"If food is on the line, I better win this!" — Xiba

Xiba (シバ, Shiba; Chinese: 希霸, Pinyin: Xī Bà) is a character in the Soul series of fighting games. His first appearance was in the series' sixth installment, Soulcalibur V. He is also the spiritual successor of Kilik in the Soul series as the staff wielding character.

In promotional material for Soulcalibur V, he is referred to as an Honest Young Man.

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History

Pre Calibur History

Kilik and Xianghua separated before Xianghua gave birth to Xiba. As a result, Xiba has never met his father. What's more, he isn't even aware of the fact that Xianghua is his mother.

When Xianghua returned to her homeland, her grandfather gave her an ultimatum to kill her son. Yan Wujin stepped in and offered to marry Xianghua in exchange for sparing the child's life. She took Xiba to Edge Master, hoping that he could help him. But, he in turn introduced her to Kong Xiuqiang, her long lost father. Xiuqiang happily agrees to raise his grandchild. However, the emotional toll of the situation leads Xianghua to only visit Xiba once a year.

In an ironic twist of fate, Xiba learned Kilik's fighting style from Kong Xiuqiang. He took to the staff with aplomb, and soon began merging the formal arts of Ling-Sheng Su Secret Arts of the Rod with his own self-taught fighting techniques.

Xiba grew up in the mountains with his master, and he has very little knowledge of society. His education is limited to martial arts, but his natural instincts are very finely honed. He thinks quickly on his feet, making major decisions in a matter of seconds. He doesn't approach others with suspicion, due to his pure heart. The mountain village he grew up in was full of kind men and women who treated him like a treasured member of their own family. Due to their influence, he doesn't mind being an orphan and retains a positive outlook on life.

Soulcalibur V

Four travelers plodded through the vast desert wastes of the northeast Mughal Empire:

The wild boy Xiba, on a quest to inherit the Kali-Yuga, one of the three sacred treasures; Maxi, sent to accompany Xiba by an old man named Edge Master; Leixia, guided by a pendant with a curious blue stone; and Natsu, Leixia's friend and bodyguard. The four had become companions on their journey to the west.

"Maxi! I'm hungry!"

Xiba leaned heavily into his rod, his stomach rumbling loudly.

"We just ate!" shouted Leixia, but Maxi gave her a calm smile and ruffled the young woman's hair.

"I hear they have great steam buns in the next town, Xiba," he said.

As Leixia blushed, Xiba leapt up, suddenly reinvigorated and raring to go. Natsu could only shake her head and sigh.

What destiny would await this misfit crew at the end of their grueling journey?

It didn't matter to Xiba - not now, anyway. All he cared about was getting to the next town and those steam buns...

Personality

Not much is known of his personality except that he loves to eat. Aside from having quite the appetite, Xiba is easy-going and friendly; when fighting, he doesn't show too much aggression as he tries to have fun. Underneath this goofy persona lies a pure heart of gold. While Leixia disregards him as clueless and idiotic, Xiba is a fast thinker and is more intelligent than he appears, creating his own fighting style that suits him. He never seems to be offended by his companion's insults, another reference to his naturally positive personality. Due to his pure spirit, and that he is unaware that he inherited the Evil Seed from his father, Xiba is content with being an orphan.

Appearance

Xiba has messy, red hair and brown eyes. He is quite short for a male; standing at only 5’5”. Despite his love of food, he is built and athletic like any trained warrior would be. His facial features slightly resemble his father Kilik, if one looks closely.

He sports a blue jaded pendant around his neck, and wears an unbuttoned black shirt with his master's family name on the back, arm protectors, a tiger-pelted jacket wrapped around his waist, and yellow trousers.

Xiba also walks around barefoot for an unknown reason and wears a gold anklet.

Weapons

Critical Edge

Kong's Dance of Qi Tian Da Sheng: Knocks his opponent into the air with his rod, and then delivers a midair kick combo (three kicks), and strikes them down with his rod.

Quotes

I'm hungry... — Taunt

— Taunt Steam buns... — Taunt

— Taunt Let's go!

If food is on the line, I better win this!

So if I beat you, you'll give me some food?! - spoken when engaging in battle against Leixia or Natsu.

- spoken when engaging in battle against Leixia or Natsu. Hey, Maxi! You better fight me this time! - spoken when engaging in battle against Maxi.

