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I know enough about myself now to know that memories don’t matter – what’s done is done. And it’s time to move on.

Filia Medici (JP: フィリア・メディチ Firia Medichi) was once a somewhat normal school girl, until her parents were killed by Vitale and Ottomo, with Samson fusing with her to save her life. She is currently homeless and suffering from amnesia.

She is the daughter of Amelia and Marcus, making her Lorenzo's granddaughter and Vitale's niece.

General Information[]

Filia is one of the playable characters in Skullgirls. She was the first character made playable in a demo of Skullgirls when the game was being made. Her home stage is Maplecrest.

She was named the "protagonist/main character" of Skullgirls, although other characters such as Marie, Parasoul, Valentine, Double, Peacock, and Painwheel all have more major roles than Filia herself. This is probably because she was originally intended to be the POV character for the player. Regardless she has been prominently used in most of the game's advertisements and cover artworks.

The original design for Filia was as a puppet upon Samson's back. This design corresponded with a different plotline from the now canon version of Filia, in which Samson had eaten her parents, presumably using her body to achieve an unrevealed goal. An alternate version of Samson having a design resembling features of another, related concept was optioned as a possible DLC character during the Skullgirls Indiegogo fundraising campaign.

Other early concepts have shown pre-Samson Filia with short hair in a different style and wearing glasses, post-Samson she often is seen wielding two swords that resemble hairpins. An old livejournal also states she was gonna use barber tools in her fighting style but these tools were just changed into being shapeshifted parts of Samson. It also states she’d fight with the “memories of fighting styles” but it’s unknown from who. While the glasses were removed, the hairpin swords are apparently still intended to be a part of Filia's arsenal in the future. It should be noted that Alex Ahad posted an image during Eliza's development of Samson's old host, Delilah, who is seen wielding identical hairpin blades to that of Filia in the concept art.

Personality[]

Before her amnesia Filia was a typical teenage girl: Shallow, sassy, and a bit smug. Despite her jabs at Samson's appearance she was still nice enough to let him stay with her on the grounds he stay with the dog. She became immensely sad when Carol disappeared to the point that anything Samson did reminded her of Carol, showing how loving a friend she is. After her amnesia Filia is naive, curious, and is still as caring as she was before as she gave up regaining her memories just to give Painwheel a better life.

Background[]

Prior to meeting Samson, Filia had a good relationship with her parents, sharing their dislike for the criminal acts conducted by the rest of the Medici family. It's been stated that she didn't have many friends at school due to her being a Medici, despite that she was best friends with Carol, prior to her disappearance due to Carol not caring about her heritage. She is portrayed as a good person though it's heavily implied that Samson is manipulating her for unknown reasons. For a long time, the original plan since early lore, even before the game, was that Samson was the one who truly killed her parents and intentionally made her lose her memories. The implication was that he was more evil and manipulative than just a brash, reckless, yet caring guy. It seems this may have even been planned into the final game but did not last. In early lore it is said he wanted to manipulate Filia into making a wish and becoming the Skullgirl, and that he did not truly care for her, nor what dangers she would face. While it is known he originally did not care for her well being, why he would want for her to become a Skullgirl is unknown, given how she’d end up being the one in more power. At some unknown point, that plan was changed/retconned to make it so Ottomo along with a misunderstanding with the Medici Mafia became what killed her parents, and that Samson took over Filia out of desperation without willingly giving her amnesia.

Character Basis[]

Origin[]

Filia's poster art

Filia's poster art

Samson's location on Filia's head gives her the appearance of a futakuchi-onna, a monster from Japanese folklore with a second mouth on the back of its head.

However, when in her usual stances, Samson’s hair can have a spiky appearance that makes her resemble a Harionago. Both creatures are humanoid female hair-based yokai.

Name[]

Filia is based on fiber and the Latin word for "daughter".[3] Coincidentally, it can also be a reference to protein filaments, which are long chains of proteins found in hair. The name could also come from "philia" the Greek word for platonic love given her nice and friendly nature. It was also inspired by the name of Millia Rage from Guilty Gear.

Design[]

Filia's most apparent physical feature is Samson, who takes the form of Filia's dark hair, with several short bangs slightly covering her forehead and multiple tentacle-like locks of hair propagating outward from the back. Samson's eyes and teeth are situated opposite of Filia's face but are still visible when viewing Filia from the front. Curiously, Samson's shape bears a striking resemblance to her late mother's haircut.

The look and color of her hair is a result of Samson's possession, as are her red eyes. She has a curvy figure, although it's implied that she is slightly overweight due to Samson's eating habits. Her school uniform consists of a white button-down collared shirt, a short black necktie, a pleated black miniskirt, black thigh-length leggings, and dark brown loafers. She wears a black leotard, which connects to her skirt. She occasionally wears a white mushroom hat adorned with a black ribbon and bow.

