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Zafina (Arabic: زافينا Zāfīnā, Japanese: ザフィーナ Zafīna) is a playable character in the Tekken series. She is an astrologist whose village was tasked with protecting the tomb of Azazel.

Zafina was introduced in Tekken 6 and also appears in Tekken 7 as a DLC character in the third season pass, Tekken 8, and the spin off game Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

Biography[]

Zafina was born somewhere in the Middle East to a group of spiritual warriors with an ancient past and, as such, she possesses great spiritual abilities of her own.

From childhood, Zafina was raised to be a protector of an imperial tomb. Several years ago, a foreign army attacked the imperial tomb. Zafina single-handedly wiped them out. Following that incident, the group’s guru appointed her to be the tomb's sole protector.

In her public life, Zafina used her spiritual powers as an astrologist. During this line of work, she began to only see evil omens. Her premonitions grew more and more intense by the day. Seeking to understand the meaning behind all of this, Zafina sought the advice of her guru, and he began to tell her of an ancient prophecy passed down from generation to generation only to a select few. According to the prophecy, when two evil stars came into contact, the seal of the tomb would be broken and the one held captive would be released, inevitably bringing about the destruction of the world. Zafina considered both the meaning behind the guru's tale and her own dire premonitions.[10]

Zafina went to the temple alone to investigate. She opened the gate was shocked to find Azazel awakened inside the temple.[11] At some point, Zafina consulted with Wang Jinrei about the prophecy and became aware of Lars Alexandersson, a Tekken Force deserter opposing the Mishima Zaibatsu and G Corporation. Zafina believed Lars may be able to prevent the looming catastrophe.[12] Zafina also met Jin Kazama and Nina Williams when they visited the exterior of Azazel's temple. She was unsettled when Jin spoke as if he had knowledge of Azazel.[13] Additionally, Zafina provided Raven with intel regarding the situation with Azazel.[14]

Azazel was supposedly destroyed by Lars Alexandersson and Jin Kazama. In the aftermath, Zafina discovered that the creature had survived in a spirit form, and used an ancient ritual to seal the demon in her own body. Realizing that Azazel risked overpowering her, Zafina sought to destroy Kazuya and Jin, the devil-wielding evil stars from the prophecy, before Azazel's power became too strong for her to contain. To this end, she sought out the Archers of Sirius, an ancient order of exorcists. As soon as she arrived, Zafina lost consciousness in front of the base, where Claudio Serafino and Ling Xiaoyu found and immediately treated her. Zafina awakened to find Xiaoyu tending to her while Claudio strengthened the seal on her arm to suppress Azazel's possession. She revealed her intentions to them, and the two promised to aid her however they could.[2][15]

Some time later, Zafina and Claudio discussed Jin Kazama's diminished ability to utilize his Devil Gene and how his loss of power risked allowing Kazuya Mishima free rein to subjugate the world.[16] They traveled to the coliseum where Kazuya was hosting the King of Iron Fist Tournament 8, as Zafina foresaw that a 'large wave' would strike the arena.[17] Kazuya seemed to be aware that Zafina would be drawn to the coliseum, however.[16] He captured her shortly after she entered the arena and expeled Azazel from her so that he could take its power for himself.

Zafina was gravely wounded after Azazel was expelled from her. Before losing consciousness, she told Jin to return to 'where it all began' to cleanse himself of evil and become a 'shining star of hope'.[18]

Personality[]

Zafina is depicted as a wise seer, who prefers to think through problems before acting. She sees long term consequences and not just immediate situations. She is in possession of great spiritual knowledge and knows the histories of demons and sigils, being one of the few people to have knowledge of the demon Azazel and how it was entrapped in ancient times. Zafina is a determined woman who strives for success in order to avoid chaos. Whilst she seems most comfortable amongst her own people, the moment she heard of an evil prophecy, she left to travel to those she needed to tell, in an attempt to ward off evil before it could occur. She is quite calm and focused, not letting her emotions get the best of her while on a mission. As of Tekken 7 she has sealed a part of Azazel's power into her arm. This power is growing more out of control,[19] however, and prior to the events of Tekken 8 it is shown that Azazel's power is slowly overcoming her in both mind and body.

