Eddie

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I DO NOT SEEK IMMORTALITY! I'M JUST AFRAID TO DISAPPEAR WITHOUT EVER EXISTING...
― Eddie to Slayer[src]

Ggxxacpr Steam Eddie.png
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Eddie, (sometimes written as Eddy or Edy[1]) is a recurring character in the Guilty Gear series. He is the shadow Forbidden Beast attached to Zato-ONE, granting him his shadow manipulation abilities.

Design

Eddie possesses the body of Zato, at times using his corpse as his own skin. His true form is an amorphous black mass that can take almost any shape. His most common appearance is a black silhouette of a tall humanoid figure with large wings, elongated limbs, a spine of spikes running down his back, and a gargoyle head. In combat he takes numerous forms: he most often circles Zato's feet as a puddle of shadow, but many moves have him imitate animals or inanimate objects such as sharks, skulls, swords, and drills. The inside of his body—including his eyes, mouth, and markings—glows red.

Eddie also seems to have some form of tangible body, as his jump Dust attack in the XX series involves him peeling back his skin to reveal a massive cow skull with curved horns the size of his body. It is the only move where his form includes natural bone instead of his usual amorphous black appearance, implying the skull may be real and not transformed shadow.

In Guilty Gear -The Missing Link-, while Zato is still alive, Eddie's appearance is more monstrous. Most commonly depicted with much longer horns, a more pronounced beak, and a segmented body more resembling armor with large talons and plating. In some official art, he takes a form similar to Justice, with a segmented chest bearing indents and plated hands. In game, the glow surrounding him is more white than the typical red.

In the Guilty Gear XX series, Eddie's design is simplified but made more expressive. He has a far more human body structure, with his gargoyle-like head having shorter horns and a more streamlined face. His arms are elongated and have spikes on the elbows. In gameplay, the shadow is lighter in color and flashes a glow, which keeps it from blending into the background.

From Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- through Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2, Eddie retained his general appearance but has become more angular and detailed; his head, in particular, is boxier and more artificial-looking. He now sports a crest on his forehead with the text "Life bad walking shadow." above and has a glowing red marking in the shape of a crescent with three wedges intersecting it on his chest.

In Guilty Gear -Strive-, Eddie has a more minimalist design, taking the form of an actual shadow in humanoid shape with wings; a pointed head; no visible neck; and bright white, human-like teeth.

Personality

Eddie's personality is reminiscent to that of Zato's pre-death but notably more subdued and introspective. During the incubation period, Eddie gained Zato's memories[2] and seemingly some of his emotions, shown by his affection for Millia Rage. While he views himself as above humanity and constantly demeans anyone he fights, he's lonely and craves someone he can relate to, often finding this in Dizzy and Millia.[3]

Eddie also constantly struggles with defining his own identity as an individual. Often he is left with frustration and anger over his life being predestined by everyone else. He was created as an Anti-Gear weapon made with Gear cells, with memories of the Crusades and an instinct to eliminate all Gears, yet finds comfort in finding that Dizzy broke free of her intended role to find love and a family. Though the knowledge of being created only to be a weapon offers him comfort in an explanation for his destructive urges, he still feels isolated by the idea he only is a tool. He also struggles with separating himself from Zato, growing frustrated when Venom and Millia don't acknowledge him individually, even using Zato's words against them for no reason other than aggression, yet when dying, figures the only person he could find comfort in is Millia.

In Strive, Eddie usually imitates the emotion of Zato, such as pain when being hit with Faust's overdrive.

Story

Background

Once an underling of the Assassin's Guild, Zato-ONE was disgusted with his lack of ability to rise through the organization's ranks, and he risked death by invoking the forbidden arts and became a host for Eddie at the cost of his eyesight. Unbeknownst to Zato, Eddie had thoughts and a will of his own, and bid his time in silence until he could possess him.

Guilty Gear

Eddie's chance came when the constant battling of the Second Holy Order Selection Tournament takes its toll on Zato.. To Zato's surprise, he cannot control Eddie any longer. Eddie thanks him for incubating him. Zato laughs at being fooled entirely, but is ultimately scared, as Eddie takes over his body.[4]

Guilty Gear X

Zato-ONE dies due to his injuries, allowing for Eddie to take full control of Zato's corpse.

Guilty Gear XX

Eddie begins to search for a new body due to being aware that his current dead one will not last long. Faust first off tries to study his condition, which via a fight against him, will thrust Eddie off into 2 different routes depending on how long it took for him to defeat Faust.

In one instance, he encounters I-No who decides to toy with him into fighting against various characters to help him search for a new vessel (with the route determined if he used an instant kill on I-No beforehand or not). In one path, he attempts to possess Sharon, but is ultimately ousted by the fact that Sharon is of a uniquely-immortal make, causing Eddie to melt away as I-No thanks him for being a fool. The other ending involves after a second fight with I-No, That Man comes in and has Raven take Eddie away to be used as a sample for the future he has been considering.

