A Dark Souls Netflix anime could be on the way
A Dark Souls Netflix Anime could be on the way, following in the footsteps of anime shows such as Devilman Crybaby and Berserk as a grim tale exploring the rich history and enigmatic item descriptions of the action RPG game. With the Souls series making its way onto the streaming service, there’s no better time than now to explore the endless possibilities that the game’s rich history and intricate lore have to offer.
Dark Souls has always been ripe for an anime adaptation, with its rich history and intricate lore begging to be told in a new and exciting way. Instead of telling a linear narrative, why not go the anthology route with a variety of tales told through the lesser-known stories and characters that litter the world of Lordran? It’s a format that would not only appeal to long-time fans but also newcomers to the Dark Souls series as well.
Instead of narrating the Chosen Undead’s journey through the Souls games, why not focus on the enigmatic item descriptions with storytelling potential that go beyond the grand lore and the Chosen Undead’s journey? Just take a look at the item description for the Sea Bow from Dark Souls 2:
Describing a sea-faring warrior who fell to their death and was eventually swallowed by the ocean, the Sea Bow’s description also hints at a mysterious continent beyond the seas and a multitude of possibilities for original tales.
Or what about Lloyd’s Talisman from Dark Souls 2, which has one of the best one-sentence pitches for an episode:
Describing the callousness of those in power and their manipulation of the undead for their own gain, it’s a storytelling opportunity that brings to light the lesser-known history of the world of Lordran.
What if instead of being exiled to the Painted World, the Xanthous King was forced into exile by the Pygmies due to his obsession with the Dusk? It’s an intriguing story about the character and his connection to Oolacile, which is only hinted at through item descriptions and unused voice files.
Dark Souls has a multitude of stories beyond the main narrative that can be told through the anime, such as the blacksmith deity and the Banishment Sorcerers. There are also its own unique and obscure tales that are begging for an audience, like the tale of the Four-Horned Dragon or the Lion Clan Warriors.
Instead of going down the generic fantasy trope route, the anime should instead embrace the unique and obscure tales within Dark Souls, bringing meaning to elements of the game that were previously ambiguous or unexplored. By doing so, the anime can avoid just becoming another Game of Thrones clone, and instead become its own unique and captivating experience.
If you want to get the most out of the Dark Souls anime, we have a list of the best bosses in the game, alongside a beginner’s guide to the Souls games.
