Shabon

Shabon (シャボン, Shabon) is a supporting character in Suikoden III. Shabon is the young bodhrán player of Nei's troupe.

History
"A young skillful busker who is good at bodhran. She thinks of Nei as an older sister."

- Shabon's profile

Shabon was a young girl who traveled with Nei and Toppo as part of their travelling busker group. She was extremely talented at playing the bodhrán, especially given her young age. She also practiced kenpo and was a talented fighter considering her age and size.

Her parents were killed by bandits and ever since then, Nei and Toppo have taken care of her, the two having been performing in her village at the time. Despite this tragic background, Shabon maintained her childhood and innocence due to the efforts of her friends. She viewed Nei, in particular, as an older sister.

She would accompany Nei and Toppo to Budehuc Castle to perform there after being rescued by the Fire Bringer from Guillaume in Vinay del Zexay. Like a lot of small children, she was fascinated by ducks and was fond of Sgt. Joe. She would spend time at the castle practicing many different tricks and games with Toppo, including tag.

Following the War of the Champions, Shabon has had a difficult choice to make; whether to keep traveling as a minstrel or devote herself full time to her martial arts training.

Music
Shabon's theme is considered the aptly-name song "Toppo, Nei, Shabon Theme", which is played by and around the troupe in Vinay del Zexay and is reprised later during Suikoden III. It is shared across the troupe, meaning it is also the theme for Toppo and Nei. The song is track 15 on disc 1 of the official Suikoden III Original Soundtrack.

Trivia

 * A bodhrán is a traditional Irish frame drum, open ended on one side so a hand can be used to manipulate the pitch and timbre of the drum and played with the free hand, with or without a tipper, a type of wooden stick.
 * At 6 years old, Shabon is the youngest non-beast battle party member in the entire series. Unsurprisingly, she is also the shortest at 110cm (3'7").