However, in another ending upon taking too long to defeat Faust, Eddie eventually encounters Venom who desires to take Zato's body back from him. But upon losing to Eddie, the shadow taunts Venom's attachment and connections to the late Zato, as a way of claiming that his connection to others through inducing hatred in others is proof that he is alive. Thus, he flies away to a location unknown, telling Venom to hunt him down and kill him if he can.

Guilty Gear XX Λ Core Plus

Eddie becomes more desperate to find another vessel to extend it; subsequent battles cause his HP amount at the start of each one to end up lower and lower. Through out this ordeal, he begins pondering the meaning of his existence and his life as a shadow.

In one ending, he comes across Slayer who is actually sympathetic to him this time around, telling him of one last thing he do for the sake of the answer he is searching for. He is finally confronted by Millia Rage, who eventually engages in battle with him as they both start to have their life gradually lower on their own. Eddie finally gives in to inevitable death, but realizes the meaning of living is how much of an impact he has left on others, especially in accordance to Zato's will. Feeling content with this, Eddie begins to fade away before Millia's eyes.

In his non-canon ending, Eddie approaches the brink of death without finding a new host body after a battle with Venom. However, just as he believes he is about to die, Eddie realizes that much to both his own and Venom's shock, as a Forbidden Beast, he has a different value of mortality in comparison to humans. Finally free of all doubt, Eddie releases himself from Zato's corpse as Venom curses him, and flies into the night reveling in his newfound life and power.

Guilty Gear Xrd

Both his and Zato-1's remains were confiscated by the Conclave for experimentation involving the art of resurrection. He was held at Harden Fort for six years.

By 2187, Eddie is revived alongside Zato-1 by the Conclave. He functions once again as Zato's willing partner and shadow. Seemingly no longer trying to take him over as he had previously, Eddie encourages the emotionless and unfettered Zato to escape from the prison that the Conclave put them in, still having a zeal for fighting and life. However, Zato only reacts when he remembers Millia and frees himself to see her, Venom and Slayer.

Guilty Gear -Strive-

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Spin-off story

Guilty Gear Dust Strikers

Eddie meets Gig, a rampaging Gear, and remarks that it's pitiful to see a creature so consumed by power before admitting the irony of him saying that. After defeating and killing Gig, he notes that Gig's body would have been a good choice for a new host if only the Gear was a little stronger. Eddie then resumes his search for a host to replace Zato-ONE.[5]

Guilty Gear Judgment

With his host, Zato, dead, Eddie has little time left. Sensing a powerful otherworldy force at Isene, where people have recently been disappearing at an alarming rate, Eddie travels to the island in search of a suitable new host body.[6]

Upon his arrival, Eddie enters the village of Liberia but finds it depopulated and overrun with monsters.[7] Following the trail of the otherworldly presence, Eddie travels deeper into the island and defeats several of Raymond's creations, including a fusion of three monsters and Noel, a human-monster fusion. He considers taking Noel's body, but decides she would be an unsuitable host.[8]

Eddie enters Raymond's laboratory, which he finds instinctively repulsive due to his past as an artificially-created being. In the deepest chamber he's stopped by Marehound[9], another of Raymond's experiments. Eddie recognizes Marehound as a fellow man-made creature, but determines it to be incapable of anything more than indiscriminately attacking. After killing Marehound, Eddie finds a logbook left by Raymond that details his plans to achieve godhood. With this knowledge, Eddie seeks out Raymond.[10]

Raymond waits for Eddie atop the Tower of Wind, a ruin built at the site of a gate to the other world. He recognizes Eddie's host body and greets him as Zato-one, but is intrigued to realize he's speaking to the shadow rather than the man. Fascinated by Eddie's nature, Raymond asks him to join him; however, Eddie refuses, calling Raymond his inferior. In response, Raymond sets a pair of monsters upon Eddie and uses the distraction to flee through a newly-opened gate to the other world, telling Eddie as he goes that his plans to achieve godhood are almost complete.[11]

Eddie follows Raymond through the gate and finds him in the presence of Inus, the king of the other world. Eddie recognizes Inus as the presence that drew him to the island and resolves to claim him as his new host, angering Raymond, who tells Eddie that Inus's body is needed for his experiments. Eddie recognizes Raymond's true goal—just like Eddie, he seeks to use Inus's body as a host. Raymond admits their plans are similar, but calls Eddie a mere war machine who lacks Raymond's vision. His words wake Inus, who devours Raymond before Eddie's eyes.[12]

Eddie defeats Inus, but before he can claim his new host, Inus's body transforms as Raymond, now calling himself Judgment, reveals himself. Judgment explains that fusing with Inus would normally result in the destruction of his consciousness by the monster's more powerful soul, so he allowed himself to be devoured and waited until Inus was killed to absorb the beast's powers from within. With this, he is able to obtain Inus's power while remaining in control. Eddie praises Judgment's cleverness, but warns him that he might not be able to hold onto his powers for long, which Judgment takes for sour grapes. Judgment then brings them both to a castle within the other world, daring Eddie to come find him.[13]

