 |
Things are shaping up nicely... This article/section is currently under construction. The information on this page should not be considered as accurate or complete. Please remove this tag if this page hasn't been edited recently. |
Template:Infobox Support Character
- "They were experimenting with DNA sequencing...trying to recode genes to boost the human body's physical power. Looks like a big project"
- —Irene in Dead or Alive: Dimensions
Irene Lew (アイリーン・ルゥ, Airīn Rū), otherwise known as Irene Liu and Aileen, and by the alias Sonia (ソニア, Sonia) and the codename Sea Swallow, is a CIA agent and an ally of Ryu Hayabusa from the Ninja Gaiden series.
She is the main female lead in the original Ninja Gaiden trilogy for the NES, serving as Ryu Hayabusa's romantic interest and the series' damsel in distress. In the reimagining of the original NES series of Ninja Gaiden, Irene was first introduced in the 2008 title Ninja Gaiden II using the name "Sonia", before using her real name in Dead or Alive: Dimensions, which marked her first visual appearence in the Dead or Alive series.
History
Irene in Ninja Gaiden II
Fighting Against the Black Spider Clan
Tasked with investigating the Fiends, Irene learnt of their attempts to resurrect the ancient Archfiend Vazdah and attempted to stop them by enlisting the help of Ryu Hayabusa, the Dragon Ninja. While enquiring on his whereabouts with Muramasa they were attacked by the Black Spider Clan, who were working with the Fiends, and Irene was captured. Although Ryu appeared in time and tried to save her, the clan still managed to make off with Irene, taking for to the Fiend Lord Elizébet, possibly to get infomation out of her or to stop her from telling Ryu their plans.
Ryu managed to track them down and save Irene before Elizébet made off with her again, and once safe, Irene told Ryu that the Fiends and the Black Spider Clan were trying to resurrect the Archfiend, and they were going to attack the Hayabusa Village to steal the Demon Statue; the item they need to active their goals.
Despite Ryu's attempts, Genshin, the leader of the Black Spider Clan, found the Demon Statue and told Elizébet to take it away. As Ryu followed Elizébet around the world to retrieve the statue, Irene went with him to help, aiding with transport and pieces of infomation.
Location of the Black Narwhal
During the events of Ninja Gaiden 3, Irene sends Ryu the location of the Black Narwhal, the gigantic submarine which forms the US Navy's secret First Fleet that is being used by the LOA corporation. When it is mentioned that the information came from a person named "Sea Swallow" Ryu immediately tells them that the information can be trusted knowing that it is Irene that sent it.
The Second Tournament
Assigned by the CIA to investigate the Dead or Alive Tournament Executive Committee, Irene encountered her partner Ryu after he departed from Lisa Hamilton's suite on the Freedom Survivor, with information on DOATEC Germany. After Ryu retrieved data and Kasumi from the research facility, Irene analyzed it and both are shocked to discover that DOATEC has resurrected Hayate from his comatose state.
Kasumi wanted to go find her brother, but Ryu stood against the idea and slapped Kasumi. Irene rebuked Hayabusa for hitting her, but when Kasumi left anyway, she was unable to stop Ryu from sending Ayane after her. While Ryu was knocking other fighters out of the competition, Irene infiltrated DOATEC and investigated further. After the tournament, she finally meets Hayate, fully recovered from his amnesiac state.
The Third Tournament
While investigating the tournament sponsers in DOATEC, Irene watched the fight between Ryu and Hayate with Ayane. She tried to talk Ayane into stopping the two men from having to use the Torn Sky Blast technique on each other, but she was captured by the assassin Christie and was used as bait to lure Ryu away from the Tenjin Ninjas for Genra to get his hands on them. Ryu rescued Irene, but they were almost too late to stop Genra, prompting the Super Ninja to save them.
The Fourth Tournament
Backing the Mugen Tenshin Clan on their assault against DOATEC, Irene and the CIA assisted in the raid on DOATEC's facilities. She stated that the codename for the operation is "Sonia", and asked that the shinobi come back alive.
