What's up with Voldo from Soulcalibur?

Voldo. He's been in every Soulcalibur game, wiggling and gyrating his way into our hearts. But what's his deal? Voldo stands out next to the grim, stoic guys of fighting games. He's got grace, he's got slippery, slick moves, and more often than not he's covered in fishnets, leather and spikes. Pat traces Voldo's design through history, to post-World War 2 leather culture and up through the early days of wrestling. So, what's up with Voldo? A lot, but we'll walk you through it.
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#voldo #soulcalibur

[@polygon]

Voldo Appreciation Thread:

[@polygon]

So flexible

[@tychoderkommentator2989]

So graceful

[@birdzilla01]

Love the spikes

[@rionsanura]

so many spikes in such interesting places

[@_Lazy_bones]

makes me feel certain ways

[@joshuahancock2079]

Voldo does with his whole body what normal Italians only do with their hands.

[@lukeparsons6305]

The Supreme Italian.

[@kabobawsome]

He is what happens when an Italian achieves true perfection at their craft: communication with their body. In fact, he's so good at it that he no longer needs to speak. He can communicate simply through wiggles and waves.

[@FatherTime89]

That reminds me of a joke. What do you call an Italian with no hands? Mute.

[@maxxam4665]

'ccocacchio, è vero!

[@XVINutkabob]

Talk?

[@aeternalslime9670]

q: why is voldo like that a: cuz he's just a little guy! look at him go

[@quesoazul9]

My exact words while watching this video

[@happy_mask_salesman]

Hahaha is this a Portlandia reference? :P

[@polygon]

damn this video could've been a lot shorter

[@CONTRACTOR_SG3]

Lol right they dodging the real question

[@thumb5225]

nah, he’s just Italian.

[@amberlee4536]

I distinctly remembering maining Voldo in IV and constantly saying "time to spin you like pizza dough"

[@princetriton1308]

🤣

[@splitplug]

"He's just Italian." Comedy gold.

[@rachelrachel9152]

And the way Pat is just genuinely like, ah i see, my bad, is so so funny, he's honestly a great actor

[@theycallmet3061]

I'm Italian and I can confirm. We weird af

[@Ihavehadmanynames7779]

I was 100% sure he was egyptian my mind is blown right now.

[@thefinalflower]

Voldo's outfits are culturally important, and as an Italian, I should be allowed to wear them at work.

[@ZijnShayatanica]

Performing any work-related tasks successfully with claws & obstructed vision should be immediately rewarded with a promotion.

[@jhsrt985]

😂😂😂👌

[@CereDulce37]

🥵🥵🥵

[@everyojaniromerosifuentes5612]

That's hot, eso es caliente cariño 🔥

[@donvalve2257]

As an Italian too, i think that unless you work in a circus, you will be fired immediately.

[@Fruckert]

The video glitched and paused for me right after "i like to watch people fight" and it took me a solid minute to realize that patrick staring into the camera completely motionless after that statement wasn't a bit

[@superrinusblick4222]

that happens to me so often. I always think its a weird too long bit

[@kylekyle4169]

as a gay person I did definitely start crying watching this, specifically when he started talking about gay men's subcultures. I can't handle being respected like this lol

[@rmdesignpr5296]

I respect you, bro.

[@intelligencenewsnetworks8249]

He was very respectful wasn't he haha it was lovely how he described gay subcultures

[@adoboFosho]

Yea u get pride month when asians only got respected just recently..heard they hit on asian guys at hs now 🤣

[@alpacamale2909]

jesuschrist

[@bearsleethere6996]

You'll handle whatever Daddy gives you, little worm 🪱

[@chalkish4855]

"Graceful leathery little man" is now my transition goal

[@prestonbruchmiller497]

Good luck

[@Reasonable_Fun_6709]

Did you achieve it?

[@chalkish4855]

@@Reasonable_Fun_6709 not quite enough leather yet, but there on the rest!

[@vice.nor.virtue]

That's literally a perfect description for me and I'm quite happy this way must say

[@polerin]

Keep at it :D

[@davidwave4]

Funny, "[h]e's haunted us since he first wriggled into our lives in 1995" is exactly what my parents say about me too.

[@giovonemendoza6531]

Haha

[@Fl0wy]

"Is he... You know?" I'm dead

[@RelativelyBest]

This is actually fascinating, and a lot more thought-provoking than I expected when I clicked on the video. It has never occurred to me that _gracefulness_ in _martial arts_ - of all things - could be viewed as unmanly or "gay."

