FromSoftware's New Game References Ultraseven, Miyazaki Personally Loves It

Summary

In a recent interview, Hidetaka Miyazaki, president and director of FromSoftware, the developer behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls, discussed the design inspiration for the character Jouk in the upcoming game Twilight Bloodline. Miyazaki revealed that Jouk was initially conceived as a "blood oath knight emerging from the deep sea." He has always been a big fan of Ultraman and Ultraseven, and the monsters appearing from the ocean depths in those shows left a strong impression on him, serving as an early inspiration for Jouk's design. As development progressed, the final look evolved, but the concept of a deep-sea monster was retained. One of Jouk's most striking features is his unique bird-like beak, which Miyazaki explained is not just visual but actually tied to combat: Jouk can extend his beak like a straw to suck the blood of other characters. This detail highlights FromSoftware's creative approach and Miyazaki's tendency to inject personal interests into his works. For players, it reveals the depth and inventiveness of character design in the new title, building anticipation for Twilight Bloodline. From an industry perspective, this interview demonstrates how classic tokusatsu shows can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for game development, potentially steering future character design in fresh directions.