View source for Leifang

{{Short description|Fictional character from Dead or Alive}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox character
| image = DOA-Leifang.png
| image_upright = 0.63
| caption = Leifang in ''[[Dead or Alive 5]]''
| series = [[Dead or Alive (franchise)|Dead or Alive]]
| first = ''[[Dead or Alive (video game)|Dead or Alive]]'' (1996)
| creator = [[Tomonobu Itagaki]]<ref name="freaks146"/>
| lbl1 = Voiced by
| data1 = {{collapsible list|title=[[English language|English]]|Zinnia Su <small>(''DOAX2''-''DOAD'')<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Lei Fang Voices (Dead or Alive) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Dead-or-Alive/Lei-Fang/ |website=Behind The Voice Actors |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220001715/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Dead-or-Alive/Lei-Fang/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small><br/>[[Cassandra Lee Morris]] <small>(''DOA5'', ''DOA6'')</small><ref name="twitter.com">{{cite web |title=Cassandra Morris |url=https://kawaiikon.com/guests/cassandra-lee-morris/ |website=Kawaii Kon |accessdate=2024-06-25}}</ref>}}{{collapsible list|title=[[Japanese language|Japanese]]|[[Yumi Tōma]]<ref name="gamest"/>}}
| lbl2 = Portrayed by
| data2 = Ying Wang <small>(film)</small><ref name="screenworld">{{cite book |page=230 |title=Screen World: The Films of 2006 |volume=58 |isbn=9781557837295 |date=2010-05-15 |publisher=Applause}}</ref>
| origin = [[China]]
| nationality = [[Chinese people|Chinese]]
| fighting_style = [[Tai chi]]
}}
{{nihongo|'''Leifang'''|レイファン|Reifan|lead=yes}}, originally stylized as '''Lei Fang''', is a character in the ''[[Dead or Alive (franchise)|Dead or Alive]]'' [[fighting game]] series by [[Koei Tecmo]]. Introduced in the original 1996 video game ''[[Dead or Alive (video game)|Dead or Alive]]'', she has since appeared in every subsequent game as well as spinoff titles and media related to the franchise such as the ''[[Dead or Alive Xtreme]]'' series. Leifang was created by [[Tomonobu Itagaki]], who snuck a rough version of her character into test builds of the game available to the public. She is a [[Tai Chi]] martial arts prodigy, competing in the franchise's tournaments to prove her superiority over fellow combatant [[Jann Lee]] after he had previously rescued her.
One of the ''Dead or Alive'' series' more popular characters, she has received positive reception since her debut for her characterization in the series as an optimistic and strong character, as well as for the beauty of her design and variety of outfits. She additionally received praise as both a portrayal of female characters in fighting games and portrayal of Chinese cultural aspects within them, namely for her application of Tai Chi as a fighting style in light of the liberties fighting games take with martial arts, but also how her culture is represented through her hairstyles and dresses.
