Reika

"You're the "Boss" of this island? Hmm...okay. I didn't really ask though."

—Reika

Reika (Japanese: レイカ) is a young student and part-time lifeguard who first appeared in the June 27, 2024 update for Dead or Alive Xtreme Venus Vacation, both for DMM/Japanese Steam version and for the Singapore Steam/Johren version.

Biography

Early life

Specific details about her early life are unclear, although she did once visit a beach as a little girl. She initially got scared of the ocean water, requiring her parents to ease her into it until she learned to enjoy it, which ultimately influenced her later career decision to become a competitive swimmer. She had been a member of the swim team during her school years, and even managed to win a championship. However, she started lagging behind on her personal best, and entered a slump, which ultimately impacted her for the worst.

Dead or Alive Xtreme Venus Vacation

Having heard of the Venus Islands, and deciding to try and figure out a way to regain her full potential, she went over to the island. Reika arrived around 1pm at the Venus Islands' poolside. Although she admitted even she wasn't sure why she chose to go to the Venus Islands due to it lacking the appropriate facilities for competitive swimming training, she nevertheless resolved to get some swimming practice in. When the Owner approached her while she was getting ready, she coldly asked who he was before ultimately paying it no mind and diving in. Sometime later, she got out, with the Owner meeting up with her as she did so. She then coldly told him even after learning he was the owner of the island that he was annoying, that she would leave if he tried to continue to talk and not to bother following her. The Owner eventually talked her into becoming a lifeguard as well as a Venus (the former she reluctantly accepted due to an ongoing labor shortage on the island, and the latter mostly due to the Owner "throwing [Reika] into it.")

Physical Appearance

Reika has pale skin, blue eyes, and short dark blue hair worn in a short ponytail on her left side. Her outfit is a black and teal one-piece swimsuit with an opening on the cleavage area, a short white and turquoise jacket with a red armband that says "guard" on her left arm, a red curled wristband on her right wrist, a swimming wristwatch on her left wrist, black and turquoise bands with a fanny pack on her right thigh, and black swimming goggles around her neck. Her outfit varies slightly depending on her role, either wearing goggles when acting as a professional swimmer, or the aforementioned armband while on lifeguard duty. While not to the extent of Sayuri, Honoka or Tina, she nevertheless is extremely busty, and was also noted to have a very fit build to her body, implied to be due to her trade of being a competitive swimmer.

Personality

Reika appears unfriendly and aloof, which has her initially treat the Owner, and to a lesser extent her fellow Venuses in a very cold manner. Similar to Elise, she also doesn't concern herself with anything barring her immediate duties, though to a greater extent as evidenced by how she initially refused to make small-talk with Tsukushi and Kanna when they first met since they weren't planning to swim. It's implied her initial cold demeanor was the result of an overfocus on her competitive swimming, which also resulted in her lacking friends to socialize with while at school.

Despite her aloof demeanor, she does nevertheless possess a kind heart, as she freely allowed Tsukushi to observe and draw her as she's doing her own lifeguard duties as well as, albeit reluctantly, engaging in a swim match against Kanna. Likewise, she also attempted to provide first aid to Misaki after she sprained her ankle, and also implied after she and Sayuri healed it up that she would have tried to help Misaki irrespective of her lifeguard duties. During her stay on the island, she ultimately warmed up and started becoming friendlier to others, even remembering why she decided to go for swimming in the first place, and eventually apologized for her cold demeanor to the Owner.

Relationships

Tsukushi

The two first met by accident on Reika's first day on the job. Reika introduced herself as the new lifeguard and gave some cold encouragement for Tsukushi to swim while telling her to avoid risky maneuvers. Tsukushi later asked if she could act as a model for her manga. Reika initially bluntly refused, because she was on the clock and lacked familiarity with modeling or even manga. However, they eventually reached a compromise where Tsukushi could draw Reika as she was working. Reika also defended Tsukushi when Kanna berated her for "breaking" her promise to play with her. When Kanna challenged Reika to a swim, Tsukushi eagerly encouraged Reika to accept the match, which she reluctantly did. Afterwards, Tsukushi was impressed at her swimming abilities, and Reika was baffled by Tsukushi calling her kind. She then expressed confusion at the overall turn of events after they left.

She was later talked into participating as a model for Tsukushi regarding a school life-themed manga she was creating, much to her chagrin due to it interfering with her swim practice. Reika eventually had Tsukushi participate in the scene as another student, also pointing out the Owner would photo shoot the entire thing. She later complimented Tsukushi on her posing for the scene. When Reika explained a bit about her training regimen to Luna and Tsukushi as part of a relaxing chat, Tsukushi relished at the idea of drawing Reika in "practice mode". After Tsukushi abruptly left to finalize the drafts, Reika admitted she was impressed with Tsukushi's level of focus to her task.

