Bayonetta's Iconic Glasses: Origins and Publisher Resistance Revealed by PlatinumGames Developers

Bayonetta’s signature glasses have become one of the most instantly recognizable aspects of her character design, setting her apart in the action game genre.

Developed by PlatinumGames, the Bayonetta series has enjoyed critical acclaim and a growing fanbase, especially since its full trilogy arrived on the Nintendo Switch, available via physical release and Nintendo eShop.

However, the iconic look fans know today almost took a very different turn, as recently clarified by key team members behind the franchise. Hideki Kamiya, the visionary creator of Bayonetta and veteran game director at PlatinumGames, recently shed light on the original design process for the titular character’s glasses.

Responding to a fan query about a prior interview, Kamiya clarified that although the now-famous comparison between Bayonetta’s glasses and underwear was made by animation director Yuji Shimomura, there was genuine pressure from publishers to reconsider the character’s eyewear.

Kamiya explained on social media that "when I was developing Bayonetta, the clients asked me to remove her glasses.

Despite these requests, I consistently refused.

Shimomura-san, who handled directing the cutscenes, is the one who said, ‘Bayonetta's glasses are like her underwear—never to be taken off.’” Adding further insight, Mari Shimazaki, renowned for her work as Bayonetta’s character designer, detailed the origin of the glasses design.

Shimazaki shared, “During the design phase for the first Bayonetta, I was sketching concepts when Kamiya-san appeared behind me and suggested adding glasses.

From that moment, regardless of the draft, he would suggest including glasses, which led me to always have a ‘glasses layer’ ready for any iteration.

Although the design went through numerous changes, the glasses were a constant.

Even the rare instance when Bayonetta removes her glasses felt significant to her characterization, further highlighting how central they became to her identity.” Since its initial release in 2009, Bayonetta has become one of PlatinumGames’ defining series.

The Nintendo Switch now boasts the entire Bayonetta trilogy, with the latest entry, Bayonetta 3, launching worldwide in October 2022.

The franchise’s enduring popularity is reflected in strong sales figures and repeated inclusion in high-profile Nintendo Direct presentations. The commitment of PlatinumGames developers like Kamiya and Shimazaki has ensured Bayonetta remains a visually iconic and culturally resonant character within the Nintendo Switch library.

As players return to the full trilogy or discover Bayonetta for the first time on the eShop, they can appreciate not only the fast-paced action but also the distinct artistic vision and tenacity that preserved her famous look.

Hideki Kamiya PlatinumGames Bayonetta developer Resistance Mari Nintendo Switch Yuji Shimomura Mari Shimazaki eShop Nintendo Direct Bayonetta 3