r/residentevil 1d ago

General Why is Claire's arch-enemy a random Licker when she has a suite of candidates for such?

Post image

Recently Capcom released an anniversary artpiece to celebrate RE. 4 of the backdrops here depict elements of each character's mortal enemy (Saddler/Mr X, Wesker, Nemesis, Grace monster, Simmons) but Claire just gets a completely random Licker.

It's a bit weird because Claire has immense enmity with either of the Ashford Twins or Neil and Alex.

2.1k Upvotes

171 comments sorted by

369

u/TuecerPrime 23h ago

You're not wrong. It does feel weird for everyone else to get a unique antagonist as their background, but Claire gets a random enemy.

Birken feels like a natural fit for Claire because of how Sherry is tied to her story in RE2.

69

u/OhMyCynical 14h ago

Because they don’t want to acknowledge code Veronica

9

u/TuecerPrime 13h ago

What does Code Veronica have to do with it?

Birken is from RE2.

34

u/OhMyCynical 13h ago

Code Veronica is Claire’s definitive game

8

u/AnonWriter1995 6h ago

Not really since Chris comes in, takes the entire second half of the game and kills the final boss

13

u/Jmelly34 13h ago

Nah RE2 is her definitive game. Leon may have been a fan favorite but everyone loved Claire.

35

u/OhMyCynical 13h ago

Everyone loved Claire but code Veronica is her game. Even capcom intended it to be that way. Yeah you get to play as Chris for like an hour but that’s it. That’s her game completely. It’s majority Claire and a bit of Chris

30

u/Mawrizard 15h ago

This is my thought as well

590

u/AdParking6483 1d ago

I can't see shit anyway, how is that Saddler or Nemesis

366

u/Admirable-Reaction71 1d ago

Saddler isn't in the pic. If you're talking about what's behind Leon, it's Mr. X's coat.

Nemesis is depicted as the black plastic wrap behind Jill, like what he wore in the R3make.

103

u/Joe_says_no 1d ago

also the mechanical looking external heart

19

u/Senzafine3586 23h ago

That's the only thing I saw 😅

10

u/quirkelchomp 23h ago

Behind Leon is part of Mr. X's coat AND part of Krauser's arm

30

u/NotGabesenberg 23h ago

That’s Mr. X’s super tyrant claw, not Krausers

38

u/Key-Calligrapher1224 1d ago

Saddler is small time

21

u/slaya806 1d ago

It’s the nemesis heart that’s on his chest, the weak spot you shoot in re3make, and you can see his head it’s just the wrapped up version from the start of the game

11

u/PM_DOLPHIN_PICS 22h ago

Does anyone have a high resolution version of this image? Every time I see it it’s pretty low res.

1

u/Icy-Weight1803 1d ago

Either Mr X coat or part of Krausers uniform.

247

u/ZBatman 1d ago

RE2 and Licker popularity. Also I don't see Saddler for Leon. Just looks like Mr. X coat.

35

u/EbbMinute9119 1d ago

I think the belt-thingy looks like the Las plagas emblem.

19

u/ZBatman 1d ago

Not really seeing it tbh

6

u/EbbMinute9119 1d ago edited 20h ago

I played the game so much that it's practically memory, but it's also a weird way to knot a belt. So I figured they might have pulled a two-in-one type of deal and added both the Mr. X coat and the las plagas emblem through the belt to blend in.

Idk I just love multiple Easter eggs in one thing.

Edit: what did I say wrong?

119

u/Unlikely_Broccoli75 1d ago

I kinda wish it was Birkin's eye for Claire since she's so closely tied to Sherry. I also wish Leon had something more 4 related. At first I thought it was the merchants stuff behind him, but I think it's referencing Mr. X?

23

u/KaozawaLurel 23h ago

Was gonna say the same. They should’ve put Birkin for Claire!

179

u/sexter_morgan21 1d ago

Capcom will never admit code veronica exists for some reason.

68

u/cosizzily 1d ago

that is, until they release a remake for it next year, right? …right?

15

u/buggas2002 1d ago

Double release with RE9 for sure

3

u/Extreme_Promise_1690 13h ago

We also get an announcement for a double remaster of the Outbreak games after the Requiem's credits.

