The divine dragon might be dying?

That doesn't look good.
Song used: Possessed Naydra - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild OST

[@ZullietheWitch]

The dragon's reference name from its AI files is "NingyoRyu". Since it's Romanized Japanese, it's possibly 人形, a Japanese word used for "doll" or "puppet", but can also even include wood figures, which I think could be the intention with the dragon here. Alternatively it may also be 人魚, a mermaid-like creature from Japanese folklore. Eating the flesh of these creatures was said to grant inhuman longevity, but also risked inciting a terrible curse, mirroring the immortality associated with the dragon's heritage as well as the dragonrot it causes.

[@luizgustavo-ek6rz]

Why is the dragonrot called dragonrot? maybe it has something to do with the divine dragon dying?

[@h9901-y6y]

I could be way off base here but could it be that the tree came from the dragon? (maybe when it lost it's arm the blood sprouted the sakura tree) if so then it's possible that after the battle where it lost it's arm it rested and from it's blood sprouted the tree. That would explain why the arm may be the branch zullie mentioned in the video, perhaps the dragon (with it's already wooden textured on the it's tail) is at least partially a type of wood elemental or elementally affiliated being and when it bleeds or loses a limb said blood or limb over time returns to the element the dragon is affiliated with. The rot could also be explained by the dragon's injuries mixed with it's inability to return home to heal (it may have rested there with the intent of recovering enough strength to make the journey home to heal but rested too long and became rooted?) and recover in it's homeland which could have caused the stagnation and eventual rot we see in both the tree and dragon itself. Just an idea put forth by someone who watches zullie and vaati's videos religiously so i could be way off base. Edit: the dragonrot could also be an extension of the rot coming from within the dragon itself. Essentially a foreign power that has been corrupted by injury and stagnation permeating other living beings beyond the dragon itself though admittedly to a lesser extent.

[@Setter153]

I think it's 人魚, mermaid. Yao Bikuni(Corrupted Monk) ate a mermaid in Jpanese folk lore

[@c.l.a.u.d.e]

@@Setter153 Yeah it's 人魚竜, Mermaid Dragon.

[@alessiobilleci7246]

A dragon associated with dolls and/or puppets? Smells like ancient dragon to me

[@Orzacle]

It’s not a Fromsoftware game without something really cool going through decay of some kind

[@Gio_in_6D]

And branches, do not forget the branches

[@fossilgaming65]

Yee

[@ksm_ngr]

The decaying of American Democracy is one of the most tragic decay in any From games.

[@s_t_r_a_y_e_d]

@@ksm_ngr that's the Metal Gear franchise. You're thinking of old Konami lmao.

[@ksm_ngr]

​@@s_t_r_a_y_e_d No. In fact, if someone like Michael Wilson were to lead America instead of that phony, conniving George Sears, the entire Metal Gear saga won't happen because Michael Wilson will be the vanguard to protect the Freedom and Democracy of the great United States of America.

[@RamAurelius]

I'll never not be impressed with the sheer magnificence of the visuals in Sekiro.

[@NightmareBlade10]

Absolutely! I'm not sure why so many people are worried about the visuals of Elden Ring when Sekiro came out two years ago and looks amazing. Even Dark Souls 1 might be dated as hell but it still has some absolutely iconic vistas and visual styling.

[@missbelled6700]

I have the official art book and almost every single piece of scenic concept art is something I'd hang on my wall, it's clear that a lot of love went into the art design. The character concepts in the book are fascinating as well, one of my favorites is a concept of Emma with the dragonrot silvering on her face and hair, and her eyes bandaged up and presumably blinded like all the other 'firekeeper' characters.

[@ngoclongpham4319]

@@NightmareBlade10 because elden ring is an open world? There’s a difference between a linear game and open world game in term of graphic and spec requirements

[@JaggedBird]

I'll never not be impressed by the detail in all aspects FromSoft put into the Myazaki collection

[@NightmareBlade10]

@@ngoclongpham4319 1 word: Valheim. That game is only a couple gigabytes and yet it's one of the prettiest open world games to boot. You don't need graphical fidelity to look good, you only need a consistent yet unique artstyle.

[@GhettoBagel]

I always felt really bad about this dragon. It's such a majestic and regal creature, but it looks like it's gone through hell. I wish we could've seen it while it was in its prime.

[@ammarslhim7934]

It's like that with everything in FromSoft games.

[@nuprahtor]

GRACIOUS GIFT OF TEARS

[@psych0ticbanana]

Most people say this about something in any FromSoft game, it's amazing.

[@Powersd451]

I felt kind of bad about how Sekiro took the tears. He stabbed real deep into the face and the wound might never heal because the mortal blade was used.

