During the “Arc World Tour Finals 2023 Pre-Show,” Arc System Works revealed that A.B.A will make a comeback as a new playable character in GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-.
A.B.A will be accessible as downloadable content (DLC) following the update on March 26, priced at $6.99 for the character alone.
A.B.A was introduced as a playable character in the spin-off title “GUILTY GEAR ISUKA.” Known for wielding a large sentient axe that resembles a key, she stood out amongst the cast due to her striking design.
Born as a homunculus through alchemical means within the laboratory known as the “Flask,” A.B.A embarked on a journey beyond its confines. During her exploration, she stumbled upon an axe-like weapon named “Paracelsus.”
Instantly smitten with “him,” she endeavors to grant him a human form, assuming the role of Paracelsus’ “wife.”
A.B.A’s appearance as a homunculus is portrayed with her adorned only in bandages, typically depicted with blood. However, her design undergoes significant changes for Guilty Gear Strive. Instead of her iconic neck-length red hair, she now boasts longer green hair. Additionally, her attire features a new top and larger shorts, providing increased coverage.
This redesign of A.B.A is consistent with the trend seen in Guilty Gear Strive, where iconic characters undergo substantial alterations. For instance, previously reintroduced characters like Elphelt Valentine have seen similar changes.
A.B.A’s redesign aims to minimize the emphasis on her cleavage and cover more of her body entirely.
ArcSys’s decision to modify character designs has stirred controversy among longtime fans who were once faithfully supporting the franchise for years. This discontent is further exacerbated by instances such as the retconning of Bridget’s character that seemingly spits in the face of fans and established lore to incorrectly label him as being transgender, seemingly to cater to Western audiences.
Her drastic redesign, especially the removal of her iconic red hair, intensifies worries regarding “redhead erasure” in modern media adaptations.
This trend is evident across various adaptations and reimagining of various characters from Disney films to comic books, often involving drastic redesigns that either stray from a character’s red hair or more often than not the character has been race-swapped.
Considering the current state of Arc System Works, exemplified by the dogshit localization of Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, I can’t help but anticipate how many hidden agendas A.B.A’s “new correct story” will entail, similar to what we’ve seen with other characters in Guilty Gear Strive.
Nevertheless, her addition on March 26th will also introduce new moves for certain characters.
These additions are set to roll out gradually across the initial 15 characters. In particular, “Artemis” has been revealed as a new move for Millia Rage.
GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- is accessible on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. However, it’s advisable to steer clear of the game, as many Guilty Gear enthusiasts have chosen to do.
Much like Elphelt Valentine before her, the inclusion of A.B.A in this dead game will probably be forgotten within a month, as the self-proclaimed “fans” of STRIVE are bound to revive the argument that Bridget is once again depicted as transgender, with such debates having continually persisted since his inclusion back in August 2022.
