Line #396 ShoutOut/GuiltyGear


1	''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' not only has [[AwesomeMusic/GuiltyGear awesome music]], it also has [[ShoutOut lots and lots of Heavy Metal and Rock references (and even influences) to count]]. Almost anything worth a name in this game is a reference to a rock band. And when it's not, it's very likely to be a reference to something from both Western and Eastern pop cultures alike. Take a look:
2	----
3	[[foldercontrol]]
4
5	[[folder:Queen references]]
6	[[AuthorAppeal It's no secret]] that Creator/DaisukeIshiwatari is a ''HUGE'' fan of Music/{{Queen\|Band}} and Music/FreddieMercury. Here are some of the ''many'' Queen references found across the series.
7
8	* Sol Badguy:
9	** His full actual name is Frederick Bulsara.
10	** The last part of the nickname is a reference to "Mr. Bad Guy".
11	** His head-plate has the words "ROCK YOU" engraved on it, taking after "We Will Rock You".
12	** In his story mode in ''Accent Core Plus'', Crow Kuwabara's dialogue with Sol actually as him calling Sol "Mr. Badguy".
13	** A subtle one -- his [[ReverseGrip sword technique]] is clearly inspired by Mercury's theatrics with the top half of a mic stand.
14	** One of his servants in ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear2Overture'' is named Queen.
15	** At the end of ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearSTRIVE'', [[spoiler:he opens up a machine parts shop named Music/{{Jazz\|1978}}]].
16	* Order-Sol, Sol's clone in ''XX'', has an attack is called "Rock It", named after the song "Rock It (Prime Jive)" on the ''The Game'' album.
17	* Axl Low gets an Overdrive in ''-STRIVE-'' called "One Vision".
18	* May is named after Music/BrianMay, Queen's guitarist.
19	* FIVE of Slayer's attacks are called "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]]
20	* Potemkin's fist attack is called "Music/HammerFall", also a reference to the song "Hammer To Fall".
21	* Bridget's bear is named Roger, after drummer Roger Taylor.
22	* One of Zato-ONE's intro quotes in ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearSTRIVE'' is "[[Music/ANightAtTheOpera Nothing really matters]]", after a line in "Bohemian Rhapsody".
23	* Completing the band members we also have Johnny, taking after bassist John Deacon.
24	** He also bears a resemblance to Roger Taylor, especially his looks in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFDcoX7s6rE "I want it all"]] video clip.
25	* Romeo (Bedman's real name) and Delilah reference the 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.
26	* Prior to the beginning of a match, the announcer usually screams "Heaven or Hell", a line partly inspired by the last few lines of the song [[Music/SheerHeartAttack "Stone Cold Crazy"]].
27	--> They are going to put me in a cell, if I can't go to heaven
28	--> Will they let me go to hell
29	[[/folder]]
30
31	[[folder:Soundtracks and theme songs]]
32	Not only is the music of the series [[AwesomeMusic/GuiltyGear awesome]], it also comes packed with tons of references:
33
34	* Sol Badguy's theme song from ''The Missing Link/[=GG1=]'' all the way up to ''XX'' is [[Music/{{Queen\|Band}} "Keep Yourself Alive"]].
35	* Ky Kiske:
36	** His theme song from ''The Missing Link/[=GG1=]'' all the way to ''Overture'' ("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".
37	** His ''Xrd'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kxUFola5YI theme]], "Magnolia Éclair" has a similar riff to Judas Priest's song [[https://youtu.be/GhvzMGDzt70?t=41 Electric Eye]]. [[spoiler:This ends up becoming a MusicalSpoiler.]]
38	** His theme song in ''-STRIVE-'', "The Roar of the Spark", contains a few notes from Music/BonJovi's "Livin' On A Prayer".
39	* Axl Low:
40	** His theme song in ''The Missing Link/[=GG1=]'' is called "The March of the Wicked King", a reference to [[Music/{{Queen\|Band}} "The March Of The Black Queen"]].
41	** "Make Oneself", his theme song from ''X'' onwards, may be a reference to "[[Music/{{Incubus}} Make Yourself]]."
42	** Continuing with his ''Doctor Who'' references, his theme in ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearSTRIVE'' is titled "Out of the Box", a reference to the TARDIS, the blue police box that serves as the Doctor's time machine.
43	* May:
44	** Her theme from ''X'' and ''XX'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhpisRcYuZw "Blue Water Blue Sky"]], is inspired by the Music/SkidRow song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4IkSerg0GI "Forever"]].
45	** Her theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "The Disaster of Passion", sounds like a cross between "Thanks for the Memories" by Music/FallOutBoy and "Misery Business" by Music/{{Paramore}}.
46	* Potemkin's theme song from ''X'' and ''XX'' is called [[Music/LedZeppelin "Burly Heart"]], and it sounds very [[SuspiciouslySimilarSong "Kashmir"-like]].
47	** 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}}.
48	* Zato-ONE/Eddie's theme from ''X'' and ''XX'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKc8gxBwuG0 "Feel a Fear"]], takes a few cues from Music/{{Slayer}}'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVmaqj668Fk "Dead Skin Mask"]].
49	* Millia Rage:
50	** Her theme song in ''The Missing Link/[=GG1=]'', "Writhe in Pain", references Music/{{Impel}}'s song of the same name.
51	** "Love the Subhuman Self", her theme in ''-STRIVE-'', takes heavy cues from the works of Music/{{Evanescence}} and Music/{{Nightwish\|Band}}.
