Dark souls' onion armor: a hilarious design origin story
The hulking knight Siegmeyer of Catarina, beloved by Dark Souls players for his unwavering loyalty and surprisingly sharp wit, sports one of the most memorable armor sets in gaming history. But did you know his iconic onion-shaped armor wasn't initially intended for him? The story, unearthed from the archives of FromSoftware, reveals a delightfully quirky origin rooted in inspiration from a far darker world.
From berserk's bully to catarina's protector
According to recent interviews featured in the Dark Souls Design Works book, the armor's design was initially conceived by artist Masanori Waragai well before the Dark Souls project even began. It was intended for a completely different character – a test assignment, if you will.
Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director, explains that Waragai was tasked with creating various fantasy armor designs. Among these was a striking resemblance to Bazuso, a formidable and rather unpleasant knight from Kentaro Miura’s Berserk. Bazuso, a brutish figure clad in oversized, bulbous armor, serves as an early obstacle for the protagonist Guts. “It reminded me of Bazuso’s thick, rounded armor,” Miyazaki confessed. The irony is palpable: a character initially conceived as a villainous brute would ultimately become a symbol of camaraderie within the grim world of Dark Souls.
Waragai himself elaborates on the design's evolution. “The armor holds a special place in my heart,” he says. “I’d always loved fantasy, but hadn't seriously studied it. It sparked my interest in armor construction. I began to wonder what kind of protection a heavier character might require, and that question led to this particular design.” The design wasn’t merely about aesthetics; it was a practical exploration of how armor might function for someone of a… substantial build.
The initial concept, born from a fascination with armor mechanics and a nod to Berserk, ultimately found a perfect home on Siegmeyer, transforming a potentially intimidating design into a source of amusement and affection for players.
A missed feature & an unlikely inspiration
Miyazaki admitted to a lingering regret: the inability to implement a key feature for Siegmeyer’s helmet. “I really wanted to have Siegmeyer open his helmet and eat something at some point in the adventure,” Miyazaki laments. “Unfortunately, we couldn't make the functionality work.” It’s a small detail, but one that would have added another layer of endearing personality to the already beloved character.
Adding another layer of unexpected influence, a FromSoftware designer revealed that Sieglinde of Catarina, Siegmeyer's daughter, also wears the distinctive armor. And, according to those same designers, Miyazaki envisioned Sieglinde resembling the British actress Emma Watson, playfully referring to her as “Hermione” – a nod to her iconic role in the Harry Potter films. This further highlights the playful and often surprising inspirations behind Dark Souls’ character designs.
The enduring appeal of Dark Souls lies not just in its challenging gameplay, but in the rich tapestry of lore and character design woven throughout its world. This glimpse into the genesis of Siegmeyer’s armor is a testament to the creative process, proving that even the most iconic elements of gaming can arise from unexpected sources, blending darkness with delightful absurdity.