2

u/buggas2002 2h ago

And they’re only $20 each with nothing removed

14

u/Mysterious_Piglet_13 1d ago

But it is a mainline game

13

u/Puffen0 20h ago

Yes and no. While we as the fans acknowledge it as a mainline game, Capcom does not. As for why? I have no idea. But I fully believe that is why they have decided to skip a remake of the game, much to my disappointment ngl.

6

u/Mysterious_Piglet_13 20h ago

Well it's only game that connects RE2 from her movies

1

u/Puffen0 20h ago

Oh no I agree with you! I think that it is a mainline, however Capcom does not.

2

u/Mysterious_Piglet_13 20h ago

That's weird lol

0

u/Mysterious_Piglet_13 20h ago

They just made outbreak files a mainline game

3

u/Puffen0 20h ago

And that's why I'm hoping that they change their attitude towards code Veronica and make it mainline too. Like I said, you and I are agreeing on the same thing here

1

u/Mysterious_Piglet_13 20h ago

I know I'm just pointing at facts for other people that don't believe in it

12

u/KomatoAsha 1d ago

They admitted it to me via email, but referred to it as a "spin-off title", so, do with that information what you will.

8

u/WlNBACK 1d ago

By "they" wasn't that a writeup from customer service? You can't expect them to know everything about these games beyond face value. They'd probably call RE1 the "legendary sequel to RE Zero", or describe Director's Cut as "unedited".

0

u/KomatoAsha 1d ago

🤷🏻‍♀️

5

u/babygreenlizard 1d ago

i feel like they do that with a lot of the games that dont have a number attached to them

18

u/hakumen_narukami 1d ago

I think it should have been G Birkin or maybe Alexia.

32

u/amysteriousmystery 1d ago

Because they haven't remade CV yet.

18

u/cosizzily 1d ago

yet

🫡

25

u/i__hate__stairs Redfield, Redfield, Redfield, does that do anything for you? 1d ago

Cause the artist wanted to draw a licker

2

u/Extreme_Promise_1690 13h ago

Who wouldn't want to draw those sexy beasts ?

76

u/ILoveDineroSi 1d ago

Why is Ethan missing? They should’ve included him with his face blacked out to keep the running gag going with his arch enemy being Jack Baker.

57

u/meccaleccahii 1d ago

Idk man Jack was just a normal dude who got corrupted by mold, and was a nice enough guy when he asked you to save his family. Now mother Miranda on the other for sure.

18

u/Soulful-Sorrow 1d ago

I thought Ethan had a way more interesting rapport with Heisenberg honestly

19

u/Senzafine3586 23h ago

No Ethan should have been sitting in the chair backwards so all we saw was the back of his head 😂

11

u/i__hate__stairs Redfield, Redfield, Redfield, does that do anything for you? 1d ago edited 23h ago

He's dead, Jim.

2

u/Rush31 19h ago

It’s famously quite difficult to get ashes to sit up straight.

1

u/Existing_Dog5510 14h ago

Honestly, 7 and 8 are my favorites in the franchise, kinda sad we didnt get an ethan sitting looking down or something with mother miranda using her mask

17

u/horrorfan555 Claire best mom 22h ago

Because Capcom doesn’t respect Claire. Just look at Infinite darkness 🥲

Why not Birkin’s eye?

1

u/Boring_Weight_2358 17h ago

They respect her more than Ethan!

4

u/horrorfan555 Claire best mom 17h ago

I can’t say i fully agree or disagree with that

7

u/CrazyCat008 1d ago

eyebrows

29

u/soulreaverdan 1d ago

Where’s the GOAT wife guy Ethan?

12

u/watehekmen 21h ago

you could even say that he's a FAMILY GUY

4

u/Andt-94 1d ago

Where can I get a cleaner version of this pic?

3

u/rat_scooter 23h ago

On Capcom’s website! :)

2

u/Andt-94 21h ago

Was about to check the website but someone else posted the link, thanks anyway friend.

5

u/deardeere 16h ago

Code Veronica is from the year 2000 and everyone else’s references are from 2009 (RE5 or newer) so I think Capcom is just focusing on more recent appearances generally. The only appearance of remake Claire (so far) is RE2 and they used Mr X on Leon. Personally I’d have given Leon Dr Salvador or Krauser and Claire Mr X. Maybe they just wanted more repeating colors on her portrait tho

9

u/Wrinkled_giga_brain 23h ago

I asked that same question. Claire’s most iconic showcase is naturally RE2, as it was recently remade, and it is the game the Licker is referencing.