52	* Venom's theme in ''X'' and ''XX'', "A Solitude That Asks Nothing In Return", has an opening similar (as in, almost identical) to that of a Music/NapalmDeath song called "Breed to Breathe".
53	* Faust's theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Alone Infection", has certain bits reminiscent of [[Music/KingCrimson "The Court of the Crimson King"]].
54	* 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, Music/{{Testament}}'s leader. It also takes [[AuthorAppeal (of course!)]] after Music/{{Queen\|Band}} and Music/{{Megadeth}}.
55	* Kliff Undersn's theme in ''The Missing Link/[=GG1=]'', "Pride and Glory", shares its name with Music/ZakkWylde's first self-fronted project.
56	* Baiken's theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Mirror of the World", takes certain inspirations from the works of Music/PinkFloyd and Music/TheEagles, especially during the intro portion.
57	* Johnny's themes in ''Xrd'' and ''-STRIVE-'', "Original Bet" and "Just Lean", take inspiration from Music/{{Aerosmith}}.
58	* I-No's 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.
59	* The beginning of Ramlethal Valentine's ''-STRIVE-'' theme, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGxI9V8s2gs Necessary Discrepancy]]", is similar to "Bitches Crystal" by Music/EmersonLakeAndPalmer.
60	* Elphelt Valentine:
61	** The beginning of her theme in ''Xrd'' sounds similar to [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Team Japan's theme "Esaka"]], especially the ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAYuXUIHB8U KoF '96]] version.
62	** 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 (December 25).
63	** Near the end of her ''-STRIVE-'' theme, there is a nod to the Christian hymn [[AmazingFreakingGrace "Amazing Grace"]], written by English poet John Newton in 1772.
64	* Leo Whitefang's theme in ''Xrd'', [[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.
65	** A portion of his theme in ''-STRIVE-'' has a part that sounds like [[Music/{{Queen\|Band}} "Great King Rat"]].
66	* Sin Kiske's ''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"]].
67	* Jack-O' Valentine's theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Perfection Can't Please Me", sounds very similar to [[Music/{{Queen\|Band}} "Don't Stop Me Now"]].
68	* Nagoriyuki's boss theme, "Crawl", sounds very similar to "Raining Blood", one of the signature songs of Music/{{Slayer}}.
69	** His normal theme, "What Do You Fight For", has some influence from [[Music/TheBeatles "Come Together"]].
70	* Giovanna's theme in "-STRIVE-", "Trigger", sounds extremely similar to [[StealthPun Beast]][[Music/BeastieBoys ie Boys]]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a64cJiGKr7c "Sabotage".]]
71	* Goldlewis Dickinson's theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "The Kiss of Death", takes inspiration from Music/{{Pantera}}'s "Walk".
72	* Happy Chaos's theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Drift", is heavily inspired by Music/{{Queen\|Band}}.
73	* Bedman?'s theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "The Circle", takes several cues from [[Music/{{Queen\|Band}} "The Show Must Go On"]].
74	* 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.
75	* A.B.A's theme in ''-STRIVE-'', "Symphony", contains a portion that is a reference to "Another Brick in the Wall" and "Hey You" by Music/PinkFloyd.
76	[[/folder]]
77
78	[[folder:Characters]]
79	!! Sol Badguy (incl. Order-Sol)
80	* He takes a few design cues after [[VideoGame/StarGladiator Hayato Kanzaki]], as both characters have a metal bandanna and are also {{bounty hunter}}s.
81	* [[FinishingMove Instant Kills]]:
82	** In ''The Missing Link/[=GG1=]'', his IK is named [[Music/JudasPriest "All Guns Blazing"]].
83	** In ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearX'' and ''XX'' it's instead called Music/NapalmDeath.
84	* In ''Xrd'', his sword is called Junkyard Dog Mk. III, which is both named after [[Wrestling/JunkyardDog a wrestler]] who used "Another One Bites the Dust" as his entrance 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.
85	** 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.
86	** If you use Elphelt's Magnum Wedding on him, with the dialogue set to Japanese, he'll say "[[GratuitousEnglish Remember yesterday!]]", a reference to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UXto67wIGs the song of the sane name]] by Music/{{Hammerfall}}.
87	* When Johnny's Joker Trick Overdrive in ''-STRIVE-'' hits him, the card shown is a Queen, which is otherwise used for women only.
88
89	!! Ky Kiske
90	* His name is composed by '''[[Music/{{Helloween}} Kai]]''' [[Music/{{Helloween}} Hansen + Michael]] '''[[Music/{{Helloween}} Kiske]]'''.
91	* An unused voiceclip reveals that he was supposed to have an attack called "[[Music/IronMaiden Aces High]]".
92	* His main [[SuperMove Overdrive]] is called "[[Music/{{Metallica}} Ride The Lightning]]".
93	* His [[FinishingMove Instant Kill]] from ''X'' all the way up to ''-Xrd-'' is named "[[Music/YngwieMalmsteen Rising Force]]".
94	* 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 Grøh.
95	** [[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.
96
97	!! Axl Low
98	* He's named after William H. Rose, Axl Rose, of Music/GunsNRoses fame.
99	* He takes gameplay 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).
100	* His time slips are reminiscent of the time travel wormholes in ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}''.
101	* Like ''Series/DoctorWho'', he's also a british time traveler.
102	** 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.]]
