Cuphead and Final Fantasy aren't two games we often put together, but today, that changes. StudioMDHR has shared some limited edition artwork that will be included in the Japanese Deluxe Edition (through SuperDeluxe Games) from none other than Yoshitaka Amano, the incredible lead artist on the first six Final Fantasy games.
Known for designing many of the series' iconic characters, all of the logos, and even providing illustrations after he stepped down from the role after Final Fantasy VI, Amano's work is beloved around the world. And StudioMDHR have collaborated with the artist, who has designed the jacket for the The Delicious Last Course's soundtrack jacket. The developer shared the work on Twitter, and to say it looks amazing is an understatement.
Even from the lead image, it doesn't immediately scream Cuphead, but there are tons of elements from the base game and DLC there, including various enemies, bosses, and the Devil, who takes up over half of the sleeve. It looks like an extremely fearsome Final Fantasy-esque behemoth, and incredibly terrifying.
Here's a rough machine translation via Google translate of the tweet, along with those incredible photos:
"This is the unveiling of the DLC soundtrack jacket, a collaboration between world-famous artist Yoshitaka Amano and Cuphead! It pays homage to the various classic fantasy RPGs that inspired Cuphead. Please see the fierce battle with the devil! Available only in the DELUXE 1st RUN that comes with the package version of this work released from @sdxgames!"
We love the details like the blonde-haired girl in the bottom right corner (who looks a little like Terra from FFVI) using a spoon as a weapon, or the bombs from Dr. Kahl's Robot near the Devil. There are so many references in there — see if you can spot them all!
So far, this Deluxe Edition art seems to only be confirmed for Japan, but we're crossing our fingers and praying that we get this art in the West somehow.
What do you think of Yoshitaka Amano's art here? Would you like to see a Cuphead RPG? Get brewing in the comments.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 31
That’s really cool! The DLC took a really long time, but was so worth it, and the animation somehow got even better than the base game!
I wonder if we will get another game from them that isn’t cuphead in the years to come.
"Even from the lead image, it doesn't immediately scream Cuphead.."
the same can be said about a lot of his final fantasy works lol (they don't immediately "scream" final fantasy)
that said he is among my favorite artists ever, and this is wonderful!
I personally not a fan of Yoshitaka Amano drawing style as in my opinion, it looks like amateur fan art drawing when I see close up.
Didn't mean to disrespect him but I personally do not like his drawing style when he designed male characters as his male character design looks very feminine with bold color lip.
I personally prefer Tetsuya Nomura drawing style over than Yoshitaka Amano drawing style despite I'm done with Kingdom Hearts franchise and really indifferent with FF VII franchise.
What can I say other than it exists.
This just looks like Final Fantasy 4 - 6 era artwork
So, where's Cuphead? I only see The Devil that looks like a Behemoth.
@HammerGalladeBro Look at the shapes of the character's faces.
@FantasiaWHT
Wow jeeze I would not have caught that if not for this post, this is some pretty wicked, fun art.
Absolutely stunning (and also pretty funny) art, kudos to Yoshitaka Amano as always!
Cuphead turn based RPG when?
Haha that's pretty cool. I always like to see other artist's interpretations of established characters.
@Anti-Matter Wow, to say his work looks like "amateur fan art" is absolutely disrespectful, whether you say so or not.
Amano contributes his artwork to various games, I was recently surprised to find it even in Fantasy Life (and he apparently did the concept art for Fairy Fencer, too). But Cuphead is a wow to hear about even by these standards. And despite what others say, the original character designs are visibly incorporated into his take on the subject, so it's not just the Devil.
Looks awesome I always like how flowing and charming Amano's art is.
Those look nothing like Cuphead characters, to me they look more like Final Fantasy VI characters just with straw on their head. Still I always had a thing for Yoshitaka Amano's artworks, they are unique yet mysterious at the same time.
@sorecold Holy crap that would be amazing, that's what I want as well. A Cuphead turn based RPG in the style of Paper Mario would be fire, day one buy for sure if that ever happen.
@Anti-Matter Yeah, @The_BAAD_Man is right. To say it's not your taste is one thing, but to call one of the most influential fantasy artists of the 20th and 21st centuries "amateur fan art drawing" just because you don't like it? That's very disrespectful.
Oh that is so cool!!
I always known Amano contributes to many games outside of FF but a take on Cuphead was possibly the least I expected of him.😅 Still very cool though.
@Anti-Matter
I'm with others. Amano doesn't have to be your cup of tea, but "amateur fan art" is insulting and makes you sound ignorant.
You are entitled to your opinion of course!
The “hair” is creeping me out.
That devil is really cool-looking!
I'd love to understand this man's thought process. How does he come up with that stuff?
If you look again, "Terra" is probably Ms Chalice. The other two guys being Cuphead and Mugman. Cuphead's sword is probably also a fork.
This is really slick! I love the subtle details in their face shapes and the straw used as horns What a swell creation
Eh, not a fan of Final Fantasy artwork. In-game art is much better than the title art that usually features this style. Not my cup of tea at all
Im glad Amano decided to make the hair liquid like because it would be so cursed to see his artstyle with a open head, but the clothing is so scary for me
looks awful honestly.
If others think can do better they can do it and see if they get the level of recognition but this is were boasting meets the wall. Artist is how they do it.
I love seeing art reimagined in another artist's style. I wish he did more stuff like this.
@Classic603 Actually agree with you, but we can still recognize Yoshitaka Amano is an incredible artist regardless of our personal preferences unlike a certain someone, can't we?
By the way, I see what you did!
@JohnnyMind
Ha I was wondering if my pun would land, without making it too obvious
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