<ref name="Tassi" /> When asked in an interview if changes to her character design focused primarily on sex appeal for the benefit of a male audience, former series producer Motohiro Okubo responded "We weren’t necessarily going out to try and intentionally make something sexy for the purpose of being sexy."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/at-e3-soulcaliburs-objectified-women-felt-like-a-relic-1826929714 |title=At E3, SoulCalibur's Objectified Women Felt Like A Relic Of The Past |date=2018-06-18 |accessdate=2023-04-20 |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |website=[[Kotaku]] |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418091352/https://kotaku.com/at-e3-soulcaliburs-objectified-women-felt-like-a-relic-1826929714 |url-status=live }}</ref> However in the artbook ''Legend of Soulcalibur'', the design team noted the changes to her outfit in ''Soulcalibur'' to expose more of her breasts was done "for male fans", with an additional note expressing disdain for the change. In the same book, another design proposal for the game was noted to draw attention to the area of "her belt to the thick peach", the latter being a euphemism for a woman's behind. Developer notes instructed the team to find a balance between "sacred" and "vulgar" in response to their proposals.<ref>{{cite book |title=Legend of Soulcalibur |language=Japanese |publisher=Honored |author=Namco |date=1999 |isbn=9784877196608 |pages=109–111}}</ref>
Sophitia has also had a variety of alternative outfits. One considered for ''Soul Edge'' was an outfit was designed to have black hair and an asymmetrical appearance meant to give the impression it went through multiple battles. Dubbed "Azola", this outfit went unused as the development team felt it fit more a goddess of war aesthetic than the neat and clean appearance they planned for Sophitia.<ref name="archive-edge"/> Meanwhile, for the [[PlayStation]] version of station, an outfit consisting of a plaid skirt, blue jacket with cleavage, red scarf, and a jeweled ornate pill box hat was added. Unlike her other designs, this was not done by the development team but was instead a contest submission for a Japanese PlayStation-themed magazine, and according to the fan book was intended to display an "[[India]]" cultural theme.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=play |issue=17 |date=March 1997 |page=25 |title=The Big Game: Soul Edge |last=Butt |first=Damlan |url=https://archive.org/details/play-017/page/n23 |accessdate=2023-04-24}}</ref><ref name="fan book"/> Alternative designs for Sophitia were also added as full unlockable variants in ''Soul Edge'': "Sophitia!", which featured a more revealing constume, and "Sophitia!!", who fought in a one-piece swimsuit. Both were otherwise identical to the original character, with a developer comment in the official fan book for ''Soul Edge'' stating they "may not be able to do this again" in regards to the swimsuit.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|date=May 1997|title=Soul Edge: The Basic Guide to Master Swordsmanship 2|journal=Computer and Video Games Freeplay|volume=12}}</ref><ref name="fan book">{{cite book |title=Soul Edge Official Fan Book (Chronicle) |isbn=4893666991 |publisher=nendaki |author=[[Namco]]|date=31 March 1997 }}</ref>
==Appearances and gameplay==
Sophitia was introduced in the 1996 video game ''Soul Edge'' as a simple baker from [[Athens, Greece]] ordered by the Greek god [[Hephaestus]] to destroy a parasitic living sword, Soul Edge, which had manifested as a pair of twin blades. Though she destroyed one of them, shards from its destruction wounded her, leaving one piece embedded near her heart. After recovering, she led a quiet life until years later she was tasked once more to destroy a restored Soul Edge and its new host, [[Siegfried and Nightmare|Nightmare]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Legend of Soulcalibur |language=Japanese |publisher=Honored |author=Namco |date=1999 |isbn=9784877196608 |pages=49–50}}</ref> Unable to locate it before its destruction, she returned home to her husband and gave birth to a daughter, [[List of Soulcalibur characters#Pyrrha|Pyrrha]], and later a son, [[List of Soulcalibur characters#Patroklos|Patroklos]]. Years later the blade attempted to reform again and Sophitia set again, followed closely by her sister [[List of Soulcalibur characters#Cassandra|Cassandra]]. She encountered the warrior [[Tira (Soulcalibur)|Tira]] who threatened her children, and due to Tira's machinations, Pyrrha is left in a state where she would not survive if the sword were destroyed, leaving