103	** [[spoiler: As of ''-Revelator-'' it is shown that he's actually a magical TimeMaster, bringing the reference full circle.]]
104	* 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.]]
105	* The sign in his ''Guilty Gear X'' stage is spelt "Music/{{Napalm\|Death}}".
106	* His "One vision" Overdrive is 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 Stands Star Platinum and The World.
107	* Another music reference can be found in him being an [[Music/JohnLennon Englishman]] dating and marrying a [[Music/YokoOno Japanese girl]] (Megumi).
108
109	!! Justice / Aria Hale
110	* She's named after the Music/{{Metallica}} album "''...And Justice for All''".
111	** Aria, who is [[spoiler:her pre-gearization human form]], 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").
112	* 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.
113	* Her main stage is called [[Music/LedZeppelin "Heaven" and features a large stairway]].
114	* One of her Overdrives is called "Music/GammaRay".
115	* 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]].
116	* Also, she looks an awful lot like Anime/CyberneticsGuardian, albeit less over the top.
117
118	!! Testament
119	* Their name is a reference to the [[Music/{{Testament}} band of the same name]].
120	* Their design, being gender-ambiguous, is a reference to Music/MarilynManson, who was male but wore makeup during performances that made him look effeminate.
121	* Attacks:
122	** "[[Music/{{Metallica}} Master Of Puppets]]"
123	** "Music/GraveDigger"
124	** "Music/{{Warrant}}"
125	** "Music/{{Badlands}}"
126	** "[[Music/RonnieJamesDio Unholy Diver]]"
127	** Instant Kill: "[[Music/YngwieMalmsteen Seventh Sign]]"
128	* Their outfit in ''-STRIVE-'' references Music/{{Slash\|Musician}}.
129	** Their facial appearance and added gothic elements in their design also makes them resemble Music/ChelseaWolfe.
130	** Their androgyny and semi-British inflection in their English voice may also be a reference to Music/DavidBowie.
131	** Their core gameplay mechanic, "Stain", might be a reference to the American post-grunge band Music/{{Staind}}.
132	** Their status as a PerkyGoth may be a reference to Creator/TimBurton.
133
134	!! Venom
135	* His name is a reference to the [[Music/{{Venom}} band of the same name]].
136	* One of his attacks is called "Music/DarkAngel", by TheEighties ThrashMetal band of the same name.
137	* His Instant Kill is called ''Music/DimmuBorgir'', though it is often transcribed as "Deimvolger", "Dame Buger" or "Dim Bomber".
138	* His hairstyle, [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes dress]] [[FashionVictimVillain sense]], [[AsskickingPose outlandish poses]] (even by ''Guilty Gear'' standards!) and [[MundaneMadeAwesome billiards-based]] [[ImprobableWeaponUser fighting]] [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower style]] into account can mak you think that Venom could have stepped straight out of ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' (more specifically, ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Golden Wind]]'', which ended one year before his debut in ''GGX'').
139	* 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.
140	* 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.
141
142	!! Slayer
143	* His name is a reference to [[Music/{{Slayer}} the band of the same name]].
144	* Another of Slayer's special moves is called [[Music/{{Tool}} "Undertow"]].
145	* 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]]
146	* He takes after Music/OzzyOsbourne, being the series' most powerful and influential character. It also helps that his wife is also named [[Creator/SharonOsbourne Sharon]].
147	* 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.
148	* His English voice is essentially Creator/JBBlanc doing a rather convincing Creator/SeanConnery impression.
149	* One of the lines of Slayer's haiku for his OneHitKO move reads "Franchise/{{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.]]"
150	* In ''Xrd'', Slayer received a new follow-up to his Dandy-Step, called [[Music/TheBeatles "Helter Skelter"]].
151	* In ''-STRIVE-'', Slayer has a new Overdrive that's an homage to Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu[=/=]Raging Demon as well as [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Demitri Maximoff's]] Midnight Pleasure. His de-aged self after drinking the opponent's blood also bears resemblance to other famous vampires featured in Japanese media, including the aforementioned Demitri, Raphael Sorel from the ''VideoGame/SoulSeries'', and even [[Manga/{{Hellsing}} both]] [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} famous]] depictions of Dracula.
152	** His new outfit in ''-STRIVE-'', with a trench coat draped over his Victorian suit, takes design cues from [[VideoGame/{{BlazBlue}} Azrael]].
153
154	!! May
155	* In ''Accent Core+ 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.]]
156
157	!! Zappa (including his spirits)
158	* He's named after Music/FrankZappa.
159	* He's also a walking reference to ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'':
160	** His outfit is heavily inspired from [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Vanilla Ice and DIO]], especially the heart bands. He even has Dio's walk animation from the game ''[[VideoGame/JoJosBizarreAdventureHeritageForTheFuture JoJo's Venture]]''.
161	** 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.
162	** His most powerful summon, Raoh, looks like [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Star Platinum]].
163	* One of his attacks is called "The Last Music/{{Edguy}}".
164	* For a non-rock reference, resident StringyHairedGhostGirl S-ko is a Captain Ersatz of Sadako from ''Literature/TheRing'', a fact referenced by Zappa's Instant Kill.
165	* His most powerful summon is named [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar Raoh]].
166	* One of his "idle" quotes translates to [[UsefulNotes/McDonalds "That burger-selling clown is scary!"]]
167
168	!! Jam Kuradoberi
169	* Her full name is a subtle Music/CloudberryJam reference, due to her surname being a Japan-romanized writing of "cloudberry".