==Conception and creation==
[[File:DeadorAlive-Leifang-Conceptart.png|class=notpageimage|thumb|upright=0.7|left|Leifang's outfits were designed to focus on fanservice but also provide a stylish look, and underwent several revisions.<ref name="saturn"/> Meanwhile, her frequently changing hairstyles were meant to illustrate her innocence.<ref name="history"/>]]
When developing the 1996 [[fighting video game]] ''[[Dead or Alive (video game)|Dead or Alive]]'', lead developer [[Tomonobu Itagaki]] had wanted to include a woman that used [[kung fu]] early on. Named Long Lihua in the game's design document, as development progressed her concept was scrapped,<ref name="freaks20">{{cite book |title=Dead or Alive History: Team Ninja Freaks |publisher=Enterplane|first=Masanori |last=Ujiie|pages=20–21 |language=ja|date=2004|isbn=9784757719798}}</ref> and the character [[Gen Fu]] was given a [[Tai Chi]] fighting style. However Itagaki wanted to include more Chinese martial arts into the title despite the development team being told not to include more than nine characters in the game. After a strong showing at the AOU Entertainment Expo in 1996 with a version of the game that only had three playable characters, Itagaki took a female character test model and applied the character [[Jann Lee]]'s moveset to it. At events where modified builds of the game were made available for the public she proved quite popular, and in response Itagaki joked he had "tricked" the development team to include the "AOU-only character". As a result, the Tai Chi fighting style was given to her instead of Gen Fu,<ref name="freaks146">{{cite book |title=Dead or Alive History: Team Ninja Freaks |publisher=Enterplane|first=Masanori |last=Ujiie|page=147 |language=ja|date=2004|isbn=9784757719798}}</ref> who was changed to use [[Xingyiquan]] instead.<ref name="freaks157">{{cite book |title=Dead or Alive History: Team Ninja Freaks |publisher=Enterplane|first=Masanori |last=Ujiie|page=157 |language=ja|date=2004|isbn=9784757719798}}</ref>
Originally they had developed Leifang's fighting style to use grappling attacks to help fit into the "[[rock paper scissors]]" gameplay mechanic of the franchise. However, with development on the [[Sega Saturn]] port they incorporated a wider variety of attacks that used direct strikes. Itagaki's design philosophy was that instead of removing gameplay the key to strengthening a character was to add more, changing her from "a character who can't win without using holds to a character who becomes stronger by using holds." In terms of personality and appearance they wanted to emphasize Leifang as "cute" but also innocent, with Itagaki describing her as a good example of how well the modeling team for the series worked when they created a character with love.<ref name="freaks146"/> In the first game, her name was stylized as "Lei Fang", however this was corrected for all subsequent appearances.<ref name="history">{{cite book |title=Dead or Alive History Book 1995-2016 |id=UPC 4988615067747 |publisher=[[Koei Tecmo]] |author=[[Team Ninja]] |page=21 |asin=B00OU9E3SM |language=ja|date=2015-02-19 }}</ref>
===Design===
Standing 167&nbsp;cm (5&nbsp;ft 6 in) tall and with [[bust/waist/hip measurements|measurements]] of 87-55-86&nbsp;cm (34-22-34 in), Leifang is a young Chinese woman with brown hair and eyes. Her hairstyle was intended to change frequently throughout the series to help portray her innocence, and she is often shown as having bangs and long hair, often stylized into [[Queue (hairstyle)|queue]]-style pigtails dangling from the sides of her head.<ref name="freaks146"/> When developing the appearances of the female cast for the first ''Dead or Alive'', the development team wanted to counter the then-perception that it was impossible to "create beautiful girls in 3D", with Itagaki aiming to create "Digital [[Venus (mythology)|Venus]]" designs that would be popular on media character rankings. To this end particular emphasis was placed on the size and movement of the cast's breasts,<ref name="game-jin">{{cite magazine |magazine=Game-Jin Partner |first=Kōsuke |last=Fujishima |authorlink=Kōsuke Fujishima |page=19|date=Spring 2000 |language=ja |id=T1113361051204|script-title=ja:Kosuke Fujishima Presents 藤島康介の スキスキ ゲームキャラ|trans-title=Kōsuke Fujishima Presents Kōsuke Fujishima's Suki Suki Game Character |issue=12}}</ref> in part due to the development team's own preference and what they perceived as a "breast boom" in Japan at the time, an increase in average bust sizes across the nation. The development team noted in this regard Leifang was one of the most popular characters at location tests for the game, surpassed only by [[Tina Armstrong]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Gamest Mook Vol. 57 Dead or Alive |language=ja |page=93 |volume=57 |date=December 1996 |id= Tl0633817091 |publisher=Shinseisha Inc.}}</ref>
