History ShoutOut / GuiltyGear

* His ''Xrd'' redesign bears a striking resemblance to both [[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist Alphonse]] and [[VideoGame/{{Skullgirls}} Panzerfaust]]. He even has the letter "Z" emblazoned on his shirt, possibly referring to Mike Zaimont (Skullgirls' creator and former professional Potemkin player).

* Testament's theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Like a Weed, Naturally, As A Matter Of Course", has Naoki Hashimoto putting on a voice similar to Chuck Billy, Testament's leader. It also takes [[AuthorAppeal (of course!)]] after Music/{{Queen|Band}} and Music/{{Megadeth}}.

** Her theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Extras", contains a nod to "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Music/MariahCarey. Fittingly, Elphelt's birthday is Christmas.

* In perhaps a bit of irony, Asuka R#'s theme in ''-STRIVE='', "The Gravity", takes heavy inspiration from ''Guilty Gear's'' sister series ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', sporting many techno-driven and orchestral elements to it and sounding similar to the themes of characters associated with Sector Seven and those related to the Mercury family of mages, showcasing just how different he is compared to the rest of the cast. It also takes heavy cues from Music/DreamTheater.

* Jack-O Valentine's theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Perfection Can't Please Me", sounds very similar to [[Music/{{Queen|Band}} "Don't Stop Me Now"]].

* Their "Shoot The Moon" attack is a reference to the Music/MrBig song of the same name. Cleverly enough, it's also an actual yo-yo trick.
* Their "Kickstart My Heart" attack is a reference to a Music/MotleyCrue song of the same name.
* Their dragon punch special move is called Music/{{Starship}}.
* One of their Overdrives is called "Me and My [[Music/JudasPriest Killing Machine]]".

!! A.B.A.

* A.B.A.'s key companion, Paracelsus, a key [[Franchise/KingdomHearts with blade-like properties]], also takes some inspiration from the band Music/{{Laibach}}'s side-project album ''Paracelsus''.

* Her role in the Story Mode mirrors that of Alisa Boskonovitch in ''VideoGame/Tekken6'', being a mechanical sidekick of the protagonist(s) assisting them on their missions [[PhlebotinumRebel created with tech belonging to the bad guys]].

!! Jack-O Valentine

!! Nagoriuki

** A.B.A. is Kagura Mutsuki.

* Her role in the Story Mode mirrors that of Alisa Boskonovitch in ''VideoGame/Tekken 6'', being a mechanical sidekick of the protagonist(s) assisting them on their missions [[PhlebotinumRebel created with tech belonging to the bad guys]].

* For a non-rock reference, Zappa's Instant Kill is a ShoutOut to ''Literature/TheRing''.
* Resident StringyHairedGhostGirl S-ko is a Captain Ersatz of Sadako from ''Literature/TheRing'', a fact referenced by Zappa's Instant Kill.

[[AuthorAppeal It's no secret]] that Creator/DaisukeIshiwatari is a ''HUGE'' fan of Music/{{Queen|Band}} and Creator/FreddieMercury. Here are the ''TONS'' of Queen references found across the series.