[@renaigh]

"Slither like a Snake, Walk like a Crab" - Voldo, probably

[@TheSylvirr]

Slither like Snek, Walk like Crab, STAB STAB STAB STAB STAB aaaannd twirl. Perfect. Bow.

[@gerrit8480]

Don't forget the backwards spider crawl

[@donvalve2257]

Climb on your back like a spider and pierce your throat.

[@abeklein7815]

Translated from "SSSSSSRIEOMGOERMGKLERMGSSSSSOIRFDFKLMGSSS"

[@princetriton1308]

Ffs 🤣🤣🤣

[@jetwavez]

just learned more about early gay culture and subversions of masculinity in an internet video about a quirky little guy than i ever did in 22 years in the american school system genuinely thank you pat

[@rachael501]

if you have the time and inclination Paris is Burning is great if you haven't seen it

[@Sammit00]

Another fun fact: the leather scene has its own pride flag (in part because it has such an old and vibrant link with the LGBTQ+ community) and it’s cool af

[@haruhirogrimgar6047]

Schools really need to let kids engage with modern media for their projects. I am positive some kid would have analyzed Voldo for an assignment on subersive characters at some point.

[@dhoffnun]

I think I also understand Jim Sterling's thing with wrestling a little more clearly now.

[@garygrinkevich6971]

Your comment has slightly redeemed my faith in the gaming community, thank you for sharing.

[@miri4422]

"the stoic idea of masculinity is bullshit" and "get absolutely wrecked hemingway" are two incredibly powerful sentences, and to have them appear in the same video, consecutively, said by the one and only Pat Gill, is the kind of cataclysmic moment of power only polygon can provide.

[@miri4422]

@@ponderingspirit "does this read like toxic masculinity"...well, that comment did

[@NightWing1800]

@@ponderingspirit Words can have more than one meaning. Stoicism, the philosophy, isn't really what people talk about when they say being stoic is a feature of toxic masculinity. They mean in the sense that men are pushed to not be too emotional because crying, being emotionally vulnerable, being very physically animated when you're happy or just in general, or getting offended from verbal abuse is seen as feminine traits. There's an idea that being a man means that you don't care what people say, you don't get sad, you only operate based on cold hard reason and fact, and don't sit down and talk your problems out. And that's just not realistic to live up to and trying is definitely self destructive behavior.

[@gaymansupreme]

>get wrecked Hemingway Virgin Polygon Writer vs Chad Hemingway Believer

[@science_bear]

@@gaymansupreme Yeah I don’t get what his issue with Hemingway is.

[@isaacburrows8405]

​@@science_bearhe had the balls to end it, unlike this guy

[@coteof7055]

my favorite Voldo Fact is that he was one of the only soul edge/soul calibur characters that had no motion capture done for them because nobody in the studio thought an actual person could move Like That, and that was the case until like SC3 when the producers saw video of a guy doing Voldo moves in a dance set and hired him on the spot for MoCap work.

[@mvwinf]

I have no idea what Voldo is, but I knew this video would be Pat’s because when I read the notification, I could hear Pat in my mind with perfect clarity saying the word “Voldo”

[@pinstripeowl]

Ditto 😂

[@noahmorris1015]

you had a premonition!

[@SeventhEve]

I also played the "I bet this is a Pat video" game and won xD

[@0.-.0]

I love this

[@jackroberts2704]

I'm sorry you hadn't heard about Voldo sooner!

[@Psysium]

When you're comfortable being you, life is better. Societal constructs be damned!

[@JP-sd7di]

Gender isn’t a societal construct.

[@seanbutterfield1]

@@JP-sd7di lol okay I'll bite, what is it then, and how does your understanding of it allow you to explain Voldo?

[@justjoshingwithu5024]

@@seanbutterfield1 replying cause I wanna see where this goes

[@JP-sd7di]

@@seanbutterfield1 In this context, a synonym for “sex.” I haven’t played Soul Calibur in a long time, but Voldo always just seemed like a weirdo to me.

[@VacuitysBane]

​@@JP-sd7di It's okay, it can make anyone scared looking at the world in its fullness, it happens, so you go and reduce things down into something simple and familiar you can work with. But rather than arguing for other people to join you and think less about things too, I hope you just accept yourself for the things within you that maybe also aren't so simple. If you like things as they are, liberation from gender norms cuts both ways, in that no one else gets to decide for you your role in the world, or what you desire

[@TheTricky227]

"Eldritch Leather Daddy" A phrase I didn't know I needed in my life

[@vice.nor.virtue]

SAME

[@andymcnamar2339]

i gotta say i really appreciate theuse of the dril "this whole thing smacks of gender" tweet

[@SgtByrd93]

"is he....y'know" Yes Pat we know, from the moment I first played Soul Caliber 2 that was my first question 🤣

[@SanityVideo]

Yeah, he's pretty Italian.