As she is turning into a Skullgirl, her skin becomes more pale, her hair becomes brighter purple and her eyes gain the characteristic half-skull pupils.

Prior to being possessed by Samson, she is shown in flashbacks to have a slighter figure, blue eyes, and blonde hair kept back with a headband.

Story[]

Backstory[]

Filia was once just an average schoolgirl, but one day woke up without any memories and a second mouth on the back of her head. She was now playing host to a Parasite named Samson, an unruly mop of demonic hair with incredible power.

With no memories or anyone to turn to for help, if she ever hopes to piece together her past and survive the inevitable clash with the Skullgirl, Filia will need to trust this mysterious being.[4]

Filia used to be a schoolgirl, She was the daughter of Amelia and Marcus Medici. she met Samson along with his previous host, a dog he had named Dog thanks to Carol who found him in the streets. When Carol brought Samson to see if Filia could take care of him, Filia reluctantly agreed to keep him after he pledged to protect her and assured her that although a parasite, he wouldn't leave her for his own well being.

Six months later, Carol had been abducted and Filia is guilt-ridden over disappearance. Despite Samson's best attempts to cheer her up, they only served to remind Filia of Carol. Immediately after, the Skullgirl Marie burst into their home, seeking revenge on the Medici Mafia. Despite Filia stating that they aren't like the rest of her family and they have had no contact with them in a long time, Marie did not believe her. Samson and Dog then appeared and Marie recognizes them (Saying "that dog"). She then decides to spare them but only if they leave the city.

Later that night, Filia and her parents are packing up and getting ready to leave. Vitale and Ottomo arrive after the rest of the Medici Mafia were attacked. Seeing them packing, Vitale, enraged, questions why only Marcus' family, who had left the rest of the Medici family for a "trivial" matter, was the only one spared. Believing they're colluding with the Skullgirl he sends Ottomo to find Filia and Vitale then kills both Marcus and Amelia. Filia, hearing the gunshots, goes downstairs and finds her parents dead. Immediately after, she calls Samson for help, but he arrives too late as she is shot. After Ottomo defeats Samson, he and Vitale leave to report back to Lorenzo. Samson, realizing that Dog was actually killed in the fight, mourns and blames himself for not protecting him. After realizing that Filia was still alive but dying, Samson changes hosts to her, saving her life. After Filia wakes up, Samson says that he had no choice if he was to save her and because of what Vitale did to "not just her, but their family". Filia however, awoke with amnesia and did not remember anything, which surprised Samson.

Skullgirls 2nd Encore[]

Filia and Samson spend some time living on the streets, possibly in hiding from the Medicis, and often taking shelter with Samson's associates such as Yu-Wan.

At some point, at a restaurant somewhere in the city, Filia is hit on by Riccardo, who is subsequently attacked and frightened away by Samson. Filia lightly scolds Samson, saying that he shouldn't be attacking people every time, even though Samson said that he deserved it. Filia and Samson then head out to find the Skull Heart so Filia can wish for her memories back.

After defeating the Skullgirl, Filia takes possession of the Skull Heart. After much thought, she decides not to wish for her lost memories back; instead, she wishes for Carol (Painwheel) to return to her old self. Despite her good intentions, however, the Skull Heart declares that the wish is slightly impure, as Filia feels personal guilt over Carol's fate. Thus she is attempting to improve herself through the wish. As such, Filia is doomed to become the new Skullgirl, albeit slowly due to the nearly selfless nature of her wish. The Skull Heart tells Filia to make the most of her time before her transformation.

Filia is next seen at school, where her class is introduced to the new student Carol - formerly Painwheel - who appears to be a normal (if slightly disfigured) girl. Filia smiles to herself, even as she feels the Skull Heart beginning to transform her. She and Carol then watch the sunset, best friends reunited at last.

Relationships[]

Go here.

Abilities & Fighting Style[]

Filia and Samson share a symbiotic relationship, and it is this relationship that forms the basis for their fighting style. Samson is able to attack from a distance by turning his tendrils into long tentacles with sharp razor-like ends. He can also attack from afar with hairball spit attacks.

Filia herself coordinates with samson to perform team attacks, such as when she sticks her arm out so Samson can turn her hair into gator teeth. Filia has above average possibly superhuman endurance due to being bonded with Samson.

Trailer[]

Skullgirls_Salutations_from_Filia!

Skullgirls Salutations from Filia!