In the first game, her outfit consisted of a black leather zipped up sleeveless top and matching shorts, while red fingerless gloves covered her hands.<ref name="history2">{{cite book |title=Dead or Alive History Book 1995-2016 |id=UPC 4988615067747 |publisher=[[Koei Tecmo]] |author=[[Team Ninja]] |page=54 |asin=B00OU9E3SM |language=ja|date=2015-02-19 }}</ref> For ''[[Dead or Alive 2]]'', her primary outfit was changed to a [[cheongsam]] dress with several alternatives,<ref name="freaks47">{{cite book |title=Dead or Alive History: Team Ninja Freaks |publisher=Enterplane|first=Masanori |last=Ujiie|pages=47. 73 |language=ja|date=2004|isbn=9784757719798}}</ref> with the animations for them done by hand by character modeler Yasushi Nakamura as opposed to strictly motion capture to ensure they reacted properly to leg movement.<ref name="game-jin"/> While she has other varied alternate outfits throughout the series, such as a waitress uniform and swimsuits, the dresses remained her primary attire until ''[[Dead or Alive 6]]''.<ref name="saturn">{{cite book |pages=97, 100–101 |language=ja |script-title=ja:Dead or Alive 公式攻略 ガイド Sega Saturn 特別編集 |trans-title=Dead or Alive Official Strategy Guide Sega Saturn Special Edition |isbn=9784073070696 |publisher=[[Dengeki Online|Dengeki Strategy King]]}}</ref><ref name="history"/> There, it was changed to a yellow, black, and white tracksuit that exposes her [[midriff]], resembling a similar outfit worn by martial artist and actor [[Bruce Lee]].<ref>{{cite web |website=Gematsu |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2018/08/dead-or-alive-6-hitomi-and-leifang-screenshots-leaked |title=Dead or Alive 6 Hitomi and Leifang screenshots leaked |date=2018-08-18 |accessdate=2024-06-25 |first=Sal |last=Romano |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625101034/https://www.gematsu.com/2018/08/dead-or-alive-6-hitomi-and-leifang-screenshots-leaked |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Kakuchopurei/>
==Appearances==
Leifang is a Chinese woman introduced in the 1996 fighting game ''Dead or Alive'' by [[Koei Tecmo]]. Considered a prodigy in Tai Chi, a martial art she picked up to be able to compete with local boys around her, she is the daughter of a wealthy family,<ref name="freaks146"/> and earned a martial arts scholarship to [[Montana State University]] to teach the students.<ref name="okorafor"/> One day she encountered a boy being accosted by two thugs and intervened, but was taken by surprise after receiving a deep slash on her arm from one of the thugs. Another boy, Jang Lee, jumped in to defend her and quickly dispatched the two before walking away. Taken aback by his impressive strength, she increased her studies and enters the series' martial arts tournaments in order to defeat him.<ref name="freaks146"/> Through the course of the series she develops rivalries with other fighters as well, namely [[Tina Armstrong|Tina]] and [[Hitomi (Dead or Alive)|Hitomi]].<ref name=Kakuchopurei/>
In terms of gameplay, Leifang is considered a character that's viable for both new and experienced players, as she can chain attacks together at high speed, and is able to keep opponents in the air by "juggling" them with successive attacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/dead-or-alive-4/guide/page_19.html |website=[[GameSpy]] |title=Dead or Alive 4 Walkthrough & Strategy Guide: Lei Fang |date=2006-01-24 |accessdate=2024-06-27 |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627114200/http://uk.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/dead-or-alive-4/guide/page_19.