170	* One of her ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearX'' battle quotes is "Omae wa mou shindeiru aru!", [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar "You're already dead!"]]
171	** To really nail the reference in, she gains a new full-tension Overdrive in ''[[VideoGame/GuiltyGearXX Accent Core]]'' where she punches the opponent in a RapidFireFisticuffs fashion exactly 100 times.
172
173	!! Potemkin
174	* He borrows some moves from anime works:
175	** His Gigantic Pressure move resembles [[Anime/GaoGaiGar Hell and Heaven]].
176	** He refers to his [[Anime/{{Kinnikuman}} Kinniku... erm, Potemkin Buster]] as his 48th Certain-Kill Technique.
177	* The name of the nation he serves is [[Music/LedZeppelin Zepp]].
178	* He 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.
179
180	!! Millia Rage
181	* She's named after the metal band Music/MeliahRage.
182	* Her surname also references the band Music/{{Rage\|Band}} as well.
183	* Her Instant Kill is called Music/IronMaiden.
184	* One of her attacks is also called ''Music/IronSavior''.
185	* Another one is called "Music/{{Winger}}", a reference to a HardRock band from TheEighties.
186	* And yet another one is called ''Music/SilentForce'', a reference to a German PowerMetal band.
187	* And again yet another is called ''Music/EmeraldRain'', a reference to a Canadian Rock band.
188	* Her "Bad Moon" attack is named after the song [[Music/CreedenceClearwaterRevival "Bad Moon Rising"]].
189	* The magic technique that lets her control her hair is named "Music/{{Angra}}".
190	* 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.
191	** One of her new overdrives is called ''Music/SeptemVoices'', a Russian Symphonic Gothic Metal band.
192
193	!! Bridget
194	* Her "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.
195	* Her "Kickstart My Heart" attack is a reference to a Music/MotleyCrue song of the same name.
196	* Her dragon punch special move is called Music/{{Starship}}.
197	* One of her Overdrives is called "Me and My [[Music/JudasPriest Killing Machine]]".
198	** The ''-STRIVE-'' version of "Return of the Killing Machine" even gives Roger a motorcycle and sunglasses.
199	* 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.
200
201	!! Zato-ONE and Eddie
202	* His name, Zato-ONE, is a reference to the blind samurai Franchise/{{Zatoichi}}, by way of "1" being pronounced "ichi" in Japanese. Zato also shares his namesake's blindness.
203	** There's also a reference to the Music/{{Metallica}} song "One".
204	* He has an attack called "[[Music/JudasPriest Break the Law]]".
205	* His Instant Kill attack in the original GG is called "Fear of the Dark", after the eponymous Music/IronMaiden album and song of the same name.
206	** Another Iron Maiden reference is his parasite shadow, who's called Eddie after the band's mascot, Eddie the Head.
207	* His Instant Kill from GGX onward is called "Black in Mind", another reference to Music/RageBand.
208	* There's also "Music/ShadowGallery", another of his attacks, named for the ProgressiveMetal band of the same name.
209	* Eddie itself is a lot like [[Comicbook/{{Venom}} the Venom symbiote which bonded with Eddie Brock]] in the Marvel Comics.
210	* His "Amorphous" Overdrive in ''Xrd'' is a reference to the Finnish band Music/{{Amorphis}}.
211	* One of his victory pose looks like [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure Dio's]] "WRYYYYYY" pose.
212	* 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.
213
214	!! Kliff Undersn
215	* His "Soul Survivor" attack can also be called "[[Music/{{Helloween}} Sole Survivor]]".
216	** It also references the album by the Dutch DeathMetal band Music/{{Gorefest}}.
217	* He has a [[{{BFS}} giant sword]] called the Dragonslayer, just like [[Manga/{{Berserk}} Guts]].
218
219	!! Chipp Zanuff
220	* His name is taken near wholesale from the one of the founders of the band Music/EnuffZnuff.
221	* His teleportation move takes cues from Anime/DragonBallZ, more specifically Goku's Instant Transmission technique.
222	* His appearance is based on Music/BillyIdol.
223	* His design as an American Ninja who speaks in GratuitousEnglish is inspired by Galford from VideoGame/SamuraiShodown.
224
225	!! Dizzy
226	* Her name is inspired by the Music/GooGooDolls.
227	** It also references Music/GunsNRoses, by way of Dizzy Reed, their keyboardist.
228	* Like her mother Justice, she has an Overdrive called "Music/GammaRay".
229	* Also, much like her mother, she has a move in her EX form called "Gabriel Sword", another archangel reference.
230	* 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''.
231	* Her Instant Kill in ''Xrd'' has a reference to the cover art of the Music/{{Megadeth}} album ''Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?''. It's a nuke attack that takes the form of al [[Manga/{{Trigun}} Angel Arm]].
232
233	!! Johnny
234	* His name is inspired by the Music/GooGooDolls.
235	* His name, outfit and long hair, also reference Johnny Winter.
236	* In all of his black-clothed glory, he also references the original Man In Black himself, Music/JohnnyCash.
237	* He's a CasanovaWannabe who has blonde hair, wears sunglasses and is quite a flirt, much like WesternAnimation/JohnnyBravo.
238	* His narcissistic personality is also reminiscent of another John, this time [[Franchise/MortalKombat Johnny Cage]].
239	* He has some clear parallels with Franchise/{{Zorro}} - black clothes, heroic bandit style, swordsmanship, even one of his Overdrives even draws a ZorroMark on his opponent.
