Ellis (Battle Arena Toshinden)
| Ellis | |
|---|---|
| Battle Arena Toshinden character | |
 Ellis from Battle Arena Toshinden, drawn by Kotobuki. | |
| First game | Battle Arena Toshinden (1995) |
| Designed by | Tsukasa Kotobuki[1] |
| Voiced by |
|
| Portrayed by | Asami Higashi (Toshiden 2)[5] |
| In-universe information | |
| Weapon | Dirks |
| Origin | Japan |
| Nationality | Turkish |
Ellis (Japanese: エリス, Hepburn: Eris) is a character introduced in the 1995 fighting game Battle Arena Toshinden, produced by Tamsoft.
Conception and development
[edit]When Tamsoft was initially development their 3D fighting game Battle Arena Toshinden, when first developing the cast director Shintarō Nakaoka started with a basic concept taking inspiration from the duality of Ryu and Ken Masters of Capcom's Street Fighter series. Working with character designer Miho Furukawa, he then followed with developing certain character archetypes to provide a variety of physiques to the game, such as the "big man", the "guru", and the "lolita". As development progressed others added their own elements, such as programmers adding unique animations to characters to give them more visible personality, while one core person was assigned to each character to assist with the planning stage.[6]
The character designs were finalized and drawn by Tsukasa Kotobuki, who also provided input on the development process.[7] The game's publisher Takara initially sought to have Masami Obari for this role, but he was unable to due to obligations on another project and suggested Kotobuki instead.[1] According to Battle Arena Toshinden URA director Norihiro Hayasaka, with the original game there was a noticeable discrepancy between the Kotobuki's artwork and the character models themselves, particularly in how he drew the female characters as slender with large breasts. Hayasaka pushed for the models to be closer to Kotobuki's art in terms of silhouette as a result, but also keep sharp edges to retain a style unique for Toshinden.[8]
Design
[edit]Ellis stands 155 cm (5 ft 1 in) tall and has measurements of 82-54-80 cm (32-21-31 in).[9]
Early designs for the character featured her with what the developers described as a more "sexy" and "adult" look,[10] with her earliest designs featuring her having an exposed midsection and large breasts emphasized by a sash around them.[11] In an interview with the staff of Famitsu, Kotobuki stated there were some disagreements between himself and the other developers regarding the character's outfit: he felt it should be a leotard with frills, while they wanted Ellis' outfit to consist of oversized clothing. The two combined their ideas, and as a result while her body is covered, the material on her legs and arms are rendered semi-transparent.[7]
Appearances
[edit]Ellis is a young woman introduced in the 1995 fighting game Battle Arena Toshinden, and is the deuteragonist of the series alongside fellow character Eiji Shinjo. Though her nationality is Turkish, she is of Japanese descent, and was taken in by a traveling circus troupe as a young orphan.[10]
She additionally appears in Puzzle Arena Toshinden.[12] Outside of video games, Ellis also appears in the two audio-only CD dramas that act as continuations of the game's story, and an OVA series based on the franchise.[13] An additional, more comedic chapter titled 主役は誰なんだ編 (lit. "Who is the Lead Role?") was also released on cassette tape.[14] In print media, anthology comic collections by various authors featuring the character were compiled in two separate books, one for the first and the other for the second game.[15][16]
In English, her original voice actor for Toshinden and its remake Toshinden Remix was uncredited, while Lisa Ortiz voiced her appearance in the OVA.[2] In Japanese, she has been voiced by Yōko Teppōzuka for most appearances,[3] with Kyōko Hikami voicing her for the audio dramas and OVA.[4] Meanwhile, a live action actress was used Battle Arena Toshinden 2's opening sequence and commercials related to the game. These appearances were performed by Japanese singer Asami Higashi, who additionally performed the character's image song for Takara.[5]
Promotion and merchandise
[edit]Takara released a soundtrack for the first game Toshinden Retake & Remix which featured an additional track of Ellis' voice actress reading answering machine messages in character left for the listener.[17] Meanwhile, models representing Ellis and fellow character Sofia were featured at promotional events for the game's release.[18] For the OVA's release, several screening events were held across Japan, with Kyōko Hikami appearing in costume as Ellis.[19] Hikami also sung as the character for the OVA's opening song, "Cheer Up! Fly Away!", which was later released as a standalone CD.[20]
For merchandise of the character, Takara released two dolls, one in her default outfit and another in a Japanese schoolgirl uniform.[9] Another doll was released in 1997, based off her appearance in Battle Arena Toshinden 2.[21] Takara Amusement also produced smaller plush doll was produced for claw machines in Japan, as well as two varieties of character-themed clocks.[22]
Critical reception
