#Kalimfacts

[yuurei20]

Kalim Info Compilation part 5: Jamil(pt4) and Character Inspiration

When Sebek asks if Jamil does not respect his housewarden, Jamil refrains from commenting.

Jamil says that he and Kalim have been together since they were born, so middle school was the first time in his life that he ever had some time and space to himself. 

Kalim explains that Jamil went to school, but he himself got tutored at home, and whenever he cried about not understanding a question in his homework Jamil would always show him how to solve it.

Kalim says that Jamil has been looking after him since Jamil himself was a young boy, so he likely didn’t get much of a childhood.

We learn that Jamil learned how to use magic before Kalim—Kalim says that he would try to imitate Jamil every day, it was Jamil who taught him magic, tutored him every day and was better than any tutor that his family hired. 

During Firelit Sky Kalim says that they would play in the fountain in the park outside of his family home often when they were kids, but Jamil specifies that Kalim would play, while Jamil would bring a change of clothes and towels. Kalim says “those were fun-filled days”, but Jamil follows with “more like stress-filled”. 

Kalim tells a story about how he once asked elementary-school-aged Jamil to cook moussaka for him, and Jamil reveals that he got scolded for hours by the other servants and his own parent for using the stove.

Kalim apologizes, saying he had no idea, but immediately follows up with a request for Jamil to cook it again.

A small point, but in Kalim’s New Year’s card there is a voice line that was translated incorrectly to say that “when” he sneezed, Jamil got worried. The original line is “if” he sneezed, he would worry Jamil.

While obvious inspiration has been taken from the Sultan character in Disney’s Aladdin for Kalim, there are also many similarities between Kalim and “Sinbad”, the lead character in the Tokyo Disney Sea attraction Sindbad's Storybook Voyage.

While exclusive to Japan, the attraction qualifies Sinbad as a Disney character.

He is a merchant with great respect for friendship and a connection to water.

The attraction also involves “magical instruments” that are similar to what Floyd says he and Jade received from Kalim on their birthday.

[yuurei20]

Kalim Info Compilation Part 2: Jamil (pt2)

We see Kalim complimenting Jamil for being on top of everything in general, saying that Jamil is “pure amazing”, “really is something special” and “the best vice housewarden a guy could ask for.”

When he compliments Jamil for always being on top of things Jamil responds, “some habits are ingrained in me from dealing with a certain someone on a regular basis”, and when Kalim brags about Jamil being able to solve any problem Jamil says, “I’d rather there be no problems at all.”

Kalim also says that Jamil is a great dancer, a great singer, has legendary knife skills, is a great tour guide, has great ideas, gives great advice and, to Jamil directly, “I’m always impressed by you.”

During Halloween Kalim recites an explanation about the Scarabia Dorm’s decorations and concerns for the environment, revealing that it was all what Jamil told him to say.

The other students are not surprised, and Kalim says that he wanted everybody to know that Jamil was the one to come up with it.

In addition to everything else Jamil does for Kalim, he also helps him get dressed, and it seems that Kalim may simply not know how to dress himself on his own: he recommends that Trey go to Jamil for help with wrapping his headscarf in Firelit Sky, gets Jamil to fix his sash in Fairy Gala gets help with dressing from Azul, from Jamil again with his ceremonial robes, from first Jamil and then Deuce during New Year’s and tells the player character that he doesn’t know how to tie his own headdress, so they will have to fix it for him if it comes apart.

Jamil says that “dealing with Kalim’s antics day in and day out is certainly one way to build stamina”, and Kalim says that the player character doesn’t need to worry about stepping in if Kalim messes something up because “Jamil will bail me out.”

Kalim says he always keeps a stomach-soothing potion on hand, brewed by Jamil.

Jamil refuses to participate in Phantom Bride because there would be “consequences” for his entire family if Kalim were exposed to any danger, and if Jamil were to go on his own he knows that Kalim would tag along.

Jamil is uncomfortable with ever leaving Kalim alone, but also gets tired of Kalim constantly asking for him.