[@chrismanuel9768]

I mean he's in love with his master and fights to protect his legacy long after his death so like... he's either... you know... or they were like... roommates.

[@marunalister5597]

@@chrismanuel9768 Oh my god, they were Tombmates.

[@yungjoemighty879]

@@marunalister5597 clap clap clap

[@taytsay1]

@@chrismanuel9768 My god, they were roommates

[@aimelle3]

"Get absolutely wrecked, Hemingway" Is Simone OK? Is she still on speaking terms with Patrick?

[@archivingjsstreams3454]

she had to edit this video and i just know it pained her

[@Chatedh]

Am pretty sure Simone was the one who wrote that joke.

[@lmeeken]

That she provided a voiceover for the video just seconds before that epic Hemingway slam definitely have me some pause.

[@BuddhaMonkey7]

A fun fact is that Hemingway was almost definitely trans.

[@science_bear]

@@BuddhaMonkey7 Was he or was that just something people said oh him?

[@omu6740]

voldo used to scare me so much as a kid, he always motivated me to finish the battles as quick as possible. now that i’m older, i seriously appreciate how absolutely sick his design and fighting style is, truly an icon

[@whatthebeardoin3160]

This video is about Voldo and while I love the analysis, towards the end you start going into popular fighting game leads and I just wanna give a piece about Ryu, who meant a lot to be growing up, even now as a gay man. Ryu is always written as someone who seeks deep personal answers to troubles within his heart, troubles that stem from rage and hatred, by walking the path of the warrior without seeking harm. In his first tournament he was going to lose to Sagat, and got so angry he permanently scarred Sagat. He seeks to fight as a method of cleansing the spirit, a deeply rooted Asian concept, which isn't even strictly speaking masculine. Ryu serves as a solid fighting game role model because Ryu does not seek to hurt anybody, he just wants to find peace and fighting is what he loves. The only character who rejects this road is Akuma, who wants Ryu to seek a path of toxicity and hatred for everyone, which Ryu rejects even if he doesn't win the fight. In a world where no male characters are mean to Ryu, he is still himself, this is who he is and this is why he fights. He is seeking penance and inner peace from his own mistakes early in life, and doing it through testing his limits against others is just how he goes about it. Change the testing of limits to academics or a particular skill, and it doesn't become about strength it becomes about conviction and fortitude, things that anyone of any gender can aspire to. Ryu walks his road because it heals him, and it's what he loves most. In high school I really took a liking to Ryu and what he stood for, power without malice, strength without abuse, and walking one's own path without hesitation, even if you're not going to win.

[@Therathmataz]

Didn't know that about Ryu's character but damn, that's powerful.

[@kanukulgood]

Oh wow, what a wonderful description!

[@WONDERGU]

I know, they did so well describing this. I didn’t even know most of the ish they had said ryu went through, I did always thought he was a character just willing to fight anyone because he has his own path of course without reason, but now knowing that’s not true is kinda crazy and completely changed my perspective of Ryu. Thank you so much actually.

[@adoboFosho]

Weird I'm asian didn't know fighting cleans the spirit

[@gwen9939]

The issue with Ryu in this context is specifically in regards to his demeanor. He loves fighting if we read his lore but when we watch him fight his style is a straight path to victory. He's efficient and precise, and constant under self-scrutiny regarding his own performance. There's no self-expression that signals freedom or loving what he's in the act of doing, just the stoic exterior and some written lines about "the warrior spirit". He's a fantasy of stoicism and self-improvement as a path to it, which is also fundamentally kind of self-centered. "In high school I really took a liking to Ryu and what he stood for, power without malice, strength without abuse, and walking one's own path without hesitation, even if you're not going to win." This line basically reads like a fantasy to strive towards from the whole "Men Who Go Their Own Way" reddit philosophy, a place that is notoriously situated as being very pro- toxic masculinity, and are in fact not going their own way but instead an echo chamber of "free thinkers" who define themselves by what they oppose(women and women's voices), not what they stand for. I'm not saying Ryu is part of these losers, just that he's similar to the symbols they use. This isn't meant as a condemnation as Ryu as a character either. His positive traits are still positive and anyone who likes the character doesn't have to answer to any shortcomings he has, only that in this context he's part of a larger roster of very similar male fighting game characters, and it's interesting to explore the cultural waves that made him very reminiscent of traditional masculine idealism rather than someone who smiles, dances around and tries to have fun while fighting, something he claims to love.

