Summary
- FromSoftware's Elden Ring features a hidden tribute to Berserk 's iconic Guts, with a boss bearing striking similarities to the character.
- The Knight of the Solitary Gaol not only resembles Guts in appearance but also wears armor reminiscent of the Berserk anti-hero.
- Elden Ring is filled with nods to Berserk , including NPCs like Blaidd and Malenia, showcasing the developer's admiration for Kentaro Miura's work.
It's no secret that developer FromSoftware takes plenty of inspiration from Kentaro Miura's iconic manga Berserk but this recent discovery in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree may just be one of the developer's best hidden references. Miura's dark fantasy story is a seminal piece of graphic novel fiction, establishing many tropes that have bled into the realm of video games, anime, and film since Berserk's original publication in 1989. Guts' iconic Dragon Slayer sword has inspired many massive blades so having the protagonist himself appear in the game seems only fitting.
As discovered and shared by YouTuber Zullie the Witch, the infamous Knight of the Solitary Gaol, one of the first optional bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree, looks strikingly similar to Guts underneath his imposing helmet.
Using software to peel back the model's layers, the creator exposed that the Knight bears many features often associated with Berserk's leading character, including short, cropped hair, intense eyes, and even the scar running across his nose, albeit the game's version is much larger. It's an impressive detail given that the majority of players will likely never encounter the boss without the helmet.
One Brutally Hard Elden Ring DLC Boss Is Inspired By Equally Violent History & Terrifying Mythology
Mesmer the Impaler, a boss in the Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, is inspired by a blend of real historical figures and mythological entities.
Elden Ring Is Littered With Berserk References
Paying Respect To One Of The Greats
It should hardly come as a surprise that Knight of the Solitary Gaol looks so similar to Guts when even the boss's armor looks very familiar. The black plating, cloak, sword, and belt may not be a perfect representation of Berserk's anti-hero but there are enough connecting factors that the homage eventually becomes obvious. Of course, the hidden Guts is just one of several major references to Berserk scattered through Elden Ring, many of which can easily be identified by fans.
Arguably the most notable nod to Berserk is Blaidd, an NPC that not only strikes Guts' most iconic pose but even bears many similarities to the character when he's in his wolf-like armor. Malenia's helmet is another example as it seemingly homages the appearance of Farnese's Holy Iron Chain Knights Helmet in terms of the visor and angelic wings on the side. The most touching tribute to Miura's work is undoubtedly the tribute to the creator himself which can be found just outside Castle Morne.
Elden Ring is a massive game that's littered with secrets but knowing the sheer level of dedication that's gone into hiding some of them just goes to show how much FromSoftware cares about its creations. The reference to Guts as a brutal warrior who stands out as one of Shadow of the Erdtree's most challenging early encounters is no doubt fitting given Berserk's brutal themes and battle-forged anti-hero. One can only imagine even more Easter eggs will likely be uncovered in the coming days.