* '''Sol Badguy''':
** His real name (Frederick Bulsara), last name (a reference to "Mr. Bad Guy"), and even his theme song ("Keep Yourself Alive") are some of all the references to Music/FreddieMercury and Music/{{Queen|Band}} in general (to hammer the point home, his head-plate has the words "ROCK YOU" engraved on it). It helps that [[AuthorAvatar his]] [[AuthorAppeal VA]] (Creator/DaisukeIshiwatari, also the man behind the game) is a huge fan of Queen, something you'll see in this entire page. His clone in Accent Core, Order Sol, also has a ton of shout out to bands as well.
*** Not to mention in his story mode in ''Accent Core Plus'', Crow Kuwabara's dialogue with Sol actually as him calling Sol "Mr. Badguy".
*** One of Order Sol's attacks is called Rock It after the song, Rock It (Prime Jive) on the Play the Game album.
*** A relatively subtle one--his [[ReverseGrip sword technique]] is clearly inspired by Mercury's theatrics with the top half of a mic stand.
*** One of his servants in Overture is named Queen.
*** At the end of ''-Strive-'', [[spoiler:he opens up a machine parts shop named Music/{{Jazz|1978}}]].
*** When Johnny's Joker Trick Overdrive in ''-Strive-'' hits him, the card shown is a Queen, which is otherwise used for women only.
** Perhaps a coincidence, but design-wise, Sol looks a lot like [[Videogame/{{StarGladiator}} Hayato Kanzaki]], as both characters have a metal bandanna and are also [[{{BountyHunter}} bounty hunters]].
** His [[FinishingMove Instant Kill]] is also called Music/NapalmDeath.
** In ''Xrd'', his sword is called [[Wrestling/JunkyardDog Junkyard Dog Mk. III]], which is both named after a wrestler who had "Another One Bites the Dust" as his opening theme, as well as the song ''"Junkyard Dog (Tears of Stone)"'' by ''Music/{{Winger}}''. Order Sol's sword was also called Junkyard Dog before he obtained the Fireseal sword.
** Not a musical one, but you can switch his voice and Order Sol's one in [[UpdatedRerelease Accent Core +]], like in [[RealTimeStrategy Overture]].
** Sol often says [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure "Yare yare daze"]], and his theme in Xrd is even called "Gimme a break", a rough translation of that phrase.
** If you use Elphelt's Magnum Wedding on him, with the dialogue set to Japanese, he'll say "[[GratuitousEnglish Remember yesterday!]]", a reference to the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UXto67wIGs Hammerfall song]].
** Sol's Instant Kill in the first game is called "[[Music/{{JudasPriest}} All Guns Blazing]]".
* '''Ky Kiske''':
** His name is composed by '''[[Music/{{Helloween}} Kai]]''' [[Music/{{Helloween}} Hansen + Michael]] '''[[Music/{{Helloween}} Kiske]]'''.
** Also "[[Music/{{Metallica}} Ride The Lightning]]", his Overdrive.
** His theme song ("Holy Orders ''(Be Just Or Be Dead)''") is a reference to both Music/IronMaiden's "Be Quick Or Be Dead" and Music/{{Megadeth}}'s "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due"
** And his Instant Kill is named "[[Music/YngwieMalmsteen Rising Force]]".
** An unused voiceclip reveals that he was supposed to have an attack called "[[Music/IronMaiden Aces High]]".
** His Xrd [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kxUFola5YI theme]] has a similar riff to Judas Priest's song [[https://youtu.be/GhvzMGDzt70?t=41 Electric Eye]]. This ends up becoming a MusicalSpoiler.
** His version of the Dragon Install, as seen in ''-STRIVE-'' looks very similar to a [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburVI Soul Charge]] animation, and his appearance afterward makes him resemble Groh.
** [[https://youtu.be/51K4V3kwW9c?t=151 One of his intro quotes]] in ''-STRIVE-'' may be a reference to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXUZKwHhREI Call Me Lightning]] by [[Music/TheWho The Who]].
** Ky's theme song in ''-STRIVE-'', "The Roar of the Spark", contains a few notes of [[Music/BonJovi Bon Jovi's]] Livin' On A Prayer.
* '''Axl Low''':
** [[Music/GunsNRoses His name comes first]], along with his real name (Will).
** The sign in his ''Guilty Gear X'' stage is spelt "Music/{{Napalm|Death}}"
** His theme song in the first ''Guilty Gear'' is called "The March of the Wicked King", a reference to "[[Music/QueenBand The March Of The Black Queen]]".
** And "Make Oneself", his theme song from ''X'' onwards, may be a reference to "[[Music/{{Incubus}} Make Yourself]]."
** His stage in the first game features [[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/guiltygear/gg-1.png pixel-sized background cameos]] of [[VideoGame/FatalFury Geese Howard,]] [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Athena Asamiya, Kyo Kusanagi,]] [[VideoGame/FatalFury Joe Higashi, Mai Shiranui, Andy Bogard and Terry Bogard.]]
** Axl also takes cues from [[VideoGame/FatalFury Billy Kane]], from his dress sense (bandana, Union Jack-pattern shirt) to his fighting style (long-range pokes, counters, "leap-off-the-screen-and-dive"-attack, flaming weapon spin Overdrive).
** Being a British time traveler all but makes him a definite shout-out to ''Series/DoctorWho''. In fact if you use him as your system voice in Xrd, he makes a pretty obvious reference to the show [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSMQ8t00ZPE&t=1m55s if one chooses Zato-1 on the character select screen.]] [[spoiler: As of ''-Revelator-'' it is shown that he's actually a magical TimeMaster, bringing the reference full circle.]] His theme in ''Strive'' is titled "Out of the Box", a reference to the TARDIS, the iconic blue police box that serves as the Doctor's time machine.
** Axl's time slips are reminiscent of the time travel wormholes in ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}''.
** Axl gets new Overdrive in Strive called [[Music/QueenBand "One Vision"]]. Said Overdrive is also a walking [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure JoJo]] reference, involving Axl striking Jotaro Kujo's signature pose when using it after its activation, and it being able to [[TimeStandsStill stop time]] just like The World and Star Platinum: The World.
** Another music reference would be about an [[Music/JohnLennon Englishman]] dating, and marrying a [[Music/YokoOno Japanese girl]] (Megumi).
* '''Justice''':
** One of her Overdrives is called "Music/GammaRay".
** It can be argued that she is named after the Music/{{Metallica}} album "''...And Justice for All''".
** She also possesses two moves: "Michael Sword" and its Overdrive variant, "Michael Blade", a shout out [[ArchangelMichael Saint Michael]], [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic an archangel who was usually depicted as being armed to the teeth and a dangerous fellow to get on the wrong side of]].
** '''Aria''', who is Justice [[spoiler:before her [[BuffySpeak gearization]]]], gets [[Music/{{Ariya}} her name from an obscure]][[note]]that is, obscure unless you live in the countries of former USSR[[/note]] band with the same name (spelt as "Ария").
** [[Music/LedZeppelin Her main stage is called "Heaven" and features a large stairway.]]
** Her design is based on [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion EVA-01]]. She even has a purple and green color palette in a more overt reference to it, and her dialogue in the first game consists of nothing but berserk shrieking and howling.
** Also, she looks an awful lot like Anime/CyberneticsGuardian, albeit, less over the top...
* '''Testament''':
** Their name is a reference to the [[Music/{{Testament}} band of the same name]].
** Their theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Like a Weed, Naturally, As A Matter Of Course", has the singer putting on a voice that seems to be imitating the singer of said band, Chuck Billy. Following that...
*** ...They have an attack called "[[Music/{{Metallica}} Master Of Puppets]]"...
*** ...and another attack called "Music/GraveDigger"...
*** ...and another attack called "Music/{{Warrant}}"...
*** ...and ''[[RunningGag another]]'' attack called "Music/{{Badlands}}"...
*** ...and yet another attack called "[[Music/RonnieJamesDio Unholy Diver]]"...
*** ...and finally, with an Instant Kill called "[[Music/YngwieMalmsteen Seventh Sign]]".
*** Their design, being gender-ambiguous, is a reference to Music/MarilynManson, who was male but wore makeup during performances that made him look effeminate. Their facial appearance and added gothic elements in their design in ''-STRIVE-'' also makes them resemble Music/ChelseaWolfe.
** Their outfit in ''-STRIVE-'' may possibly be a reference to Music/{{Slash|Musician}}.

