OMG I love this topic!
Obviously I would have to say Helena - but before I begin... Remember Helena in the volleyball games:
I felt she was most relatable along with Ayane... as far as not being a morning person. Who the hell wants to wake up early on a vacation?
Anyway, this topic is the reason that I like to play this game, actually. Up until DOA5 the personalities of the female cast were strong - over the top, and dramatic haha - but strong. They have always had an objective; a goal that was entertaining to watch the characters try and achieve. This is also true of the male characters. Sure, the storylines were outlandish and anime-ish but that was intentional and the story mode gave the characters a sense of unity and progress which is unique in fighting games. It gave us a chance to see the characters interacting with eachother.
Helena - It's great to see a woman in a leadership role in video games. Her DOA4 Ending however was disappointing, in my opinion. I understand it had to be dramatic but... she essentially cracked under pressure -- but that's not important. Overall, it's great to see her in a leadership role. They should really rethink her business attire, though. She should be wearing more sheer chiffon blouses and less boob holes (I'm looking at you, Costume 3!). I should work for TN. I know what looks sexy and commands power.
Mila - Mila is what Hitomi should have been. She doesn't really care too much about her appearance (Hitomi doesn't
just wake up with that front fringe) not to mention all that hair thinning and stuff). When Mila was first revealed I found it funny that people suspected she was a lesbian because of the plaid and overall appearance. I'm not saying that she is or isn't, or that it would even matter! It just made me laugh, is all. Plus she doesn't have some lame, cutesy crush on Hayate. Instead, she idolizes and wants to be like the strongest, fiercest fighter, Bass. Her almost palpable disinterest in Tina is a plus.
Tina - I hate her. But she's awesome. It's actually a compliment that I hate her. It's no big deal really.
End of Part One: The happy list.
I don't want this to be confrontational. I'm just giving my opinion. If you love Lisa, Rachel, Honoka, or Kokoro don't read on. I’m hoping not to illicit many replies. If you feel any rage from this (OMG lol I hope not) just PM me because I don’t want to disrupt the vibe because…
This next list is of the four characters, all of which, challenge my view of a strong female character.
Lisa - Lisa... I like her character; I'm a Lisa fan. I'm not sure if she's a fully strong character. She seems to be capricious, manipulative and a competent fictional scientist. But... they don't give Lisa enough on-air time. She seems really in the background from story mode to DLC. Her absence in DOA's universe makes her look like a "Look at us! She's non-white; non-Asian!" character. I'm not trying to be insensitive. YES I know aboutProject Epsilonand her involvement.That's great but there's only so much you can infer from that. Yes, she's supposed to be "mysterious"... seems a little convenient; so they don't have to flesh her out as a person. Instead many of her outfits exoticize her (leopard print, peacock feathers, weird bird feathers) which the audience is supposed to infer that she is from South America. Honestly, I'm not trying to sound severe... if they would just include her more
I would shut the hell up.
Rachel – I love that Rachel is in DOA. She’s absolutely stunning. It feels more complete with Rachel (and Momiji). Her participation in NG series however… not so great. Mainly her debut in NG the reboot on Xbox. She’s soooo strong. And yet she became Ryu’s little damsel; I blame that douche Doku but also Itagaki or whichever writer wrote the arc where the “strong” demon slayer becomes Ryu’s goal. Lame. LAME. I still like her though. It’s not Rachel’s fault the writers and Doku got together to create a boring and silly story for her. I’m cool with Alma though. DLC character? Yes. Just yes. Tag team win pose.
Honoka – I mean… it’s not even about her really uninspired, immature, waifu-pandering appearance. If she was portrayed as a competent, unique, genuinely funny, quirky, decent, presentable character… on a basic human level then it would be a different story. But, alas! She is what she is. Also, Ayane got gypped; she deserves a better half-sister than Honoka. Unless Honoka’s secret power is that she’s a different character in DOA6. Which would be great. Current Honoka fans could smugly tell the rest of us “See? Told-ya-so,” we’d all be like “OK,” and all would be right with the world.
Kokoro – I saved the most insidious one for last (sorry Kokoro fans; it’s nothing against you).
Please note that I am very familiar with Japanese culture (Japanese resident).
Kokoro is the yamato nadeshiko. For those of you who don’t already know yamato nadeshiko, here are some synonym phrases: Good wife, wise mother; ideal Japanese woman; pure femininity; a woman with “good” traits. It’s an aesthetic as well. Large eyes, round face… Kokoro basically, sans the giant breasts. There is a ton of subtext connected with Kokoro’s character because of this. Many of these characteristics overlap with her geisha traits and subtext.
It’s safe to say that Kokoro can be approached with a list of traditional Japanese values that a perfect Japanese woman is thought to have: submissive “as a little dog,” to her betters which would include most men. She’s so cute that you want to pet her. Sure, she’s strong but
quietly strong. To reveal her strength is dubious. And that's where I will stop. I don't like quietly strong. I want proud and strong. This is a fighting game. I know there is a shit ton more about yamato but it is a very complex social/aesthetic set of values. I’m not a fan of YN kind of characters. Again, I know they are aiming for an audience. I don’t really need an explanation for the character. I know why she’s in the game. I know why she doesn’t seem to have much of a personality other than being “cooperative” (I think that’s the most diplomatic as I can put it lol). I’m not saying she’s evil. I just don’t see her performance as a strong one. In DOAD she helped Kasumi out so that the audience could see her being motherly – and it was a bro - move. Kasumi forgot to fist bump and be like “bro. Have you seen my bro?”
I think I’ve spent enough time on the YN thing. There’s more about her and the YN. I just don’t want to go into it. I’m boring myself… lol
In closing, I think Helena, Mila and Tina all best embody my view of a strong, competent portrayal of a DOA female character.
And if you read this whole thing, thanks for reading!