Sophitia forced to protect it for the sake of her daughter. When the blade was ultimately destroyed again, Sophitia used the fragment near her heart to save her daughter, sacrificing herself in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/09/19/soulcalibur-lost-swords-adds-sophitia-has-elemental-weapon-system/ |title=Soulcalibur: Lost Swords Adds Sophitia, Has Elemental Weapon System |website=[[Siliconera]] |date=2013-09-19 |access-date=2013-09-19 |archive-date=2013-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109173310/http://www.siliconera.com/2013/09/19/soulcalibur-lost-swords-adds-sophitia-has-elemental-weapon-system/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
She has since has appeared in almost every entry in the ''Soulcalibur'' series, with the exception being ''Soulcalibur V'' and the arcade release of ''Soulcalibur II'', but included in home ports of the latter due to fan outcry.<ref name="gameplay">{{cite magazine |title=Return of the King |magazine=XBN |issue=7 |date=April–May 2003 |page=71 |last=Chou |first=Che |url=https://archive.org/details/xbox-nation-issue-07-april-may-2003/page/n69 |accessdate=2023-04-24}}</ref> Originally voiced by [[Michiko Neya]] in Japanese, though [[Chie Nakamura]] has taken over voice acting duties since ''Soulcalibur Legends''. In English she was voiced by Diane Holmby since ''Soulcalibur II'', and then [[Erica Lindbeck]] in ''Soulcalibur VI''.<ref name="behindthevoiceactors.com"/><ref name="lindbeck"/> The character received some censorship in Western releases of ''Soul Edge'' and ''Soulcalibur'', with the former covering her naked body with a white swimsuit in the game's opening cutscene while the latter removed a code that would allow players to change the color of her underwear.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Computer and Video Games |issue=186 |date=May 1997 |author=Staff |page=56 |title=Soul Edge}}</ref><ref name="censor" /> Outside of the series, she made a guest appearance in the [[Tecmo Koei]] hack and slash game ''[[Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate]]'', in which due to a time distortion she was transported to that game's setting. Unable to return, she chooses to help that world's heroes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/08/01/sophitas-soul-burns-into-warriors-orochi-3-ultimate/|title=Sophitia's Soul Burns Into Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate|author=Spencer|date=August 2013|website=[[Siliconera]]|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-date=26 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826091738/http://www.siliconera.com/2013/08/01/sophitas-soul-burns-into-warriors-orochi-3-ultimate/|url-status=live}}</ref> In other media, Sophitia plays a lead role in the 1999 ''Soulcalibur'' Chinese [[manhua]] series, a retelling of the original ''Soul Edge'' and ''Soulcalibur'' games.<ref>''Soulcalibur'', Volume 1 (Act 1).</ref> She is furthermore featured in the collectible card game ''[[Universal Fighting System]]'', and mobile card game ''Outcast Odyssey''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jascogames.net/product/ufs-set-31-soulcalibur-vi-booster-display/ |accessdate=2023-04-22 |website=Jasco Games |title=UFS Set 31: Soulcalibur VI Booster Display |archive-date=2023-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422185501/https://www.jascogames.net/product/ufs-set-31-soulcalibur-vi-booster-display/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://outcastodyssey.com/ |title=Home |website=Outcast Odyssey |accessdate=2023-05-23 |archive-date=2023-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523053115/https://outcastodyssey.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Fighting with a short sword and shield, Sophitia was designed as a character intended to be used by both long-time and brand new players.<ref name=":1" /> Her moveset provides her a large amount of flexibility, allowing her to act as a close to mid-range fighter. To this end several of her attacks will launch an opponent into the air and then juggle them for additional hits.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[GameFan]] |volume=7 |issue=12 |date=December 1999 |author=Staff |page=126 |title=SoulCalibur}}</ref> However, as a slower character in the series many of her attacks can be sidestepped by the opponent, relying on her to either goad attacks or counterattack in order to be effective.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Computer and Video Games |issue=186 |date=May 1997 |author=Staff |page=16 |title=Freeplay}}</ref> Several of her attacks serve multiple purposes such as hitting low before following up with an airborne slash, while others have more range than their appearance would suggest.