** Their theme in ''-STRIVE-'' takes inspiration not only from the band they are named after as well as the usual Queen that Daisuke sprinkles throughout his songs, but also Music/{{Megadeth}}.
** Their new core gameplay mechanic in ''-STRIVE-'', "Stain", might be a reference to the American post-grunge band Music/{{Staind}}.
** Their new status as a PerkyGoth in ''-STRIVE-'' may be a reference to Creator/TimBurton.
* '''Venom''':
** His name is a reference to the [[Music/{{Venom}} band of the same name]].
** One of his attacks is called "Music/DarkAngel", by TheEighties ThrashMetal band of the same name.
** His IK is called ''Music/DimmuBorgir'', though it is often transcribed as "Deimvolger", "Dame Buger" or "Dim Bomber."
** What with his hairstyle, [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes dress]] [[FashionVictimVillain sense]], [[AsskickingPose outlandish poses]] (even by ''Guilty Gear'' standards!) and [[MundaneMadeAwesome billiards-based]] [[ImprobableWeaponUser fighting]] [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower style]] into account, Venom could have stepped straight out of ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' (more specifically, ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Golden Wind]]'', which ended one year before his debut in ''GGX'').
*** It becomes HilariousInHindsight in that Creator/JunichiSuwabe, his voice actor as of ''Accent Core'', had a major voice role in [=JoJo's=] as well as (appropriately) ''Golden Wind'''s Leone Abbachio.
** "A Solitude That Asks Nothing In Return", Venom's theme in X and XX, has an opening similar (as in, almost identical) to that of a [[Music/{{NapalmDeath}} Napalm Death]] song called "Breed to Breathe".
** The insignia in his hairstyle and many of his attacks resembles the Eye of Wdjat, better known to ''Manga/YuGiOh'' fans as the symbol of the Millennium Items. In addition, his entire fighting style and many of his quotes are based on the game of billiards, and his hairstyle calls Maximillion Pegasus[=/=]Pegasus J. Crawford to mind.
* '''Music/{{Slayer}}''''s name is a reference to the band of the same name.
** FIVE of his attacks are called [[Music/{{Queen|Band}} "Dead on Time", "Under Pressure", "All Dead, All Dead", "Spread Your Wings" and "It's Late"]].[[note]]Even though the actual name for the move that references "Spread Your Wings" is called Eien no Tsubasa (Wings of Eternity).[[/note]]
** Another of Slayer's special moves is called [[Music/{{Tool}} "Undertow"]].
** His Force Break in ''Accent Core'' is called [[Music/BigBang "Big Bang Upper"]].[[note]]Though it may refer to other bands of the same name, via the British band or the Norwegian rock trio.[[/note]]
** Slayer in and of himself seems to be a nod toward Music/OzzyOsbourne, being the series' most powerful and influential character. It also helps that his wife is also named Sharon.
** He's also a massive homage to ''two'' characters from Anime/GiantRobo, Chief Chujo and Shocking Alberto, even having the [[Creator/IemasaKayumi voice actor]] of the former.
** His English voice is essentially Creator/JBBlanc doing a rather convincing Creator/SeanConnery impression.
** One of the lines of Slayer's haiku for his OneHitKO move reads "Alien" in katakana. How is it translated in English to keep with haiku's five-seven-five structure? "[[Series/TheXFiles The truth is out there.]]"
** In Xrd, Slayer received new follow-up to his Dandy-Step, called [[Music/{{TheBeatles}} "Helter Skelter"]].[[note]]Though other bands have each made unrelated songs that share that exact name.[[/note]]
* '''May''' may be a reference to Music/{{Queen|Band}}'s Music/BrianMay, which, as mentioned in Sol's examples, wouldn't be strange.
** Her [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhpisRcYuZw Blue Water Blue Sky]] is inspired by Skid Row song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4IkSerg0GI Forever]]
** "The Disaster of Passion", her theme in ''Strive'', sounds like a cross between "Thanks for the Memories" by Music/FallOutBoy and "Misery Business" by Music/{{Paramore}}.
** In ''Accent Core Plus R'', a few of the Jellyfish Pirates in her stage have their sprites changed to look like {{Palette Swap}}s of the main characters of Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica. Not!Homura even has different sprites for [[spoiler:her pre/post time travel outfits & personality.]]
* You'd have to be blind not to get the musical reference in '''[[Music/FrankZappa Zappa]]''''s name.
** One of his attacks is called "The Last Music/{{Edguy}}".
** For a non-rock reference, Zappa's Instant Kill is a ShoutOut to ''Literature/TheRing''. Blatantly so.
** Resident StringyHairedGhostGirl S-ko is a Captain Ersatz of Sadako from ''Literature/TheRing'', a fact referenced by Zappa's Instant Kill.
** Zappa's most powerful summon is named [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar Raoh]], that looks like [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure Star Platinum]].
** Speaking of ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'', his outfit is heavily inspired from Vanilla Ice and Dio Brando, especially the heart bands. He even has Dio's walk animation from the game [=JoJo=]'s Venture. When Zappa is possessed, he twitches wildly and strikes increasingly bizarre poses, a subtle references to Araki's notable style of drawing his characters striking poses.
** One of Zappa's "idle" quotes translates to [[UsefulNotes/McDonalds "That burger-selling clown is scary!"]]
* '''Jam''''s full name (Jam Kuradoberi) is a subtle Music/CloudberryJam reference, due to her surname being a Japan-romanized writing of "cloudberry".
** One of her ''GGX'' battle quotes is "Omae wa mou shindeiru aru!", AKA [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar "You're already dead!"]]
*** To really nail the reference in, she gains a new full-tension Overdrive in Guilty Gear XX Accent Core where she punches the opponent in a RapidFireFisticuffs fashion exactly 100 times.
* '''Potemkin''' borrows some moves from anime: his Gigantic Pressure move resembles [[Anime/GaoGaiGar Hell and Heaven]], and he refers to his [[Anime/{{Kinnikuman}} Kinniku... erm, Potemkin Buster]] as his 48th Certain-Kill Technique.
** Also, several of his stuff is inspired by Music/LedZeppelin, such as his theme song ("Burly Heart") sounding very "Kashmir"[[SuspiciouslySimilarSong -like]] the name of his nation being Zepp.
** His fist attack is called "Music/HammerFall", both a reference to the Music/{{Queen|Band}}'s song "Hammer To Fall" and the PowerMetal band of the same name.
** He also shares his own name with that of [[Film/BattleshipPotemkin the eponymous battleship that underwent a mutiny. (Or at least, the movie of it)]] Coincidentally, his ending in the first game shows him and Gabriel preparing to instigate a rebellion against Zepp's corrupt leaders.
** His ''Xrd'' redesign bears a striking resemblance to both [[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist Alphonse]] and [[VideoGame/{{Skullgirls}} Panzerfaust]]. He even has the letter "Z" emblazoned on his shirt, possibly referring to Mike Zaimont (Skullgirls' creator and former professional Potemkin player).
** His ''Strive'' theme [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZWKOFtymPw Armor-Clad Faith]] contains multiple mentions of "Society" and "Clowns", suspiciously reminescent of MemeticMutation related to Film/{{Joker|2019}}.
* '''Millia Rage''' was named after the metal band Music/MeliahRage.
** It's a longshot, but her surname may be a reference to the metal band Music/RageBand as well.
** Her Instant Kill is called Music/IronMaiden.
** One of her attacks is also called ''Music/IronSavior''.
** Another one is called "Music/{{Winger}}", a reference to a HardRock band from TheEighties.
** And yet another one is called ''Music/SilentForce'', a reference to a German PowerMetal band.
** And again yet another is called ''Music/EmeraldRain'', a reference to a Canadian Rock band.
** Her Bad Moon attack is named after the song [[Music/CreedenceClearwaterRevival Bad Moon Rising]].
** And her theme song "Writhe in Pain" may be a reference to Music/{{Impel}}'s song of the same name.
** The magic technique that lets her control her hair is named "Music/{{Angra}}", for a Brazilian metal band.
** Millia's new evasive move in Strive is called ''Music/{{Mirazh}}'' (Russian for Mirage), a possible reference to the USSR/Russian band of the same name.
** One of her new overdrives is now called ''Music/SeptemVoices'', a Russian Symphonic Gothic Metal band.
** "Love the Subhuman Self", her theme in ''Strive'', takes heavy cues from the works of Music/{{Evanescence}} and Music/{{Nightwish|Band}}.
* '''Bridget''''s "Shoot The Moon" attack is a reference to the Music/MrBig song of the same name. Cleverly enough, it's also an actual yo-yo trick.
** Her bear is named [[Music/{{Queen|Band}} Roger]].
** And her "Kickstart My Heart" attack is a reference to a Music/MotleyCrue song of the same name.
** Her dragon punch special move is called Music/{{Starship}}.
** One of Bridget's Overdrives is called "Me and My [[Music/JudasPriest Killing Machine]]". The ''-STRIVE-'' version of "Return of the Killing Machine" even gives Roger a motorcycle and sunglasses.
** When being abducted by aliens in Goldlewis's win animation, one of her possible lines mentions [[Music/PinkFloyd The Dark Side]] before being cut off.
* '''Zato-ONE''', has an attack called "[[Music/JudasPriest Break the Law]]".
