Miyazaki forgot the barefoot women in FromSoftware games
The deep, enigmatic world crafted by FromSoftware often leaves players grappling with unspoken truths, but lately, the creator himself, Hidetaka Miyazaki, has opened up about a somewhat peculiar, subconscious theme running through his design choices.
In a recent interview, Miyazaki addressed a persistent rumor that he has “a bit of a thing for feet,” though he remains uncertain about its origin. This seemingly casual admission hints at a deeper exploration of human nature and existence that underlies the brutal landscapes of titles like Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls.
Miyazaki drew a parallel to the recurring hand motif seen in FromSoftware’s upcoming multiplayer action game, The Duskbloods. From the very first trailer, the game utilized dramatic lighting to show hands reaching for one another, a visual metaphor that echoes the surreal and often unsettling themes of the franchise.
This theme is not isolated. Earlier titles have established a visual language where hands and limbs play a significant role. In Elden Ring, players wield giant zombie hands, and deity-like beings are often rendered through abstract finger-like forms. The visual focus on the hands sets a stage for an exploration of connection, power, and vulnerability.
Miyazaki suggests that this interest in form stems from an attempt to depict some facet of human nature that is inherently difficult to describe. He implies that the aesthetic choices are less about specific anatomy and more about evoking complex human experiences.
The aesthetic choices made by FromSoftware often feature characters with bare feet, a decision that carries significant thematic weight. In games like Demon’s Souls, the character of the Maiden in Black is explicitly portrayed as being “of the earth,” a choice that immediately evokes themes of humility, vulnerability, and deep connection to the physical world.
This decision to render characters barefoot serves as a subtle commentary. It can suggest hardship, tradition, or an inherent vulnerability that contrasts sharply with the often-armored or rigidly defined figures of the game world. While these aesthetic choices may seem arbitrary to some, they resonate deeply with the emotional landscape the franchise aims to evoke.
Ultimately, whether it is a subconscious fascination with the organic form or a deliberate artistic choice to explore themes of earthly existence, Miyazaki’s work continually pushes players to look beyond the surface and examine the unspoken narratives woven into the fabric of the game world.
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