Extreme Beauty: Shikoku’s Ice Swan Song
In this vast fantasy continent, the debut of each new character is a grand visual and auditory feast. Shikoku, a character from the Water Nation who will make her first appearance in version 5.7, stands out among many characters with her unique combat style and profound background story. She is not just a simple ice-element warrior, but a martial artist who has incorporated the philosophy of “Kyōaku” (Extreme Evil) into her being. Every move she makes embodies the essence of Eastern martial arts.
Shikoku’s character profile reveals that she is a 5-star character who wields an ice-element one-handed sword, with an attribute distribution focused on critical hit damage at 38.4%. This distribution indicates that her combat style will revolve around high-explosive critical hit damage output. Her signature weapon, “Sōō” (Azure Radiance), perfectly complements her combat style inspired by the Kyōaku Path. The weapon effect “White Mountain’s Gift” further enhances her ability to maintain consistent damage output in battle.
In her normal attack, “Kyōaku Technique: Katsu” (Extreme Evil Technique: Severance), Shikoku showcases the classic traits of the Kyōaku School. Her consecutive attacks flow as naturally as running water, while her charged and plunging attacks carry immense destructive power. This design brings to mind the exquisite swordsmanship of ancient Japanese swordmasters, where every movement holds lethal intent.
Her elemental skill, “Kyōaku Technique: Sen” (Extreme Evil Technique: Flash), is Shikoku’s signature move. The two different casting methods—tap and hold—highlight the unpredictability of the Kyōaku School. Her rapid movement ability in the “Seven Strikes in One Flash” mode perfectly embodies the Eastern martial arts philosophy of “overcoming rigidity with speed.” When she holds the skill to activate it, darting swiftly across the battlefield, she becomes an elusive phantom, making it nearly impossible for enemies to track her.
Her elemental burst, “Kyōaku Technique: Metsu” (Extreme Evil Technique: Extinction), is Shikoku’s most lethal ultimate ability. Unlike other characters who rely on elemental energy for their bursts, Shikoku’s “Snake’s Cunning” resource system resembles an internal accumulation of energy. This design evokes the concept of “internal energy” in Eastern martial arts, emphasizing the accumulation and explosive release of inner power. When she activates “Kyōaku Technique: Jin” (Extreme Evil Technique: Exhaustion) in the “Seven Strikes in One Flash” mode, the burst damage from her ice-element attacks is akin to a meticulously designed finishing move, tearing through enemy defenses in an instant.
Shikoku’s fixed skills are also imbued with the wisdom of Eastern martial arts. Her skill “Rigeki no Kotowari” (Principle Beyond Reason) showcases her mastery over the Rift of the Void. This ability draws parallels with the “governance through reason” ideal pursued by ancient Japanese sword saints. Meanwhile, “Banzoku no Jaku” (Silence of All Flows) reflects her deep understanding of the water and ice elements. The synergy between these elements perfectly illustrates the ancient philosophy of “Yin-Yang and the Five Elements.”
In terms of constellation upgrades, Shikoku’s progression is deeply rooted in martial arts philosophy. From “Koen” (Hidden Distance) to “Shigen” (Origin of Truth), each constellation enhances her combat traits as the successor of the Kyōaku School. Particularly, the “Kyōaku Technique: Zan” (Extreme Evil Technique: Slay) in the “Shigen” constellation exemplifies the perfect fusion of internal power and external technique. This progressive upgrade path is reminiscent of the Eastern martial arts principle of “defending to attack.”
The arrival of Shikoku is not just the addition of another character to the Genshin Impact roster; it is a celebration of the martial aesthetics of the “Kyōaku” philosophy. She combines the sharpness of the one-handed sword with the coldness of ice, creating a unique and captivating combat style that sets her apart in the world of Teyvat.