Jamil says he is “always tensed and ready to react” when he is in ceremonial wear because Kalim would pull "wild stunts " at ceremonies.

[yuurei20]

Kalim Info Compilation Part 1: Family

Kalim explains that “the Asims aren’t royalty, and I’m not a prince. I’ve got some relatives in the royal family, though.” Jamil says that the Asims are one of the Scalding Sands’ “most prominent” families. Both Jamil and Kalim were born and raised in Silk City.

Kalim’s father is referenced often: Kalim says he is “the most important guy in the family, and he keeps super-duper busy, but he’s always got a happy smile on his face.” Jamil says that Kalim’s father is “a key player” in the local government and economy and their home is used for government functions, official visits and ceremonies.

Kalim says that his father does business in a lot of different places and used to take Kalim along with him. “All of his customers would leave the meetings with smiles on their faces. Seeing people looking happy has always made me happy, too.”

His father also told him it is important to “work hard, play hard, and know when to do which”.

Jamil thanks the headmage for allowing them to use the Dark Mirror to travel home, and Crowley says that it is the least he could do for the Asims and asks Kalim to send his regards to his father. (“And, naturally, I will graciously accept whatever souvenirs you see fit to bring back.”)

Kalim says that after the festival showcased in the Firelit Sky event, his father will be hosting a party for all the people in their town who helped make the festival happen. According to Jamil, Kalim’s father spoils Kalim immensely.

Kalim says that his mother is “really, really sweet”, always saying nice things about him, barely ever gets mad and she is the family’s only other magic user besides himself.

Kalim has somewhere from 30 to 40 siblings (information that was cut from the NA adaptation) and seems to adore them: Kalim reacts poorly to hearing that Idia skipped out on a promise to spend time with Ortho after performing poorly at a video game, saying that “spending quality time with your sibling is way more important than some game” and offers to hang out with Ortho in Idia’s stead.

Kalim says that he has “a real soft spot” for people younger than himself, and explains in his birthday vignette a time when he spent the better part of a day playing hide-and-seek with his little brothers and siblings but never did find them all.

Kalim says, “When the whole family gets together, it’s always a party.”

Kalim’s family is described as “overprotective” by a ghost chef who learns that, prior to the Culinary Crucible, Kalim had never been allowed to use fire or knives as it was “too dangerous”.

Kalim tells Ruggie that he had never cooked in his life, as his home has its own kitchen staff and Jamil has made his meals since he started living in a dorm. (NA changed this to say “since I started going to college”, but it is canonically a high school: removal of references to middle school/high school/character ages is not uncommon for the NA adaptation.)

We learn that Kalim’s family employs at least one “beast tamer”, that Kalim is constantly trailed by Asim family security and there are “only” around “a hundred helpers” employed at his home.

Jamil explains that Scalding Sand spices and furnishings are extremely popular abroad and House Asim is said to be the first family to trade overseas.

Kalim’s family developed rivers into a network of canals. Kalim says that his family comes from a long line of merchants, and he wants to do as much for Silk City as his grandfather and great-grandfather did.

[yuurei20]

Kalim Info Compilation part 4: Jamil (pt3)

We see in Floyd’s vignette that Kalim depends upon Jamil to do school assignments on his behalf, which Jamil does as he cannot let Kalim get a failing grade.

In another vignette we see Kalim and Jamil eating in the cafeteria because Kalim ate both their pre-made lunches the previous night, and Jamil has to caution Kalim for running around with hot stew.

Jamil provides very specific cooking instructions for Kalim during Beanfest such as “BEWARE OF FIRE” and “overstuffing = hard to eat”).

When Azul asks why Jamil doesn’t stop guarding Kalim and enjoy their halloween party Kalim agrees, but Jamil responds, “your complete lack of awareness is exactly why I can’t have any time to myself.”

We see an example of this in a vignette where Jamil alerts Kalim to a potential assassin in the dorm and Kalim insists on going up to greet him.