Eddie fights his way through the castle to reach Judgment's throne room. The two battle and Judgment, to his shock, is defeated. Eddie reminds Judgment of his earlier warning: a fusion involving a dead host can only last so long, as Eddie knows all too well. Judgment tries to deny that he could have made a mistake, but quickly loses control of the fusion and burns up while Eddie watches on. With Judgment dead, Eddie can no longer sense a powerful presence within the other world, and returns to the normal world to continue his search for a host.[14]

Some time later, Eddie encounters Slayer. Slayer expresses regret over Zato's death and admits he feels some responsibility for what happened to him. Eddie asks Slayer whether that means he'll take responsibility for his condition as well, as the path Zato chose is also what led to Eddie's current suffering. Slayer asks Eddie what it is he wishes for, and Eddie tells him that what he wants most is proof of his own existence. Moved by this, Slayer agrees with Eddie's desire and whisks him away to parts unknown.[15]

Abilities

Main article: /Commands

Eddie is the source of Zato-ONE's abilities. He is a parasitic being that inhabits Zato's shadow and is able to take any shape he wishes, and even be temporarily separated from his host for short periods of time.

In term of physical abilities, Eddie is much stronger and more durable than the average human, as shown in his ground throw attack where he rips out a opponent's throat with bare hands. When struck, Eddie can liquefy his body to lessen the damage and can reform with no visible effort. Eddie can also enhance his body further in various ways, from growing a pair of wings and taking flight to shaping his limbs into cutting weapons.

Eddie is not constrained to the concept of mass and dimension. His amorphous nature allows him to melt into a puddle of flat shadow on the ground, as shown in his Break the Law ability. His air throw in XX sees him liquefying himself and invading his opponent's orifice, causing internal damage before piercing out of their body as a bee before and reforming to his full size. He's also able to swap places with any part that forms his shadow, or even outright teleport through and from it, as shown in his Shadow Gallery and Traversing special moves.

Gameplay-wise, Eddie (possessing Zato's body) is playable in Guilty Gear XX and all of its updates as well as Guilty Gear Isuka, Dust Strikers, and Judgment.

Much like Zato, Eddie is hard to master but also quite devastating. He is a tricky character who relies on using Zato's body in conjunction with his true shadow-self to pressure the opponent and create mixups and unblockable traps, especially in Guilty Gear XX ♯Reload where Eddie is generally considered the most powerful character. Focusing on large, space-covering normals and zoning tools, Eddie can easily run over his foes if they are careless in their approach and defense, but lacks conventional reversals and fast, safe pokes that would allow him to maintain a non-committal neutral; most of his tools are very specifically-angled, slow to use on their own, or both.

Music

Rivalry themes

Quotes

Main article: /Quotes

Trivia

  • His name is a reference to Eddie The Head, the mascot for the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden.[16]
  • The initial concept of Zato using his shadow as a weapon (and, by extension, Eddie's nature as a Forbidden Beast attatched to his shadow) may have been influenced by the manga 「サスケ忍伝」 (Sasuke ninden?) and Detective Kageman.[16]

Gallery

Main article: /Gallery

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ Eddie's age is never given, though he fully incubated and gained personhood at the end of GGML, in 2180. GG World offers that Zato-ONE cast the 5th Forbidden Spell in 2173. Eddie was bound to the spell prior to its inclusion in the Arcanum, implying he was created before 2173 and only "issued" by P.W.A.B. using the spell at a later date.

References

  1. ↑ Guilty Gear X Advance Edition
  2. ↑ Guilty Gear XX script § "Eddie"
  3. ↑ Guilty Gear XX Λ Core Plus script § "Record ♯1573"
  4. ↑ Guilty Gear script § "Zato" Shadow: It's too late... you can't control me any longer. Nevertheless, I owe you a certain degree of thanks for...incubating me.
  5. ↑ Guilty Gear Dust Strikers script § "Eddie"
  6. ↑ Guilty Gear Judgment script § "Eddie"
  7. ↑ Guilty Gear Judgment script § "Area 1 12"
  8. ↑ Guilty Gear Judgment script § "Area 2 12"
  9. ↑ Guilty Gear 10th Memorial Book, pg.20
  10. ↑ Guilty Gear Judgment script § "Area 3 12"
  11. ↑ Guilty Gear Judgment script § "Area 4 12"
  12. ↑ Guilty Gear Judgment script § "Area 5 12"
  13. ↑ Guilty Gear Judgment script § "Area 5 12"
  14. ↑ Guilty Gear Judgment script § "Area 6 12"
  15. ↑ Guilty Gear Judgment script § "Ending"
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Guilty Gear X Drafting Artworks, pg. 187
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