Outfits[]

Main article: Zafina/Outfits

Story[]

Tekken 6[]

Official Strategy Guide
Zafina, who has great spiritual powers, was born to a group of spiritual warriors with an ancient past.

Since childhood, Zafina was raised to be a protector of an imperial tomb. Several years ago, a foreign army attacked the imperial tomb she and her group were protecting, and Zafina single handedly wiped every single one of them out. Since then, the group's guru appointed her to be its sole assassin.

In her public life, she uses her spiritual powers as an astrologist, but recently she can only see evil omens, and her premonitions grow more and more intense day by day. Seeking to understand the meaning behind all of this, Zafina sought the advice of her guru, and he began to tell her an ancient tale passed down from generation to generation only to a select few. According to the tale, two evil stars will shake the world when they come into contact, and, inevitably, the two will unite with the sealed ancient evil being protected by her group, destroying the world. Zafina considered the meaning behind the guru's tale and her premonitions well.

Setting out on a course that took her far east, to the place the evil stars were believed to be gathering, she journeyed with the intentions of destroying them.[20]

Prologue
Zafina was born into a line of dispellers of evil, with a bloodline dating back to ancient times. With exceptional spiritual powers from a young age, she was raised as a warrior assigned to protect the royal family's grave. Several years ago, when that grave was attacked by a heavily armed group from another country, Zafina vanquished the perpetrators single-handedly. Since then, the family elder appointed her as the clan's sole assassin.

In her public life, Zafina used her spiritual powers as an astrologist. Recently however, evil omens had been appearing in all of the fortunes she divined.

Zafina's unease mounted, and she asked the elder for guidance. The elder revealed to her an ancient lore passed down to only a select few. The legend stated that if two dark stars came into contact, the magic seal which the clan had protected for centuries would break, and the world would end.

Upon hearing this revelation, Zafina sets forth to a land in the far east, where the dark stars were expected to meet, so that she may stop them before the catastrophic events are set in motion.[10]

Tekken_6_Zafina_Ending

Tekken 6 Zafina Ending

Ending Description
Having defeated Azazel, Zafina exits his Temple and approaches her guru. Neither say anything. They nod to each other, acknowledging Zafina's permission to re-enter the temple to seal Azazel Orb. When she re-enters the temple, the gate is closed. After Zafina has been in the temple for a few minutes, the structure collapses.

Summary of In-Game Events
Zafina secretly follows Lars in his quest to regain his memory and take Jin down, just like Raven. She talks to Wang about having faith in Lars, regarding his intentions to stop the war; she watches Lars's vehicle leave the container terminal; and she confronts Jin and Nina in front of Azazel's Temple, telling him of her premonitions and warning him about his warring, as well as questioning how he appears to have knowledge of Azazel. She also assists Lars and Raven in their fight against Tekken Force soldiers in one stage and provides them with vital information on Azazel.

Tekken 7 []

TEKKEN_7_-_Zafina_Launch_Trailer_PS4,_XB1,_PC

TEKKEN 7 - Zafina Launch Trailer PS4, XB1, PC

Official Website Profile (Japanese)
Zafina is a member of a family that have protected the royal graves since ancient times. The two evil stars that shook the world, Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, made it impossible for Zafina to prevent Azazel’s resurrection. Azazel was seemingly defeated by Lars Alexandersson and Jin Kazama. However, Azazel’s just barely escaped destruction in a spirit form. Zafina senses this and succeeds in sealing Azazel's spirit in her own body via a ritual passed down by her clan.

Zafina realises that Azazel’s power is going stronger. Jin and Kazuya are still alive, and if the devil blood within them is not eradicated, Azazel will eventually resurface again.