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to her use of reversals which can counter enemy attacks and negate their damage, she has also been called a fighter more suited for "technical" gameplay, able to frustrate the opponent's ability to attack. These reversals rely on whether the incoming attack is considered a "high" or "low" attack, and when done Leifang will either intercept or sidestep the opponent's attack entirely, giving her a small window of time to able to deliver a counterattack. Alternatively, she can use several grabs to counter incoming attacks and deal exceptional damage to the opponent. However, these reversals are more difficult to implement.<ref>{{cite web |website=[[GameSpot]] |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dead-or-alive-4-walkthrough/1100-6142341/ |title=Dead or Alive 4 Walkthrough |first=Matthew |last=Rorie |accessdate=2024-06-27 |date=2006-01-25 |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627114159/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dead-or-alive-4-walkthrough/1100-6142341/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Outside of the main series titles, she also appears in the first two ''[[Dead or Alive Xtreme]]'' spinoff games. While she was originally excluded from ''[[Dead or Alive Xtreme 3]]'', she later appeared in ''Venus Vacation'' as the result of a player poll, though the development team noted she was particularly difficult to implement as they did not want to negatively impact her established crush towards Jang Lee while still having her show feelings towards the player's character.<ref name="famitsu"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202011/17209435.html |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=ja |accessdate=2024-06-24 |script-title=ja:『''DOAXVV''』つぎの野望は“MR”コンテンツ。その場に女の子たちがいるような感覚が味わえる!?　3周年記念で作田Dにインタビュー |trans-title=''DOAXVV''{{'}}s Next Ambition Is “MR” Content. You Can Feel as if the Girls Are There!? Interview With Director Sakuda on the 3rd Anniversary |date=2020-11-17 |archive-date=June 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624080644/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202011/17209435.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Outside the ''Dead or Alive'' franchise, Leifang also appears in the mobile game ''Destiny Child'' as part of a collaboration event between Tecmo and its developer Shift Up.<ref>{{cite web |website=Siliconera |title=Destiny Child x Dead or Alive Xtreme Collaboration With Ayane and Leifang Now Live |author=Sato |accessdate=2024-06-23 |date=2020-10-19 |url=https://www.siliconera.com/destiny-child-x-dead-or-alive-xtreme-collaboration-with-ayane-and-leifang-now-live/ |archive-date=June 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624013320/https://www.siliconera.com/destiny-child-x-dead-or-alive-xtreme-collaboration-with-ayane-and-leifang-now-live/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In other media, Leifang appears in a minor role in the live-action film ''[[DOA: Dead or Alive]]'', played by actress Ying Wang.<ref name="screenworld"/> She also appears in several stories in the gag comic series ''Dead or Alive 2 Comic Anthology'' by DNA Media Comics.<ref>{{cite book |author=DNA Media Comics |publisher=Osamu Harada |date=2001-08-15 |isbn=9784921066529 |language=ja |title=Dead or Alive 2 Comic Anthology}}</ref>
In Japanese, for all game appearances she is voiced by [[Yumi Tōma]], who stated she appreciated how "light-hearted" the character was in comparison to some of her roles, though was initially worried about how her vocal presentation would turn out due to having to record the lines for the fighting games one by one.<ref name="gamest">{{cite magazine |date=1996-09-30 |language=Japanese |magazine=[[Gamest]] |issue=180 |page=122 |script-title=ja:僕を〜なめるなあ~! ''Dead or Alive'' |trans-title=Don't Underestimate Me! ''Dead or Alive''}}</ref> Meanwhile, in English starting with ''[[Dead or Alive Xtreme 2]]'' she was voiced by Zinnia Su,<ref name="btva"/> with Cassandra Lee Morris later taking over the role with ''[[Dead or Alive 5]]''.<ref name="twitter.com"/>
==Promotion and reception==