Kanna

The two first met by accident on Reika's first day on the job, as a result of Kanna loudly exposing Tsukushi's presence. Kanna also bluntly told Reika about Tsukushi's spying on her. Kanna initially disliked Reika mostly due to the latter's aloof demeanor, also entering a minor argument when Kanna rudely demanded her name. After she returned, witnessed Tsukushi drawing Reika and threw a tantrum over Tsukushi "breaking her promise" to play with her, Reika pointed out that if anything, Kanna dragged her along rather than Tsukushi actually promising anything, causing Kanna to grudgingly acknowledge the details were off before challenging Reika to a swimming match. Reika was reluctant mostly due to her still being on the clock as a lifeguard, although after pestering from both Kanna and Tsukushi, she relented. Reika easily beat Kanna in the match, impressing and shocking her. Kanna demanded a rematch, though Reika refused, saying Kanna ought to be grateful she managed to do a lap with her at all.

Kanna later demanded a rematch against Reika mostly due to still being sore over losing to Reika in the swim match earlier, even going as far as to intrude on her room and ambush her to insist upon it. Reika reluctantly accepted the challenge, which eventually turned out to be a rock climbing competition. Reika narrowly was beaten by Kanna (mostly because of the latter being very determined to beat Reika). Reika congratulated Kanna on the win, though she vowed to beat Kanna next time, with Kanna leaving to brag about her victory to the other girls.

Misaki

Reika was originally supposed to meet Misaki the same time the Owner was to give details about her first official job at the Venus Islands. However, a combination of Misaki being delayed due to a sudden influx of work as well as Reika giving the Owner the cold shoulder due to ill-timed compliments on his part resulted in them missing each other. Although slightly disappointed, Misaki nevertheless was confident they would meet sooner or later.

Their first actual meeting occurred shortly after Reika's shift ended, after Misaki sprained her ankle. Reika immediately attempted to give Misaki first aid, despite her insisting she was alright, also lecturing her about how she should not overlook any injuries. She then helped Misaki up to Sayuri's bedroom (as the latter learned of Misaki's injury while passing by). Afterwards, they properly introduced themselves, with Misaki realizing Reika was the new venus the Owner was talking about, and expressing excitement at the two working together due to her cool demeanor. Reika then assumed Misaki was a fellow lifeguard, until Misaki and Sayuri clarified that she actually meant her other job as a venus. Misaki also explained what the role of venus entailed and alluded to how the Boss scouted each of them out. When Reika implied that they should have refused him, Misaki explained that the Boss, occasional perverted antics aside, was overall a good guy. They then agreed to work together in the future.

Misaki later talked Reika into allowing her and Yukino to train with her, which she reluctantly agreed to.

Sayuri

Reika met Sayuri as she was trying to help Misaki. Specifically, while Reika was about to take Misaki to her room to put ice on her sprained ankle, Sayuri noticed the commotion and attempted to investigate. Sayuri then introduced herself to Reika as the Venus Island's nurse, with Reika remarking on the perfect timing and explaining the situation with Misaki. When Misaki attempted to claim she was fine overall, Reika reminded her not to overlook injuries, with Sayuri agreeing. The two then took Misaki up to Sayuri's room to treat her. Sayuri offered to help Reika carry if she got tired, though Reika cooly refused, confident in her own stamina.

Afterwards, Reika properly introduced herself as the new lifeguard for Venus Island, with Sayuri admitting she was impressed at Reika's kindness to Misaki, much to Reika's confusion. After Reika was told by Misaki what the duties of a venus entailed, Sayuri expressed hope at working together in the future, and also explained that the Boss personally invited them to act as venuses. When Reika inferred that they should have refused him, Sayuri explained that, if anything, the Boss hiring her to be a venus was the reason she was even able to keep her nursing job. She also explained to Reika that the Boss was serious and would be willing to help her with whatever she needed, with Reika admitting that was the first she'd heard of this.

Kokoro

Kokoro heard of her arrival, particularly her being a competitive swimmer, and wished to meet her in person. She eventually got the opportunity, and also suggested to Reika to wear a swimsuit she recently got. Reika reluctantly agreed (as she was originally going to return it to the Owner). Kokoro then suggested she go to a spa treatment with her and Koharu, with Reika ultimately agreeing after Kokoro indicated it would help her out of her current slump. While at the spa, Reika and Kokoro made some small talk, with Reika learning of Kokoro's background as a Maiko dancer apprentice as well as a Baji Quan practitioner. They eventually agreed to do another spa session together in the future, with Reika in particular becoming optimistic of its results.

Koharu

Koharu intended to help Reika unpack her things per her duty as an aspiring inn hostess. She was also the first to suggest Reika wear a particular outfit that the Owner sent to her (despite her making clear she intended to return it). Later during a spa treatment, Koharu asked if Reika needed a vacation from her hard work as a competitive swimmer, with Reika saying that was sort-of her motivation. Koharu then realized she didn't actually properly introduce herself beyond giving her name, and explained she was in-training to be a hostess, explaining to Reika why she was at her room in the first place. After the spa treatment, the three decided to do another together in the future.