[@SirFerrickWanderer]

Can I just say, talking about being critically compared to a praying mantis in a video about fighting is hilarious, there's very few living beings out there that can wreck shop like those little dudes do.

[@npc6817]

Fairly sure there was a kung fu style named after praying mantises too

[@tamijo-]

@@npc6817 Is that Tiger style?

[@npc6817]

@@tamijo- bruh I just said "named after mantises"

[@tamijo-]

@@npc6817 imagine jokes

[@npc6817]

@@tamijo- my bad, I wooooshed myself

[@joearellano6541]

As someone who picked Voldo as a kid this makes so much sense in hindsight

[@sieltan5618]

theory: a disproportionate number of boys who grew up liking voldo and archery and elves and falcons out of a deep desire to see graceful small things defeat large powerful things are now not straight or not boys

[@robinm7079]

Is that when you first realised you were Italian?

[@joearellano6541]

@@robinm7079 lol body rolls and slithers on the floor in Mexican…..yes ;)

[@Void-Lizard]

I picked him when I first started because he was weird and different and wiggly and then I turned into a cursed trans furry goth pyro main. I feel like that's the normal path a Voldo player takes as a kid, you know?

[@devforfun5618]

@@sieltan5618 im still straight, but totally cool playing support characters and making my characters the shortest possible in character creators

[@severlst2293]

I’m going to start telling my friends I admire their grace.

[@milesbrown2261]

watching this makes me want more graceful "effeminate" or otherwise just more expressive fighting styles in games and movies. Imagine a dark souls boss that looks like knight artorias but moves like the dancer of the boreal valley.

[@madsstokes]

My sweet little sharp fluid fighting boy

[@superrinusblick4222]

he is like a human beyblade

[@Arrakiz666]

@@superrinusblick4222 I literally heard that in Griffin McElroy's voice in my brain! And not, like, I've read it and then imagine Griffin saying it, from the moment I started reading the sentence it just materialized in my mind in his voice, that's _WILD._

[@ethan-loves]

This is video game journalism at its best - it looks at an unusual artistic choice by game designers, grounds it in real-world context, and leaves the audience knowing more not just about the game, but about the world they inhabit. Personally, it deepened my understanding and broadened my expectations of gender expression. Thank you for that, and great job creating it.

[@AlephCasara]

Except that it is not. He says things that are not True just tô fit into his narrative. Like the leather scene started by judas priest. Yes halford is gay, but it was very taboo in the metal scene and He didnt came out untill 1998, and the band started in 1969! He is just making stuff up for people who do not know the real history. This video is shamefull.

[@chadchavez3251]

@@AlephCasara he didn’t say the leather scene “started” with JP, just that halford was aware of what it was when he adopted it, and he popularized it among a crowd who wasn’t Interested in it prior.

[@thebluelion3337]

@@AlephCasara Nothing in the video even contradicts what you're saying, and even if it did, the central thrust of the video is to compare Voldo's weirdness against the traditional notions of masculine fighters. If anything it's your comment that is shameful.

[@AlephCasara]

@@thebluelion3337 thank you for the right Word for voldo. Voldo is not gracefull. Voldo does not embrace Grace. Voldo embraces weirdness, He is disgusting in a lot of aspects. And believe im a Man who has spent half my life with people on the stress thinking i was a girl, i know and that didnt keep me from being a heterossexual Man. The vídeo is just a very cringy compilation of things that he uses to create a narrative that fits his agenda of masculinity. Its just bad. And it comes from the weird guy in town who went tô arts College, has more than 2 Princess desses in his closet and has been in more fights than it is worth counting. I didnt know this guy before, but oh my god he is bad at what he does.

[@thebluelion3337]

@@AlephCasara I apologise for calling your comment shameful, and on second thoughts I agree that there are some bad takes in the video, however I do think that this was a sincere attempt at an opinion piece rather than the millionth video on PS5 or Dark Souls and you might be being a bit harsh on the dude. I hope you're doing better now mate. Cheers

[@nerdsician3719]

"So graceful and smooth" *literally pelvic thrusts his opponent*

[@LCTesla]

in some ways Voldo's movements are actually more straightforward and efficient than those of the more traditional masculine fighters. for example he is one of the few fighters who can attack directly from prone position without raising himself up, or crawl while attacking. just goes to show that the confines to movements masculinity places upon itself aren't always in service of "what works best".