[@thelocdesiringentryintoyou3686]

@@Powersd451 didn’t we finish off the divine dragon? Like he was already rotting, had an arm ripped off, all f’ed up, and then we stab him from his eye presumably into his brain because we drive that blade in all the way. Would make sense if we actually murdered it by using the mortal blade

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

Well, the Dragon's Heritage came from outside of Japan. Historically, whenever something, whether human or animal, moves from its home region to someplace new one of two things can happen. Either it will bring diseases with it that the residents of the new home have no defense against, or it will contract a disease that it has no resistance to. Sometimes both can happen. Both the Dragon's Heritage and the lands of the Ashina are toxic to one another.

[@AlphaNumericKey]

This just compounds the tragedy of the story. Those seekers of immortality wish only to protect something, but the immortality plague destroys everything they love.

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

​@@AlphaNumericKey Well, those who seek immortality often do so only out of a selfish desire to sustain themselves. By the time they've gained immortality, many of them have already sacrificed all that they loved in pursuit of it. That's probably the ultimate irony of it all, that those who seek immortality lose everything they had in pursuit of it. Meanwhile, those who have it forced upon them do all that they can to be rid of it so they can have the normal life that's been denied them. However, so long as the Dragon's Heritage remains in Ashina, people will kill, deceive, and betray for the sake of immortality. Even with the destruction of the Ashina clan, that will not change. That's why the best ending seems to be the one where you take the Dragon's Heritage back to its place of origin. So long as it remains in Ashina, the Dragon's Heritage will continue to cause problems, and the Dragon's Heritage itself will continue to sicken, never dying due to its own immortality. Wherever it may have come from, that place was where it was meant to be.

[@Taiakami777]

@@FirstLast-cg2nk what about the purity ending ever where you sever the heritage? Is that only limited to kuro?

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

@@Taiakami777 Yes, it is only limited to Kuro. Eventually, a new Divine Heir will be born of the people who live in Ashina, whether they are of the Ashina Clan or not. In fact, the Interior Ministry is certain to do everything in its power to make certain that happens so they can exploit that power. Plus, with the Dragon's Heritage still there, Senpou Temple, Mibu VIllage, Fountainhead Palace, and the Divine Realm will still be accessible. All of it springs from the Dragon, the source of the Dragon's Heritage and the Rejuvinating waters that fuel everything terrible in Ashina. Until the Dragon is returned, the tragedy will just continue to repeat over and over again. Is it better to just save one person, or to choose to save thousands, or even millions, of future lives?

[@Taiakami777]

@@FirstLast-cg2nk damn, I honestly thought severing the power from kuro severed it entirely.

[@isaackane4931]

With how the Divine Dragon is talked up, you imagine this magnificent and beautiful creature. But then when you get there, you're confronted by this old, withered tree-man-lizard-thing that's vomiting poison on you. Then you see the dragon itself and it looks equally sickly and damaged. Coupled with the music, you do get a sense of sympathy. Concluded with the almost fake-out like "kill" as they make it look like Wolf viciously stabs it in the eye, to reveal he's gracefully making a small cut, showing precision and care he's never had before. Considering how ugly and decayed everything else is in the game, showing the damage that both the divine realm and the obsession with immortality caused, it makes sense that the dragon, essentially what started it, is equally as twisted. Immortality is established to be a pure negative, a stagnation of life, and the dragon reflects that. Whether it's due to the Dragon's Blood having leaked out, or simply the dragon being an invasive entity in this realm. I'd be curious if the dragon always looked like this in Japan, or if it was a gradual thing.

[@FireTalon24]

My bet's on it was a gradual change. It seems that the Dragon having drifted to Ashina and settled has produced the dragon rot not only on the person who carries it's heritage but in itself as well. The dragon is sick and decaying, and the true ending implies them taking it back to it's homeland so it can heal and stop the dragon rot.

[@littlemoth4956]

Immortality is really not “purely negative” in this game. The issue is the exploitation and stagnation of it.

[@blink182sucks]

@@littlemoth4956 it is in the rest of the souls games lol

[@CM-hx5dp]

@@blink182sucks Nah bloodbornes best ending is becoming an immortal squid god.

[@blink182sucks]

@@CM-hx5dp I never said it wasn’t the best ending ;)

[@stairmasternem]

Never realized how much of the dragon’s design is like a tree. So much possible meaning behind the rotting tree look. Maybe it’s a reaction to the loss of belief in it, or the lack of caretakers at least. Maybe it’s a sign that the fountain waters are not fertile enough to sustain it, or maybe how much of a mistake it is to have taken it from its home.

[@hisholiness4537]

Or maybe that anything that tries to prolong its existence past its natural lifespan is doomed to decay. It was like the central theme in dark souls

[@crazy13alex]

@@hisholiness4537 True but in this case, it really was taken away from its home. Ripped from the soil and displaced.

[@xVibra]

@@hisholiness4537 Or its natural habitat trying to survive in a land that's vastly different. Especially considering stagnation is a central part of the rot. Something stagnated and unable to adapt to a new environment would gradually die, even something presumed to be an everblossom.