[edit]Ellis was well received upon debut, particularly in Japan, with Takara game development head Nakano Takayuki stating that while they were displeased with Toshinden's quality, the response to the character had been tremendous.[23] She has been cited as a frequent subject of fan works, particularly cosplay, with a store in Japan selling replicas of her costume alongside those of other characters.[24][25] In 1997, Japanese cosplay troupe 1999Quest released a fan-made VHS of actress Keiko Koyo dressed as the character fighting nondescript enemies, mimicking the character's moves.[26] The PlayStation Magazine meanwhile ran a monthly section named "Ellis's Private Room", which discussed the character and encouraged readers to send fan art and cosplay.[27]
The staff of Dengeki Online stated it would not be an exaggeration to consider her one of the most representative female heroines of the PlayStation console's earliest days. They additionally praised the transparent outfits of her outfit, something they had not seen in a game prior and was "expressed beautifully in polygons".[28][29] Hayakawa Kiichiro of Magmix shared similar sentiments, expressing that her appearance in the game alone had caused him to buy a PlayStation when it was released.[3] Others voiced similar praise, with Famitsu citing her outfit in the game one of the most surprising elements to see during the PlayStation's debut,[30] while the staff of the Japanese Sega Saturn Magazine emphasized they had fallen in love with the design particularly in how it appeared in a black color scheme.[31] Play magazine stated that while the transparent outfits helped cement her as a part of video game history, "we remember her best because she was just so darn cute."[32]
Virtual Idol magazine ran a six page article examining and comparing Ellis and Sofia. The staff felt that their appeal arose from both how the Toshinden franchise had expanded their characters through supplemental media, but also how their 3D models made them viewable from every angle. They further appreciated how the two were polar opposites, praising how Ellis acted like a motherly figure for her troupe, something very unlike youth in Japan. Her outfits also received praised in how they reflected her character, feeling that the darker colors gave her a more mature air. Additional praise was given to how her outfit reflected her role as a member of a traveling circus troupe, and stated while the frills on her outfit could be seen as childish, other elements such as the transparent ones gave her a more adult appearance.[9]
Additional praise went to the character's voice. Magmix's Kiichiro described her as "the sort of character that makes cute noises", and found Teppōzuka's voice work particularly memorable in this regard.[3] The staff of Famitsu went further to emphasize that her voice and youthful appearance worked well with Teppōzuka's portrayal, which they felt "shot through the hearts of otakus". Additional praise went to Kotobuki's design for her, finding his artwork captivating and that it made her particularly cute.[33]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Kotobuki, Tsukasa [@t_kotobuki] (June 15, 2018). 正確には大張さんがタカラから依頼されたのは移植版サムスピのパッケージで、当時劇場版監督で忙しかった大張さんがそれを自分に振ってくれたのだけど途中でその移植話自体が無くなってしまい、代わりに自社開発中の次世代ゲーム機ソフトの件でご相談がと再依頼されたのが闘神伝のキャラデです。 [To be precise, Obari was originally asked by Takara to design the packaging for the ported version of Samurai Shodown, and at the time he was busy directing the feature film, so he passed the job on to me. However, the porting talks fell through midway, and instead he was consulted again about the next-generation game console software that they were developing in-house, and so he asked me to do the character design for Toshinden.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 8, 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b "Ellis Voices (Battle Arena Toshinden)". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Kiichiro, Hayakawa (January 1, 2020). 1995年の元日、プレステを救ったソフト『闘神伝』 激しいハード戦争中に登場 [On New Year's Day, 1995, "Toshinden" software that saved the PlayStation, appears during a fierce hard war.]. Magmix (in Japanese). Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "Hikami Kyoko". Mausu Promotion (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
- ^ a b 「エリス」のイメージにピッタリ!! 東亜佐美さん インタビュー [Perfect for the image of "Eris"!! Interview with Asami Higashi]. Game Yuu II (in Japanese). No. 36. LEED Publishing. April 1996. pp. 74–75. T1013431040506.
- ^ Toshinden 1&2 Official Materials Book 闘神伝1＆2 設定資料集 (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. 1995. pp. 84–85. ASIN B0036QY35S.
- ^ a b 闘神伝2 究極宝技の書 [Battle Arena Toshinden 2: Book of Ultimate Treasure Technique] (in Japanese). Famitsu. March 8, 1996. p. 76. ISBN 9784893664761.
- ^ エリスとソフィアの新コスチューム&OP画面! [Ellis and Sofia's new costumes and opening screen!]. Sega Saturn Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 14. SoftBank. August 23, 1996. pp. 82–83. T1023404080545.
- ^ a b c エリスとソフィアのアイドル大作戦 [Ellis and Sofia's Idol Operation]. Virtual Idol (in Japanese). Vol. 3. Tokuma Shoten. April 1995. pp. 88–93. T1013656040794.
- ^ a b Toh Shin Den Perfect Fighting Book (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. March 20, 1995. p. 31. ASIN B00HUGVDKS. T1066450791584.
- ^ Toshinden 1&2 Official Materials Book 闘神伝1＆2 設定資料集 (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. 1995. p. 83. ASIN B0036QY35S.
- ^ パズルアリーナ闘神伝 [Puzzle Arena Toshinden]. Jugemu. No. 7. Recruit. July 1995. p. 181. T1105107070495.
- ^ "Toshinden on Tape". Game On! USA. Vol. 1, no. 2. February 1996. p. 9. ISSN 1087-8505.