<ref name="gamespy">{{Cite web|url=http://uk.cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/soulcalibur-ii/guide/page_25.html|title=Soulcalibur II - cube - Walkthrough and Guide - Page 25 - GameSpy|website=uk.cube.gamespy.com|access-date=2018-10-21|archive-date=2023-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418054852/http://uk.cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/soulcalibur-ii/guide/page_25.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to her deceptive elements, she has been described as a technical character often favored by experienced players.<ref name="gameplay" />
==Promotion and reception==
[[File:Sophitia promotional artwork.jpg|upright=0.75|thumb|Discussion about Sophitia revolves around the character's beauty and sexualization, emphasized by promotional artwork and unlockable game content<ref name="censor">{{cite magazine|date=September 1997|title=Top 25 PlayStation Games of All Time|magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine]]|volume=1|issue=1|page=34}}</ref>]]
Namco released a Sophitia key chain figurine and a standing clock in its 1996 ''Soul Edge'' line,<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050328060230/http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/visual15.htm|archivedate=2005-03-28|url=http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/visual15.htm |script-title=ja:キーチェーン |website=Soularchive.jp |access-date=2013-11-14|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050328060254/http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/visual16.htm|archivedate=2005-03-28|url=http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/visual16.htm |script-title=ja:時計 |website=Soularchive.jp |access-date=2013-11-14|language=ja}}</ref> among other items such as window shades<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050328060202/http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/visual13.htm|archivedate=2005-03-28|url=http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/visual13.htm |script-title=ja:サンシェード |website=[[Project Soul]] |language=ja |access-date=2008-09-07}}</ref> and table mats.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050328060137/http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/visual12.htm|archivedate=2005-03-28|url=http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/souledge/visual12.htm |script-title=ja:コースター |website=[[Project Soul]] |language=ja |access-date=2008-09-07}}</ref> Yujin released a four inch tall immobile figurine of Sophitia as part of their "Namco Girls Series #3" line of figurines for [[gashapon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=SBG:ワルキューレなどナムコ女性キャラがカプセルトイに |url=http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0412/03/news22.html |website=ITmedia |access-date=7 December 2008 |archive-date=25 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125093431/http://www.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0412/03/news22.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Other commercial items bearing Sophitia's likeness include a [[resin]] kit designed by Hiroshi Satou for manufacturer Kurushima.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sophitia Alexandra (Resin Kit) |url=http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10002094 |website=Hobby Search |access-date=November 7, 2008 |language=en |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022030743/http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10002094 |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, a 12-inch collectible statue of her was included with the special edition of ''Soulcalibur VI''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/10/12/soulcalibur-6-collectors-edition-revealed-video/#/slide/1|title=See Everything Inside the Soulcalibur 6 Collectors Edition|date=2018-10-12|website=PlayStation LifeStyle|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020223853/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/10/12/soulcalibur-6-collectors-edition-revealed-video/#/slide/1|url-status=live}}</ref> Her likeness was also used as the basis for a costume for [[Sackboy]] in ''[[LittleBigPlanet 3]]'', as part of a ''Soulcalibur'' themed costume pack for the title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP9000-CUSA00473_00-LBPDLCNBSCCK0001 |title=LittleBigPlanet™ 3 SOULCALIBUR™ Costume Pack |author=Sony Interactive Entertainment |website=PlayStation Store |accessdate=2023-04-28 |archive-date=2023-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428210350/https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP9000-CUSA00473_00-LBPDLCNBSCCK0001 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The character was very well received by the media and general public alike, especially amongst players in Japan.