Background Research on Corin Wickes

Today we will analyze Corin Wickes from Victoria Housekeeping.

ZZZ Corin's origin

Corin's full name is Corin Wickes. Wickes is a classic British surname, even the name of a well-known home improvement retail company in the UK.

No wonder Corin's weapon is a chainsaw, straight from the manufacturer! I wonder if Ellen Joe's gardening shears also come from them.

As we all know, the character settings of Victoria Housekeeping incorporate elements from horror movies. Our little Corin, with her green twin tails and giant screws, is clearly inspired by the classic horror movie "Frankenstein".

In fact, Corin's name pays homage to this iconic film: Colin Clive starred in the 1931 "Frankenstein," with a spelling very similar to Corin; the 1992 remake was directed by renowned British director David Wickes. Combining these two names gives us Corin Wickes. It's worth noting that "Frankenstein" is adapted from the novel by British writer Mary Shelley, considered the first true science fiction novel and a gothic novel paragon.

This novel was written in 1818, long before the periodic table and Einstein. For a female writer of that era, her imagination is truly astounding. The 1931 "Frankenstein" also had a profound impact on the film industry, being one of the pioneers of horror movies. Its portrayal of the monster inspired countless designs in later films and games.

 ZZZ Corin's Character Design

Now, let's talk about Corin's character design. Besides her hair and screw elements, her twin tails and timid personality evoke a protective instinct. But when she wields her chainsaw while apologizing and charging at enemies, it's hilariously contradictory. The six screws on her collarbone balance the visual weight, preventing her from looking top-heavy.

The Zenless Zone Zero Corin figure also faithfully captures the character’s in-game traits. The design shows her gripping a chainsaw with a flustered expression, making the overall look both lively and adorable, while also carrying a strong sense of contrast.

Moving down, Corin's chest has three bows. The specific meaning is unclear, but I speculate they might relate to rank or position within her faction since similar elements are absent on other characters like Von Lycaon and Alexandrina Sebastiane but present on Ellen Joe.

ZZZ Corin's Outfit

Corin's dress combines maid and Lolita fashion, fitting the housekeeping theme and her cute character. The jagged hem resembles a spinning circular saw when twirling, adding a mix of cuteness and intimidation. The large zipper at the back matches the stitched-up look of her teddy bear. Teddy bears are a staple for Lolita girls, serving both as decoration and, in this case, storage. This teddy bear backpack is sure to become a popular merchandise item. Its eyes replaced by screws, matching the screws on Corin and adding a creepy touch. Inside the bear's chest, there's a beating red heart, whose significance will be revealed in the game.

Corin wears mid-calf boots with straps, resembling Roman sandals but likely inspired by leg braces, fitting the Frankenstein theme of pieced-together body parts and adding a vulnerable yet creepy vibe.

Her weapon is also intriguing, shaped like a scythe with a blade combining a pizza cutter and a circular saw.

It has a brake caliper in the center and a motorcycle-style brake lever. This detailed and logical design is impressive, though the specifics of the engine and power source are irrelevant.

All these elements combine to give Corin's character a sense of conflict: the fear from horror movies versus the comfort of housekeeping, her timid personality versus her massive weapon. Yet, these contrasts don't feel jarring, showcasing MiHoYo's exceptional design skills. Analyzing such a character is delightful, and I can't help but admire the designers' prowess.