Overview
- Miyazaki told The Guardian on Thursday that he does not know why people circulate the idea that he has a "bit of a thing for feet" and said he cannot trace the rumor's origin.
- He described the repeated hand motif in his work as something he is not always consciously aware of and suggested it may be subconscious imagery coming through.
- Miyazaki framed barefoot characters as deliberate choices meant to convey aspects of human nature or existence rather than personal fetishism.
- Journalists treating the remarks in coverage from GamesRadar+, Kotaku and Dexerto report the exchange as clarification tied to promotion of The Duskbloods rather than a serious allegation.
- The meme has roots in concrete examples across FromSoftware games dating back to Demon’s Souls and including Dark Souls and Elden Ring, a pattern that helps explain why fans have long joked about the theme.