Giuseppe Ficano
ABSTRACT:
Jung draws a parallel between the process of individuation, which is the cornerstone of his theory, and the alchemical Opus: to each phase corresponds a pivotal moment in the journey towards becoming oneself. In Bloodborne, the main character undergoes a journey of self-discovery shaped by the player’s choices, both in terms of the narrative (especially with the true ending) and gameplay. The plot and the world of Bloodborne can be understood through the alchemical phases of nigredo, albedo, and rubedo: firstly, the night of Yharnam, then the defeat of Rom and the ensuing blood moon. These stages, which coincide with the encounter with the archetypes of the Shadow, the Animus/Anima, and the true Self, are traversed by the protagonist, who faces both the plague of beasts (Shadow) and a profound understanding of that which is different (Animus/Anima and the Great Old Ones), which ultimately reveal the invisible to them with the blood moon and leads them to the end. The hunter’s final steps towards individuation are conditioned by the consumption of the One Third Umbilical Cords, and can consequentially guide them to substantially different paths, based on the player’s choice.
KEY WORDS:
alchemy, Bloodborne, choices, individuation, Jung, philosophy, psychology.
DOI:
10.34135/actaludologica.2026-9-1.104-117
HOW TO CITE:
Ficano, G. (2026). Transcending the limits of mankind: The alchemical Opus and the Jungian individuation in Bloodborne. Acta Ludologica, 9(1), 104-117. http://doi.org/10.34135/actaludologica.2026-9-1.104-117
Transcending the Limits of Mankind: The Alchemical Opus and the Jungian Individuation in Bloodborne © 2026 by Giuseppe Ficano is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0