Color Palettes[]

  1. "Bad Hair Day" - Default colors
  2. Original colors
  3. "Frayed Ends" - Original colors
  4. Palette taken from alternate costume design
  5. Original colors
  6. "Windswept" - Original colors, possibly based on alternate costume color 4
  7. "Hair Apparent" - Pre-Samson Filia
  8. Original colors - Possibly based on alternate costume color 3 or her false color palette map
  9. "Idol Threat" - Miku Hatsune (Vocaloid)
  10. Rei Miyamoto (Highschool of the Dead)
  11. Original colors
  12. Magneto (X-Men)
  13. Original colors
  14. Millia Rage (Guilty Gear series, original outfit)
  15. "Bad Ms. Frosty" - Original colors
  16. Zeruel (Rebuild design) (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
  17. Scanty (Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt)
  18. Madoka Kaname (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
  19. Original colors - Indiegogo backer color
  20. "Curl Scout" - Fionna the Human (Adventure Time with Finn and Jake) - Indiegogo backer color
  21. "Djinn Frizz" - Shantae (Shantae) - Indiegogo backer color
  22. "Parasite Weave" - Original colors (Previously removed prior to Skullgirls console release)
  23. "Dread Locks" - Millia Rage (Guilty Gear series, Xrd outfit)
  24. Original colors
  25. "Class Cutter" - Ryūko Matoi (Kill la Kill)
  26. Hitagi Senjougahara (Bakemonogatari)
  27. ??? (Unknown)
  28. "Rock Star" - Steven Universe (Steven Universe)
  29. Madeline (Celeste)
  30. "Blue Streak" - Sonic the Hedgehog/Super Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog series)


Trivia[]

  • Filia's winning stance resembles that of Ryu's from the Street Fighter franchise, where he crosses his arms and the wind blows his headband (in this case, Samson is crossing his arms and Filia is fluttering in the air. However, there is also a winning pose where Samson is waving in the air).
  • Filia has an unused second time-out animation where Samson tears apart the top of her shirt in a rage, with Filia desperately covering up her breasts with her arms in embarrassment. This animation was left unused due to objections from some Lab Zero staff but is present in the Digital Art Compendium given to backers of the Keep Skullgirls Growing fundraiser.
    • There is another unused animation where Samson slaps Filia very hard on the butt, enough to make her fly a short distance and land on her knees.
  • In an unused alternate ending, Filia wishes for her memories to return. Samson protests, as the process presumably involves his removal from her head, and it is suggested that he had possessed Filia at her request. For her selfish wish, the Skull Heart declares that she will be the next Skullgirl.[5]
  • The bar in the opening of her story mode is a parody of the famous Nighthawks painting and is named after Madman's Cafe.
  • Filia and Samson’s parasitic relationship is the reverse of a traditional relationship between a futakuchi-onna and her second mouth. While traditionally the woman looses more weight as the monster that infests her eats more, it is the opposite for Filia as Samson’s constant eating make her gain more weight.
  • In early lore, Filia and Ms. Fortune were intended to be partners (presumably partners in crime) as they are seen together in some early art. They have no direct relationship as of now and seem to be total strangers.

References[]

Navigation[]

Skullgirls
Games
Main Editions SkullgirlsSkullgirls EncoreSkullgirls 2nd Encore
Spin-offs Skullgirls Mobile
Characters
Initial Roster Filia (Samson) • CerebellaPeacock (Avery) • ParasoulMs. FortunePainwheelValentineDouble
Encore DLC Squigly (Leviathan) • Big BandFukuaEliza (Sekhmet) • BeowulfRobo-Fortune
2nd Encore DLC Season 1: Annie (Sagan) • UmbrellaBlack DahliaMarie
Other AdamAeonAileenAlbusAmeliaAndy AnvilBeatrixBertBrain DrainChristmasDelilahDogDr. AvianDr. GeigerEasterEliEvelynFengFerdinandFlorenceGeorge BombGraberGrendelHallowHiveHoraceHubrechtIleumIrvinIsaacKing FranzKing GilgameshLawrenceLeducLeonLonesome LennyLorenzoMarcusMinetteMollyMotherMr. HilgardMrs. Victoria (D. Violet) • OttomoPanzerfaustPattyPenguin RefQueen NancyRachel WongReginaRiccardoRobertoRoxieSargeScythanaSeleneSinkerStanleyStiltsTaliesin (Muse) • TheodoreToadyTommy Ten-TonsVenusVitaleYu-WanMisc. (Juju)
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Misc.
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Music Skullgirls Original SoundtrackSkullgirls The Original SoundtrackSkullgirls: The Complete SoundtrackSkullgirls Special Selection SoundtrackSkullgirls Deluxe Vinyl SoundtrackIn a Moment's TimeHitomi No Kioku
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Other Media SkullgirlSSkullgalsKeep Skullgirls GrowingDigital Art CompendiumSkullgirls (Webtoon)
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