240	* His coin throw is likely a reference to [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenigata_Heiji Heiji Zenigata]].
241	** His "Ensenga" is a take on UsefulNotes/SasakiKojiro's Tsubame Gaeshi, possibly by way of fellow heartthrob [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Ukyo Tachibana]].
242	* Johnny's card throwing gameplay style is a reference to [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]].
243	* His personality and wardrobe also have some similarities to [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Hol Horse]], even sharing [[Creator/NorioWakamoto a voice actor]].
244
245	!! A.B.A
246	* Her name is a reference to the swedish pop group Music/{{ABBA}}, as well as to ternary form in music.
247	* 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''.
248	* Her lore, Instant Kill, and victory animation and outfit in ''-STRIVE-'' is a walking reference to ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', even going so far as summoning the Gate of Truth itself.
249
250	!! Baiken
251	* She's a female wandering swordswoman with red hair, making her a [[DistaffCounterpart female]] [[Anime/RurouniKenshin Kenshin Himura]].
252	* Her name takes inspiration from Shishido Baiken[[note]]although their names are spelt differently in kanji[[/note]], a swordsman who was also skilled with kusarigama.
253	* Her appearance is influenced by Tange Sazen, a fictional samurai who lost his right eye and right arm.
254
255	!! Anji Mito
256	* He's named after Japanese musician Hananosuke Mito and his band ANGIE.
257	* When his Shitsu projectile hits a blocking opponent, it takes a shape similar to the Music/{{Aerosmith}} logo.
258	* In ''XX'', he has an Overdrive called Tenjinkyaku, shaped like [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Rugal Bernstein's]] "Dead-End Screamer".
259
260	!! I-No
261	* Her character design is based off of Japanese rock singer Music/ShiinaRingo, complete with her trademark mole (which she later had removed), guitar, and her bobbed haircut from her early days.
262	* Her name references Music/BrianEno.
263	* Her guitaring win pose shouts out Music/VanHalen guitarist Eddie Van Halen.
264	* The solo she plays in her riffing win pose has been compared to solos from Music/OzzyOsbourne's "Mr. Crowley", Music/VanHalen's "Eruption" and Music/{{Metallica}}'s "One".
265	* Her ''Xrd'' Instant Kill move, as well as her Boss form's IK back in ''XX'', "Megalomania", references the Music/BlackSabbath song "Megalomania" and Aria's first album "Мания Величия".
266	* As of ''-STRIVE-'', it's revealed that [[spoiler:she is a full-on ReiAyanamiExpy, albeit a much darker take on the character she is based on]].
267	** ''-STRIVE-'' also reveals that [[spoiler:she's essentially the ''GG'' counterpart to the Origin, AKA the Amaterasu Unit, from ''Franchise/BlazBlue'']].
268
269	!! Dr. Baldhead/Faust
270	* '''Myth/{{Faust}}''' is named for Creator/JohannWolfgangVonGoethe's [[Theatre/{{Faust}} namesake play]].
271	* He also shares the name with the drummer of Emperor and the German band Faust.
272	* "Going My Way?" could possibly be referencing "[[Music/LennyKravitz Are You Gonna Go My Way?]]".
273	* His 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]].
274	* When he performs a Burst post-''The Missing Link/[=GG1=]'', one can spot [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar a few marks or scars in the shape of the Big Dipper]] on his chest.
275	* Several of his battle quotes reference anime [[Anime/HandMaidMay ("Mou icchou OISSU!")]], manga [[Anime/{{Obocchamakun}} ("Shigyapi~!")]], [[Manga/{{Kinnikuman}} ("Kao FLASH!")]], TV shows [[Series/WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire ("Final Answer?")]] and comedy routines ("Hige Darou? Ore Hige Darou?").
276	* One of his quotes when activating his pre-[[OneHitKO Instant-Kill]] boost: "[[Creator/JerrySeinfeld What's the deal with hospital food?!]]".
277	* If he gets hit by Elphelt's Instant Kill, one his quotes is [[Music/BonJovi "This is bad medicine indeed!"]].
278
279	!! Leopaldon
280	* He shares the name with an electronica/house band.
281
282	!! Fanny
283	* She shares her name with the alias of Music/FraserRunciman, a proponent of the breakcore genre.
284	** It may also reference the Music/{{Sweet}} album ''Sweet Fanny Adams''.
285
286	!! Robo-Ky
287	* His {{kiai}} is [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure DAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEDAMEEE!!!]]
288	* One of his Overdrives is called "Aegis High", which alludes to the Music/IronMaiden song "Aces High".
289
290	!! Zako-Dan
291	* They are inspired after [[Anime/PokemonTheSeries Team Rocket]].
292	* 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, much like [[VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha Alpha!Chun-Li]]. Even one of her palettes you get to see during [=GG Boost=] even makes her look ''perfectly'' like her.
293
294	!! Bedman and Delilah
295	* Their overall visual themes reference the puppeteers of ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', Carl and Relius Clover.
296	** The original Bedman and Relius are late-coming villains fighting with mechanical gadgetry and having another being fighting with them (Ignis and the mechanical bed), and both are powerful [[TheDragon Dragons]] to their imperialistic bosses ([[spoiler:Imperator Librarius and Ariels]]). They also have an Instant Kill with unique interactions depending on the target they landed it on (tortures and nightmares).
