Friday - the day when people across the world get out of doing real work with that universal mantra: “Ah, come on, it’s Friday.” So, in typical Friday spirit (and early weekend celebration), I’ve decided to put off actual thinking for a bit in order to explain, as you may have guessed from the title of this post, the name of my site.
“Heroine Sheik”, while neither a reference to drug-induced fashion or the head of an Arab household (though certainly reminiscent of both), is a tiny homage to my number-one, favorite heroine: Sheik. Now before you get your panties all in a twist, yes, I know Sheik is really just Zelda, and Zelda is really just another helpless blond damsel.
But for a few brief moments of her long gaming life, Zelda was something totally different: she was a bad-ass, hot-ass transvestite. She was Sheik. Of course, it’s a little messed that a normally submissive woman literally needs to put on men’s clothing to become powerful, but it’s also a little wonderful that she goes ahead and does it. The gender-bending, butt-kicking result is inspiring. Seriously, when was the last time the video game industry gave a thumbs-up to transvestitism? And that sexy androgynous look sure doesn’t hurt either…
Sheik: she avoids all that nonsense about dressing inappropriately by covering up an awful lot of skin; she messes with gender expectations; and, boy oh boy, does she rock in Melee.
And that’s my personal heroine Sheik.
September 16th, 2005 at 11:35 am
Hey, you - who’s your personal in-game, possibly gender/sexuality-related hero or heroine? Sure, it’s kind of a hokey question, but, then again, it’s kind of a hokey day…
September 18th, 2005 at 2:13 am
Eh.hhhhhh.
I don’t have any.
Except Darth Vader, who was from a movie. But he rocked enough to transcend boundaries.
And Anakin. But Anakin of good Star Wars fanfiction, not Anakin of the prequel movies, who absolutely sucked.
September 19th, 2005 at 7:14 am
I’d have to go with Sheik as well. The hapless (and over-developed, as a child) Zelda that had throughout the past shown herself as the typical princess of gaming (both in story and actuality) suddenly turning the tables and becoming the mysterious man named Sheik, whose name bears a striking resemblence to Impa’s (Zelda’s guardian) race, who she was the last of. Hence, the title ‘Last of the Sheikah’. Players assume he is Sheikah, even though he really couldn’t be, and go along their merry way, occasionally being interrupted by the fairly quiet Sheik and taught powerful melodies via harp. Come the Temple of Time, and Sheik’s unveiling as Zelda.
Many gamers were so dumbfounded that they simply ignored the fact and pretended it didn’t happen. The smarter ones immediately leapt back in shock and gasped, as theatrically required for surprise, and continued playing like nothing had happened, but the fact sank in and they accepted it. That’s a great thing, especially for those like myself.
Transvestitism isn’t so far from what we have to deal with, even if it is paradoxically on the other side of the board. The transgendered persons of which I speak can take comfort in the small victory won essentially by Sheik, for it shows an underlying sense of acceptance, even if after . None of that matters, save the underlying sense of acceptance.
…i’m sorry, I ramble. >.>
P.S.
Sheik + Me + Melee = Fun times
September 19th, 2005 at 7:45 am
Lleld, you bring up a good point: just how did most mainstream, male gamers react to that Sheik/Zelda moment of truth? I, of course, thought it rocked, but then again I’m a girl, and, well, me. Anyone else want to share initial reactions?
September 26th, 2005 at 3:20 pm
I had the Shiek/Zelda moment of truth spoiled for me. It was probably my fault too. I thought it was cool, but I was too young to really care.
But yes, the title of the site is great. It had me in giggles :D.
How hot would it be if they actually made a game called Heroine Sheik? Hopefully it would be better than the Zelda CD-I games.
September 27th, 2005 at 8:14 pm
Glad to hear from a fellow fan! As for a Heroine Sheik game, it’s almost more fun this way - all folded in and furtive within the larger male gaming community and, literally, within the larger male game.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
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