Sylia Stingray (Bubblegum Crisis)

Sylia Stingray


Context

Bubblegum Crisis (バブルガムクライシス) was a 1987-1991 cyberpunk  animé . It is a minor classic of the genre, especially since from a Western point of view it is an early example (the imports weren’t all that back then, especially for genre fiction).

BGC features an all-women team of vigilantes with special power armour  in a very late 1980s dystopic future. They often take on out-of-control robots that the police lacks the firepower to destroy.


Background

  • Real Name: Sylia Stringray.
  • Marital Status: Single.
  • Known Relatives: Katsuhito (Father, deceased), Mackie (Brother).
  • Group Affiliation: Knight Sabers.
  • Base Of Operations: MegaTōkyō.
  • Height: 6’ Weight: 110 lbs Age: 23.
  • Eyes: Brown Hair: Black


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Powers and Abilities

Sylia’s brain is partly artificial, derived from the Boomer’s technology. It gives her an incredible edge in whatever is related to technical or scientific fields. She designed the Knight Sabers’ hardsuits from specifications made by her father.

She also has a huge financial empire, inherited from her father’s fortune. That helped her develop a extensive contacts’ network. She has access to military and corporate secrets, and has an ever growing array of intelligence and counter-intelligence resources.


History

In 2022, Dr Katsuhito Stringray, then working for the Genom corporation, created the Boomer robotic technology. With this discovery, Genom broke through the heavy industry, selling cheap and relentless manpower. This ensured Dr Stringray a tremendous personal fortune. Particularly after the earthquakes, when the city became dependant on Genom’s Boomers.

Unfortunately, where Dr. Stringray thought to relief mankind, Genom immediately thought about military applications. Before Stingray could become a thorn in their side, he was assassinated by Brian J. Mason, Genom’s CEO’s right hand.


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That left Sylia at the head of his fortune, alone to raise her young brother Mackie. But unknown to her, Dr. Stringray had experimented on her, and implanted her brain with Boomer’s technology. He also uploaded his research into Sylia’s memory.

(Though this is never really said in the videos, it is clearly stated in the comics, and perfectly suits Sylia’s coolness.)

When she discovered that, she knew that she hadthe tools to counter Genom’s expansion: the money, the time, and the technological data. She designed the hardsuits, and started recruiting her fighters by 2030. By 2031, the Knight Sabers were ready to go.

Her most noticeable business is the Silky Doll lingerie shop she owns in a shopping mall. Indeed, the whole 7 floors shopping mall belongs to her, but she has many, many, other, more backstage business.


Description

Sylia is a striking woman, exclusively dressing in formal corporate clothing.


Personality

Sylia is elegant and enigmatic. She keeps many secrets, and maintains a cool, controlled, even distant front. She’s driven to defeat Genom’s evils, and has sacrificed her personal life for this cause.

Group shot of Bubblegum Crisis' Knights Sabre

She has adopted the other Knight Sabers as her surrogate family. She seems determined to elevate them all beyond the limitations which brought them to her to begin with.

In combat, she’s calculating and efficient. She usually goes straight for the head of a boomer, putting it down as quickly and cleanly as possible.


DC Universe History

In the wake of the heroes and villains of the late 20th and early 21st centuries finally growing old and either retiring or dying, the world seemed to almost settle back down to normal.

Sylia Stingray character design model sheet

However, a man named Quincy (last name unknown) used AI technology stolen from Doctor Katsuhito Stingray, and the ability to absorb foreign material from the now defunct cyborg Metallo, to create Boomers.

These machines soon found their way into every niche in modern life, from service androids and laborers, to military machines and even sex bots. However, there was a sinister plan – one that would not be known for many years. To keep his plans a secret, he had Dr Stingray assassinated in 2022, since the brilliant scientist had discovered what he was planning.

Disasters

In 2025 the Great Kanto Quake destroyed much of Tōkyō. That gave Quincy the opportunity to begin his own operations – such criminal operations would be considered simply ’rogues’ who had been damaged in the quake. As well, the reconstruction of’megatokyo’ would be the perfect opportunity to infiltrate his Boomers even more into society.

Bubblegum Crisis Knight Sabre hardsuits

However, Quincy did not count on the daughter and son of Dr Stingray, Sylia and Mackie, being very nearly as brilliant as the Dr was. With some of the research their father had done, combined with assistance from an old and retired John Henry Irons, they constructed the Hardsuits that would be the mainstay of the Knight Sabers.