297	** Personality and story-wise, however, Bedman is more in line with Carl, willing to do anything and go to any lengths to be able to see his sister again.
298	** By the time of ''STRIVE'', Bedman ends up in the completely opposite situation as Carl. He is now the soul trapped within the machine (as Carl's sister Ada is within Nirvana), and Delilah is the one piloting him.
299	* Their family name, Neumann, is a reference to famous mathematician Carl Neumann, an occupation referenced through their theme "The Circle" in ''-STRIVE-''.
300	* Bedman is named after Bedemon, a side project of heavy metal band Music/{{Pentagram}}.
301	** His ability to trap people in nightmare worlds is a direct reference to [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy Krueger]] and [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure Death 13]].
302	** His stage, Nightmare Theater, is a reference to Music/DreamTheater. When a Dust attack is used here, 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}}.
303	** When using the English version of his [[DownloadableContent System Voice]], his pre-match line is [[Literature/TheHungerGames "May the odds be in your favour"]].
304	** His Instant Kill, "Theater of Pain", references a ''Music/BlindGuardian'' song of the same name.
305	* The mecha-bed takes a few cues from ''Anime/RoujinZ''.
306
307	!! Sin Kiske
308	* He's named after a song by Music/NineInchNails.
309	* Lore, personality, and appearance-wise, he takes inspiration from more modern [[StockShonenHero Stock Shonen Heroes]] such as [[Franchise/{{Naruto}} Naruto Uzumaki]].
310
311	!! Ramlethal Valentine
312	* Her name appears to be an amalgamation of the name of the Swedish metal band ''Ram'' and and ''Lethal'', an American heavy metal band.
313	* She has combos that resemble the chain combos used in ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}''.
314	** Her "Dauro" attack even has a Just Frame version that turns it green, just like the "Electric Wind God Fist" attack used by the members of the Mishima family.
315	* 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.
316
317	!! Elphelt Valentine
318	* She has a rose motif in her design and wields guns. Music/GunsNRoses.
319	** She has the words "You could be mine" on her dress somewhere, a possible reference to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vygQZ9hYqyE the song of the same name]].
320	* She also shares her birthday with Axl and Dizzy, who are named after Axl Rose and Dizzy Reed of Guns N' Roses.
321	* 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''.
322	* Aside from being similar to Noel Vermillion in terms of weaponry, Elphelt also shares the same birthday and dislike of bugs/insects.
323	* Her Instant Kill is a reference to ''Music/BonJovi'' 's "You Give Love a Bad Name", particularly the specific lyric "shot through the heart". Doubles as a reference to ''Music/BulletForMyValentine''.
324	* One of her Instant Kill quotes is "[[Film/DirtyHarry Do you feel lucky punk?]] Because I sure do!"
325	* Her role in the Story Mode mirrors that of Alisa Bosconovitch 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]].
326	* 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}}.
327
328	!! Leo Whitefang
329	* He's a badass blond lion-ish guy, making him a stand-in for [[VideoGame/BloodyRoar Alan Gado]].
330	* His name and surname are a reference to Danish/American band White Lion.
331	* His "Leidenschaft Dirigent" Overdrive resembles both ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}'s [[VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom "Berserker Barrage" and "Fatal Claw" attacks]].
332	* His Instant Kill borrows from [[Anime/{{Kinnikuman}} Warsman's]] "Double Claw Screw Driver", particularly the spinning and the "stacking" of multiples.
333
334	!! Jack-O' Valentine
335	* She 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.
336	** Her color scheme and mask design, however, bring [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXIII Saiki]] to mind.
337	* She gets her name from the mascot of the power metal band ''Music/{{Helloween}}'' which also inspires her mask.
338	* Her [[https://youtu.be/j6A-0iQd8LE?t=2s Instant Kill]] has been compared to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv7cW_ijtQQ the Inazuma Kick]] from Anime/{{Gunbuster}}. It's named [[Music/{{Helloween}} "I Want Out!"]]
339	* Her air grab involves an Music/IronMaiden.
340	* Her stage in ''Xrd'' is called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven%27s_Edge "Heaven's Edge"]].
341
342	!! Raven
343	* His backstory involves him being a naturally-born immortal and being despondent over it, which mirrors the plot of ''Film/{{Highlander}}''.
344	* He fights using claws, [[LickingTheBlade licks them in sickening fashion]], and has exceptional reach, just like [[Franchise/StreetFighter Vega]].
345	** In ''Overture'', he even wears a mask that looks similar to Vega's.
346	* His outfit in ''Xrd'', a hooded cloak, references [[VideoGame/BlazBlue Yuuki Terumi]], another [[Creator/ArcSystemWorks ArcSys]] character with a [[CombatSadomasochist sadomasochistic]] streak.
347	* Immortal sadomasochist with a raven/crow motif? [[Manga/{{Naruto}} Hidan]] [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]] Anime/{{Karas}}.
348	* He borrows several mechanics and aesthetics from [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Jedah Dohma]]. 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.
349	* His Instant Kill in ''Xrd'', "Sehnsucht", gets its name from the second album by Music/{{Rammstein}}.
350
351	!! Ariels
352	* She gets her name from the song "Aerials" by the NuMetal band Music/SystemOfADown.
353
354	!! Nagoriyuki
355	* 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.
356	* 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.
357	* Him being a ScaryBlackMan vampire who fights with swords makes him ComicBook/{{Blade}} in all but name.
358	* The sheer brutality and power behind his sword attacks is very reminiscent of ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown''.