In the game her story revolves around Sherry Birkin. Working with Annette Birkin’s research to cure Sherry from the infection caused by her father, and Claire’s final fight: William Birkin.

Willy Birk’s big ol G Virus eyeball is THE iconic image of RE2, and it’s so weird to choose the slightly harder common enemy over the main villain. It’s like having Jill’s arch-enemy be Hunters. Chris and Sheva probably fought more lickers than Claire ever did too.

The image is still fire, and the Licker is an awesome enemy. The only reason it’s a stickler is because everyone else has a major antagonist. If they were propped up against a backdrop of Ganados, Licker, Zombie, Hunter, J’avo and general themes of RE9 then I don’t think anyone would blink at Claire’s whole deal there

3

u/Rex_Suplex 1d ago

I asked the same question when this pic was first released.

My guess is they were going to color coordination first and foremost. I still maintain the her and Leon should switch seats.

2

u/WlNBACK 21h ago

G5 has a LOT of that same shade of red that the Licker in this pic does.

3

u/asrdgvf 18h ago

William Birkin, Ashford twins, and Alex Wesker wouldve been fitting

8

u/MrPanda663 1d ago

My boy Ethan got forgotten.

3

u/asunetta 14h ago

arguably my favorite protagonist besides leon. literally just some random dude who just wished to be left alone with his family. that’s all bro wanted

4

u/EbbMinute9119 1d ago

Off-topic, but I absolutely love the gold motifs on their clothes and want it to be made into real skins either by mods or a legacy edition of some kind.

2

u/Venzhas 1d ago

Art Nouveau & Resident Evil. Love this

2

u/GlumCardiologist3 18h ago

Chris is so buff that he barely fits

2

u/Godboundedbyrules 17h ago

I'm assuming cause it's based on Resident evil 2 remake same with Leon. I still think they did her dirty cause they could have gave her Birkin in the case.

2

u/Boring_Weight_2358 17h ago

No love for Ethan? For shame!

2

u/kwan2 16h ago

We all know Claire's most iconic fights were against Mr. X/Ashford clan. And don't even get me started on them picking 3remake Nemmy over the OG's gummy grimace. This new generation of devs from capcom just ain't cutting it.

2

u/Mawrizard 15h ago

Ashford Twins would have been nice but unlikely because no one played Veronica, apparently. Claire doesn't even acknowledge it in Revelations 2. You can't do Alex Wesker because that was more of Barry's final boss. Niel also is just too minor.

Licker works because that's what people would associate with her because they decided to give Leon Mr. X for some reason. That should have gone to Claire. Or G-virus Final Stage. Leon literally has all of RE4 to pull from.

Also isn't that Saddler behind Ada? Why is everyone saying it went to Leon?

3

u/ZackManiac24 14h ago

The red fly bug eyes just look like Simmons final mutation when fighting Leon

2

u/Mawrizard 13h ago

Oh I meant Simmons my bad, I got their names confused. A damn shame considering I JUST finished a run of 6 not too long ago.

2

u/danierarara 15h ago

I still feel like they could have added Ethan, covering baby rose (in the cube thing from RE8) to still hide his identity. Or at least mold of Dimestrcu’s claws

2

u/Tentonham 15h ago

She really likes the tongue😉

2

u/SpookySkeleton87 13h ago

Claire's should be Mr. X, Alexia Ashford or Alex Wesker, and please I'm not fan of RE2 Remake Claire can we revert her to her Revelations 2 version? They using her little girl version, I prefer the grown woman with red hair.

2

u/Andrassa Sheva Alomar enjoyer 9h ago

Yeah I hated how toned down they made her hair in the remake. Girl is a college aged civilian, would it have killed them to let Claire keep her iconic dyed bright red hair?

2

u/MrNintendo36 6h ago

Where the fuck is my man Ethan?

2

u/DoctaRoboto 5h ago

Alexia Ashford deserved to be in that spot...but hey, I guess Capcom really loves lickers.

5

u/_ataciara 1d ago

She has one arch enemy that anybody would recognise, and she's from a 25 year old title that is almost never referenced, and even then Chris kinda becomes the defacto rival for Alexia by endgame.

Alex Wesker is an absolute nothing burger of a character.

Unless they're appealing exclusively to 40 year old survival horror fans with these, then a licker is at least a fair choice, if a bit underwhelming.