** His Instant Kill attack in the original GG is called "Fear of the Dark", an obvious Iron Maiden reference.
** His Instant Kill from GGX onward is called "Black in Mind", another reference to Music/RageBand.
** There's also "Music/ShadowGallery", another of his attacks, named for the ProgressiveMetal band of the same name.
** After the death of [[RealLifeWritesThePlot his VA]], he was KilledOffForReal, and his shadow '''[[Music/IronMaiden Eddie]]''' took his body. Guess what's the reason of his name.
** Eddie itself is a lot like the [[Comicbook/{{Venom}} Venom symbiote which bonded with Eddie Brock]] in the Marvel Comics.
** Zato's "Amorphous" Overdrive is easily a reference to the Finnish band Music/{{Amorphis}}.
** One of his victory pose looks like [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure Dio's]] "WRYYYYYY" pose. [[Creator/TakehitoKoyasu Eddie's VA]] would later go on to voice Dio for the TV anime and the ''All Star Battle'' fighting game.
** His name, "Zato-1", is a reference to the blind samurai Franchise/{{Zatoichi}}, by way of "1" being pronounced "ichi" in Japanese. Zato-1 also shares his namesake's blindness.
** His name could also be a reference to the Metallica song One.
** His theme [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKc8gxBwuG0 Feel a Fear]] could be inspired by Slayer song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVmaqj668Fk Dead Skin Mask]]
** One of his intro quotes in ''-STRIVE-'' is "[[Music/ANightAtTheOpera Nothing really matters.]]"
** His story from ''Xrd'' onward, which involves him being resurrected without his emotions and memories but being driven by faint fragments of them, is reminiscent of Franchise/RoboCop.
* '''Kliff Undersn''''s attack "Soul Survivor" can also be called "[[Music/{{Helloween}} Sole Survivor]]". It might also reference the album by the Dutch DeathMetal band Gorefest.
** He has a [[{{BFS}} giant sword]] called the Dragonslayer, just like [[Manga/{{Berserk}} Guts]].
** His theme "Pride and Glory" shares its name with Zakk Wylde's first self-fronted project.
* '''Chipp Zanuff''''s name is taken near wholesale from the one of the founders of the band Music/EnuffZnuff.
** His teleportation move also appears to be a direct reference to Anime/DragonBallZ, specifically Goku's Instant Transmission technique.
** His appearance is based on Billy Idol.
** His design as an American Ninja who speaks in GratuitousEnglish is inspired by Galford from VideoGame/SamuraiShodown.
* '''Dizzy''' and '''Johnny''' are shared references to the Music/GooGooDolls.
** In Dizzy's case, one of her Overdrives, freshly taken from her mother Justice, is called "Music/GammaRay".
*** Her name can be another allusion to Music/GunsNRoses, by way of Dizzy Reed, their keyboardist.
*** Then there's her Gabriel Sword move from her EX mode, another archangel reference like with her mother's aforementioned Michael Sword and Michael Blade.
*** Her characterization as an unfailingly-kind and pure-hearted young woman of unparalleled beauty who touches the hearts of all who encounter her is a reference to Yuria from ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar''.
*** Her Xrd Instant Kill might be a reference to the cover art of the ''Music/{{Megadeth}}'' album ''Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?''.
*** Also, what's her [[NukeEm attack?]] an [[Manga/{{Trigun}} ANGEL ARM!]]
** Johnny, according to Website/ThatOtherWiki, not only by his name, but in his outfit and long hair, may be a reference to Johnny Winter.
** There's also a chance that Johnny, in all of his black-clothed glory, is a reference to the original Man In Black himself, Music/JohnnyCash.
*** Also a ShoutOut to [[Music/{{Queen|Band}} John Deacon]].
*** Coincidentally he has blonde hair, wears sunglasses and is quite a flirt much like WesternAnimation/JohnnyBravo.
** And the narcissistic personality is also reminiscent of [[Franchise/{{MortalKombat}} Johnny Cage]].
** Johnny also has some clear parallels with Franchise/{{Zorro}} - black clothes, heroic bandit style, swordsmanship... one of his Overdrives even draws a ZorroMark on his opponent!
** Johnny's coin throw is likely a reference to [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenigata_Heiji Heiji Zenigata]], while his Ensenga is a take on UsefulNotes/SasakiKojiro's Tsubame Gaeshi (possibly by way of fellow heartthrob [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Ukyo Tachibana]]).
** Johnny also bears a resemblance to [[Music/{{Queen|Band}} Roger Taylor]], especially his looks in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFDcoX7s6rE "I want it all"]] video clip.
** Johnny's card throwing is a very blatant reference to [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]].
** His themes in ''Xrd'' and ''-STRIVE-'', "Original Bet" and "Just Lean", take inspiration from Music/{{Aerosmith}}.
** His personality and wardrobe also have some similarities to [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure Hol]] [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Horse]], even sharing a voice actor.
* '''A.B.A.''', a CanonImmigrant from [[{{Spinoff}} Isuka]]. Her name is clearly a reference to the swedish pop group Music/{{ABBA}}, as well as to ternary form in music.
** Kind of a long shot, but A.B.A.'s key companion, Paracelsus, could have some inspiration from the band Music/{{Laibach}}'s side-project album ''Paracelsus''.
** Also, she uses a key [[Franchise/KingdomHearts with blade-like properties]].
* '''Baiken''' is a [[DistaffCounterpart female]] [[Anime/RurouniKenshin Kenshin Himura]].
** She is possibly named after Shishido Baiken (although their names are spelt differently in kanji), a swordsman who was also skilled with kusarigama.
** Her appearance is influenced by Tange Sazen, a fictional samurai who lost his right eye and right arm.
** Her theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Mirror of the World", takes certain inspirations from the works of Music/PinkFloyd and Music/TheEagles, especially during the intro portion.
* '''Anji Mito''' is probably named after Japanese musician Hananosuke Mito and his band ANGIE.
** When his Shitsu projectile hits a blocking opponent, it takes a shape similar to the [[Music/{{Aerosmith}} Aerosmith]] logo.
** In XX Anji has an Overdrive called Tenjinkyaku, which happens to be [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Rugal Bernstein's]] Dead-End Screamer.
* '''I-No''''s character design is based off of Japanese rock singer Music/ShiinaRingo, complete with her trademark mole {which she had removed}, guitar, and her bobbed haircut from her early days.
** Her name could be a reference to Music/BrianEno, and her guitaring win pose shouts out to Eddie Music/VanHalen.
** The solo she plays in her riffing win pose has been compared to solos from the following songs.
*** Mr. Crowley - Music/OzzyOsbourne
*** Eruption - Music/VanHalen
*** One - Music/{{Metallica}}
** In her Xrd Instant Kill move, she [[ContinuityNod uses a technique]] that the boss version of I-No could use (but the playable version could not) from ''[=GGXX=]'',said move is called Megalomania, which may be a reference to a Black Sabbath song or to Russian Heavy Metal band Aria's first album of the same name (Мания Величия).
** Her FinalBoss [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKJ9AVrpM9s theme]] from ''XX'', "The Midnight Carnival, is a full-on homage to "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rte_JZ5bNDY Kurenai]]" by Music/XJapan.
** [[spoiler: As of ''Strive'', it's revealed she is a full-on ReiAyanamiExpy, albeit a much darker take on the character she is based on.]]
** [[spoiler: Just as recent games have begun to incorporate elements of their sister series ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', ''Strive'' reveals that I-No is essnetially the counterpart to the Origin, AKA the Amaterasu Unit.]]
* '''Myth/{{Faust}}''', a.k.a '''Dr. Baldhead''', is named for Creator/JohannWolfgangVonGoethe's [[Theatre/{{Faust}} famous play]], although he shares the name with the drummer of Emperor and the German band Faust. "Going My Way?" could possibly be referencing "[[Music/LennyKravitz Are You Gonna Go My Way?]]".
** Faust's history of suffering a mental breakdown and turning into a crazed killer, then regaining his sanity and becoming a gentle healer once more may be a nod towards [[Manga/YuYuHakusho Minoru Kamiya, aka "Doctor" of The Sensui Seven]].
** When Faust performs a Burst, one can spot [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar a few marks or scars in the shape of the Big Dipper]] on his chest.
** Several of Faust's battle quotes reference anime [[Anime/HandMaidMay ("Mou icchou OISSU!")]], manga [[{{Obocchamakun}} (Shigyapi~!")]], [[Manga/{{Kinnikuman}} ("Kao FLASH!")]], TV shows [[Series/WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire ("Final answer?")]] and comedy routines ("Hige darou? Ore hige darou?").
** One of Faust's quotes when activating his pre-[[OneHitKO Instant-Kill]] boost: "[[Creator/JerrySeinfeld What's the deal with hospital food?!]]"
** His theme in ''Strive'' Alone Infection has certain bits reminiscent of [[Music/{{King Crimson}} The Court of the Crimson King]].
* '''Music/{{Leopaldon}}''' is the name of an electronica/house band.
* '''Fanny''', from the portable ''Guilty Gear Petit'' titles, shares her name with the alias of Music/FraserRunciman, a proponent of the breakcore genre. It may also reference the Music/{{Sweet}} album ''Sweet Fanny Adams''.
* '''Robo-Ky'''... [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure DAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEEE!!!]]
** One of his older version's Overdrive is called "Aegis High", which alludes to an [[Music/{{IronMaiden}} Iron Maiden]] song "Aces High".
* '''Zako-Dan''' of ''Isuka'' might have been inspired after [[Anime/PokemonTheSeries Team Rocket]].
** Specifically, '''Zako-C''' is an AnimeChineseGirl who not only has clawed gloves, but also wears a UsefulNotes/{{Qipao}} that doesn't cover her back and has OdangoHair... Sounds [[VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha a bit familiar]], doesn't it? Well, one of her palettes you get to see during [=GG Boost=] even makes her look ''perfectly'' like Alpha Chun-Li.
* ''Gig'', the boss of ''Guilty Gear Dust Strikers'' is classified as a {{Music/Megadeth}}-class Gear. Interestingly, very powerful or at least, very big Gears all get this classification.
* Some texts in Accent Core Plus uses ''Music/IronMaiden'' font.
* '''Bedman & Delilah'''
** Bedman is named after ''Bedemon'', a side project of heavy metal band ''Pentagram''.