- spoken when engaging in battle against Maxi. Training makes me hungry, I don't wanna! - spoken when engaging in battle against Kilik or Edge Master.

- spoken when engaging in battle against Kilik or Edge Master. Hey! How's it going?

Blast off!

Thanks!

Go big or go home!

I'm angry now!

Ready?

Here we go!

Take this!

Boom!

I know!

Over here!

Poke!

Gotcha!

Bam!

Check it out!

Want some?

My bad!

More!

All mine!

How's this?!

Again!

Woah..!

Feet!

Mine!

One down!

Can't... Move... - spoken when KO'd by Ivy's "Embrace of Guilt"

- spoken when KO'd by Ivy's "Embrace of Guilt" What?!

Really?!

Uh-oh...

Oh, yeah!

Go away!

You'll pay! - Spoken during Yoshimitsu's Critical Edge

- Spoken during Yoshimitsu's Critical Edge Ow! - Spoken during Algol's Sadalsuud Markab

- Spoken during Algol's Sadalsuud Markab Going big!

That was easy! Jeez, I wasn't even trying!

Man, do I love me some steam buns! Oh yeah!

Ohh...I'm starving up here..

That was a lot of fun!

It's shaking?! - spoken when hit by a tremor.

- spoken when hit by a tremor. Oh man, your moves are pretty sweet! You want a rematch? — Spoken after defeating Maxi.

— Spoken after defeating Maxi. Now bring me some steam buns. Lots of them! - spoken after defeating Natsu or Leixia.

- spoken after defeating Natsu or Leixia. You know, I eat way better than I fight! - spoken after defeating Kilik or Edge Master.

spoken after defeating Kilik or Edge Master. So hungry! - Spoken when knocked out by Maxi.

- Spoken when knocked out by Maxi. I fell again?! —spoken during ring out

—spoken during ring out Doesn't hurt. — Spoken during "Guard Burst".

— Spoken during "Guard Burst". I'm...serious! - spoken during Critical Edge against an "Evil" character

spoken during Critical Edge against an "Evil" character I'm so... full! - spoken during Critical Edge against a "Good" character

- spoken during Critical Edge against a "Good" character Victory and...food! - spoken during Critical Edge against Leixia, Natsu, or Maxi

- spoken during Critical Edge against Leixia, Natsu, or Maxi I won't... lose! - spoken during Critical Edge against Kilik or Edge Master

- spoken during Critical Edge against Kilik or Edge Master Food!!! - spoken when knocked out.

spoken when knocked out. There's other good stuff to eat? - spoken in story mode to Leixia

- spoken in story mode to Leixia Huh? Um, this is the uh... dva-uh... Dvapara-Yuga? - spoken in story mode to α Patroklos

- spoken in story mode to α Patroklos Ugh, does it really matter? - spoken in story mode to Leixia

- spoken in story mode to Leixia Oh! He can buy us dinner! - spoken in story mode to Leixia

spoken in story mode to Leixia Oh man, I so don't like that sword. - spoken in story mode when engaging a battle with α Patroklos

spoken in story mode when engaging a battle with α Patroklos Just feed me first! spoken when timed out by Maxi

spoken when timed out by Maxi Leixia, I need food! - spoken when timed out by Leixia.

- spoken when timed out by Leixia. More...Need...Food! - spoken when timed out

Stage

Theme Music

A High-Spirited Tiger - Xiba's Theme

"A High-Spirited Tiger"

Trivia

For a period of time, Project Soul withheld information about Xiba's family from the English speaking players. This information appeared on every other language version of his profile except for the English one. It did not appear in the Collector's Edition artbook, however was included in the Japanese official artbook. The reason for this is unknown. Recently, information of Xiba's heritage was added to the English site, including his full name: Chai Xiba.

Although Xiba is Kilik's son, his personality is different from his father's as Kilik has a serious and wisdom-like personality whereas Xiba is goofy, easy-going, and joyful. But Xiba's personality is more likely from his mother Xianghua, as she has a bright and childish spirit.

Xiba is the successor of both Kilik and Seong Mi-na as his fighting style combines key elements from their styles. His goofy personality, however, is reminiscent of Yun-seong. Coincidentally, Mi-na was trained by Kong Xiuqiang, who is Xiba's grandfather and teacher. Kilik was trained at the Ling Sheng-Su Temple, which is where Kong Xiuqiang had studied prior to being expelled from the temple.