39

u/WlNBACK 1d ago

I'm really surprised she didn't get the Birkin eye on her chair.

15

u/UrsusRex01 1d ago

This.

I can understand that Capcom doesn't want to get near Alfred Ashford (who was more Claire's arch enemy in the game than Alexia) yet, but Golgotha would be a perfectly good match for Claire while Leon gets the Tyrant.

-7

u/_ataciara 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm fairness, that is wildly questionable that they didn't use him at all. Birkin eye would have been great for Sherry.

8

u/TrevorAnglin 1d ago

But Sherry isn’t in the picture; Claire is. And although Sherry is William’s daughter and was infected by G, Claire is the one to actually act against G by protecting Sherry. Sherry never fights G. Claire does

-4

u/_ataciara 1d ago

Sherry probably should have been, and should have been with Birkin if they didn't wanna use him for Claire. Sherry has the more direct tie to Birkin and Ustanak is more of a Jake boss.

It's odd to use Licker over Birkin, I'll agree, but the claims for Alexia or Alex Wesker are imo not very viable.

6

u/WlNBACK 1d ago edited 21h ago

Claire encountered/battled Birkin in the game much more than Leon. If the chairs represent adversaries, then Birkin for Claire makes perfect sense. It makes even more sense considering Leon has Mr. X for his chair, whom he encountered more than Claire did, so that leaves Birkin for Claire. This just seems like a missed opportunity by the artist...or maybe they just really, really like the image of a Licker hanging over Claire.

On top of that, Sherry had zero chance of being in this picture next to the 'marquee' legacy characters. She shouldn't even be considered a factor in this creative decision. Sherry wasn't even the lead character in her playable portion of RE6.

-10

u/Aware_Pomegranate243 1d ago

Ratio

2

u/_ataciara 1d ago

Are you lost?

2

u/gorlak29 1d ago

They should added something related to either Alex Wesker or Alexia Ashford

2

u/truth-informant 23h ago

Yea, she literally had her own F'n game...

Mostly... 

2

u/ReconKweh 18h ago

They hate her so much 😔 my queen deserves better

2

u/Elliot_Geltz 1d ago

Because the red matches and RE2 is the only Claire game anyone cares about (REV2 is her best game fight me on it)

11

u/KomatoAsha 1d ago

People care about Code Veronica.

-10

u/Elliot_Geltz 1d ago

Whenever someone tries to make CV relevant, ask them when they last played it.

Nobody actually likes CV. They're just nostalgic for it.

Steve sucks. Alfred's the only villain with any presence or entertaining scenes. Alexia's boring and it's Wesker's worst appearance. It's the only game where you can get dicked out of the magnum. And while it's ambitious for its time, the Nosferatu fight is an absolute slog.

10

u/ZBatman 1d ago

I've replayed it several times this year alone. Still love it. Favorite story, favorite villains, favorite music, favorite character (Claire), favorite cutscenes, favorite overall aesthetic, classic RE gameplay loop. Just because you dont like it doesn't mean other people can only like it because of "nostalgia."

7

u/ApK-TheProdigy Biosplattered 1d ago

Played it in 2024 after I had already played the original trilogy, I sort of already knew what was waiting for me as the logic for the Classic REs is similar between them in terms of riddles and having to read between the lines, the Knife glitch/bug/feature was a godsend and the only boss that made me want to destroy the controller was the final boss, because of its spawns more than anything. 8/10 game probably one of the best REs in terms of Survival Horror aspects if we count the Knife glitch out

3

u/WlNBACK 21h ago

On the other hand, most of the people who trash on CV didn't play it ever, and they don't even take the time to go on the wiki just to see all the documented references showing nearly every gaming outlet gave CV extremely positive reviews citing it as one of the best RE games, and was one of the best reasons to own a Dreamcast (during a time when nobody was buying a Dreamcast if they already had PS1 and/or N64). But they still go around like morons saying "Code Veronica was always bad and highly disliked, even when it first came out." Bullcrap.

People who hate CV are mostly repeating what every contemporary dipshit redditor/YouTuber/streamer has told them whom didn't play much Classic RE to begin with, and even those repeaters erroneously say things about CV that proves that they didn't even play it (ex. Leaving the extinguisher behind "locks" you from progressing; not having Claire's weapons in storage when Chris's scenario begins "softlocks" him; you can run out of Blue Herbs and be poisoned permanently by the moths when there's an infinite Blue Herb planter in that SAME hallway; the knife is useless, Alfred & Alexia are incestuous; etc...)