[@elias.t]

@@bigomega73 The sculptor used to be a shinobi and like all the other shinobi he was named for an animal. His name was Orangutan.

[@elias.t]

@@bigomega73 He's also hairy and pretty long-limbed. Sometimes a simile is just a simile.

[@okNiko]

Ah, that's why it's called Dragon Rot. The detail of these games is so unmatched.

[@Hallowed_Ground]

Oh shii- I didn't even make that connection. Crazy

[@okNiko]

@@Hallowed_Ground it's honestly beautiful story telling. Doesn't blatantly spell it out but the detail is there if you look for it. Fantastic

[@Jburney131]

Yep the rot actually comes from the divine dragon. That's what when you fight it's most loyal devotees prior to the battle with dd. They're basically coughing and rotted and can attack you with a cloud of dragon rot poison. I guess it's the price to pay for immortality.

[@armaani11]

How in the bloody hell do they expect the players to find out this piece of lore without digging this deep inside the files? Miyazaki is out of his fucking mind I tell you.

[@bobloblaw418]

​@@armaani11 The dragon is *obviously* sick. When it attacks you its avatars are painfully vomiting all over you as their only attack. They called it DRAGON ROT i really don't know how much more explicit you'd need to be.... No file digging required

[@adirsu2826]

I like the theory that this sakura tree is a replacement for the one the dragon left behind in Korea when it drifted to Ashina. The original spirits of the tree are the Old Dragons you have to kill before fighting the Divine Dragon. They, same as the people around you, are suffering from the effects of dragonrot due to their proximity to the Divine Dragon. It makes me curious if the fountainhead waters already had the same properties before the dragon's arrival or if the dragon brought their restorative properties and the centipedes with it?

[@delivererofdarknessshoguno1133]

Considering how everything seems to be centered around worship of the dragon, I'd say he brought the water's properties upon arrival.

[@adirsu2826]

@@delivererofdarknessshoguno1133 But I think worshipping the dragon is a relatively new thing. Like, there are hundreds of depictions of the snake god of the valley just all over the place. You grapple using them like 30% of the time. There are also the two shrines to the snake. And also all the bhudda carvings everywhere. There isn't really anything like that for the dragon other than a small alter in Ashina Castle. I think this shows that the dragon has been there for no more than a hundred or so years. Also this is more conjecture, but I personally think the nobles of the palace already existed in some form before the dragons arrival. I don't think they were fish people and rather just people made wealthy by the resources of the divine realm, some of which we know predate the dragon's arrival. My evidence for this is definitely lacking, but the state of disrepair everything is in and the fact that there are no builders able to access the divine realm, makes me think it existed before the dragon coming changed things drastically. So it still makes me wonder if the fountain head waters existed before the dragon. Its called the dragonspring now so people definitely associate the two, but Isshin references the Ashina praying by the waters when he was younger, which seems like an ancient practice idk.

[@evanseifert8858]

My understanding was that the rejuvenating waters existed prior to the dragon's arrival. In fact, it may be implied that the dragon rested in Ashina exactly because of the waters, he was wounded right? It's been a while since I played the game. The dragon magnified the powers of the water, but also brought corruption. Thus the rot and centipedes. I've always likened the dragon's migration with the legend of Tobi Ume. The little dragons being the original spirits of the tree is an interesting idea too though.

[@lukecooper8603]

The Divine Dragon's remnant says this: "Some parts of Ashina are exceedingly old. Water coursing through her ancient rocks and soil allowed the Dragon to take root." I think the dragon brought rejuvenating waters to Ashina, but only because Ashina was already a land of Gods. We see that Buddha rested in Ashina, and so did the serpent gods.

[@L0rdLexan01]

IIRC, the Sakura Dragon isn't native to Japan. It "drifted" there after it was uprooted from it's homeland, so it only makes sense that what is essentially an invasive species would be suffering from rot as it's powers decay and it's worshipers all die.

[@cosmic_cobalt]

Is there any reason why the dragon would have drifted from somewhere else (seems to be Korea most likely) to Ashina? I'm not sure why, but this is the piece of lore that really sticks out to me and I wonder about a lot.

[@alchemysaga3745]

@@cosmic_cobalt I'd guess that something in Korea or China chased out its followers- who may have taken a cutting with them to Japan, which the dragon then 'drifted' to after its tree in its home land was destroyed in some way?

[@HoveringAboveMyself]

"Invasive species" is actually the opposite of what the dragon is going through. Invasive species are called that not just because they find themselves in foreign land but because they are thriving there.

[@yamiyomizuki]

@@HoveringAboveMyself not just thriving but multiplying out of control to the detriment of native species.

[@LowIntSpecimen]

@@cosmic_cobalt If i remember correctly, the everblossom tree is stated to come from Takeru's homeland, so maybe the Dragon came over to the tree when it was planted in Ashina?

[@TheGlenn8]

Just like literally everything in the fromsoft games it's the husk of a former deity. It's surprising how they mange to keep it fresh after the 3rd time.