To promote the first game's release Tecmo published [[cosplay]] guides for the female cast,<ref name="history2"/> and for the Sega Saturn version they developed costumes based off the designs, hiring cosplayer Ikuko to portray Leifang and partnering with publisher [[Dengeki Online|Dengeki Strategy King]] to do comparisons between the model and her in-game counterpart.<ref>{{cite book |pages=108 |language=ja |script-title=ja:Dead or Alive 公式攻略 ガイド Sega Saturn 特別編集|trans-title=Dead or Alive Official Strategy Guide Sega Saturn Special Edition |isbn=9784073070696 |publisher=[[Dengeki Online|Dengeki Strategy King]]}}</ref> Several figures of Leifang were produced by companies such as [[Epoch Co.|Epoch]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.figurerealm.com/actionfigure?action=actionfigure&id=33357&figure=leifang |title=Lei-Fang |website=Figure Realm |accessdate=2024-06-24 |archive-date=June 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624073657/https://www.figurerealm.com/actionfigure?action=actionfigure&id=33357&figure=leifang |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Bandai]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamecity.ne.jp/shop/hobby/figure/doa_rio/|website=GameCity|language=ja|script-title=ja:DOA&RIOフィギュア特集！|trans-title=''DOA'' & ''Rio'' Figure Special!|accessdate=2024-06-24|archive-date=June 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624073701/https://www.gamecity.ne.jp/shop/hobby/figure/doa_rio/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Kotobukiya.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208075940/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2007/11/lei_fang_statue_lacks_graceful/|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2007/11/lei_fang_statue_lacks_graceful/ |title=Lei Fang Statue Lacks Graceful Pose |website=[[Kotaku|Kotaku Australia]] |archivedate=2015-12-08|date=2007-11-07 |access-date=2015-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/01/lei_fang_statue_lacks_graceful_clothes-2/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208054647/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/01/lei_fang_statue_lacks_graceful_clothes-2/ |archivedate=2015-12-08|title=Lei Fang Statue Lacks Graceful Clothes |website=[[Kotaku|Kotaku Australia]] |date=2008-01-25 |access-date=2015-08-28}}</ref> Other merchandise has included [[dakimakura]] body pillow cases,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/104171/dead-or-alive-5-pillow-cases-coming-to-japan/ |title=Dead or Alive 5 pillow cases coming to Japan |website=TechnologyTell |date=2012-12-11 |first=Jenni |last=Lada |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215190703/http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/104171/dead-or-alive-5-pillow-cases-coming-to-japan/ |archivedate=2012-12-15 |access-date=2015-08-28}}</ref> swimsuit [[pin-up]] posters,<ref name="arcadia">{{cite magazine |script-title=ja:''DOA2''レアグッズ発売!|trans-title=''DOA2'' Rare Goods on Sale! |language=ja |magazine=[[Monthly Arcadia]] |page=187 |issue=2 |date=July 2000}}</ref> playing cards,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0406/25/news19.html |website=ITMedia |language=ja |script-title=ja:東京キャラクターショーでDOAグッズをGETせよ！ |trans-title=Get ''DOA'' Goods at the Tokyo Character Show! |date=2004-06-25 |accessdate=2024-06-26 |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626132021/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0406/25/news19.html |url-status=live }}</ref> clothing,<ref name="arcadia"/> and 3D mouse pads.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201301/29027934.html |script-title=ja:『デッド オア アライブ 5』レイファン、こころ、ティナのマウスパッドが登場！ この弾力、体験してみる価値あり！！ |trans-title=''Dead or Alive 5'' Leifang, Kokoro, and Tina Mouse Pads Are Now Available! This Elasticity Is Worth Experiencing! |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |date=2013-01-29 |access-date=2016-02-06 |language=ja |archive-date=February 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214221432/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201301/29027934.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, one of her outfits was included as a [[skin (computing)|skin]] for the character Miichigo in the game ''Shinobi Master Senran Kagura'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/389/G038952/20220317131/ |language=ja |website=[[4Gamer.net]] |script-title=ja:「''シノマス''」x「''DEAD OR ALIVE''」コラボ第3弾がスタート。