** The mecha-bed might be shout out to ''Anime/RoujinZ''.
** When a Dust attack is used in his stage, players can see an eye in the left-hand corner that resembles one of the eyes that appears when Alucard unleashes his restrictions in Manga/{{Hellsing}}
** His stage, Nightmare Theater, is a reference to Music/DreamTheater.
** When using the English version of his [[DownloadableContent System Voice]], his pre-match line is [[Literature/TheHungerGames "May the odds be in your favour."]]
** Bedman's overall themes are a reference to the puppeteers of ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', Carl and Relius Clover. He and Relius are villains not introduced early fighting with mechanical gadgetry and having another being fighting with them (Ignis and that bed), and both are powerful [[TheDragon Dragons]] to their imperialistic bosses ([[spoiler:Imperator Librarius and Ariels]]). Both also have an instant kill that is unique depending on the target they landed it on (tortures and nightmares). Personality and story-wise, however, he's more in line with Carl, willing to do anything and go to any lengths to be able to see his sister again. By the time of ''STRIVE'', he ends up in the completely opposite situation as Carl, however. He is now the soul trapped within the machine (as Carl's sister Ada is within Nirvana), and Delilah is the one piloting him.

** He and his sister's real names, Romeo and Delilah, are a reference to cats owned by Music/FreddieMercury. Among the two, Romeo was aggressive around other cats to the point of needing to be rehomed, referencing Bedman's originally bloodthirsty nature. Their family name, Neumann, is a reference to famous mathematician Carl Neumann, his occupation is referenced through their theme "The Circle" in ''-STRIVE-''.
** Their theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "The Circle", takes cues from both Music/{{Gorillaz}} and Music/{{Queen}}, with certain portions being very simlilar to "The Show Must Go On".
* '''Sin''' is named after a song by Music/NineInchNails.
** His Xrd theme [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2NBSy2vVZw "Just do it"]] could be inspired by Van Halen song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjOKti90xQA "Hang 'em High"]]
* '''Ramlethal''', her name appears to be an amalgamation of the name of the Swedish metal band ''Ram'' and and ''Lethal'', an American heavy metal band.
** She has combos that resemble the chain combos used in ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}''. Her Dauro attack even has a Just Frame version that turns it green, just like the Electric Wind God Fist (EWGF) used by the members of the Mishima family.
** She somewhat resembles [[{{VideoGame/Blazblue}} Lambda-11]] with her color scheme, slow developing emotions and [[spoiler: being used as a pawn by others]]. Ironic considering how many ''[=BlazBlue=]'' characters were ''Guilty Gear'' expys.
** The beginning of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGxI9V8s2gs Necessary Discrepancy]]", her ''Strive'' theme, is similar to "Bitches Crystal" by Music/EmersonLakeAndPalmer.
* '''Elphelt''' has a rose motif in her design and wields guns. Music/GunsNRoses
** She has the words "You could be mine" on her dress somewhere, a possible reference to the Guns N' Roses [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vygQZ9hYqyE song of the same name]].
** She also shares her birthday with Axl and Dizzy, who are named after Axl Rose and Dizzy Reed of Guns N' Roses.
** Design-wise, she resembles Hisui and Kohaku from ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}'' and Rachel Alucard from ''VideoGame/BlazBlue''. Her fighting style, however, is similar to Roberta from ''Manga/BlackLagoon'' and Noel Vermillion from ''VideoGame/BlazBlue''.
** Aside from being similar to Noel Vermillion in terms of weaponry, Elphelt also shares the same birthday and dislike of bugs/insects.
** Her instant kill is a reference to ''Music/BonJovi'' 's "You Give Love a Bad Name", particularly the specific lyric "shot through the heart". It could also double as a reference to ''Music/BulletForMyValentine''.
*** Continuing with the Bon Jovi references, one of Faust's quotes upon getting hit by her instant kill is "This is bad medicine indeed!".
** One of her Instant Kill quotes is "[[Film/DirtyHarry Do you feel lucky punk?]] Because I sure do!"
** Her role in the Story Mode mirrors that of Alisa Boskonovitch in ''VideoGame/Tekken 6''.
** The beginning of Elphelt's musical theme sounds similar to [[VideoGame/{{TheKingofFighters}} Team Japan's theme "Esaka"]], especially the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAYuXUIHB8U KoF '96 version]].
** Her eyes having a diamond-like color to them might coincidentally be a possible allusion to the album ''Diamond Eyes'' by alternative metal band ''Music/{{Deftones}}''.
** Elphelt's theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Extras", contains a nod to "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Music/MariahCarey. Fittingly, Elphelt's birthday is Christmas.
* '''Leo Whitefang''', badass blond lion-ish guy. Doesn't feel familiar to [[VideoGame/BloodyRoar Alan Gado?]]
** His name and surname are a reference to Danish/American band White Lion.
** His Leidenschaft Dirigent Overdrive resembles both [[VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom Berserker Barrage and Fatal Claw]].
** His instant kill seems to borrow from [[Anime/{{Kinnikuman}} Warsman's]] Double Claw Screw Driver, particularly the spinning and the "stacking" of multiples.
** His theme [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fLEGmIHHXQ Stolz]] has a riff near the end that is just as similar to "Freewheel Burning" by Music/JudasPriest.
** A portion of Leo's theme in Strive has a part that sounds like Music/{{Queen|Band}}'s "Great King Rat".
* '''Jack-O'''' bears a striking resemblance to [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Kula Diamond]], another mysterious girl with bell-bottom pants and oddly-colored hair who also happens to like lollipops, and appears very innocent and childish while being extremely powerful. Her crouching animation also closely resembles the pose Kula strikes when performing her Diamond Edge (S)DM.
** Her color scheme and mask design, however, bring Saiki to mind.
** She gets her name from the mascot of the power metal band ''Music/{{Helloween}}'' which also appears to be the design basis for her mask.
** [[https://youtu.be/j6A-0iQd8LE?t=2s Her Instant Kill]] has been compared to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv7cW_ijtQQ the Inazuma Kick]] from Anime/{{Gunbuster}}.
*** Her Instant Kill is named [[Music/{{Helloween}} I Want Out!]]
** Her air grab involves an Music/IronMaiden.
** Her level is called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven%27s_Edge Heaven's Edge]].
** Her theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Perfection Can't Please Me", is yet another nod to Music/{{Queen|Band}}, sounding very similar to "Don't Stop Me Now".
* '''Raven'''
** His backstory involves him being a naturally-born immortal and being despondent over it, which mirrors the plot of ''Film/{{Highlander}}'', a movie with a score composed by Music/{{Queen|Band}}.
** He fights using claws, [[LickingTheBlade licks them in sickening fashion]], and has exceptional reach, just like [[Franchise/StreetFighter Vega]]. In ''Overture'', he even wears a mask that looks similar to Vega's.
** His new outfit in ''Xrd'', a hooded cloak, references another [[Creator/ArcSystemWorks ArcSys]] character with a [[CombatSadomasochist sadomasochistic]] streak - [[VideoGame/BlazBlue Yuuki Terumi]].
** Immortal sadomasochist with a raven/crow motif? [[Manga/{{Naruto}} Hidan]] [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]] Anime/{{Karas}}.
** He borrows several mechanics and aesthetics from [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Jedah Doma]]. Both of them are batshit insane and use arcane, dark techniques. They even utilize claws and have the exact same attacking flight airdash. One of his winposes is also similar.
** His Instant Kill, Sehnsucht, gets its name from the second album by Music/{{Rammstein}}.
* The BigBad of ''[=Guilty Gear Xrd=]'', Ariels most likely got her name from the song "Aerials" by the NuMetal band Music/SystemOfADown.
* '''Nagoriyuki'''
** His name comes from the Japanese song "Nagori Yuki", and the inspiration for his ethnicity comes from a singer in Japan named Chris Hart, who covered the song.
** His WhiteMaskOfDoom and overall samurai getup calls [[Franchise/BlazBlue Hakumen]] to mind. They even share similar gameplay of having specials that cancel into each other while being locked behind careful meter management.
** ScaryBlackMan? Vampire who fights with swords? He's practically ComicBook/{{Blade}} in all but name.
** The sheer brutality and power behind his sword attacks is very reminiscent of ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown''.
** The way in which his mask is put on is a reference to ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' and its various cyborg ninjas, especially Raiden. In addition, his blades can gain a red hue by being drenched in his opponents' blood, similar to the legends surrounding Jetstream Sam's Muramasa sword. The sheer brutality of his fighting style combined with his blood motifs also calls to mind Raiden's Jack the Ripper persona.
** His primarily white color palette, along with his use of Japanese swords and a demonic-looking mask calls the various Arrancars and Espada of ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' to mind. Zommari Rureaux in particular, as both not only have an affinity for FlashStep, but also have the same [[Creator/TaitenKusunoki voice actor]].
** In a somewhat meta-example involving the same voice actor, Kusunoki is the current official Japanese dub voice of [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]] starting with ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels''. Vader is a character wearing a ''black'' armor, played by a ''white'' actor but voiced by a [[Creator/JamesEarlJones black voice actor]]. Nagoriyuki is a ''black'' character, with a ''white'' armor.[[note]]And [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking voiced by a Japanese voice actor]]. Curiously enough, his English voice actor sound like a younger James Earl Jones.[[/note]]
** His ''Wasureyuki'' Overdrive animation has his blade's reflection showing an image similar to [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Mitsukuni_defying_the_skeleton_spectre_invoked_by_princess_Takiyasha.jpg this classical depiction of a gashadokuro.]]
** He may also draw influence from the historical figure [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasuke Yasuke]], a real-life African servant who would become a samurai and retainer to UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga. The story proper even hints that he might outright ''be'' the man himself.
** His boss theme, "Crawl", sounds very similar to "Raining Blood", one of the signature songs of...''Music/{{Slayer}}'', while his normal theme, "What Do You Fight For", has some influence from [[Music/TheBeatles "Come Together"]].
* '''Giovanna'''
** She shares her name and her FightingSpirit abilities with a certain ''other'' [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Giovanna]].
** Her overall appearance is very similar to Vanessa from ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters''. Her fighting style also borrows cues from King and Blue Mary, as she's a KickChick and also an up-close grappler.
** Her appearance, fighting style, and penchant for high mobility call two Sega games to mind: ''VideoGame/JetSetRadio'' and ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRage''. In the latter's case, she resembles Cherry Hunter from ''4''.
** Her ''Music/{{Sepultura}}'' special get's its name from a Brazilian metal band of the same name.
** Her 6th alternate color seems to be a shoutout to ''Music/DaftPunk'' and Creator/LeijiMatsumoto's ''Anime/Interstella5555'', with Giovanna colored like the human versions of the band from the anime, before reverting to something like their original, [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe blue-skinned]] form when her tension bar is full.
** Given notes from the developers, the concepts behind her design might be a reference to ''Manga/ShamanKing''.
* '''Happy Chaos'''
** His x-shaped sunglasses and perpetual [[SigilSpam smiling face logo]] bring to mind the one used by Music/{{Nirvana}}.
** Continuing with the series' trend of referencing its sister series ''[=BlazBlue=]'', he's basically the Hazama[=/=]Yuuki Terumi stand-in in terms of appearance and mannerism, and [[spoiler:Nine The Phantom in terms of his insane magical powers and fall into insanity after a terrible incident in the past.]]
** His mannerisms and voice are based on Creator/HeathLedger's [[Film/TheDarkKnight interpretation]] of ComicBook/TheJoker, while his looks and behavior are reminiscent of Creator/JaredLeto's [[Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse take]] on the character.
** His design, being a demonic looking counterpart to an already-existing character, is a thinly-veiled jab at [[VideoGame/StreetFighterV Kage]] and a form of SelfDeprecation on [=ArcSys'=] part, as they are no strangers to reusing existing character designs.
** The black halo he has floating above his head may be a reference to the album of the same name by Music/{{Kamelot}}.
** The way he handles his guns in certain moves is based on ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'''s Dante.
** His ability to summon {{Expendable Clone}}s to take hits for him through a tear in reality is reminiscent of [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureSteelBallRun Funny Valentine and D4C]].
** Gameplay-wise, he takes several cues from fellow Arc System Works fighting game characters with troll personalities like [[Franchise/BlazBlue Yuuki Terumi]], [[VideoGame/Persona4ArenaUltimax Tohru Adachi]], and [[VideoGame/GranblueFantasyVersus Belial]].
** His ability to summon clones, as well as his gameplay focus on shooting his guns, are a nod to Creator/NetherRealmStudios fighting games such as ''Franchise/MortalKombat''.
** His theme, ''Drift'', is not only another nod to Music/{{Queen|Band}}, but also Broadway-style musical numbers, especially ones from Disney films.
* '''Goldlewis Dickinson'''
** Named after the vocalist of ''Music/IronMaiden'', Music/BruceDickinson. His first name come from the vocalist of a Canadian band Teenage Head, Gord Lewis.
** His entire Area 51 and alien motif brings to mind [[Music/{{Megadeth}} Hangar 18.]]
** Appearance-wise, he somewhat resembles actor Creator/JohnGoodman. His English voice also somewhat sounds like Goodman's.
** The kiss mark on his left eyeglass, while not an exact match, may be a reference to the logo of Music/{{The Rolling Stones|Band}}.
** His taunt, where the alien holds up a mirror for him, is a reference to [[Music/PrincesAssociates Morris Day & the Time]].
** Given that he fights alongside an alien, his Overdrive where he calls down a KillSat is likely a reference to ''Film/IndependenceDay''. Could also be seen as a reference to the Hammer of Dawn from ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar''.
** Skyfish allowing Goldlewis to wield a coffin and a minigun at the same time is inspired by a scene from ''Film/Terminator3RiseOfTheMachines'' which sees the T-850 doing the same.
** His main special move is called "Music/{{Behemoth}} Typhoon" while his Overdrives are called "[[Music/{{Disturbed}} Down with the]] [[Music/SystemOfADown System]]" and "[[Music/LinkinPark Burn it Down]]".