Knowing that public superheroes would not be as welcome in a time that had finally learned to live without them, they stick to the shadows. At least as much as they can wearing brilliant purple, pink and blue armors…



Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG

Tell me more about the game stats

Sylia

Dex: 07 Str: 02 Bod: 05 Motivation: Responsibility of Power
Int: 11 Wil: 09 Min: 08 Occupation: Entrepreneur, Scientist
Inf: 09 Aur: 06 Spi: 07 Resources {or Wealth}: 018
Init: 028 HP: 070

Powers:
Recall: 10

Skills:
Acrobatics*: 07, Charisma*: 09, Detective: 07, Gadgetry*: 11, Martial Artist*: 07, Military Sciences: 08, Scientist*: 11, Thief (Stealth, Security Systems): 04, Vehicles (Land, Air): 05, Weaponry*: 07

Advantages:
Attractive, Connoisseur, Genius, HeadQuarter (Expansive), Intensive Training, Leadership, Omni-Connection, Scholar (Boomer’s Technology, Business/Finances, Hardsuits).

Drawbacks:
Dependant (Mackie), CIH (Genom), Secret ID.


HARDSUIT SYLIA Mk I

/STR/ 07 /BODY/ 08

Powers:
Density Increase (Always On): 01, Extended Hearing: 05, Flight: 06, Radar Sense: 08, Radio Communication: 07, Running: 05, Sealed System: 16, Skin Armor: 05, Ultra Vision: 08, Insta-Change (ejection system)

Advantages:
Skin Armor also adds to OV/RV to resist “Boomer Fusion”.

Drawbacks:
MPR (50 hours autonomy).

Equipment:

  • PALM LASERS [BODY 04, Laser beam: 11, No AV – use Weaponry instead]. Each palm contains a powerful laser cannon.
  • KNUCKLE BOMBER [BODY 06, Energy Blast (No Range): 13, Ammo: 10]. Sylia has knuckle bombers on both arms.
  • LASER SWORDS [BODY 12, Claws: 15]. Both forearms contain retractable blades that can energize themselves to cut through armor with ease.

Notes:
Sylia’s original suit, worn throughout most of Bubblegum Crisis.

Sylia Stingray hardsuit design model sheet


HARDSUIT SYLIA Mk II

/STR/ 08 /BODY/ 08

Powers:
Density Increase (Always On): 01, Extended Hearing: 05, Flight: 06, Radar Sense: 08, Radio Communication: 07, Running: 05, Sealed System: 16, Skin Armor: 05, Ultra Vision: 08, Insta-Change (ejection system)

Advantages:
Skin Armor also adds to OV/RV to resist “Boomer Fusion”.

Drawbacks:
MPR (50 hours autonomy).

Equipment:

  • PALM LASERS [BODY 04, Laser beam: 12, No AV – use Weaponry instead]. Each palm contains a powerful laser cannon.
  • KNUCKLE BOMBER [BODY 06, Energy Blast (No Range): 13, Ammo: 10]. Sylia has knuckle bombers on both arms.
  • LASER SWORDS [BODY 12, Claws: 15]. Both forearms contain retractable blades that can energize themselves to cut through armor with ease.

Notes:
This suit was only worn in Bubblegum Crisis Episode 8 (“Scoop Chase”). Its overall output has been upgraded, though most of the upgrades aren’t enough for another AP.

(missing v2 illustration)


HARDSUIT SYLIA Mk III

/STR/ 08 /BODY/ 09

Powers:
Enhanced Initiative: 02, Density Increase (Always On): 01, Extended Hearing: 05, Flight: 07, Radar Sense: 08, Radio Communication: 07, Running: 05, Sealed System: 16, Skin Armor: 05, Ultra Vision: 08, Insta-Change (ejection system)

Advantages:
Skin Armor also adds to OV/RV to resist “Boomer Fusion”.

Drawbacks:
MPR (50 hours autonomy).

Equipment:

  • PALM LASERS [BODY 04, Laser beam: 12, No AV – use Weaponry instead]. Each palm contains a powerful laser cannon.
  • KNUCKLE BOMBER [BODY 06, Energy Blast (No Range): 14, Ammo: 10]. Sylia has knuckle bombers on both arms.
  • LASER SWORDS [BODY 12, Claws: 15]. Both forearms contain retractableblades that can energize themselves to cut through armor with ease.

Notes:
Unlike the other Hardsuit redesigns, Sylia’s suit has the exact same armament and augmentations as her original suit. However, like the Mk II, it is augmented, especially in speed, maneuverability, and durability. She uses this suit throughout Bubblegum Crash.

(missing v3 illustration)

By Nicolas Lemaçon and William Chamberlin.

Source of Character: Bubblegum Crisis (videos, comics and RPG by R. Talsorian Games).

Helper(s): Sébastien Andrivet.