Knowing that time is short, Zafina seeks to efficiently hunt the demons. She makes contact with the Archers of Sirius, a group of exorcists that has operated since ancient times.[2]

Tekken 8[]

TEKKEN_8_—_Zafina_Reveal_&_Gameplay_Trailer

TEKKEN 8 — Zafina Reveal & Gameplay Trailer

Official Website Profile (English)
Zafina is a warrior born into a family of exorcists whose lineage dates back to the time of ancient dynasties. In her day-to-day life, however, she uses her exceptional spiritual abilities to earn a living as an astrologist.

Only a few months ago, the earth-shattering clash between the two evil stars, Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, led to the resurrection of the original devil Azazel, an evil whom Zafina's family had kept sealed away for generations.

Jin is able to defeat Azazel by the skin of his teeth, but Azazel's spirit is indestructible and survives. Now, it is only a matter of time before Azazel is resurrected once again.

In order to delay Azazel's return for as long as possible, Zafina seals away Azazel's spirit in her left arm using her family's secret arts. However, Azazel's power is far beyond what even she could have foreseen, and the devil begins to wrest control of Zafina's body and soul away from her again and again.

An exhausted Zafina arrives at Sirius Sanctuary, the headquarters of the Sirius Marksmen, in a last-ditch effort just before losing consciousness.

When she awakens, she finds herself surrounded by Ling Xiaoyu, who is devotedly attending to her recovery, and Claudio Serafino, who is applying a holy seal to her left arm.

Deeming them worthy of her trust, Zafina confesses all to them. In return, the two promise to spare no effort in aiding her whenever she needs it.

Shortly after, while under the protection of the Sirius Marksmen, Zafina struggles to find a way to change their doomed fate. From the countless futures she's seen, though, there seems to be only one way out.

However, that path would come at a great cost...[1]

Tekken_8_-_Zafina_Character_Episode_Ending

Tekken 8 - Zafina Character Episode Ending

Character Episode Prologue
Azazel, the resurrected original devil, had been sealed in Zafina's left arm several months prior.

And yet, the pulsation of his evil had grown stronger by the day.

Zafina sought out Claudio Serafino, the most powerful practitioner of the Sirius Marksmen.

The exorcist revealed that Azazel must materialize if he is to be destroyed completely.

And so, Zafina embarked on a journey to bestow a temporary measure of strength to the demon.

"When you dared show your face again, Azazel... That was your demise."

Ending Description
After defeating Devil Jin and Devil Kazuya at the Coliseum of Fate, Zafina absorbs the power of the Devil Gene into her left arm, transferring it to a crystal ball in her right hand to finally seal Azazel inside the crystal. With the Devil Gene completely removed from Jin and Kazuya, she sends the crystal ball floating upward, giving Claudio Serafino a chance to destroy it. Claudio then fires his arrow at the crystal ball, breaking it to pieces and destroying Azazel. Zafina thanks Claudio for his help, and says that with this, a millennia of fighting comes to an end, and she will now embark on a new journey.

Summary of In-Game Events
At the Duomo di Sirio, Zafina reveals to Claudio that Jin Kazama has lost the ability to utilize his Devil Gene, allowing free reign for Kazuya Mishima to subjugate the world. The two, along with Ling Xiaoyu and Panda, head to the coliseum where Kazuya is hosting The King of Iron Fist Tournament Eight, as Zafina foresees that a "large wave" will strike the coliseum. The four enter just as Yggdrasil and United Nations forces are evacuating the area. Kazuya seems to have predicted this, however, as he siphons Azazel's power from within Zafina's arm, using it to strengthen his own Devil abilities.

Weakened after Kazuya's assault, Zafina tells Jin to return to 'where it all began' in order to hone his abilities once more, relaying once more that Jin is the only hope for saving the world, and then she falls unconscious.

In the good ending, Zafina is later seen along with Claudio, approaching the outside of a temple.