359	* 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.
360	* 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]].
361	* 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]]
362	* 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 a classical depiction of a gashadokuro.]]
363	* 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.
364
365	!! Giovanna
366	* She shares her name and her FightingSpirit abilities with [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Giorno Giovanna]].
367	* Her overall appearance is very similar to Vanessa from ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters''.
368	** Her fighting style also borrows cues from King and Blue Mary, as she's a KickChick and also an up-close grappler.
369	* 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''.
370	* Her "Music/{{Sepultura}}" special get's its name from a Brazilian metal band of the same name.
371	* 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.
372	* Given notes from the developers, the concepts behind her design might be a reference to ''Manga/ShamanKing''.
373	** Possibly also to the Franchise/{{Persona}} series
374	!! Happy Chaos
375	* His x-shaped sunglasses and perpetual [[SigilSpam smiling face logo]] bring to mind the one used by Music/{{Nirvana}}.
376	* He's also 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.]]
377	* 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.
378	* 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.
379	* The black halo he has floating above his head may be a reference to the album of the same name by Music/{{Kamelot}}.
380	* The way he handles his guns in certain moves is based on ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry''[='=]s Dante.
381	* 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]].
382	* 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]].
383	* 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'' (more specifically, in order, Sub-Zero's ice clones and Kurtis Stryker's pistol-based style).
384
385	!! Goldlewis Dickinson
386	* He's named after Music/BruceDickinson, the vocalist of ''Music/IronMaiden''. His first name come from the vocalist of a Canadian band Teenage Head, Gord Lewis.
387	* His entire Area 51 and alien motif brings to mind [[Music/{{Megadeth}} "Hangar 18"]].
388	* Appearance-wise, he somewhat resembles actor Creator/JohnGoodman. His English voice also somewhat sounds like Goodman's.
389	* 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}}.
390	* His taunt, where the alien holds up a mirror for him, is a reference to [[Music/PrincesAssociates "Morris Day & the Time"]].
391	* Given that he fights alongside an alien, his Overdrive where he calls down a KillSat is likely a reference to ''Film/IndependenceDay''. There's also a reference to the Hammer of Dawn from ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' somewhere.
392	* 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.
393	* 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]]".
394	** His in-game title is "Secretary Of Absolute Defense". Take the first letters of each word and you get [[Music/SystemOfADown S.O.A.D.]]
395	* He's a large-framed ActionPolitician with heavy-hitter gameplay and some grappler moves thrown in, as well as an affinity for swinging a giant weapon around, making him the series' answer to [[VideoGame/FinalFight Mike Haggar]].
396	* Using a coffin as a melee weapon which has a gatling gun inside it bears similarities to [[VideoGame/{{Gungrave}} Beyond The Grave]].
397	* Him being a cowboy dragging a coffin with a gatling gun inside it is also a shout-out to Film/{{Django}}, famed for its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyi7yhB4vUQ iconic scene]] for the CoffinContraband in media.
398
399	!! Asuka R. Kreutz / Asuka R#
400	* 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 "Kunzite of Keep Breaker".
401	** 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]].
402	* 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, and his ''-STRIVE-'' appearance is reminiscent of [[https://yugipedia.com/wiki/Aleister_the_Invoker Aleister the Invoker]].
403	[[/folder]]
404
405	[[folder:Other]]
406	* Some texts in ''Accent Core+'' uses ''Music/IronMaiden'' font.
407	* In ''Accent Core Plus R'', the Dust color of color set 1 is a reference to ''VideoGame/BlazBlue''.
408	** Sol is Ragna, which adds in another ShoutOut because both are similar to each other and Ragna's ''Guilty Gear'' skin is based on Sol.
409	** Ky is Jin, which adds in another ShoutOut because both resemble one another and Jin's ''Guilty Gear'' skin is based on Ky.
410	** I-No is Nine.
411	** May is Platinum.
412	** Eddie is Carl.
413	** Millia is Noel.
414	** Axl is Hazama.
415	** Potemkin is Tager, which adds in another ShoutOut because both both are similar to each other and Tager's ''Guilty Gear'' skin is based on Potemkin.
416	** Chipp is Bang.
417	** Baiken is Bullet.
418	** Jam is Makoto.
419	** Anji is Azrael.
420	** Johnny is Izayoi
421	** Venom is Relius, which adds in another ShoutOut because both share [[Creator/JunichiSuwabe the same Japanese voice actor]].
422	** Dizzy is Mu-12, which adds in another ShoutOut because both are similar to each other and Mu-12's ''Guilty Gear'' skin is based on Dizzy.
423	** Bridget is Kokonoe.
424	** A.B.A is Kagura Mutsuki.
425	** Slayer is Rachel.
426	** Zappa is Arakune.
427	** Order Sol is Tsubaki.
428	** Kliff is Valkenhayn.
429	** Faust is Litchi.
430	** Justice is Hakumen.
431	** Robo-Ky is Yuuki Terumi.
432	* '''Overdrive''', [[CallARabbitASmeerp basically GG-ese for "super move"]][[note]]but only in the English scripts; the Japanese version calls them Kakusei Hissatsu Waza (Awakened Sure-Killing Arts) instead.[[/note]], can be seen as a reference to the guitar amplifier effect of the same name. [[note]]It's the one that goes CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA.[[/note]]
433	* In addition to the Queen reference, the announcer line '''Heaven Or Hell''', references the song "Heaven or Hell" by Music/GammaRay and the album ''Heaven and Hell'' by Music/BlackSabbath.
