Satsu (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Encyclopedia
Satsu is a fictional character
created by Joss Whedon
for Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
, the canonical
comic book continuation of the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her first appearance as Satsu was in the first issue of the "Long Way Home
" story arc (2007). "Satsu" is a Japanese word (殺) meaning "murder" or "kill," so the name can actually be taken to mean "Slayer." It could also be a short form of the given name Satsuki (the month of May).
Satsu is introduced as a "Slayer", one of many girls endowed with supernatural abilities and destined to battle evil creatures such as vampires and demons, like protagonist
Buffy Summers
. Distinctly, Satsu is also a brief love interest
for Buffy; Satsu is an out
lesbian
.
or Japanese American
Slayer, first appearing in season 8, and is one of the best in Buffy
's squad, along with Leah and Rowena. She is known for her funky hairstyles and wardrobe. Satsu is a lesbian
, which apparently was a source of conflict with her parents. She was called as a Slayer while in the hallway at her school, causing her to fall to the floor and weep with joy.
Satsu is chosen to assist Buffy in rescuing Willow
in Part 4 of the "The Long Way Home
", and had previously aided Buffy many times in missions and battles. In "The Long Way Home," when Buffy is put under magical sleep that can only be broken by the kiss of one who loves her, Satsu is the one who anonymously breaks the spell, although this is not revealed until later. She makes cameos in "The Chain
", and "Anywhere But Here
", and has a much bigger role in "A Beautiful Sunset". In this issue, Buffy takes Satsu to a vampire nest, and they dispose of them quickly. Buffy informs Satsu that it's become general knowledge in their group that Satsu is in love with her and was the one who woke her from her magical sleep (Buffy herself admits that she figured it out by recognizing the taste of Satsu's cinnamon lip gloss). Buffy is sincerely flattered, but tells Satsu that a relationship between them would not work, and warns her that people who love her have a tragic history of getting hurt (citing Angel's banishment to a hell dimension, Spike's immolation in the Hellmouth, and Riley
's struggles with masochism). Afterward, when Twilight
attacks, Satsu is knocked out at the beginning of the battle.
In "Wolves at the Gate
, Part 1", Satsu and Buffy have sex together and are discovered in bed by Xander
, Andrew
, Renée, Dawn
, and Willow
. "Wolves at the Gate" Parts 2 and 3 illustrate the awkwardness that follows. In Part 4 of "Wolves at the Gate", Satsu decides she needs to spend time apart from Buffy to come to terms with her feelings, and stays in Tokyo
, becoming leader of the Japanese squad of the Slayer army after having one more night of intimacy with Buffy.
Kennedy visits Satsu in "Swell
", both as a performance assessment and to talk to her about the Buffy situation; Kennedy leads Satsu to reluctantly accept that Buffy is straight and not interested in her romantically. Satsu proves an effective leader for her squad, and successfully commandeers a submarine for the team's use. In "Swell," Satsu's body is invaded by a small stuffed-animal-like demon called a Vampy Cat, which causes her to behave in an aggressive and misogynistic manner until Kennedy kicks her in the stomach during a fight and causes her to vomit the creature up; however, the Vampy Cat was able to extract from Satsu's mind the location of the Slayer's secret headquarters in Scotland.
In the "Retreat
" arc, the stolen submarine was used by Buffy, her companions, and a large group of Slayers (including Satsu) to escape from an attack by the forces of the villain, Twilight
. After Willow magically transports the submarine and its occupants to the home of their friend Oz in Tibet
, Satsu temporarily gives up her Slayer powers, with the others, in an attempt to escape notice by Twilight... a tactic of which she vocally disapproves. She remains steadfastly loyal to Buffy, and at one point saves her from a sniper's bullet.
The "Twilight" arc finds Satsu in Buffy's inner circle, often using computers and other technical equipment. She reacts with anger and disgust when she observes Buffy and Angel having sex, Angel having been revealed as the true identity of the villain Twilight. She continues to be present, in the background, during the concluding "Last Gleaming" arc of Season 8.
was a source of considerable discussion and controversy both inside and outside the series' fan base, as it was the first homosexual experience of a major character (Buffy) who had previously been portrayed as exclusively heterosexual . The implications were debated heavily on Internet forums and in the comic's letters column, as well as in blogs dedicated to feminist and lesbian topics, and in major entertainment and pop culture news venues.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
:
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
created by Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
for Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight is a comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics. The series serves as a canonical continuation of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and follows the events of that show's final televised season. It is produced by Joss Whedon, who wrote the...