** ActionPolitician? Large frame with heavy-hitter gameplay and some grappler moves thrown in? An affinity for swinging a giant weapon around? He's the series' answer to [[VideoGame/FinalFight Mike Haggar]].
** His theme, "The Kiss of Death", takes inspiration from Music/{{Pantera}}.
** Using a coffin as a melee weapon which has a gatling gun inside it bears similarities to [[VideoGame/{{Gungrave}} Beyond The Grave]].
** A cowboy dragging a coffin with a gatling gun inside it? It's also a shout-out to Film/{{Django}} (no, not [[Film/DjangoUnchained that one]]), who in turn the famous for its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyi7yhB4vUQ iconic scene]] for the CoffinContraband in media.
* '''Asuka R. Kreutz/Asuka R#''':
** Being a MechanicallyUnusualFighter with a whole load of magic spells at his disposal, he's basically Guilty Gear's answer to [[Characters/BlazBlueNineThePhantom Nine the Phantom]], with a rather priestly outfit not unlike [[Characters/BlazBlueIzanami Izanami]]'s Imperator clothing. One of his spells is even similar to Nine's infamous Kunzite of Keep Breaker.
*** He also has a spell that can manipulate the trajectory of his projectiles including his Overdrive projectile, similar to Nine's daughter, [[Characters/BlazBlueChronoPhantasma Kokonoe]].
** His overall gameplay design is one to collectible card games, especially ''Anime/YuGiOh'' and ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering''. He even sports an equivalent of Maximillion Pegasus/Pegasus J. Crawford's Millennium Eye.
** In perhaps a bit of irony, his theme in ''-STRIVE='', "The Gravity", takes heavy inspiration from ''Guilty Gear's'' sister series ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', sporting many techno-driven and orchestral elements to it and sounding similar to the themes of characters associated with Sector Seven and those related to the Mercury family of mages, showcasing just how different he is compared to the rest of the cast. It also takes heavy cues from Music/DreamTheater.