レイファン姿の美苺が手に入るイベントも |trans-title=The Third Collaboration Between “''Shinobi Master Senran Kagura''” and “''Dead or Alive''” Has Begun. There Will Also Be an Event Where You Can Get Miichigo Dressed as Leifang. |date=2022-03-17 |accessdate=2024-06-25 |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625080148/https://www.4gamer.net/games/389/G038952/20220317131/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while digital cards of her were added to Sega's ''Samurai & Dragons'' game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/08/07/dead-or-alive-5-characters-are-crossing-into-a-sega-game/ |title=Dead Or Alive 5 Characters Are Crossing Into a Sega Game |work=Siliconera |date=August 7, 2013 |accessdate=June 19, 2014 |archive-date=April 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417212609/https://www.siliconera.com/2013/08/07/dead-or-alive-5-characters-are-crossing-into-a-sega-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Leifang was well received upon debut. ''Dreamcast Magazine'' described her as "a Chinese beauty in all senses of the word" and an "elegant fighter if there ever was one", but also a character that proved to be "a bit of a femme fatale".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Dead or Alive 2: Alive and Heaving |magazine=Dreamcast Magazine |page=36 |date=January 2001 |issue=5}}</ref> Vietnamese newspaper ''[[Thanh Niên]]'' meanwhile stated she stood out amongst the ''Dead or Alive'' cast due to her intelligence and character background, additionally praising how she always held "an optimistic and loving attitude towards life" while being portrayed in outfits that were both cute and complimented her physique.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://game.thanhnien.com.vn/bai-viet/2015/03/08/25-nhan-va%CC%A3t-nu%CC%83-khie%CC%81n-ca%CC%81c-game-thu%CC%89-nam-ma%CC%81t-ta%CC%A3p-trung-nha%CC%81t.5703.html |title=25 nhân vật nữ khiến các game thủ nam "mất tập trung" nhất |trans-title=25 Female Characters That Make Male Gamers “Lose Focus” the Most |website=[[Thanh Niên]] |language=Vietnamese |date=March 8, 2015 |access-date=July 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701142835/http://game.thanhnien.com.vn/bai-viet/2015/03/08/25-nhan-va%CC%A3t-nu%CC%83-khie%CC%81n-ca%CC%81c-game-thu%CC%89-nam-ma%CC%81t-ta%CC%A3p-trung-nha%CC%81t.5703.html |archive-date=July 1, 2015 }}</ref> Hilary Goldstein of ''[[IGN]]'' described her as having "the most recognizable braided pigtails in all of video gaming", further stating that the website's staff enjoyed the character due to the fact she "dresses with some elegance" and the visually impressive nature of her attacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/24/girls-of-doau-lei-fang |first=Hilary |last=Goldstein |website=[[IGN]] |title=Girls of DOAU: Lei Fang |date=2012-05-20 |accessdate=2024-06-22}}</ref> Liyun Fei of ''[[3DM]]'' meanwhile praised her as one of the more popular characters of the franchise, describing her as having a toned physique with a "bit of masculinity" that they felt was enjoyed by players and complimented well by her in-game outfits.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.3dmgame.com/news/201209/55648_6.html |script-title=zh:对比有真相亮瞎众人眼！火舞春丽等Cos各种蛋疼 |trans-title=The Truth Is Revealed in the Comparison! Fire Dance Chunli and Other Cosplays Are All Painful |language=zh |date=2012-09-07 |accessdate=2024-06-22 |website=[[3DM]] |archive-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622082007/https://www.3dmgame.com/news/201209/55648_6.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The staff of ''Kakuchopurei'' named her their favorite character in the ''Dead or Alive'' franchise, calling her an "[[underdog]]" that "adds pizzazz to the already-stellar cast". They further praised her outfit selection, stating it suited her "to a tee and they felt her appearance was superior to every younger female character amongst the game's cast. Additional praise was given for her character's story, which featured her as not only wanting to surpass Jan Lee but also illustrated her rivalry with characters like Hitomi, stating "You know you’ve got it made in the fighting game world when you’re front and center in the game’s story with strong rivals with different martial arts philosophies."<ref name=Kakuchopurei>{{cite web |url=https://www.kakuchopurei.com/2019/02/ranking-the-dead-or-alive-waifus-hot/ |title=Ranking The Dead or Alive Waifus From Hot To Scoville-Breaking Smokin' |website=Kakuchopurei |accessdate=2024-06-14 |date=2019-02-27 |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516113316/https://www.kakuchopurei.com/2019/02/ranking-the-dead-or-alive-waifus-hot/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, Zenji Nishikawa of ''[[Famitsu]]'' praised how ''Venus Vacation'' illustrated the "slight innocence that she boldly displays", while appreciating that the game allowed her a wider range of emotional expression than the mainline titles.