Patty

Patty smelled Reika's presence and decided to try and meet her face to face. The meeting itself was awkward, due to her entering Reika's room and smelling her (she claimed to have knocked the door beforehand, though because Reika at the time was arguing with Kanna over the latter's intrusion, she did not hear her at all). She later was made a judge over Reika and Kanna's competition by Kanna, mostly because she wanted a witness to Kanna's win, with Patty largely agreeing due to finding the concept fun, with Reika reluctantly agreeing to it. Patty then announced Kanna to have narrowly won against Reika. After Kanna left, she proceeded to smell Reika, much to the latter's chagrin, with her noting the two were "close" due to smelling similarly to each other, with Reika being confused by this. Patty then abruptly left before Reika had a chance to finish their conversation due to having to listen to her favorite radio program, though not before promising they do another event together in the future.

Yukino

Yukino first met Reika as she was about to do her usual lifeguard duties and training, though she was made aware of her by Misaki earlier due to Reika's role in treating her sprained ankle. Yukino admitted she was impressed by her medical treatment of Misaki, and also deduced competitive swimming was her "love" due to her sculpted build. Yukino and Misaki then asked to train with her, with Reika reluctantly accepting after being talked into it by the Boss, although under the condition that they follow her training regimen. However, when about to go jogging, Yukino in an act of mischief broke the planned regimen by having them race around the island, although Reika ultimately beat them easily in the race due to her earlier training. Although annoyed by the diversion, she did nevertheless acknowledge it made for a nice change of pace.

Trivia

• Reika is the first character in Xtreme Venus Vacation to receive a global debut, as well as the second character to have her debut occur at least close to the same time in both versions, after Tina (who was released within a week between the DMM and Singapore Steam versions). This was because she was primarily created for the Singapore Steam version, yet they couldn't simply leave the primary DMM version out.^[1][2]
  • Largely because of her primarily being created for the Singapore version, her paid outfit period varied between versions. In the DMM/Japanese Steam version, it will take until January 2025 to release all of her suits, while in the Singapore Steam/Johren version, it will take until October 2024 to release all of them.
  • Because of her global debut, she is the second character to get two differing birthday episodes between versions, after Tina. She's also the second character to have a character debut in the middle of her paid suit period in the DMM version, after Tina (who had Amy debut prior to Tina's actual 2nd paid SSR's release).
    • Her early debut in the DMM version is the reason she was not included in the wallpaper alongside Shizuku and Yukino, with Meg instead taking that spot.
  • Due to her simultaneous release and being developed by the Singapore Steam version team, she was the first character to be released for free in the Steam version before the DMM version.
• Reika is tied with Nagisa, Kanna, Sayuri, Elise, Tina, Shandy, Yukino, and Shizuku as having the second-most paid SSRs on her (having three in the DMM/Japanese Steam versions, not counting her birthday suit), with only Leifang having more in the DMM version.
• Although her nationality is not given in the game, she is implied to be Japanese due to her name being written in Hiragana.
• She is the eighth girl to not use honorifics for the boss, after Misaki, Nanami, Elise, Tina, Amy, Yukino, and Shizuku.
• Reika is the ninth DOAXVV-debuting girl to hold an explicit job on the Venus Islands besides acting as one of the Venuses, after Misaki, Tamaki, Monica, Sayuri, Elise, Koharu, Amy, and Shandy. In her case, she acts as the lifeguard for the Venus Islands.
• Reika is one of the strongest girls on the island. Not only is she a power-based character, but when you combine her POW and TEC, she is physically the third strongest venus behind Shizuku and Yukino.
• Reika is the fourth character whose gacha received animation is derived from her peek scenario from live change episodes, after Nagisa, Patty, and Tsukushi. The other girls have their gacha received animations derived from their non-peek scenarios.
• She is the fourth girl to not initially agree to becoming a Venus in her first episode, after Tsukushi, Amy, and Shandy. In her case, however, she was tricked into agreeing to join as a Venus by the Owner under the pretense of becoming a lifeguard (the latter of which she reluctantly accepted).
• In the Famitsu coverage for the game's seventh anniversary, Sakuta explained that, besides her being intended to debut in the Singapore version first and the circumstances behind her release, she was specifically meant to be of the "salty Japanese beauty" archetype, and that they had a difficult time designing her to fit that personality, although Rei Kondo helped reflect that demeanor.^[3] Sakuta in another interview explaining her origins among the Steam development team also stated that her "hard to get" persona resonated well with Japanese audiences due to having roots in the Tsundere archetype.^[4]

Notes and references

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