434	* When the match ends by KO, the announcer will yell '''Music/{{SLASH\|Musician}}'''! Which is a reference to the Music/GunsNRoses guitarist of the same name.
435	* ''Guilty Gear X'''s subtitles (''By Your Side "G. Gear"'') is a possibly a reference to the album By Your Side by Music/TheBlackCrowes.
436	* An alternate version of XX was '''♯Reload''' is a possible reference to the album Reload by Music/{{Metallica}}.
437	* Two stages in ''X'' also have references
438	** One has an Iced version of Hell. Which could be referencing Music/IcedEarth.
439	** Zato=1 & Venom both share a stage called Music/{{Nirvana}}.
440	* The theme "Fatal Duel" sounds similar to "Venomous Vixens" by Music/{{Sinergy}} while "D.O.A." sounds similar to [[Music/{{Dokken}} "Kiss of Death"]].
441	* Among the trophies in ''Xrd'' are "[[Music/LedZeppelin Communication Breakdown]]", "[[Music/{{Queen\|Band}} Tie Your M.O.M. Down]]", "[[Music/TheRollingStonesBand A Man of Wealth and Taste]]", "[[Music/{{Aerosmith}} Training Kept A Rolling]]", and "[[Music/VanHalen Cradle Will Rock]]", along with several more general references to music and the music industry.
442	* "High Voltage", from the ''Xrd'' soundtrack, is most likely a reference to the AC/DC album of the same name.
443	* The ''X2'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rne3WzeCESA character selection theme]] is inspired by the Dokken song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAi2R9NxMnU "Kiss of Death"]].
444	* The multiple musical references conveyed through the series' characters, move names, and music could very well be inspired by Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure, which also uses many musical references.
445	* ''[=Xrd=]''[='=]s Story Mode mentions a burger joint called Danny Missiles, a play on the RealLife burger chain ''[[http://www.johnnyrockets.com/ Johnny Rockets]]''.
446	* The vocal hard rock tracks from ''Vastedge'' and ''Xrd'' onward have a similar sound to ''Music/{{Shinedown}}'', right down to Naoki Hashimoto's vocals being very close in tone to Brent Smith's.
447	* The general plot of the series, which involves humanity coming into contact with a godlike power and seeking to study and control it, only for things to end up going horribly wrong and humanity suffering a cataclysmic event that changed the world forever, is straight up ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''.
448	** To further drive the parallels home, some installments feature quotes from Literature/TheBible.
449	** [[spoiler: The climax of the story mode in ''Strive'' is basically Daisuke's love letter to ''The End of Evangelion'', including a recreation of the Giant Naked Rei scene, with Rei being replaced by I-No, and her final plan greatly resembling Instrumentality.]]
450	* [[WordOfGod Daisuke himself]] has stated in several interviews that ''[[Manga/Bastard1988 Bastard!!]]'' was a huge inspiration for Guilty Gear. From the numerous hard rock and heavy metal shoutouts (some of which are even shared), to the general plot, and even the character designs, it's easy to see the influence Kazushi Hagiwara's epic had on Daisuke's own.
451	** The series' backstory of scientists creating weapons of mass destruction in the form of Gears and Justice is almost entirely lifted from the origins of Anthrasax that was eventually revealed in ''Bastard!!''. [[spoiler: The parallels grow only stronger post-Xrd, where it's revealed that Justice was controlled by the Universal Will, similar to how Anthrasax was revealed to be under the control of Biblical Angels.]]
452	** Ky Kiske can be considered a [[CompositeCharacter Composite]] {{Expy}} of Kall Su and Lars Ul Metallicana. Having the former's appearance and sense of justice and the latter's status as TheRival and SupportingLeader, his classic Holy Order costume is even a WholeCostumeReference to Lars' in the ''Crime and Punishment'' arc!
453	** Ky's Thunderseal and affinity for lightning is also similar to Arshes Nei, who had a thunder sword of her own.
454	** Likewise, Sol's Fireseal is a reference to Dark Schneider's own FlamingSword, Ifrit, from the early chapters.
455	** Dragon Install's appearance in later games is similar to DS' Majin form. Dragon Install's name is also a subtle reference to the manga, namely how Dark Schneider was physically '''installed''' into the '''Dragon''' Knight Lucifer.
456	** The plot of the Xrd games follows similar beats to the ''Crime and Punishment'' arc: The heroes work to stop the Resurrection of Justice (Anthrasax), The initial villain, Ramlethal (The Sorcerer Shogun) undergoes a HeelFaceTurn after her defeat. The heroes have to team up with former villain That Man (Abigail) who turns out to be one of the original scientists that created the God of Destruction. After the resurrected Justice is defeated, it's revealed that the Universal Will (Heaven) was behind the whole thing while more light is shed on Sol's (Dark Schneider) MysteriousPast. The climax of the arc even takes place on a floating continent where Sol, Ky, and Sin fight the Universal Will (The Archangels) while the remaining cast fend off the Phalanx 9 (lesser Angels).
457	* 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''.
458	* In an older version of the Verdant stage from XX, two gnomish creatures resembling [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario and Luigi]] can be seen in the background.
459	* Very powerful, or at least very big Gears, such as ''Dust Strikers''[='=]s boss Gig, are classified as a Music/{{Megadeth}}-class Gear.
460	[[/folder]]

Context ShoutOut / GuiltyGear