<ref name="famitsu">{{cite magazine |first=Zenji |last=Nishikawa |accessdate=2024-06-24 |date=2018-07-05 |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201807/05160333.html |script-title=ja:『''DOAXVV''』のレイファンはドジっ子かわいい！ 『''デッド オア アライブ エクストリーム ヴィーナス バケーション''』の追加キャラクター“レイファン”をフォトリポート |trans-title=Leifang From “''DOAXVV''” Is a Cute, Clumsy Girl! Photo Report of the Additional Character “Leifang” From “''Dead or Alive: Xtreme Venus Vacation''” |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=ja |archive-date=June 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624075636/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201807/05160333.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Author [[Nnedi Okorafor]], in a thesis published for the [[Michigan State University]]'s Department of Journalism, examined several video game characters and how they were portrayed through media such as gaming manuals, including Leifang. While they drew issue with how text for the character's backstory described her as a "vixen" solely because she was portrayed as "aggressive and 'beautiful'", Okorafor also praised how the character's backstory emphasized her placement in an overseas scholarship program. She felt details such as this helped Leifang to be portrayed as more than "just a female character whose breast can be set to bounce profusely", while also helping to add context to her character in a way that made more realistic in a real world sense rather than just a virtual one.<ref name="okorafor">{{cite thesis |authorlink=Nnedi Okorafor |last=Okorafor |first=Nnedi |date=1999 |degree=Masters |title=Virtual Women: Replacing the Real |publisher=[[Michigan State University]] Department of Journalism|doi=10.25335/ft1d-e786|pages=56–59}}</ref>
===Regarding representation and stereotypes===
[[File:DeadorAlive-Leifang.gif|thumb|upright=1.21|Leifang's portrayal of Tai Chi and her [[cheongsam]] outfits have received approval from publications for illustrating Chinese culture, with her black "Chinese Bondage" outfit considered a highlight of the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://games.sina.com.cn/t/n/2007-06-27/1148203252.shtml |language=zh |script-title=zh:世上最强主机游戏代表作品 |trans-title=The World’s Most Powerful Console Game Masterpiece |website=[[Sina.com.cn]] |date=2007-06-27 |access-date=2016-09-08 |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917030434/http://games.sina.com.cn/t/n/2007-06-27/1148203252.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |website=[[Dengeki Online]] |author=Masked Imaichi |language=ja |script-title=ja:最強＆最胸ゲーム『''デッド オア アライブ''』シリーズを振り返る。戦いに震える胸の魅力とは!?【周年連載】 |trans-title=Looking back at the Strongest and Most Busty Game, “''Dead or Alive''” Series. What Is the Appeal of Breasts That Tremble in Battle!? [Anniversary Series] |date=2017-10-13 |accessdate=2024-06-14 |url=https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/609/1609209/ |archive-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521071314/https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/609/1609209/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
Leon Hunt in the book ''Kung Fu Cult Masters'' used Leifang as an example of how fighting games often lack authenticity in how they portray certain techniques, stating that while in cutscenes she used actual Tai Chi moves, her in-game fighting style instead demonstrated more on "the 'soft', flowing idea of an 'internal' style of Tai Chi".<ref>{{cite book |title=Kung Fu Cult Masters |first=Leon |last=Hunt |page=196 |date=2003 |publisher=Wallflower|isbn=9781903364635}}</ref> George Joerz of Chinese website ''[[Sina.com.cn]]'' however argued that Leifang's portrayal of Tai Chi was in line with its 14th century usage as "Practical Tai Chi", a subset of boxing as a martial art that focuses on internal damage instead of physical. While he noted some elements of her fighting style deviated from the actual martial art, he attributed this to the nature of fighting games.