Other Appearances[]

Tekken Tag Tournament 2[]

Tekken_Tag_Tournament_2_Zafina's_Arcade_Ending

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Zafina's Arcade Ending

Zafina appeared in Tekken Tag Tournament 2 as a playable character.

Profile
Zafina was born into a family of exorcists and raised as a fighter from a young age. She is out to take the lives of Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, who are said to be harbingers of doom that will bring about the end of the world.

"Only I have the power to change fate."[21]

Ending Description
In this ending, Zafina also acts as the narrator. The threat of the "two stars that would shake the world" is now over, and Zafina watches a full moon in the sky before touching an ancient wall, pondering why she is still tormented by feelings of unease and remarking that "a new star may already be rising somewhere in this world". As she does so, she is ambushed by a small group of masked soldiers, who she defeats with ease. Zafina turns and exits the area, certain that she will be able to protect the land from any other evils that may emerge.

Special Alliance Partners:

Gameplay[]

Second only to Lei in total number of stances and transitions to stances from attacks, Zafina is a tricky and unpredictable character, whose strength lies not so much in her sheer power but in her less tangible elements. While mostly unsafe and easily punishable, her moves are so unorthodox that most opponents cannot react properly. Her range is also one of her greatest weapons, and she can punish opponents from what are usually safe ranges. In Tekken 7, Zafina's movelist gains attacks which are enhanced by Azazel's power residing in her left arm. This can be seen in her Revenge Hand move as well as during her Rage Art and Rage Drive. She maintains these abilities in Tekken 8, gaining yet more attacks which utilize Azazel, however, these these moves now deal recoverable damage to Zafina when they are utilized.

Fighting Style[]

Zafina's fighting style, only referred to as "Ancient Assassination Arts", has unique fighting stances and abnormal moves that director Katsuhiro Harada likened to that of a "spider". Her style requires large levels of flexibility and even contortionism. Her Scarecrow stance is similar to a common Indian dance pose which has led some fans to erroneously believe that her style is based on Indian Kalaripayat, but the moves depicted in the game actually bear no resemblance to any existing martial art.

Moves[]

Zafina/Moves

Quotes[]

Character Relationships[]

  • Her Guru - The guru likely taught Zafina about Azazel's Temple and trusted her to be the next Temple Defender.
  • Jin Kazama - She tried to stop him and Kazuya from colliding, as, according to the legend of her people, it would eventually lead to the end of the world. It's unknown how Zafina felt when Jin told her that he was going to destroy Azazel. Jin remains her target in Tekken 7. During the events of Tekken 8, she believes Jin's fate has changed from destroying the world to saving it. She provides guidance to Jin on how he can regain his powers and defeat Kazuya by telling him to return to Yakushima and face his past.
  • Kazuya Mishima - The second "evil star", whom she tried to prevent from colliding with Jin.
  • Azazel - Her enemy. Her society has been guarding Azazel's seal for many generations. In Tekken 7, it is revealed that at least part of Azazel survived and Zafina had to perform a spell to seal the demon within her in an attempt to contain it.
  • Wang Jinrei - Her ally. She assured him that Lars will save the world (a prediction that was to become only half-true).
  • Raven - Zafina mentions in Scenario Campaign that they have a prior professional relationship.[22] She later works with Raven to defend her village in Scenario Campaign.
  • Lars Alexandersson - She is seen following him in the Terminal docks, and gave him advice through Wang. Zafina believes that Lars can end the war. Lars and Raven later defend her village from Tekken Force.
  • Sergei Dragunov - She knew about Dragunov's existence as a Spetsnaz soldier in the Scenario Campaign story in Tekken 6. If player plays as Zafina, at Dragunov's stage, Dragunov considers her to be a threat to his mission.[23]
  • Claudio Serafino - In Tekken 7, Zafina seeks to obtain the services of his group of exorcists in order to help her deal with Azazel and to hunt for Kazuya and Jin. After Claudio assists Zafina in sealing Azazel within herself during the events of Tekken 8, Claudio promises to aid her.
  • Ling Xiaoyu - Zafina is aided by Xiaoyu after collapsing at the headquarters of the Sirius Marksmen. Both Xiaoyu and Claudio promise to aid Zafina.