Xiba seems to be inspired by the character Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, from the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West . Ironically as the title goes, Xiba, Maxi, Leixia and Natsu all traveled to the west on a journey to find and save Kilik. Also, Xiba is depicted constantly being hungry, which may be a nod towards a different Monkey King-inspired character, Son Goku. This constant hunger may also be a representation of the Monkey King himself, as in Journey to the West , he breaks into Heaven and eats lots of food prepared for the gods.

. Ironically as the title goes, Xiba, Maxi, Leixia and Natsu all traveled to the west on a journey to find and save Kilik. Also, Xiba is depicted constantly being hungry, which may be a nod towards a different Monkey King-inspired character, Son Goku. This constant hunger may also be a representation of the Monkey King himself, as in , he breaks into Heaven and eats lots of food prepared for the gods. Xiba, along with Siegfried in Soul Edge , are the shortest playable male characters in the Soulcalibur universe to date, standing at 5'5", whereas Siegfried was 5'2" in his debut and both were 16 years of age.

, are the shortest playable male characters in the universe to date, standing at 5'5", whereas Siegfried was 5'2" in his debut and both were 16 years of age. His favorite food is manjū (steam buns).

His "foodie" trait might be inherited from her mother, Chai Xianghua, as shown in her Soul Chronicle in Soulcalibur VI where she craves for mooncakes while having conversation with Meimei and Lingyu.

Xiba being barefoot may be a nod to how most martial artists train shoeless.

Xiba's titles in Quick Battle are Supernova and Ling-Sheng Su Master .

and . His outfit is tiger themed, however most of his attacks seem to be based on a Wushu staff style that is associated with monkeys (Hou Gun). The reason that his clothing may be tiger themed is because of his design is inspired by Sun Wukong the Monkey King, who is depicted wearing "tiger-themed" clothing in some artworks.

Xiba has his master's family name (孔) written on his back. Additionally, in both Japanese and Chinese, it can be translated as "hole".

Xiba's alternative costume in Soulcalibur V resembles Kilik's Soulcalibur III costume, the only differences are, the jacket is more torn at the bottom, the sleeves are shorter, and his pants are tucked in to his boots, as opposed to Kilik wearing his pant legs over them. Also, his hair was recolored brown to look more like Kilik.

resembles Kilik's costume, the only differences are, the jacket is more torn at the bottom, the sleeves are shorter, and his pants are tucked in to his boots, as opposed to Kilik wearing his pant legs over them. Also, his hair was recolored brown to look more like Kilik. In one of his moves, Xiba yells "Blast off!" This may be a reference to the Devil May Cry character Nero, who is also voiced, as well as motion captured, by Xiba's English voice actor (and former black Power Ranger), Johnny Yong Bosch.

character Nero, who is also voiced, as well as motion captured, by Xiba's English voice actor (and former black Power Ranger), Johnny Yong Bosch. Humorously, he is the only character to forget what his weapon is called and confuse it for somebody else's.

In Episode 15 for Soulcalibur V' s story mode, Xiba uses the Kali-Yuga, the same weapon as his father.

s story mode, Xiba uses the Kali-Yuga, the same weapon as his father. Xiba's 1P in Soulcalibur V was designed by Takuji Kawano, and 2P was designed by Daisuke Tsushima.

was designed by Takuji Kawano, and 2P was designed by Daisuke Tsushima. Xiba's Critical Edge seems to have inspired Josie Rizal's Rage Art in Tekken 7, only performed barehanded. The update, Tekken 7: Fated Retribution, gives Josie a more unique set of animations for her Rage Art (though the actual attack effect is identical).

Relationships

Travels with Maxi, Natsu and Leixia.

On a quest to inherit the Kali-Yuga from Kilik.

Estranged son of Xianghua and Kilik. Half brother of Leixia and Leixin. His awareness of these family ties is unlikely, as it isn't hinted in any of the game's dialogue.[1] There does however exist an unused voice clip of Xiba saying "Dad." in the games' files.

Estranged grandson of Kong Xiuqiang who also trained him.

Trained by Edge Master for half a year prior to being given his quest.

Is repeatably picked on by Natsu so that the latter might relieve stress.

Series' Appearances

Gallery

References

Soulcalibur V