<ref name="george"/> The website staff as a whole emphasized her kicking motions in this regard, though pointed out when coupled with her cheongsam dresses it only served to enhance her appeal due to the flexibility and physical exposure the outfits provided for such attacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://games.sina.cn/pi/gp/2014-11-12/detail-icczmvum9812301.d.html?from=wap |website=[[Sina.com.cn]] |script-title=zh:熊猫会功夫！日式游戏中的中国元素盘点 |trans-title=Pandas Know Kung Fu! An Inventory of Chinese Elements in Japanese Games |date=2014-11-12 |language=zh |accessdate=2024-06-21 |archive-date=June 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621194556/https://games.sina.cn/pi/gp/2014-11-12/detail-icczmvum9812301.d.html?from=wap |url-status=live }}</ref> Joerz meanwhile further felt Tecmo's approach kept the fundamental concepts enough to illustrate the fighting style, and further that her character combines a difficult martial art "with the implicit feminine beauty of China."<ref name="george">{{cite web |url=https://k.sina.cn/article_7034423324_1a348c81c00100jb32.html |first=George |last=Joerz |website=[[Sina.com.cn]] |accessdate=2024-06-21 |date=2019-10-11 |script-title=zh:《''生死格斗Online''》- 太极拳|language=zh |trans-title=''Dead or Alive Online'' - Tai Chi}}</ref>
While lecturer Fanny Lignon cited Leifang's attire as an example of gender stereotype reinforcement in fighting games,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Des jeux video et des adolescents : à quoi jouent les filles et garçons des collèges et lycées|trans-title=Video Games and Teenagers: What Girls and Boys in Middle and High Schools Play |language=French |first=Fanny |last=Lignon |date=December 2013 |volume=21 |issue=2 |journal=Le Temps des médias |doi=10.3917/tdm.021.0143 |page=212}}</ref> Christopher B. Patterson in the book ''Open World Empire'' cited her as an example of how the ''Dead or Alive'' series "depicted the 'cultural fragrance' of racial identities through a [[kawaii]] minimalism" via elements such as her cheongsam outfit and queue hairstyle, and that elements like sexualized attire tied into character backgrounds illustrated the characters' racial identities as an "explicit pleasure" for players to enjoy.<ref name="openworld">{{cite book |pages=55–56 |last=Patterson |first=Christopher B. |title=Open World Empire: Race, Erotics, ant the Global Rise of Video games |date=April 14, 2020 |publisher=NYU Press |isbn=9781479802043}}</ref> The staff of Chinese website ''The Paper'' used her as an example how over-present the use of cultural identifiers such as martial arts and cheongsam outfits are in video game character design to help players "understand" that a character is Chinese are, and questioned the necessity of them.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.thepaper.cn/wifiKey_detail.jsp?contid=1500769&from=wifiKey |website=The Paper |script-title=zh:中国女英雄“美”小胖妞形象惹争议：外国人的刻板印象何时变 |trans-title=The Image of a Chinese Heroine as a “Beautiful” Little Fat Girl Has Caused Controversy: When Will the Stereotype of Foreigners Change? |language=zh |date=2016-07-20 |accessdate=2024-06-22 |archive-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622053739/https://m.thepaper.cn/wifiKey_detail.jsp?contid=1500769&from=wifiKey |url-status=live }}</ref> The staff of ''17173.com'' on the other hand argued these aspects were well received by players, and elements such as her hairstyle which would normally be seen as "immature"  instead received praise. They further argued as a whole she was seen "vivid portrayal of Chinese, but also of all Asian female fighters", citing the impact of her cheongsam design on male players in particular.<ref>{{cite web |website=17173.com |script-title=zh:''生死格斗OL''偶像档案：太极撼天地 雷芳 |trans-title=''Dead or Alive OL'' Idol Files: Tai Chi Shakes the World Leifang |url=http://news.17173.com/content/2008-03-28/20080328093541104.shtml#1612455_1_10009 |date=2008-03-28 |accessdate=2024-06-22 |language=zh |archive-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622071829/http://news.17173.com/content/2008-03-28/20080328093541104.shtml#1612455_1_10009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|}}
{{Dead or Alive series|state=expanded}}
[[Category:Dead or Alive (franchise) characters]]
[[Category:Female characters in video games]]
[[Category:Fictional Chinese people in video games]]
[[Category:Fictional tai chi practitioners]]
[[Category:Video game characters introduced in 1996]]