[@SIGNOR-G]

Bloodborne was a breath of fresh air. There everything is just f***ed

[@TheGlenn8]

@@SIGNOR-G Yeah, and in bloodborne it isn't the decayed husk of a deity but a deity fetus you're killing.

[@ChickVanCluck]

@@TheGlenn8 Bloodborne is cool since in that things are alive, way more alive than what you'd want but by comparison, everything in dark souls is dead

[@SIGNOR-G]

@@TheGlenn8 so we are either killing infants or geriatrics...Miyazaki what the hell are you smocking?!

[@yungoldman2823]

Yea bloodborne is more about an unknowably powerful god putting you through trials and tribulations just so he can turn you into a surrogate child of his

[@Lunadherent]

The aromatic branch detail just hit me like a truck.

[@Fruckert]

Also happens to be the left arm. I've seen speculation that it's eye and missing arm are reflections of the harm befallen on those using the Dragon's Heritage.

[@WELLbethere]

@@Fruckert that is a really cool theory. Like the things that are happening to wolf are happening to the Dragon due to the immortal oath. Thinking about it this way, what if the Dragon is not the tree, but is to the tree as wolf is to kuro? A guardian of some kind? Bound intrinsically by some obscure divinity.

[@solarizexhc]

@@Fruckert makes me think of wolf's first death, when owl stabbed him in the back at hirata. you can even see the scar on his chest if you wear the tengu outfit. and as shown in the video the dragon happens to have what resembles a big gaping wound in its chest

[@MidnightatMidian]

@@WELLbethere Everything is so connected in this game, there's also the theory that there's a time warp, and Sekijo the sculptor, is Sekiro the wolf, but older.

[@kamchatmonk]

@@MidnightatMidian Nah, Sekiro takes sculptor's place in one of the endings after he kills Kuro. It echoes linking of the flame in DS series (as you essentially take the place of Gwyn), and second ending of Bloodborne, in which Moon Presence breaks you and you end up in Gehrman's wheelchair.

[@Shezmen88]

He's a long boy!

[@AaronCorr]

Everyone: insightful and or somber posts Shez:

[@tarinoblake381]

DangerNoodle.exe

[@DerAykac]

@@AaronCorr That´s why we like him :D

[@izekmon6854]

Hey I know you! You told me to shut up in a stream once!

[@Gentleman_Orange]

*Japanese shota?

[@robmartin525]

Seeing as the Old Dragons were sick and destroying them would take down the boss life meter, and then they get replaced by black and red dragons. Theoretically a healthy divine dragon would have been black and red! Coincidentally, the two colours of the two Mortal Blades!

[@AlphaNumericKey]

Hmmm, interesting. Nice catch.

[@littlemoth4956]

Which actually makes a ton of sense if it came from China.

[@farolanramadhani7218]

That's such a good idea. Love it.

[@livingfailure7264]

As I see it, my mind was made up when the Divine Child (I think?) makes a comment that the dragon’s heritage was not meant for Japan. With the constant references to religion in the game, like the Buddhas or the worshipping of the great serpents, there’s a spiritual or theological reason why the dragon shouldn’t be there, immortality isn’t a concept that’s really compatible with Japanese Shintoism, the whole idea that the stagnation of the soul spreads decay In China or Korea, where the dominant religions were Taoism and later Buddhism, immortality is believed to be achievable and is encouraged to be achieved, hence why the Divine Dragon was once there and should have stayed there

[@littlemoth4956]

I really liked the religious elements of Sekiro. They did it really well and the symbolism reflects that

[@Matt-gh2zm]

Buddhist beliefs are the antithesis of seeking immortality. The whole "point" of life is to accumulate as much positive karma so that you can eventually escape the continuous cycle of death/rebirth (samsara).

[@livingfailure7264]

@@Matt-gh2zm Is that not a form of immortality, to never die and never be reborn? It's not the same as the form of immortality the Divine Dragon offers, of course, and it seems like the purer version of immortality but it's comparable

[@davidthelong2154]

@@livingfailure7264 but you do die, the achievement of Nirvana is to cease existing and not come back, aka experiencing true death, so its not right to say that youd "never die" because you do, the goal is to stay dead and escape the cycle of existence

[@Wolffanghurricane]

@@davidthelong2154that's a modern, largely western misconception about "ceasing to exist". Really it's staying in the highest realms of existence, no longer needing lessons from the lower realms to build onto your True Self

[@Oddwinters]

It's amazing how much detail they put into the tree motif of this design, when the players will probably never see it because of how far you are during the fight

[@youseenednedisdead]

i was always under the impression that the coughing old dragons of the tree represented it's sickness, and we actually helped it by cutting them off

[@DakkaBert]

those old boys appear as statues around some areas of the game, its theorized they were the original spirits of ashina who were displaced by the arrival of the sakura dragon.