, the canonical
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
comic book continuation of the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her first appearance as Satsu was in the first issue of the "Long Way Home
The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)
"The Long Way Home" is the first arc from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a direct continuation of the television series of the same name. It is written by creator Joss Whedon. It ran for four issues. The first issue was released on March 14, 2007, and the final...
" story arc (2007). "Satsu" is a Japanese word (殺) meaning "murder" or "kill," so the name can actually be taken to mean "Slayer." It could also be a short form of the given name Satsuki (the month of May).
Satsu is introduced as a "Slayer", one of many girls endowed with supernatural abilities and destined to battle evil creatures such as vampires and demons, like protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
. Distinctly, Satsu is also a brief love interest
Romantic interest (theater)
The romantic interest is a stock character, an object of romantic admiration and attraction for the main character, or hero/heroine e/s...
for Buffy; Satsu is an out
The Closet
The Closet may refer to:* The Closet , Chinese film* The Closet , French film* The closet, referring to undisclosed homosexuality- See also :* Closet* Closet * In the closet...
lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
.
Character history
Satsu is a JapaneseJapanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
or Japanese American
Japanese American
are American people of Japanese heritage. Japanese Americans have historically been among the three largest Asian American communities, but in recent decades have become the sixth largest group at roughly 1,204,205, including those of mixed-race or mixed-ethnicity...
Slayer, first appearing in season 8, and is one of the best in Buffy
Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
's squad, along with Leah and Rowena. She is known for her funky hairstyles and wardrobe. Satsu is a lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, which apparently was a source of conflict with her parents. She was called as a Slayer while in the hallway at her school, causing her to fall to the floor and weep with joy.
Satsu is chosen to assist Buffy in rescuing Willow
Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . She was developed by Joss Whedon and portrayed throughout the TV series by Alyson Hannigan...
in Part 4 of the "The Long Way Home
The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)
"The Long Way Home" is the first arc from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a direct continuation of the television series of the same name. It is written by creator Joss Whedon. It ran for four issues. The first issue was released on March 14, 2007, and the final...
", and had previously aided Buffy many times in missions and battles. In "The Long Way Home," when Buffy is put under magical sleep that can only be broken by the kiss of one who loves her, Satsu is the one who anonymously breaks the spell, although this is not revealed until later. She makes cameos in "The Chain
The Chain (Buffy comic)
"The Chain" is the fifth issue of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a continuation of the television series of the same name. It is written by creator Joss Whedon...
", and "Anywhere But Here
Anywhere but Here (Buffy comic)
"Anywhere but Here" is the tenth issue of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a continuation from the television series of the same name. It is written by Joss Whedon.-Plot:...
", and has a much bigger role in "A Beautiful Sunset". In this issue, Buffy takes Satsu to a vampire nest, and they dispose of them quickly. Buffy informs Satsu that it's become general knowledge in their group that Satsu is in love with her and was the one who woke her from her magical sleep (Buffy herself admits that she figured it out by recognizing the taste of Satsu's cinnamon lip gloss). Buffy is sincerely flattered, but tells Satsu that a relationship between them would not work, and warns her that people who love her have a tragic history of getting hurt (citing Angel's banishment to a hell dimension, Spike's immolation in the Hellmouth, and Riley
Riley Finn
Riley Finn is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Portrayed by Marc Blucas, Riley was introduced in the 1999 season four premiere episode, "The Freshman", and Blucas was part of the series credited cast for the second part of season four...
's struggles with masochism). Afterward, when Twilight
Twilight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
"Twilight" is the seventh story arc of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, based upon the television series of the same name, and is written by novelist and comic book writer Brad Meltzer...
attacks, Satsu is knocked out at the beginning of the battle.
In "Wolves at the Gate
Wolves at the Gate
"Wolves at the Gate" is the third story arc that spreads from the twelfth to the fifteenth issue of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a continuation of the television series of the same name. It is written by Drew Goddard....
, Part 1", Satsu and Buffy have sex together and are discovered in bed by Xander
Xander Harris
Alexander LaVelle "Xander" Harris is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as in numerous items in the series Expanded Universe, such as comic books, tie-in novels and video games...
, Andrew
Andrew Wells
Andrew Wells is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, played by Tom Lenk. The character also appears in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, the canonical continuation of the series....
, Renée, Dawn
Dawn Summers
Dawn Summers is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Marti Noxon and David Fury on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg. She made her debut in the premiere episode of the show's fifth season, and subsequently appeared in every...