* At the beginning of a fight the announcer says '''Heaven Or Hell''' this is a reference to at least three possible things.
** The song Heaven or Hell by Music/GammaRay.
** The album Heaven and Hell by Music/BlackSabbath.
** or the last few lines of the song [[Music/SheerHeartAttack "Stone Cold Crazy"]] by Music/{{Queen|Band}}.
--> They are going to put me in a cell, if I can't go to heaven
--> Will they let me go to hell

* Two stages in GGX also have references

* The theme Fatal Duel sounds similar to Venomuos Vixens by Sinergy while D.O.A is sounds similar to [[Music/{{Dokken}} Kiss of Death]].

* High Voltage, a new track in Xrd, is most likely a reference to the AC/DC album of the same name.
* X2 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rne3WzeCESA character select theme]] is inspired by Dokken song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAi2R9NxMnU Kiss of Death]]

* ''[=Xrd=]'''s Story Mode mentions a burger joint called Danny Missiles, a play on the RealLife burger chain ''[[http://www.johnnyrockets.com/ Johnny Rockets]]''.

* In ''Strive'', performing an Area Shift on the right side of the Original Times Square stage will move the action inside a "Polar Star Cafe" coffee shop which is based on the real-life coffee chain Starbucks. On top of that, the store's mascot, a polar bear wearing an apron, is reminiscent of ''Manga/ShirokumaCafe''.

%%** His wakeup animation is the classic "vampire rising out of his coffin".