Character
Appearance
In Ninja Gaiden II Irene is a slim, athletic woman with pale skin and a well-endowed chest. Her hair is platinum blonde, chopped into a short crop with a full front fringe. She also has full red lips, silver eyes, and a small red tattoo in the middle of her chest just above her breasts, which looks like a nautical star.
Her outfit in Ninja Gaiden is a black-and-silver, sleeveless waistcoat mini-dress with a high collar, and a plunging cleavage line. She also wears knee-length black boots, elbow-long black gloves, knee guards, a loose belt with pouches for ammo, black-cord bracelets and necklaces, and a handgun holster on her right thigh.
Irene's appearence seems to have changed in Dead or Alive: Dimensions, to match the "anime-style" of Dead or Alive. Her eyes are now blue and larger in size, her face is rounder, her lips are now pink, and her hair is slightly longer and more layered. She also wears a more casual outfit, as apposed to the spy-styled dress in Ninja Gaiden, composing of a hot pink corset-like shirt, a green army jacket, ripped black tights, and tanned boots and mini-shirt. She is still pale-skinned, platinum blonde, and still sports her red tattoo, a belt with magazine holders, and cord necklaces, although the cores are now much shorter.
Personality
Irene is a gutsy woman who is also gifted with a knack for espionage. She is highly skilled with firearms of many different kinds, from hand guns to RPGs. She seems to have an affectionate eye on Ryu Hayabusa.
Etymology
Irene is from the name Greek Ειρηνη (Eirene), which derived from a word meaning "peace". This was the name of the Greek goddess who personified peace, and was one of the Horae.
The alias, Sonia is used in the many areas of the world including the West, Russia and India. In Hindi, the name means 'golden', derived from सोना (sonā) which means 'gold', which in turn comes from Sanskrit सुवर्ण (suvarṇa; su- means 'good' and varṇa means 'color'). Her codename "Sea Swallow" is another name of the Common Tern, a seabird.
Relationships
Ryu Hayabusa
Her relationship with Ryu began in the original NES version of the series. As a CIA agent she was under orders to retrieve the twin Demon Statues, and afterwards fell in love with Ryu, ultimately running a curio shop together. In the rebooted version of the series, Irene and Ryu meet during the Demon Statue Incident in Ninja Gaiden II, where the two of them started off her professional partners. As things progressed, Irene slowly developed feelings for him, as evidenced from when he defeated the Demon God Vazdah the first time around and ran up to hug him.
In Dead or Alive: Dimensions, Hayate and Ayane can see something going on between the two, but Ryu and Irene seem to keep them guessing on what their relationship entails.
Appearances
Dead or Alive Series
- Dead or Alive (Mentioned, 1996 - 1998)
- Dead or Alive: Dimensions (2011)
Non-Dead or Alive Appearances
Ninja Gaiden NES Trilogy
In the original Ninja Gaiden trilogy, Irene is an agent of a Secret Auxiliary Unit, working under the codename "Sea Swallow". However, she is shown to have quit that job and instead began working as a CIA analyst during the events of Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.
At some point in the series, she marries Ryu and helps him run an antique shop in America. However, following the re-boot, they are not married but do appear to be in a romantic relationship.
Ninja Ryūkenden OVA
Voiced by Yumi Tōma, Irene appears in the Ninja Ryūkenden OVA where she is once again kidnapped, forcing Ryu to take up his sword to protect her.
Ninja Gaiden II and III
Gallery
 Concept art for Ninja Gaiden II  Screenshot from Ninja Gaiden II  Screenshot with Christie from Dead or Alive: Dimensions  Screenshot with Christie from Dead or Alive: Dimensions  Screenshot with Christie and Ryu from Dead or Alive: Dimensions  Render from Dimensions  Irene in the original Ninja Gaiden  Irene in the original Ninja Gaiden  Ryu and Irene in the NES version of Ninja Gaiden  Irene in Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos  Irene in Ninja Gaiden II  Irene in Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom  Irene in Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom  |
Trivia
- Irene is mentioned in the first Dead or Alive, but only through Ryu's biography.
External Links