[@AlphaNumericKey]

Yeah, the dragon is sick and dying. By cutting away the rot and driving it out, you're forcing stagnation to end. Live or die, at least things will change.

[@curval5413]

I get a weird scary feeling seeing such a huge object in empty space like this. MGS2 had a model viewer where you could see the arsenal gear crashed into Manhattan that gave a similar feeling.

[@DumahsAssassin]

Oh my gosh I get that too. My fight or flight kicks in sometimes with model viewers, it's just so eerie and I can't explain it!

[@Hallowed_Ground]

I understand. I also get this when I fall underneath the map and into the infinite void. In fact it used to terrify me so bad as a kid I had to just shut my eyes and carefully (through squinted eyes) try to exit or restart to a checkpoint.

[@herbertraffi]

wut i dont recall mgs2 having a model viewer, was it an unlockable or something ?

[@mastermarkus5307]

I get that, and I also get a similar feeling sometimes when you clip through large models, like I remember it happening to me most recently in Monster Hunter World after killing Shara Ishvalda, for instance. I have no idea why that triggers and uncomfortable response.

[@sylvianadinemoon]

The music really doesn’t help either

[@bradcook1537]

When the camera spun around to the floating dragon head with its mouth open, that freaked me out.

[@eglewether5523]

A story about how Seath went full tree hugger to get scales back ..

[@DerAykac]

Secret behind Kuros´ parents revealed?

[@monkeysk8er33]

It's even possible that this IS Seath, or his reincarnation.

[@Minish23]

Almost looks like someone painted a dragon onto the tree, and then that decoration took on a life of its own...

[@jroberts2nd]

Love the Sekiro videos because it’s a chance to admire the amazing art in the game, instead of it doing it’s level best to kill you. Much appreciated.

[@blasemusha4001]

You’re my divine dragon Zullie

[@Dokka-Bae]

Our*

[@xanx3572]

bro you can't have her all to yourself

[@lowercasevisor594]

@@xanx3572 weirdo comment

[@LukmanHakim-gn3uk]

Wait dragon, since when does she have a "dragon"? Dont tell me, she is a....

[@ardasezer0]

@@LukmanHakim-gn3uk some things better left unanswered

[@mitchdouglas9844]

What is Miyazaki's obsession with trees, dragons and rot?

[@greenghost7907]

@The film "In the Company of Men" well said

[@jguns3738]

In general all the Fromsoft games are about the cycles of life and death and how trying to escape or stop the natural order causes harm. The various malevolent forces in the games are people trying to live forever/prolong their rule/resurrect something dead or maintain the illusion that it is still alive/etc The imagery of rot and decay is like karmic punishment for trying to run from dying, death/change cannot be warded off forever, instead it slowly consumes.

[@Dokka-Bae]

Where is the feet?

[@marverak]

Don't you think it hits different when something so powerful it's almost beyond comprehension begins to rot?

[@extremelyboredtatsumaki.495]

T-posing Divine Dragon is a sight to behold, to be sure.

[@realkingofantarctica]

Feel bad for my boy, we were on Dragon Tales together but both got kicked. Sad he decided to go down this path.

[@thenutella8846]

He could have stayed in Dragon Land.

[@tallenrockwell5917]

Hey Zullie, have you ever been able to take a look at the giant Dragon in DS3 Archdragon Peak? Apparently it's an NPC model and was wondering if you could dig up any animations or data for it.

[@armaani11]

I second this

[@definitelyaperson6334]

She did

[@devilmeicry]

In Japanese edition, her name is "桜竜" (Cherry-Blossom Dragon). And, the most famous kind of cherry blossom "染井吉野" (Somei-Yoshino) was grafted from only one tree in the Edo period and spread throughout Japan(In other words, all "染井吉野" have same gene). I think this has something to do with the story a lot.

[@canjica_]

Sad but great tale just like every Fromsoftware boss

[@romilrh]

Divine Dragon is easily the best gimmick fight FROM has ever created. It was so epic and beautiful

[@lahunica2726]

The level of detail is incredible. I never noticed the dragon's mouth was full of flowers. It's crazy how much detail is put into enemies or bosses that players won't probably notice.

[@megatiny63]

The flowers in the mouth really threw me off too. There's almost no chance of any player seeing those, as they'll be too busy rushing up to get the tears when they win the fight. It's an amazing touch.

[@SirVyre]

What about the uhh, dragons you fight just before the actual dragon? Its roots, humans seemingly taken into its roots that seem to have Dragonrot. Do they connect to its model under the clouds? What of the roots it shoots out so that you can monkey around and deflect lightning into it? They said in game that the Fountainhead Waters share traits with the Dragon's Blood Heritage. Does that mean that the Fountainhead Waters are essentially like... the Dragon's sap or Blood Plasma? Both? It's all so mysterious.

[@DakkaBert]

The little ones were the original spirits or ashina, who were displaced and consequently sickened by the sakura dragon. The sakura dragon also displaced buddha and the giant snake, who were considered gods before the sakura dragon arrived.