<ref name=":0" /> Named one of the best female characters on the [[Sega]] [[Dreamcast]] by the staff of ''Dreamcast Magazine'' in 2000, the staff heavily expressed their affection for her, particularly in regards to her "legs that go up to her armpits, flowing golden hair and looks of a model", adding that she "truly belongs on the [[catwalk]]."<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Dreamcast Magazine |issue=5 |page=102 |title=The Top Ten Girls on the Dreamcast |date=January 2000}}</ref> Bryan Johnson of ''[[GameSpy]]'' stated Sophitia became "one of the most easily recognized characters in the series" further adding that she remains one of "''Soul Calibur''{{'}}s most memorable babes since the days of her swimsuit debut in ''Soul Blade''."<ref>{{cite web | author=Johnson, Bryan|date=May 4, 2003|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/top10/may03/gamebabes/index2.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209235237/http://archive.gamespy.com/top10/may03/gamebabes/index2.shtml | archive-date=February 9, 2006|title=Top 10 Babes in Games|website=[[GameSpy]]|access-date=December 29, 2008}}</ref> Spanish magazine ''Top Juegos'' featured her on a two-page spread, calling "practically the [[girl next door]] in comparison with the others" but further lauded her as "the exterminating angel, the herald of the gods, and above all, the most lubricious swordswoman who ever walked her charms for a screen." They additionally compared her "graceful movements" to ballet, heavily praising Yamashita's animation work on her character.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Top Juegos |language=Spanish |date=September 1999 |issue=6 |title=Femme Virtual: Espadas y Espaldas |url=https://archive.org/details/top-juegos/Top%20Juegos%2006/page/36 |accessdate=2023-04-24 |author=Staff |pages=36–37}}</ref>
Other publications voiced similar sentiments. John Warren of ''Fanbyte'' noted that while Sophitia’s visual design wasn't unique, describing it as "every bit the classical warrior maiden", compared to the "bulky European armor and eastern fight-wear" of other characters in the series, she stood out visually and in regards to her gameplay.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Warren |first1=John |title=Top 10 Characters from the Soulcalibur Series |url=https://www.fanbyte.com/lists/top-10-characters-from-the-soulcalibur-series/ |website=Fanbyte |access-date=2023-04-26 |date=2018-10-19 |archive-date=2019-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713142742/https://www.fanbyte.com/lists/top-10-characters-from-the-soulcalibur-series/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jakub Kralka of ''benchmark.pl'' also heavily praised her, noting her popularity amongst other gaming websites and adding that she "to this day occupies high places in the rankings of the most alluring video game heroines", and further felt her movements coupled with her design made her a standout character in fighting games as a whole.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.benchmark.pl/testy_i_recenzje/dziewczyny-z-gier/strona/6005.html |last=Kralka |first=Jakub |website=benchmark.pl |language=Polish |accessdate=2023-05-23 |date=2009-07-19 |title=Dziewczyny z gier wideo! |archive-date=2023-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524033942/https://www.benchmark.pl/testy_i_recenzje/dziewczyny-z-gier/strona/6005.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, Princess Weekees of ''The Mary Sue'' praised Sophitia as an undervalued character in the franchise, stating that while she was attractive her backstory as a "baker turned warrior mom" is what made her attached to her the most, comparing her to the character [[Gabrielle (Xena)|Gabriella]] from the television series ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]'' "but sadly more heterosexual."<ref>{{cite web |website=The Mary Sue |first=Princess |last=Weekees |date=2021-02-19 |title=Chun-Li Is From Street Fighter, Not Mortal Kombat—a Break Down of (Some) the Iconic Ladies of Fighting Games |accessdate=2024-06-06 |url=https://www.themarysue.com/videogame-fighting-ladies/}}</ref>