* The BigBad of ''[=Guilty Gear Xrd=]'', Ariels most likely got her name from the song "Aerials" by the NuMetal band Music/SystemOfADown.

** Her role in the Story Mode mirrors that of Alisa Boskonovitch in [[VideoGame/{{Tekken}} Tekken 6]].

** What with his hairstyle, [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes dress]] [[FashionVictimVillain sense]], [[AsskickingPose outlandish poses]] (even by ''Guilty Gear'' standards!) and [[MundaneMadeAwesome billiards-based]] [[ImprobableWeaponUser fighting]] [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower style]] into account, Venom could have stepped straight out of ''Franchise/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' (more specifically, ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Golden Wind]]'', which ended one year before his debut in ''GGX'').

* '''Zako-Dan''' of ''Isuka'' might have been inspired after [[Anime/{{Pokemon}} Team Rocket]].

** His overall gameplay design is one to collectible card games, especially ''Franchise/YuGiOh'' and ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering''. He even sports an equivalent of Maximillion Pegasus/Pegasus J. Crawford's Millennium Eye.

** Not to mention in his story mode in ''Accent Core Plus'', Crow Kuwabara's dialogue with Sol actually as him calling Sol "Mr. Badguy".
** One of Order Sol's attacks is called Rock It after the song, Rock It (Prime Jive) on the Play the Game album.

** A relatively subtle one--his [[ReverseGrip sword technique]] is clearly inspired by Mercury's theatrics with the top half of a mic stand.

** One of his servants in Overture is named Music/{{Queen|Band}}.

** At the end of ''-Strive-'', [[spoiler:he opens up a machine parts shop named Music/{{Jazz|1978}}]].

* '''Sol Badguy''': His real name (Frederick Bulsara), last name (a reference to "Mr. Bad Guy"), and even his theme song ("Keep Yourself Alive") are some of all the references to Music/FreddieMercury and Music/{{Queen|Band}} in general (to hammer the point home, his head-plate has the words "ROCK YOU" engraved on it). It helps that [[AuthorAvatar his]] [[AuthorAppeal VA]] (Creator/DaisukeIshiwatari, also the man behind the game) is a huge fan of Queen, something you'll see in this entire page. His clone in Accent Core, Order Sol, also has a ton of shout out to bands as well.

* '''Ky Kiske''': His name is composed by '''[[Music/{{Helloween}} Kai]]''' [[Music/{{Helloween}} Hansen + Michael]] '''[[Music/{{Helloween}} Kiske]]'''.

* '''Axl Low''': [[Music/GunsNRoses His name comes first]], along with his real name (Will).

* '''Justice''': One of her Overdrives is called "Music/GammaRay".

* '''Music/{{Testament}}''''s name is a reference to the band of the same name.

* '''Music/{{Venom}}''''s name is a reference to the band of the same name.

* '''Sol Badguy''': His real name (Frederick Bulsara), last name (a reference to "Mr. Bad Guy"), and even his theme song ("Keep Yourself Alive") are some of all the references to Music/FreddieMercury and Music/{{Queen|Band}} in general (to hammer the point home, his head-plate has the words "ROCK YOU" engraved on it). It helps that [[AuthorAvatar his]] [[AuthorAppeal VA]] (Creator/DaisukeIshiwatari, also the man behind the game) is a huge fan of Queen, something you'll see in this entire page.

** In ''Xrd'', his sword is called [[Wrestling/JunkyardDog Junkyard Dog Mk. III]], which is both named after a wrestler who had "Another One Bites the Dust" as his opening theme, as well as the song ''"Junkyard Dog (Tears of Stone)"'' by ''Music/{{Winger}}''.

** His story from ''Xrd'' onward, which involves him being resurrected without his emotions and memories but being driven by faint fragments of them, is reminiscent of Film/RoboCop.

** In perhaps a bit of irony, his theme in ''-STRIVE='' takes heavy inspiration from ''Guilty Gear's'' sister series ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', sporting many techno-driven and orchestral elements to it and sounding similar to the themes of characters associated with Sector Seven and those related to the Mercury family of mages, showcasing just how different he is compared to the rest of the cast.

** In perhaps a bit of irony, his theme in ''-STRIVE='' takes heavy inspiration from ''Guilty Gear's'' sister series ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', sporting many techno-driven and orchestral elements to it and sounding similar to the themes of characters associated with Sector Seven and those related to the Mercury family of mages.

** Being a MechanicallyUnusualFighter with a whole load of magic spells at his disposal, he's basically Guilty Gear's answer to [[Characters/BlazBlueNineThePhantom Nine the Phantom]], with a rather priestly outfit not unlike [[Characters/BlazBlueIzanami Izanami]]'s Imperator clothing.

** "The Disaster of Passion", her theme in ''Strive'', sounds like a cross between "Thanks for the Memories" by Music/FallOutBoy and "Misery Business" by Paramore.

** The way in which his mask is put on is a reference to ''Franchise/MetalGear'' and its various cyborg ninjas, especially Raiden. In addition, his blades can gain a red hue by being drenched in his opponents' blood, similar to the legends surrounding Jetstream Sam's Muramasa sword. The sheer brutality of his fighting style combined with his blood motifs also calls to mind Raiden's Jack the Ripper persona.

** In ''Accent Core Plus R'', a few of the Jellyfish Pirates in her stage have their sprites changed to look like [[Main/PaletteSwap Palette Swaps]] of the main characters of Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica. Not!Homura even has different sprites for [[spoiler:her pre/post time travel outfits & personality.]]

*** To really nail the reference in, she gains a new full-tension Overdrive in Guilty Gear XX Accent Core where she punches the opponent in a Main/RapidFireFisticuffs fashion exactly 100 times.

* The BigBad of ''[=Guilty Gear Xrd=]'', Ariels most likely got her name from the song "Aerials" by the Main/NuMetal band Music/SystemOfADown.

** A cowboy dragging a coffin with a gatling gun inside it? It's also a shout-out to [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/Django Django]] (no, not [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/DjangoUnchained that one]]), who in turn the famous for its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyi7yhB4vUQ iconic scene]] for the CoffinContraband in media.

* '''Bedman''', the new character for ''Xrd'', is named after ''Bedemon'', a side project of heavy metal band ''Pentagram''.

** Bedman's overall thematics might also be in-line with [[VideoGame/BlazBlue Relius Clover]], villains not introduced early fighting with mechanical gadgetry and having another being fighting with him (Ignis and that bed), being a powerful [[TheDragon Dragon]] to their imperialistic bosses ([[spoiler:Imperator Librarius and Ariels]]) and an instant kill that is unique depending on the target they landed it on (tortures and nightmares).

** He and his sister's real names, Romeo and Delilah, are a reference to cats owned by Music/FreddieMercury. Among the two, Romeo was aggressive around other cats to the point of needing to be rehomed, referencing Bedman's originally bloodthirsty nature.

** He and his sister's real names, Romeo and Delilah, are a reference to the cats owned by Music/FreddieMercury.