[@rushi5638]

Not to be that guy, because you're totally right as far as Soul Calibur is concerned, but like... all the fighting styles in the game exist on a spectrum from staid "realistic" moves to wild ass fantasy moves, and Voldo crab walking his way to victory is very very much on the wild ass fantasy end of the spectrum. Like I don't think you can credit Yoshimitsu for having the temerity to embrace the use of his katana as a helicopter blade for floating, you know? If hovering in mid-air by spinning your katana like a helicopter blade worked, I assure you dudes would be doing it. The limiting factor here is not (necessarily) toxic masculinity. :p

[@JackSassyPants]

As a gay who has had to deal with ridiculous policing of my movement for my whole life I feel this big time. Now to start on a Voldo cosplay...

[@alecweiker]

As a cis male, I’d be down for some Voldo cosplay too. Alternate skins?

[@spore9428]

I might pay money to see someone who can move like Voldo

[@EsabelleRyngin]

Good luck and good speed to you!! He has so many awesome costumes!

[@haruhirogrimgar6047]

@@spore9428 Just gotta wax the bottom of your shoes so you can slip in place like he does.

[@---we1ok]

@@haruhirogrimgar6047 Might need to wax a lot more than your shoes.

[@gudebro2000]

Did I just watch 15 minutes on voldo?! You deserve a raise.

[@fluffycritter]

In the Dreamcast version of Soul Calibur, you could unlock a mode where you could mix-and-match the characters' animations with their meshes. it was always oddly unsettling to apply Voldo's animations to any of the other male characters.

[@Somtaw420]

This video was a far deeper and more interesting dive than I expected coming in. I thought it was going to be a lore video, not actually something with insight and history. Well done.

[@DubiousConsumption]

Dude. I'm creating a two hour deep dive on Hellraiser. I was not prepared to see it show up here, hah!

[@beckstheimpatient4135]

Step 1: saw your comment Step 2: clicked channel out of curiosity Step 3: watching the Hansel and Gretel video because goddamn, I grew up on uncensored Grimm's tales and I love deep dives into their horror.

[@DubiousConsumption]

@Nosferatu I've got a partial version under Cenobitic Ramblings. It was the first part of a maybe thirty minute video, but I've reworked it and fleshed it out since. My Gretel & Hansel vid is a better indicator of my current quality but you at least get a preview of what I'm going to be talking about.

[@axolotlsarecute4785]

I was wondering how Simone felt about the defeat of Earnest Hemmingway by Voldo, then I saw she edited the video and the plot thickened

[@SaveDataTeam]

I just went through this exact rollercoaster of emotions and I'm glad someone else noticed it lol

[@markcampos2735]

Question is this a randy feltface reference

[@_Glamor]

I love Voldo, ever since I picked up SC3 years ago. He's so different, weird, and creepy. His BDSM look and his mantis/spider-like fighting moves that look like he dislocated his joints doing it, and his muffled hisses and moans. Love his character, he's so cool.

[@enkidude]

I love the contorted, selfless artistry of voldo. Restrained and unrestrained. The most deadly revenant-phantomime-spider-wyrm to the unobtainable hoarde. Being creative in body mechanics and fighting isn't easy at all, voldo seriously stands out and I've always been amazed at how creative soul calibur has continued to be, extremely creative weapons, armors, and styles

[@elbandzioro]

He moves like he left his skeleton in the house

[@Srcsqwrn]

Where we're going we don't need no Skeleton!

[@ThatGenericPyro]

...Wait: Was *he* Medic's patient?

[@ionamorwenna5564]

I love my italian middle-aged dancing snake-y man with more breathing problems than Darth Vader.

[@t1tliQuid]

I went "is he wearing a power trip shirt?.. hell yea he is!"

[@kaylee6208]

I too noticed and appreciated the Power Trip shirt

[@Steppin2theAM]

Loved this. Imagine, Voldo”s loyal isolation, keeps him unmeasured, unbothered and uncriticized. His garb denotes a context of being. Connected within himself in a way that observation and conversation couldn’t complete him. There’s a message in there.

[@Wipomatic]

I love this long wriggly man who is hypnotic to watch move across the screen. Voldo is cool too.

[@cocoapurple1376]

I like the idea of men being able to express themselves anyway they want without being linked to, or explained by, their sexuality.

[@CorderralLewis]

“Eldridge leather daddy” never thought I’d hear those words together in that order yet…

[@noisaidgetlost9448]

'Bro, I admire your grace' is my new go to.

[@internetlurkerr]

“Get absolutely wrecked, Hemingway” is such a gut-punching line omg.

[@DannoHung]

Why would Pat do this to Simone?

[@mog1755]

And after she did the voice over work for this video...