, and Willow
Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . She was developed by Joss Whedon and portrayed throughout the TV series by Alyson Hannigan...
. "Wolves at the Gate" Parts 2 and 3 illustrate the awkwardness that follows. In Part 4 of "Wolves at the Gate", Satsu decides she needs to spend time apart from Buffy to come to terms with her feelings, and stays in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, becoming leader of the Japanese squad of the Slayer army after having one more night of intimacy with Buffy.
Kennedy visits Satsu in "Swell
Predators and Prey
"Predators and Prey" is the fifth story arc that spreads from the twenty-first to the twenty-fifth issue of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a continuation of the television series of the same name. The arc is written by Jane Espenson, Steven S. DeKnight, Drew Z...
", both as a performance assessment and to talk to her about the Buffy situation; Kennedy leads Satsu to reluctantly accept that Buffy is straight and not interested in her romantically. Satsu proves an effective leader for her squad, and successfully commandeers a submarine for the team's use. In "Swell," Satsu's body is invaded by a small stuffed-animal-like demon called a Vampy Cat, which causes her to behave in an aggressive and misogynistic manner until Kennedy kicks her in the stomach during a fight and causes her to vomit the creature up; however, the Vampy Cat was able to extract from Satsu's mind the location of the Slayer's secret headquarters in Scotland.
In the "Retreat
Retreat (Buffy comic)
"Retreat" is the sixth story arc of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, based upon the television series of the same name, and is written by television screenwriter Jane Espenson...
" arc, the stolen submarine was used by Buffy, her companions, and a large group of Slayers (including Satsu) to escape from an attack by the forces of the villain, Twilight
Twilight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
"Twilight" is the seventh story arc of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, based upon the television series of the same name, and is written by novelist and comic book writer Brad Meltzer...
. After Willow magically transports the submarine and its occupants to the home of their friend Oz in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
, Satsu temporarily gives up her Slayer powers, with the others, in an attempt to escape notice by Twilight... a tactic of which she vocally disapproves. She remains steadfastly loyal to Buffy, and at one point saves her from a sniper's bullet.
The "Twilight" arc finds Satsu in Buffy's inner circle, often using computers and other technical equipment. She reacts with anger and disgust when she observes Buffy and Angel having sex, Angel having been revealed as the true identity of the villain Twilight. She continues to be present, in the background, during the concluding "Last Gleaming" arc of Season 8.
Buffy's lesbian encounter controversy
The sexual relationship between Satsu and BuffyBuffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
was a source of considerable discussion and controversy both inside and outside the series' fan base, as it was the first homosexual experience of a major character (Buffy) who had previously been portrayed as exclusively heterosexual . The implications were debated heavily on Internet forums and in the comic's letters column, as well as in blogs dedicated to feminist and lesbian topics, and in major entertainment and pop culture news venues.
Appearances
Satsu has appeared in 21 canonical Buffyverse episodes.Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight is a comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics. The series serves as a canonical continuation of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and follows the events of that show's final televised season. It is produced by Joss Whedon, who wrote the...
:
- "The Long Way Home, Parts 1-4The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)"The Long Way Home" is the first arc from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a direct continuation of the television series of the same name. It is written by creator Joss Whedon. It ran for four issues. The first issue was released on March 14, 2007, and the final...
" - "Anywhere But HereAnywhere but Here (Buffy comic)"Anywhere but Here" is the tenth issue of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a continuation from the television series of the same name. It is written by Joss Whedon.-Plot:...
" - "A Beautiful SunsetA Beautiful Sunset (Buffy comic)"A Beautiful Sunset" is the eleventh issue of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a continuation of the television series of the same name. It is written by series creator Joss Whedon.-Plot:...
" - "Wolves at the Gate, Parts 1-4Wolves at the Gate"Wolves at the Gate" is the third story arc that spreads from the twelfth to the fifteenth issue of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a continuation of the television series of the same name. It is written by Drew Goddard....
" - "SwellPredators and Prey"Predators and Prey" is the fifth story arc that spreads from the twenty-first to the twenty-fifth issue of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, a continuation of the television series of the same name. The arc is written by Jane Espenson, Steven S. DeKnight, Drew Z...
" - "Retreat, Parts 1, 3, & 5Retreat (Buffy comic)"Retreat" is the sixth story arc of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, based upon the television series of the same name, and is written by television screenwriter Jane Espenson...
" - "Turbulence"
- "Twilight, Parts 1-4"
- "Last Gleaming, Parts 1, 2"