Jamil verifies the authenticity of the stranger’s magical pen (it is Sebek, lost on his way to Diasomnia) and says that Kalim is making his job as an attendant of the Asim household unnecessarily difficult by acting so recklessly.

Kalim responds, “C’mon, it’s fine! Sebek wasn’t even a spy.”

Kalim is often telling Jamil that he is blowing things out of proportion, a “worrywart”, “so paranoid”, a “worrier” and that Jamil should “take life a little easier.”

Jamil and others often refer to Kalim and Jamil’s dynamic as “babysitting”.

Kalim seems to have a habit of running off despite Jamil’s protests, forcing Jamil to hunt him down.

Azul reflects, “it’s not as though you can keep him on a leash.”

Kalim has said that he often falls asleep during Jamil’s lectures, which seem to include topics such as how he must remember his textbooks, the importance of wearing goggles in alchemy and keeping his lab wear clean and being present in meetings that cannot start without him.

Kalim says that Jamil yelled at him for staying up all night before the VDC, and we also see Jamil lecture him for trying (and failing) to pack his luggage on his own and for wanting to join the tour group rather than perform his duties as heir to the family during Firelit Sky.

It seems that Jamil is often taking over tasks for Kalim when he proves himself incapable of performing them, sending Kalim out of the dorm entirely to prepare for a banquet for new students.

Kalim insists that he was “appointed the vizier of shopping” but Riddle quietly observes that “they found a tactful way to toss you out.”

Jamil also takes over packing Kalim’s luggage for Firelit Sky.

When Kalim cannot be found to fill his role in a parade that he himself arranged, Scarabia students recommend that Jamil take his place, but Jamil refuses on the grounds of “That would destroy Kalim’s reputation.”

Jamil manages to cover for Kalim’s absence with his magic, saying, “The Asim family never presents anything less than excellence. Not while I’m around, at least!”

[yuurei20]

Kalim Info Compilation Part 1: Jamil (pt1)

While the EN-adaptation of the game has largely removed references to “servants” and “masters”, Jamil seems subservient to Kalim against his will: Wielding a powerful magic that forces others to refer to him as “master” while he himself is trapped in servitude being a major part of the character (A direct reference to Disney’s animated “Aladdin”).

We do not know exactly how Jamil is compensated for his work but he does say in-game that standing up to Kalim would result in his family being put out on the street.

Much to Jamil’s annoyance Kalim says they are “friends” (and sometimes even brothers), but that does not stop Kalim from occasionally telling Jamil what to do, as their roles dictate: giving Jamil orders to act as a tour guide for all the students Kalim insisted they bring along to the Scalding Sands despite Jamil’s protests, telling him to cook for others (“...here I am, helping against my will”), having him arrange for renovations to Scarabia Dorm and volunteering his services as a dance teacher to other students, despite Jamil’s protests.

It is not unusual to see Jamil apologizing on Kalim’s behalf for Kalim’s own behavior, to a vendor during Firelit Sky, to Malleus (when Kalim runs bodily into him in a hallway) and to Riddle when Kalim says something rude.

Jamil putting a hand over Kalim’s mouth to silence him is also not unusual, and we see it happen when Kalim tries to extend an offer to Crowley to visit Scarabia anytime, when Kalim risks revealing to a fairy at Fairy Gala that they are human, when insulting Riddle’s physical prowes (despite promising he would not comment if Riddle was joined him on a sprint), when Kalim almost reveals Jamil’s unique magic, when he interrupts an argument between Vil and Epel and when he tries to strike up a casual conversation with opposing team members during Beanfest.

Kalim seems to sincerely adore Jamil and he is often bragging about Jamil’s cooking. Doing so in their hometown resulted in Jamil being forced to cook large meals for “the sort of people who should not be served simple home cooking from an amateur” at least once.

When Kalim boasts about Jamil to Riddle, Riddle expresses surprise that Scarabia’s vice housewarden is the one who keeps Scarabia running.

Kalim responds that “it’s all about teamwork.”