[@yungjoemighty879]

god hemingway sucks

[@other_doctor]

disappointed that Pat didn't use an image of 1986 Tom Hanks comedy film "The Money Pit" in this video

[@polygon]

that one's on me - Simone

[@other_doctor]

@@polygon thank you for your honesty. we all appreciate it

[@Roofgeese]

ME TOO. I was fully expecting it.

[@lmpst7915]

I was expecting Scrooge McDuck tbh

[@munjatkumo1929]

"Men should only be as flexible as the minecraft-dude." -Tucker Carlson

[@friendlyfrankenstein]

Point at which I became overwhelmed with confusion by voldos backstory/having a backstory: about at 'servant to an italian weapons merchant' tbh How I felt by the end: touched, oddly affirmed in my gender as a very Loudly Femme-Macho trans dude, giggling about italians.

[@brianorville5053]

Man, I love how Pat does his job. I was never into sports and also tend to lose a lot in fightings, but man, I am absolutely captivated by these videos. Thank you!

[@abbycaldwell3166]

I gotta say from personal experience, the guys who ballet are hella strong. Being able to lift other dancers over their heads and do bigger leaps than anyone else while still moving across the stage gracefully is a ton of work. The guys I know who do ballet are amazing athletes all around.

[@Foxxie0kun]

A lot of people think that the arms/hands are the only means of hitting someone in combat, but a boot to the head can deliver a lot of force, especially if you crack them in the temple with your heel with a spinning kick. Footwork is essential both for positioning in offense and defense, as well as maneuvering in ways your opponent is less able to defend against. If your opponent is large and bulky, or they favor keeping one side toward you, you can exploit that by constantly moving toward their blind spot/back faster than they can turn, and if they're using time to turn, that's time and effort they're NOT using to try and strike, close or create distance, or keep their stance. I feel like kicking-based fighters aren't very commonly male/masculine-presenting, meanwhile there's a lot of female/feminine-presenting fighters in games that primarily kick to attack. Chun-Li is one example. I know there were a few Taekwondo based fighters in King of Fighters who were both male and used mostly kicks, but those are exceptions to prove the rule.

[@SureyD]

You did such a great job tackling the sensitive subjects and cultures respectfully, like... it is informative, relevant, funny, ... thank you Pat, Simone, and everyone involved.

[@Uptomyknees]

Hey, this is an amazing video and you're wonderfully good at this, this taught me such cool things about random subcultures, thank you.

[@AlexSinclair]

I love that Polygon let their writers go deep on their passions like this. The love comes through, which is why I click on the stuff no matter what the topic. I don't care about UFC or wrestling, and I've never played Soul Calibur, but this was a good watch!

[@beretperson]

This explains so much about that one summer when I was a kid and we went to a hotel that had a playstation and I became obsessed with Voldo and Cervantes.

[@beretperson]

(if you're wondering what's up with Cervantes: he's just Spanish)

[@chrismanuel9768]

Cervantes is a Chad though. I'd let him gut me

[@twoheadedchicken7904]

hmm same but with voldo and ivy

[@Nali07]

I think that hidden indicator like "grace" is on of the reasons why Eddy (Tekken) is so famous . His Capoeira looks so fluently (and effective to a unfair point^^)

[@1991zabel]

As a fan of fighting games for most of my life i can say that i always found myself gravitating towards the weird and freaky characters first. From Voldo through Zafina into Zappa or most of Darkstalkers, the thing that seems cool to me is definitely not what people would actually consider as cool, bizarre would fit more.

[@J.Applejuice]

Voldo is Voldo. If you stare at your ceiling in the middle of the night. Voldo will be up there.

[@Parodox306]

Pretty sure that's just a ceiling fan.

[@J.Applejuice]

@@Parodox306 Are you sure?? Voldo does spin like a fan.

[@Parodox306]

@@J.Applejuice I understand it might be hard to distinguish the two, after all they both spin and have blades, but last I checked Voldo doesn't have working light bulbs in his torso directly wired to a switch in my room. If he does then I'm going to need him to start paying part of my utilities bill.

[@J.Applejuice]

@@Parodox306 i mean have you seen his crotch?? It lights up whenever he parries.

[@Arrakiz666]

@@Parodox306 I'm pretty sure in some of the alternative skins he actually, literally has lightbulbs sticking out of his torso...

[@jamesnorman2428]

I appreciate something that Pat subtly does here that I have been seeing more and noticing I’ve needed more. This video both rejects the masculinity of pure violence, while both offering other versions of masculinity and not rejecting the idea of sport. To me Pat is clearly making a pro-social masculinity stance, as much as an anti-toxic masculinity stance.