Trivia[]

General:

  • Zafina is another form name of Zafir which in Arabic language means "Victorious".
  • The European Tekken 6 website mistakenly refers to Zafina's nationality as Indian. However, her original Japanese bio, as well as her North American bio and Tekken Tag Tournament 2 bio, simply state her origins as unknown.
    • Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada has also confirmed Zafina to be of Middle Eastern origin, citing her as "a female character from the Middle East who uses ancient assassination arts". Some time after this, he stated that she was of Arabian origin on Twitter,[3] and later stated that she is "probably from Egypt".[24] In a 2014 interview, Harada confirmed that Zafina is from Egypt and but that the 'Unknown' status of her origin was meant to symbolize her being a mysterious assassin. He noted however that this ambiguity did not appeal to Middle Eastern fans.[25] This is likely the reason for the release of Shaheen as a character who is unambiguously Middle Eastern.
    • Zafina's Egyptian origins are further alluded to by the presence of her Bastet costumes, available in Tekken 6 and Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Bastet is an Ancient Egyptian goddess associated with the sun, cats, pregnancy and childbirth, and protection against contagious disease and evil spirits.
  • Based on feedback from fans, Harada and his development team made Zafina specifically to address the need for a smooth-hitting, prey-stalking female in the series.[citation needed]
  • The naming themes for her moves are wildly different between the Japanese and English versions. The Japanese version uses a wide variety of mythical creatures and weapons from many cultures' mythologies, including several demons described in the Lesser Key of Solomon. The English version, meanwhile, refers almost entirely to Mesopotamian lore.
    • Her Japanese move set may likely reflect more of how her heritage draws major influences from the dynamic history of the Middle East in the early part of the First Millennium; many parts of Eastern Europe and the Western Middle East were the beginnings of the Silk Road, which saw great amounts of trade and cultural interaction between Europe and Asia, while the inclusion of Norse mythology based names also stems from the close interaction between that of Arabia and the Varangians, who were Nordic Vikings that traveled eastward during the times of the Viking Age; the most famous evidence of this interaction would be that of the chronicles of the Arab traveler Ahmad Ibn Fadlan.
  • She is voiced by Cindy Robinson, who has consistently voiced her since her debut in Tekken 6. Robinson also provides the voice of Kolin in Street Fighter V.
  • Zafina is similar, and often compared to, Street Fighter V's, Menat, as both women are from the Middle East and share the same occupation of fortune-telling. She is also similar to Menat's master Rose in that both are fortunetellers who sense that a power belonging to certain influential individuals is plunging the world towards destruction, and they seek to avert this fate.

Tekken 6:

  • In the "Power is Everything" trailer for Bloodline Rebellion, Zafina is shown wielding two daggers.[26] This scene was fully seen in the opening movie of the home release of the game. Zafina uses the daggers to open a set of two doors, and appears to be shocked at what she sees. She is implied to have seen Azazel being resurrected.
  • Zafina's Stage 1 and Stage 2 opponents in Scenario Campaign's "Arena" mode are Raven and Kazuya Mishima.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2:

  • Her Player 1 outfit has been modified, with the addition of white capris known as 'salwar' under her red skirt, black shoes replacing her gold sandals, a few minor alterations to her top in terms of design and color scheme, including the addition of some decorative bangles.
  • She has a special Tag Throw with True Ogre where she will perform Diabolos while True Ogre will ram the stunned opponent with his horns.
  • Her Item Move is a mask that allows her to summon a demon spirit to accompany her in battle. It will float around whichever team/character has the lowest health, but will appear with Zafina if she wins the match.
  • She has a special continue screen with Hwoarang and Baek where they will start moving forward in Left Flamingo or Flamingo respectively while Zafina follows her partner in Scarecrow Stance or vice versa.
  • She has a special continue screen with Ganryu, where he will imitate Zafina's default stance, much to her confusion.
  • She has a special win pose with Jin Kazama, where she turns her back on Jin, who passes her by.