- ^ Takara (October 1, 1996). Cyber Cassette 06: 闘神伝 スペシャル・プレミアショウ~主役は誰なんだ編~ [Cyber Cassette 06: Battle Arena Toshinden Special Premier Show ~Who is the Lead Character?~] (Cassette tape). Movic. ISBN 4-89601-253-4. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
- ^ 「闘神伝アンソロジーコミック Super Game Anthology Comics Series Vol. 1 [Battle Arena Toshinden Anthology Comic Super Game Anthology Comics Series Vol. 1]. Sega Saturn Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 13. SoftBank. December 8, 1995. p. 109. T1023402120540.
- ^ 闘神伝 アンソロジーコミック [Battle Arena Toshinden Anthology Comic]. Sega Saturn Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 14. SoftBank. December 22, 1995. p. 113. T1023404120548.
- ^ 闘神伝 リテイク&リミックス [Toshinden Retake & Remix]. Dengeki PC Engine (in Japanese). No. 29. Media Works. June 1995. p. 127. T1006397060688.
- ^ すくすくと育っています [It's growing well]. The PlayStation Magazine (in Japanese). No. 5. SoftBank. May 1995. p. 25. T1004199050494.
- ^ 人気格闘ゲーム「闘神伝」の OVA発売上映イベント 「開神伝」発売記念~だって負けないもん〜 [OVA release screening event for the popular fighting game "Tojinden" commemorates the release of "Kaijinden" ~Even so, you won't lose~]. GameWalker (in Japanese). No. 19. Kadokawa Corporation. May 1996. p. 61. T1013597050487.
- ^ 負けないでfly away [Cheer Up! Fly Away]. マイコン BASIC Magazine [Mycom BASIC Magazine] (in Japanese). Vol. 15, no. 6. Denpa Shimbun. June 1996. p. 230. T1018361060501.
- ^ キャラクタードール [Character Doll]. Hobby Japan EX. Hobby Japan. Spring 1997. p. 71. T1108128061008.
- ^ ゲームキャラの Vol. 17 [Game Character Vol. 17]. Weekly Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 358. October 27, 1995. p. 169. T1026254100296.
- ^ 中野隆幸氏 株タカラ CS事業部 総括 次回作のグレードは下げられない [Nakano Takayuki, Takara Co., Ltd. CS Division Summary: The next work will not be reduced in grade]. The PlayStation Magazine (in Japanese). No. 5. SoftBank. May 1995. p. 27. T1004199050494.
- ^ コスプレ天国 Tengoku Special [Cosplay Heaven Tengoku Special]. Game Yuu II (in Japanese). No. 28. LEED Publishing. August 1995. p. 66. T1013431080502.
- ^ はみだし Dynamite! [Hamidashi Dynamite!]. Saturn Fan (in Japanese). No. 1. Tokuma Shoten. January 1, 1996. p. 53. T1023313010541.
- ^ パンチラ炸裂! なにかも炸裂!! [Panty shot explodes! Something explodes!!]. Tech PlayStation. ASCII Corporation. June 1997. p. 91. T1106439061281.
- ^ "Ellis's Private Room". The PlayStation Magazine (in Japanese). No. 5. SoftBank. May 1995. p. 115. T1004199050494.
- ^ 『闘神伝』で初代PS購入を決意。エリスの衣装のシースルー表現にゲームの未来を見た【メモリの無駄づかい】 [He decided to purchase the first PS for "Tojinden." See-through expression of Ellis' costumes to see the future of the game [wasteful memory]]. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). October 4, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ PS『闘神伝』20周年記念。2Dと3Dの狭間から生まれた対戦格闘の魅力を振り返る【周年連載】 [PS "Tojinden" 20th anniversary. A look back at the charm of fighting that emerged from the gap between 2D and 3D [Anniversary series]]. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). January 1, 2015. Archived from the original on May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ Chikuwa, Kaisel (September 28, 2024). 誰も信じなかったプレイステーションの実現は全世界を加速させた。ワクワクしっぱなしの30年間を“プレステの父”が懐かしく振り返る。東京ゲームショウ2024基調講演リポート【TGS2024】 [The realization of the PlayStation, which no one believed, accelerated the whole world. The PlayStation father looks back nostalgically over the 30 years of excitement. Tokyo Game Show 2024 Keynote Report [TGS2024]]. Famitsu. Archived from the original on May 11, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ 闘神伝Sライター「町田エリス」、エリスへの熱い想いを語る! [Tojinden S writer Machida Ellis talks about his passion for Ellis!]. Sega Saturn Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 14. SoftBank. December 22, 1995. p. 188. T1023404120548.
- ^ "Ellis". Play Magazine Presents Girls of Gaming. No. 4. Fusion Publishing, Inc. January 2004. p. 12. ISSN 1537-7539.
- ^ 『闘神伝』が発売された日。PS世代なら誰もが知っている3D格闘、かわいいエリスに恋をしたユーザーも多い（はず）【今日は何の日？】 [The day "Toshinden" was released. Many users have fallen in love with the cute Ellis, a 3D fighting that everyone in the PS generation knows (is it surely) [What day is it today? 】]. Famitsu (in Japanese). January 1, 2024. Archived from the original on May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.