[@Laneous14]

Since the later books turn Geralt into one of the most boring, impotent, and pathetic characters I would say that's a perfect subversion of the toxic masculinity of having a hero who is capable, skilled, and engaging to read about. They really fixed him up good.

[@quaclark7650]

This guy Pat is mad he is not more physically apt for sports so he uses words like hyper-masculine GateKeeper😓😓😓🤦🤦🤦

[@fredricchopin3968]

@@quaclark7650 sure kid.

[@quaclark7650]

@@fredricchopin3968 you must be one of those weak bodies to , watch who your calling kid. Son

[@fredricchopin3968]

@@quaclark7650 if only you knew who you were talking to, kid. I can smell your weakness (physical, mental, and emotional) from here. It's hilarious and pathetic all at once.

[@sarahfc8682]

this is legitimately my favorite polygon video, and one of my favorite youtube videos in general. i have never played soulcaliber in my life, but this journey through the influences on a character i didn't know at all before is so fascinating, soothing, and clearly a labor of love from pat that voldo now has a special place in my heart.

[@bigbadbrownybadger]

I don’t know what I expected from this essay from the title, but it absolutely blew me away. This is so thoughtful and well researched. Truly excellent.

[@momoakidzuki8380]

Genki Sudo did fights, dance, and now even a part of the Japanese Parliament. Mans really doing everything he wants.

[@theycallmet3061]

He's the main character of his own story and he's living for it

[@lalatinavee]

Nice

[@aquaintsound]

"everything about Voldo is evasive, slippery, and hard to pin down" Voldo is gender

[@christian-mx7ml]

not really. pretty easy. i knew i was a Dodge Challenger from the moment i was born. i have to go now VAROOM!

[@Laneous14]

If you can't pin down your own gender then you have no business driving a car, voting, picking fabric patterns, or dressing yourself. Get help.

[@neogeobro42o96]

@@Laneous14 Actually you can’t prove that and you’re ignorant. Get help.

[@Sompursone]

@Shin Shaman Hey, just letting you know, outing yourself as nonbinary-phobic on a video that explores how a video game character may actually be based on lgbtq culture might not be the best idea.

[@sacta]

@Shin Shaman Leading the country to ruin how? By... adding more genders? If a country is so fragile that it'll break down over this, maybe it does deserve ruin.

[@nyxnotnicks]

I love Voldo's whole deal, whatever it is. This video made me cry, it's so good to see positive masculinity.

[@Pheonix0114]

Love you Pat, and love this masterpiece of a video. Exploring broader historical contexts and your own personal obsessions through the lenses of video games makes this channel such a pleasure to watch, you all rock.

[@MrGreyWolfAlpha]

Polygon truly are on another level. So many amazing writers create wonderful and insightful looks into the world of video games and beyond, and also naming cute little guys

[@macularius]

lots of good phrases/terms in here but I'm personally enjoying "masculinity starter kit"

[@yphre]

"he slithers along the ground, he girates" I don't know If I'd call that grace, but I do get your point xD

[@nicholasmuir471]

this video turned out to be so much more than what i was expecting...i'm complimenting all of my boys on their grace from now on, thank you

[@ianmcneely2446]

I often ask myself this question. It keeps me awake at night. I have not been able to sleep since I first saw Voldo, at 2AM this morning

[@suisui7481]

lol, he's just Italian joke reminded me of people saying Luca isn't gay since that's how Italians act around each other. didn't know all Italians want to stay with a bud, escape away from the world, and stay with that 1 male very good bud of theirs. Italian friendships must be amazing

[@ShakeyBox]

You joke, but when the expectations of toxic masculinity are dropped, friendships between men are *way* better. Looking back at the times I used to voluntarily be near men in social situations under those pressures, that didn't feel like friendship at all.

[@cocoapurple1376]

I think men can have a bond with one another without it being romantic or sexual. Yes we need more lgbt+ representation but other kinds of love also need more representation.

[@tonyjoestar2632]

Can confirm.

[@sketchywest1176]

I had the thought partway through that movie that maybe there was something going on between Luca and Alberto, but then I remembered that Disney had a hand in making the movie and I knew there was no way they'd incorporate such progressive ideas in one of their films.

[@dmoss010]

It was a proud moment when I learned some efficient combos to use while playing with Voldo in the early days of SC or SE. None of my friends used him because "he is too weird." I destroyed them all.