[@mr.kittysavestheworld695]

The Fountainhead waters existed before the Dragon arrived. I forget exactly which text it's from, but some piece of text references the special waters of Ashina being what allowed the Dragon to "take root" there. Sorry for the 2-year necro, by the way.

[@ethanbailey5636]

My headcanon is that when the dragon dies, it becomes a tree, and that tree spawns a new dragon.

[@simon-patrickjohnson]

Reminds me of the giants in ds2 that turn into trees instead of dying

[@DerAykac]

And it´s mine now, too.

[@juliajenuine6075]

If you had shown just the texture for the obscured tail, I would have mistaken it for the trunk of a white tree.

[@marvcollins7842]

Poor Dragons can't catch a break because of Miyazaki

[@marksu0616]

I like to think the dragon is able to heal itself back after the return ending

[@abaddon130]

Nah, not really.

[@AlphaNumericKey]

Perhaps it will find a new home where it can truly live or die, not be caught between.

[@travisshields2617]

I felt the same way, like the rot not only came from being in a foreign land, but also from others using its heritage and spreading dragonrot caused it to wilt and the Return somehow put a stop to this

[@romilrh]

Really nice touch using the theme of another corrupted dragon as the background music for the video (Naydra from BOTW if anyone was wondering)

[@jacobfreeman5444]

My take is the tree is a source of vitality. Those with the dragon's blessing can partake of that vitality. But there is a cost. The dragon cannot keep doing so forever. It is a living being too and so must go through the cycle of death and rebirth so it may renew. What we are seeing is an old dragon who needs its seed to find a new place to grow so it may renew. And yes, we can see the poison spewing creatures at the begining of the fight as suckers. Little branches that may grow that are unproductive for the tree. I believe these are people who partake of the blessing without giving back. Just living extended, more robust lives but are draining the dragon to do so. And in doing so draining from the more productive members. This is what I believe dragon rot is. Those suckers draining away vitality to such a degree it actually hurts all others bound to the dragon. In a way Sekiro is such, as his deaths can cause others to develop dragon's rot so as to preserve himself. But he also can be the one to prune the unproductive branches so the whole is healthier.

[@simoneichler8930]

This was a really good, in depth look on the model for the dragon, just about all this stuff I never saw in my play through . Thanks Zulie!

[@zaystro2915]

Seeing this after knowing about Malenia and the Scarlet Rot in Elden Ring has me wondering a lot. Really curious about potential connections within the lore. Malenia uses techniques straight from Sekiro so I’m even more curious who her master is and if Scarlet Rot and Dragon Rot share any relation.

[@Mainly_Matt]

If only you could mikiri counter that thrust attack of hers

[@AnmarBatarfi]

Corrupted Naydra's theme really goes with the theme of this vid

[@UrbanSLUG]

damn, the model was way more detailed than I imagined.

[@TheSonOfDumb]

This is some stellar design. Really showcases the idea of corrupted majesty. Very haunting.

[@Ferromancer86]

I always thought there was a connection between the missing arm and the stolen branch, and seeing the tree details on the dragon itself now, I definitely feel like there's something to that idea

[@cezlock8209]

something i've realized after binging your videos is that the legend of zelda has some incredibly ominous music

[@dunkleham]

I love this channel's semi-dark music choice for these dives into visual story telling!

[@manvslife271]

I love how the injuries of the dragon and the wolf himself are parallel, both missing an arm and having a hole in their chest

[@palawolfy4855]

Since when has sekiro had a hole in his chest?

[@simongratson]

@@palawolfy4855 OwlDad did stab him and whatnot

[@Excalibur5k]

@@palawolfy4855 owl stabbed him from behind in the first hirata memory

[@palawolfy4855]

@@Excalibur5k aaahhh that makes sense. Never thought he had a hole is his chest because you never see it

[@dankwarmouse6248]

@@simongratson OwODaddy

[@DelectationDivision]

One thing I love about Zullie and her videos is how lean they are. "Oh, some information about this npc? Let's get right to it." Seems like every other analysis video on yt is 40+ minutes, with intro, sponsor promo, backstory, and endless interjection of fluff. Zullie is like the ceo that sends everything via email instead of wasting everyone's time with meetings.

[@ezkillionaire3276]

Wow...... the amount of loving detail that went into creating that beautiful creature.... I have not played Sekiro yet as i hear it requires patience, of which i am short..... but every video you create showcasing the sheer beauty of this game's design brings me closer to buying it anyway. This is what gaming should look like. Every pixel looks to tell a story and it's beautiful.

[@ThePopeOfAllDope]

I like the theory that the divine dragon and the bearers of the dragons curse are intimately linked. We see a missing left arm, much like the wolf. And a large cut on the chest, much like the one Lord Kuro inflicted on himself for the incense burner.

[@owend1453]

I forget who else commented it but zullie you really are a blessing to this community. Thank you.