However, others were more critical of her design. The 2004 book ''Race, Gender, Media: Considering Diversity Across Audiences, Content, and Producers'' described Sophitia as oversexualized, with her outfit being the "micro mini version of the St. Pauli Girl frock", and further felt Sophitia was designed for solely the viewing pleasure heterosexual boys and men.<ref name="DIV">{{cite book|title=Race, Gender, Media: Considering Diversity Across Audiences, Content, and Producers|author=Lind, Rebecca Ann|publisher=Pearson/Allyn and Bacon|year=2004|isbn=0-205-34419-4|page=254|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/racegendermediac0000unse/page/254}}</ref> In the paper ''Pretty Good for a Girl: A Feminist Content Analysis of Female Video Game Characters, and Interviews with Female Gamers'', Elizabeth Munday stated Sophitia showed that the "real-world logic of protecting yourself during a fight was missing from the female character designs" in ''Soulcalibur'', further noting that her outfit coupled with her large breasts and exposed thighs contributed to "an almost untouchable allure to the character", and emphasized the contrast between male and female characters in the series.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Pretty Good for a Girl: A Feminist Content Analysis of Female Video Game Characters, and Interviews with Female Gamers |last=Munday |first=Elizabeth |date=2018 |page=63 |journal=Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University |url=https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/124182/18/2019mundayephdDECPAGEREMOVED.pdf |accessdate=2023-04-18 |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418081536/https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/124182/18/2019mundayephdDECPAGEREMOVED.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Game designer Celia Pearce cited her among other characters as an example of "kombat lingerie", claiming her attire was more about the male fantasy of watching women in battle instead of female empowerment.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Significance of Playing Dress Up Games on Children's Materialism |last1=Fron |first1=Janine |last2=Fullerton |first2=Tracy |last3=Morie |first3=Jacquelyn |last4=Pearce |first4=Celia |journal=The European Journal of Social & Behavioural Sciences |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=2101–2115 |date=April 2016 |doi=10.15405/ejsbs.188|doi-access=free }}</ref>
The changes to Sophitia's appearance throughout the series have also been discussed. Journalist Paul Tassi in an article for ''Topless Robot'' criticized the progressive changes, particularly in how her bust appeared to increase in size while her clothes became more revealing, stating while he was not opposed to attractive female characters, "there is a line that crosses into pure ridiculousness, and fighting games [...] regularly step over it".<ref name="Tassi">{{cite journal |title=Gender Construction in Video Games: a Discourse |last1=Tassi |first1=Paul |last2=Jaggi |first2=Ruchi |date=March 2014 |doi= 10.5958/j.0973-967X.8.1.002 |journal=Mass Communicator: International Journal of Communication Studies |volume=8 |page=14 }}</ref> University of Delaware professor Rachel Hutchinson described Sophitia as the developer's "ideal figure of the western woman", noting as the series progresses she her hair gradually becomes more blonde and her outfit incorporates more blue, suggesting the blonde hair/blue eyes combination as a trait associated with Western character. She also noted Sophitia's designs growing more intricate as the series progressed, calling them "far from practical, focusing on the beauty and sexuality of the image and the grace of the character's movement", and tying into the increased mythical nature of the games.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pulos |first1=Alexis |last2=Austin |first2=Lee |date=2016-12-24 |title=Transnational Contexts of Culture, Gender, Class, and Colonialism in Play: Video Games in East Asia |publisher=Springer |pages=161–162 |isbn=978-3-319-43817-7}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|}}
{{Soul characters|state=expanded}}
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[[Category:Fictional bakers]]
[[Category:Fictional people from the Ottoman Empire]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from Athens]]
[[Category:Fictional Greek people in video games]]
[[Category:Fictional pagans]]
[[Category:Fictional shield fighters]]
[[Category:Fictional swordfighters in video games]]
[[Category:Soulcalibur characters]]
[[Category:Video game characters introduced in 1995]]
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