[@PhunkieZero]

I love Voldo, he's one of my favorite fighting game characters overall, his style is so unique, both his fashion AND his fighting moves. You can really do a lot of weird stuff with him. Also, Voldo is like, canonically 67 years old as of SC5, so probably older now in SC6? That makes him pretty damn lithe for an old guy!

[@donvalve2257]

Sc6 is a reboot, so he is probably like in Sc1 46.

[@bwagner23]

"yoinkreate" is amazing; thank you Pat for your contribution to language (also goddamn this vid went everywhere and I love it)

[@top-notanalysis4942]

Came for the Soul Calibur, stayed for the surprisingly profound analysis of masculine gender norms and subversions ^w^

[@sevencloud777]

I usually don’t comment on KZbin videos but this was fantastic, especially the parts about toxic masculinity in sports and the needless hyper masculinity in fighters, please do more about the fem/flamboyant fighters as they are my favorite.🥰

[@Asidders]

This was a much more in-depth video than I thought it would be. Great stuff!

[@lishuss]

I love voldo,his move set is all over the place and it really helps you find out which one of your friends is toxic when you pick him and they can't stop saying horrible stuff. Also, yeah, even as a straight dude I got to say voldo can get it.

[@cheese_priest]

Damn Pat, you didn't have to go this hard. Hit it out of the park.

[@panpolypuff]

Why did this video make me cry? Thank you for the unexpected gender deconstruction tale, Patrick. I've never been comfortable conforming to "ideal" masculinity, and recently came out as non-binary at age 31. This was a beautiful watch. Seriously, thank you.

[@raulranma]

Always in awe of the cool concept and incredible research of Pat-lead videos

[@KurtIndovina]

I can't even begin to articulate how deeply this resonated with my soul.

[@thomasswingler174]

Now this was good video. I've been pondering on masculinity a lot over the last few months and this just weirdly connected a bunch of stuff in my head. Also I've always loved Voldo, I barely play fighting games but when I did it was Soul Calibur and Voldo was the character I chose. Thanks Pat!

[@theloudestfire]

Incrediblely written and nicely researched. I look forward to watching more of your work.

[@Lcfrdrck]

I didn’t expect this deep dive on Voldo from soulcalibur to make me emotional

[@MyNameAkhim]

Pat likes metal, martial arts, Berserk, and Soul Calibur?! He is my new favorite Polygon character

[@sofiarocha9907]

Pat's videos to me are always like: I have little to no previous knowledge of your starting point but I'm sure we're headed to a great conclusion

[@xXEverymanXx]

that bit about Genki Sudō is exactly what I watch youtube videos for!! I'm glad that you mentioned that he is still dancing after ending his fighting career! That was more than beautiful!

[@heavenly2k]

Hey bro, couldn't but to notice your effortless grace and beauty while deadlifting. I can tell you didn't skip soul day. Namaste bro.

[@morganl5875]

Why does Pat have to keep releasing new amazing videos that make it even harder for me to pick a favorite Pat video

[@polygon]

Conspiracy!

[@nicolassagrillo1442]

2:35 "is he,,, you know, 🤌?"

[@TheBassKitty]

This is amazing thank you so much!!!!!! I loved every moment of it

[@gorem8]

I was expecting something related to Voldo's lore and ended up way more satisfied than I could have expected with the content. Thanks for that. This was my first but won't be the last video from this channel.

[@The-great-googly-moogly]

Q: What's up with Voldo? A: He's Italian

[@Atamosk-bu7zt]

The reason i choose voldo as a secondary: it generally makes my opponent question my style, especially when i flop on round one to utterly destroy them two in a row. Also, i find leather straps quite hawt, ngl.

[@Crazzzzzzzziesandus]

voldo is hard to play, but harder to play against for my experience

[@MyNameIsBucket]

I am a Voldo main supremacist. There, I said it.

[@ix8750]

@@Crazzzzzzzziesandus weirdly I actually can't play any other character besides him in SC. He has the only fighting style that feels fluid and natural for me personally. 😅

[@desertjoe6770]

this is so awesome, exactly the kind of content I watch Polygon for

[@lucariojet]

This video did a great job in covering my favorite parts of fights/fighting games, and that's just the blatant fun of it. My favorite moments in Tekken aren't the darker devil dialogues but the smirks of Steve Fox in the Tekken 5 intro, the maniacal laugh of Bryan Fury, the nonchalent and wild styles of Miguel, the longstanding rivalry and brotherhood/sisterhood of Paul and Law or Anna and Nina. Characters who share their love in the ways they know how. Maybe that's why the Tekken Tag series have been my favorites; the bonds of partners working together and having fun doing it