[@yurikitsune3525]

I super love your content! Like, all those details are super interesting but, when we're in the action of gameplay itself, we sometimes don't get to see them. But, if they are there, it's obviously because they have a story to tell crafted by the developers! It's amazing. Thank you for showing it to us.

[@jayrob1628]

What really brings me joy is that every new video you put out, your subscribers keep going up ❤️

[@VVeedragon]

I just love the detailed videos you put out. they are super helpful for game development. Just subbed for that

[@Three_Tiny_Robots]

I've never played the Souls/ Sekiro games (I don't play console or PC games because I know I'd never be able to get anything else done if I started 😅) but I love these clips. The story-telling in the designs of these characters and the worlds they inhabit are amazing! Thank you for giving us a good look at them, and a glimpse into the lore behind them. 😄

[@BeeTheTravler]

Naydras corrupted theme fits so well wtf

[@Boamere]

I always assumed that when you kill the rotten mini dragon lads that you were cleansing the dragon. And that's why everyone is corrupted who drinks of the waters, the dragon is "stagnating"

[@pepper4022]

I love your videos, your channel is my and my fiance's favorite channel I'm always excited to see what obscure thing you've found. Pls never stop making videos

[@Mason-hs9oz]

It seems like the gods of Sekiro are all connected to plants /trees? Persimmon and snake, Sakura and dragon?

[@Goodbutevilgenius]

The carp...

[@willyeeton4390]

@@Goodbutevilgenius was the carp really a god? People worshipped it but it was really just an old fish, y'know? Then again, Buddha was just a chill guy and the big snake is just a big snake, so who knows what qualifies a thing for godhood.

[@selfishteammate]

zullie i just wanna say your music choices are PERFECT for each video 💞

[@seikoteacup3452]

0:54 divine dragon pog

[@fabi3790]

From always puts so much detail into stuff that we won't notice or even fucking see when playing

[@JPMgeo]

Your videos are next level, always a pleasure to watch.

[@Gjd94]

So cool seeing the details this close-up. Ty again for all you do!

[@Csabelito]

I wish there was a mechanic that the more Dragonrot there is in your world the harder the Divine Dragon gets, it could have different looks too

[@travisshields2617]

That would have been a really awesome detail! I’m sad they didn’t think of it… or maybe they did but didn’t want the two to be connected that way. Not a bad idea for a lore-based mod though.

[@elderflwr.]

The Divine Dragon is not a real dragon. It is actually a "Jiaolong", or a flood dragon in disguise. Jiaolong are beings that can evolve into a dragon if they pass the divine test, or a Jie (not passing will result in death). Dragons have both arms and legs, with fin on the tails that enable them to fly. The Divine Dragon instead has tail like snake and no legs, which proves my speculation. Jiaolongs are said to have no horns nor legs and finless tails, cannot fly, and lives in water and bring disastrous flood to wherever they go (the Fountainhead Palace is largely flooded and destroyed, proof). My theory is the Jiaolong wanted to avoid or cheat its Jie and still become a Dragon, so it ate a chunk of the sakura tree (top of the tree is broken off, proof) as it may contains some sort of power. It then sat on the tree and waited for it to work (probably couldn't move either) and as a result the chunk it ate grew out of its body as horns like it wanted (they apear wooden instead of real animal horns, along with the protrusions on its spine, proof) but it also grew out of control, as we seen on its ripped-open chest (instead of cut the chest opening looks more like pushed outwards) and lower part where there's branches. And the fact that it cannot fly (Dragons can) and is bound to the ground fighting with a sword further proves my theory. Source: 山海经

[@ЛМорнингстар]

So Elden Beast is true dragon?

[@BertoPlease]

The Nayru dragon ost from Breath of the Wild is very fitting and appreciated 🙏

[@johnblmccormick]

I have returned to once again commend your impeccable music selection.

[@multiverserift]

Looking forward to your video about Bayle. I came back here as an appetizer.

[@arthurs8373]

God i'm so excited for Elden Ring I can't take it anymore

[@coolcool8693]

OHHHHHH ELDEN RING!!!!!!!

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

Would never expect a tree to think so highly of itself as to make a Dragon Stand. Interesting.

[@Space_Australian]

I love these, From have created such amazing characters and worlds it's always a joy to learn more about them since I was too trash to even beat the first DS1 boss lol. Sekiro seems cool, is it worth it for someone that hasn't played the other games?