Tekken 7:

  • The music for her reveal trailer is a remix of the Tekken 6 home version opening movie theme.
  • Like Anna, Marduk and Julia, Zafina's old and new quotes are now re-dubbed by her voice actress, Cindy Robinson.
  • Zafina's new design incorporates the Zodiac and the astrological symbols for the stars, fitting with her role as an Astrologist.
  • Zafina has unique intro dialogues with Jin, Devil Jin, Kazuya, Kazumi, and Claudio.
    • When facing a character with the Devil Gene, she will say "You wield the devil's power... I will destroy you."
  • Zafina has a unique winpose only seen in Tekken Bowl. This can be seen when she achieves a Spare.

Tekken 8:

  • An automaton of Zafina in her Tekken 7 outfit appears inside a Fortune Teller machine labeled "Zafina's Astrology" in the Fight Lounge mode.
  • Zafina's newest outfit, much like her Tekken 7 outfit, incorporates astrological symbols.
  • Zafina's name is misspelled as "Zaphina" in the credits of this game.

Other:

Gallery[]

Main article: Zafina/Gallery

References[]

  1. ^ a b Official English Website Profile.
  2. ^ a b c Tekken 7 Official Japanese Website Profile.
  3. ^ a b https://twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/452138449017896960. Harada confirmed that Zafina is from Egypt in a 2014 interview, but that the 'Unknown' status of her origin was meant to symbolize her being a mysterious assassin: [1]
  4. ^ Her task is to prevent the two 'evil stars' Kazuya and Jin from colliding in Tekken 6 and she works to prevent Azazel's rebirth.
  5. ^ a b In-game Tekken 8 profile
  6. ^ Official Japanese Tekken 6 profile.
  7. ^ See Jun Kazama's Tekken 8 Official Japanese Website Profile, which states that Ogre's attack took place 'seven years ago'. The Tekken 3 story write up states that this attack happened four years prior to the events of Tekken 3.
  8. ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/Tekken/comments/153lscl/cindy_robinson_talking_about_voicing_zafina/
  9. ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/Tekken/comments/10fse2c/i_finally_found_zafinas_actual_voice_actress/
  10. ^ a b Tekken 6 In-Game Prologue.
  11. ^ Tekken 6 Opening
  12. ^ Tekken 6 Scenario Campaign, Cutscene 10: Valuable Information
  13. ^ Tekken 6 Scenario Campaign, Cutscene 11: An Ominous Legend
  14. ^ Tekken 6 Scenario Campaign, Zafina and Tekken Force
  15. ^ Tekken 8 Official Japanese Website Profile; Tekken 8 Official US English Website Profile
  16. ^ a b Tekken 8: The Dark Awakens Story Mode, Chapter 4: Unrelenting Ambition.
  17. ^ Tekken 8: The Dark Awakens Story Mode, Chapter 5: A Fate Decided by Fists.
  18. ^ Tekken 8: The Dark Awakens Story Mode, Chapter 6: The Devil Progenitor.
  19. ^ See Zafina's Tekken 7 prologue
  20. ^ Tekken 6 Official Strategy Guide, Brady Games (2009), p.276; transcribed on Tekken Zaibatsu.
  21. ^ Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U profile.
  22. ^ Zafina/Scenario Campaign Dialogues#Raven. Although Zafina's playthrough is non-canonical, her comments expand on and explain her canonical relationship to Raven, visible in the canonical playthrough of the game.
  23. ^ Zafina/Scenario Campaign Dialogues#Sergei Dragunov. Dragunov rarely speaks to other characters unless he has a personal vendetta or mission-related trouble with them.
  24. ^ https://twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/452138449017896960
  25. ^ https://www.4gamer.net/games/265/G026532/20140728090/
  26. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebVDKx_7gZU&fmt=18 (at 0:42 - 0:44)

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