Marvel Rivals’ Psylocke looks more Japanese than in the comics – here’s why

Psylocke’s character design in Marvel Rivals looks more Japanese than her regular appearances in comics – and with good reason. NetEase Games and comic artist/writer Peach Momoko have confirmed that Marvel Rivals’ Psylocke design is based on her appearance in the Marvel Demon Days comic run. 

Teasers for Psylocke began on September 22 on the official Marvel Rivals Discord channel, where a new hero trivia challenge was posted. While hints about an ancient Japanese demon hunter, a samurai blade, a red and purple color scheme, and the character’s affiliation with the X-Men led people in the right direction, it was the Demon Days: X-Men hint that confirmed NetEase Games is using Peach Momoko’s unique take on Psylocke as the basis for their version of the character. 

Demon Days is a comic series that reimagines Marvel characters within the setting of Japanese folktales. In the series, Psylocke is a Japanese warrior known as Sai who fights alongside her loyal dog, Logan. She has fought the strong human bodyguard Juggernaut (known in the series as “Jaga”), a massive oni Hulk (known as “Halbo”), and a Yamata no Orochi Venom. Other Marvel characters such as Black Widow and Ghost-Spider have also been reimagined in their own Demon Days stories. 

As far as gameplay goes, Psylocke looks to implement hit-and-run tactics like those of Black Panther and Spider-Man. Her dash ability allows her to get to places faster and cross gaps while an invisible skill lets her pass unseen through enemy lines. In this manner, she most certainly plays like the ninja Peach Momoko envisioned her as.