[@Masquerade1200]

Never noticed it was part of the tree, this is such a cool model

[@aki3128]

That is such a stellar design seeing all its nooks and crannies up close god I'm in awe

[@Ikarusu]

Me: "wow cool dragon lengt--" KZbinr: "VIDEEEOO CARRRDSSS"

[@azmitzy]

Honestly to me this just adds to the theory that dragon rot and Scarlet rot are the same thing

[@dandman9373]

"T-posing Divine Dragon isn't real, it can't hurt you" T-posing divine dragon:

[@Dattobayo]

I love these close-up inspections :)

[@charlieburnham39]

Such an amazing design, it's a shame we never get a chance to really take it in during normal gameplay. I always wondered what was going on with it's mouth, flower petals make a lot of sense. One of my favorite parts of the game, even on repeat playthroughs, love the gracious gift of tears message

[@JK_The_Fool]

I like to think the wound on his chest is when kuro cut his own chest with the mortal blade to take the blood, and his missing arm is because sekiro has a missing arm

[@zuker1524]

Amazing!! Never knew there was such meanings behind all that detail, thanks to you now we know!

[@TheHonoredMadman]

These little details are why I love these games

[@神奇的木箱]

so thats why the chinese translation called divine dragon as "sakura dragon" rather than divine?

[@ionian525]

Big badass creature going through a state of decay is weird From Software trope that I am constantly here for

[@smitened]

Reminds me somewhat of the wooden snake sculpture behind Father Ariendal in DS3. Obviously not meant to be connected, but possible the dragon's design and the DLC were being developed alongside each other.

[@andreavescovo8995]

Imho Sekiro was meant to be connected to Dark Souls somehow (either being "The East" or the Painted World of Ash). The more solid references to Japan were likely part of the deal with Activision.

[@damienmcneff7715]

I like to think the missing arm and hash across the chest are to mirror the wounds sustained by Sekiro and Kuro respectively

[@damienmcneff7715]

*GASH not hash, damn autocorrect

[@vitthor]

Just saying, you should try to show stuff from Kings Field, since you are covering lots of stuff in the from software games lol.

[@picklejhojho]

I guess the relation to the sakura tree makes more sense, but I always thought the dragon shared the wounds of those that inherited its blood (same missing arm as sekiro, and a cut on the chest like kuro although bigger)

[@Bowblaxian_Tricknology]

Very interesting!!

[@charlylmaoo5953]

The gash in the dragon's midsection could also be a parallel to Sekiro's gash in the chest from where Owl stabbed him (you can see it with the Tengu outfit)

[@GuitarGuise]

You'd expect to see a lot more injuries in it, then, given that Wolf was not the first. I think they're just parallels, but not directly linked. By that, I mean I don't think Wolf losing his other arm would result in the dragon losing another arm as well

[@willyeeton4390]

@@GuitarGuise perhaps the dragon can heal when the power of the dragon's blood is not in use. Before it was linked to Sekiro, I assume it had a long while without a user. The last dragon rot outbreak was also a long time ago.

[@Kuehenberg]

Dragons and trees intertwined in a FromSoftware game...does remind me of something...

[@sinifexxephinis4310]

It's amazing how many details there are, it looks awesome too.

[@bradleydoyle6752]

I definitely think there's something to the dragon rotting, the mini dragons puking poison at you was a big eye opener to me and clearly communicated something about the lore that I don't really understand yet.... but was clearly meant to be a huge surprise to the player when encountering it in this supposedly divine realm

[@MynJade]

When you zoomed in on the Divine Dragon's face to show the petal teeth, I was hit with a huge wave of realization: It's just From Soft's version of Falcor...a good boye

[@EvilExcalibur]

One thing that I loved about the fight was that as you killed the little guys they'd respawn in an ugly sickly color. The sickly ones cough and vomit furiously in a way reminiscent of dragonrot. The rot from the dragon is likely what caused the everblossom to wither and die. It's my opinion that the exalted draw life from the dragon itself, causing it to rot in the same way that the little dragons take each other's life until there's no more to take and how Sekiro takes the lives of those around him much with the same result. The missing arm is likely a trophy taken along with the tears for tomoe. The dragon's seeming rot could also be a sign of it withering after having an arm cut off much like how the everblossom withered after having a branch cut off. Plus the missing arm and chest wound are some lovely parallels with Sekiro himself (shout out to vaati)

[@Connorthecatsdad]

1 - I love your videos 2 - very nice choice using the Corrupted Naydra theme from Breath of the Wild 👌

[@1wietje]

I love how everything big or long is inevitably compared to the snake.

[@samanthaB98]

it being from china or korea makes so much sense considering they've said the dragon's heritage originates in the west

[@stormoceaninslowmotion]

dude.... this is my new favorite dragon ever... this detailed design and mysterious lore are amaing and its HUGE!!!!

[@VincentBrooks437]

Its been a year since I've been playing this and I've completed it the 4 time now. But I need a break cos this game is so good and unique that I'm dying for a sequal and lately there have been too many dark souls up close details videos. So its nice that someone doing the same with this one. The divine dragon is facinating but I would like to know more about the rats, the okami gunwomen and the okami warriors, palace nobles and the nightjar ninjas.

[@johnoneil9188]

It is interesting to see a dragon from Korea represented in media as I can´t really recall any other instance.

[@DeShelbadon]

When you panned the camera from the dragon in the tree to the T pose dragon I jumped in my seat lmao it scared me for some reason