Bayonetta 3 announced its October release date in style with a three-and-a-half minute trailer focusing on both new and returning characters. The game, which will debut a full eight years after Bayonetta 2, features Bayonetta traveling the world to take on the Homunculi, a new man-made threat designed to drive humanity into greater chaos. While the witch herself sports a new outfit and hairstyle, as is traditional for each new Bayonetta game, several supporting characters also receive new looks. Among them is the journalist Luka, who in Bayonetta 3 sports an outfit that brings to mind a different character entirely: scheming villain Ardyn Izunia from Square Enix's Final Fantasy 15.
Luka's role in the trailer is minimal, as the primary focus is on Bayonetta and Viola, a new character who is aware of the threat of the Homunculi and teams up with the title character to stop them. Fan speculation has led to a number of theories about Viola, including that she may be from the future or that she may be another Umbral Witch besides Bayonetta and Jeanne. Luka and Viola are shown briefly interacting in the trailer, with the journalist appearing fascinated by the new girl. Fans wonder if Luka's new design is a deliberate reference to Final Fantasy 15, and whether it hints at what role Luka will play in the series' third game.
Luka's Design and Mannerisms Bring Ardyn to Mind
Luka's new look in Bayonetta 3 has the escape artist donning a collared shirt, a vest, a long coat with a high collar, fingerless gloves, and a black hat similar to the one he wore in Bayonetta 2. His hair is also slightly longer and significantly messier than in his previous appearances. This definitely brings to mind Ardyn Izunia, who wears a similar coat, collared shirt, gloves, and hat. The villain of Final Fantasy 15 has a reason behind his rather shabby look - as the host to a horde of Daemons infected with the disease Starscourge, Ardyn is damaged by sunlight and must wear multiple layers and coverings in order to operate during the day. It remains to be seen whether Luka, who has always been known to dress flamboyantly, has a similar reason for his new outfit or simply thought it looked dashing.
However, Luka's similarities to Ardyn in the trailer are not limited to his outfit. After successfully evading an enemy homunculus, Luka is shown tipping his hat and smirking at the camera, a move Ardyn frequently uses when he appears to taunt, antagonize, or sometimes help protagonist Noctis. He also gets up close and personal with Viola while grabbing her chin, which Ardyn occasionally does with both Noctis and his best friend Prompto. While Luka's new outfit could be a coincidence, the inclusion of these new mannerisms and gestures may indicate that Ardyn did serve as an inspiration for his Bayonetta 3 design.
Will Luka Play a Villainous Role Like Ardyn?
Luka started out as an antagonist, hating Bayonetta because he believed her to be responsible for the death of his father Antonio. Throughout the events of the first game, Luka learned more about who Bayonetta really was and the work she did to keep the world safe, allowing him to let go of his hatred. His role in Bayonetta 2 involved cooperating with Bayonetta and sharing information, although the witch still found him quite annoying. It is unclear whether he is still on Bayonetta's side in Bayonetta 3 or whether he has returned to his more antagonistic roots. While he is shown opposing a Homunculus in the trailer, he also seems to be investigating Viola's secrets and may oppose her much as he once opposed Bayonetta.
Ardyn's story in many ways travels the opposite direction of Luka's. He initially portrayed himself as a helpful, harmless man, before later revealing that he was responsible for many of the events of the game. He ends up as the final antagonist of the game who Noctis must battle in order to stop the world from being taken over by daemons and the Starscourge. However, later material such as the Episode Ardyn DLC and novel Dawn of the Future revealed Ardyn to be more sympathetic than he originally seemed and even featured an alternate timeline where he reformed, aided Noctis, and was hailed as a hero. Perhaps Luka's new outfit is not indicating a villainous role, but rather implying he will be a complex character who switches sides or even becomes an outright hero.
Will Luka and Viola Share a Connection Like Ardyn and Noctis?
The similarity between Luka's and Ardyn's outfits might also hint at a connection between the journalist and Viola, whose past and identity currently remain mysterious. In the trailer, Luka seems to know Viola, and is intrigued enough by her to follow her in search of a 'story,' much as he once had Bayonetta. In addition, Viola has access to a demon summon in the shape of a cat that she calls "Cheshire," referencing Bayonetta's nickname for Luka in the original game. This has lead some fans to theorize that Viola may be a descendant of Luka's - or perhaps even the future child of him and Bayonetta.
If these theories are true, then it is not hard to think the Ardyn-inspired outfit might have been a deliberate choice on Platinum's part. While Ardyn initially introduces himself as Ardyn Izunia, Chancellor of the enemy nation of Niflheim, his true name is later revealed to be Ardyn Lucis Caelum. He is a several thousand-year old ancestor of Noctis', who survived due to daemon-based powers. His villainous actions in Final Fantasy 15 are motivated by revenge against the Lucis Caelum family, as he was cursed by the gods and denied the right to become King. This connects with the fan theories that Viola is a family member of Luka, but the truth remains to be seen.
Fans will probably not learn until Bayonetta 3's October release whether the similarity between Ardyn's and Luka's outfits is a coincidence or a deliberate tribute to the ongoing Square Enix franchise. If Luka does draw inspiration from Ardyn, perhaps Square Enix will respond by referencing Bayonetta in Final Fantasy 16, which was recently confirmed for a 2023 release following delays.
Bayonetta 3 will release on October 28, 2022 for the Nintendo Switch.