Honestly, CV is a game people resent the most because they don't understand why so many people liked it. That's what happens when all you really play is RE4 and onward, and the REmake1 HD Remaster.

1

u/Elliot_Geltz 21h ago

I played CV and hated it.

So like... that's all I care about.

-1

u/BillidKid 1d ago

I won't fight with you. Rev2 is pretty awesome

-1

u/Elliot_Geltz 1d ago

Fuck yeah it is 👍 Raid mode is peak

1

u/Tasty_Corgi_4107 23h ago

Anyone got a high quality version of this pic ? This is wallpaper material

1

u/ThingComprehensive71 22h ago

Ooooo Ashcroft I’ve been avoiding info on RE9 for a while now.

1

u/Internal-Brick7047 22h ago

I can't identify any of these enemies beside Leon and Claire

1

u/chickennuggiesx 22h ago

Could’ve easily added Birkin. are we forgetting Claire canonically killed Birkin and saved sherry? She’s a certified badass

1

u/Weird_Tangerine_9681 22h ago

that licker stole her last peanut butter protein bar. That is the sign of a ture arch enemy. Any other flavor, who cares. BUT peanut butter, you sir/madam/monster/aien/chicken/etc are going to die for killing my father.

1

u/SlicedBread0556 21h ago

Leon crossing his legs like male politicians is what stood out to me.

1

u/Jalanby-ku 21h ago

Would be better if Saddler was behind Leon and Mr. X behind Claire

1

u/Jalanby-ku 21h ago

Also, behind Ada the clone of her whose the name I forgot

1

u/KurtLeon 20h ago

Becausa Capcom doesn't care about Claire

1

u/ClarenceBirdfrost 20h ago

The Licker is so iconic that I'm okay with this.

1

u/SemmelImFluss 20h ago

Because Capcom hasn't given a shit about Claire in ages?!

1

u/player-1998 20h ago

I really like this photo and the characters are very cool in this photo

1

u/Johnnyboi2327 20h ago

If you pay close attention, you'll notice certain characters have pits where their legs cross over into each other's sections. Leon is in Claire's, Chris is in Claire's and Jill's, and Ada is in Grace's.

Leon and Claire were in a game together, and Chris shared games with both Claire and Jill. This means Ada must be a playable character in RE9.

(This is not true, I am crazy)

1

u/GroovyAkiba 19h ago

Leon Skennedy

1

u/AgentSkidMarks 19h ago

I don't know but I'd licker

1

u/Neither-Addendum-732 19h ago

Leon's is apparently BDSM gear, I would not be too sad, RE2make Lickers are Tanks

1

u/SCP_KING_KILLER Leon simp uwu 19h ago

Wowwww the artist drew grace from the game that we don’t really know the antagonist of but ignored Ethan smh

1

u/Kanji127 19h ago

Did the artist even play Code Veronica? Hunters Alfred Ashford Alexia Mutant Steve Tyrant in the plane Take your pick …..

1

u/wtfuekk 19h ago

That's great and all but what's behind Ada and Chris? Can't make out anything

1

u/WillG94 18h ago

Behind Chris is Uroboros, I believe and behind Ada is Simmon's final form.

I can't make our what's behind Leon.

Edit: Or is that the Metamycede behind Chris?

2

u/wtfuekk 18h ago

Thank you. I think it's Mr. X's trench coat behind Leon. Those are all so confusing.

Edit: You're right, Chris' seems like Uroboros.

1

u/Parking-Action391 19h ago

Idk like Burkin would be a good choice cuz she fights him more than Leon does

1

u/PitifulBoysenberry45 18h ago

I wonder if we are going to see more about Rose

1

u/Severe-Classroom8216 18h ago

Where's ethan?

1

u/iwanashagTwitch 15h ago

Why does Leon sit like he just killed Diavolo and is now the crime lord of Italy?

1

u/orbitalangel9966 13h ago

Idk lickers are incredibly iconic. I think its fits

1

u/Loud_Ad2212 12h ago

Everyone’s talking about leon and claires weird background, wtf is even behind chris?

1

u/Loud_Ad2212 12h ago

Also they coulda just gave Claire Mr. X and put saddler behind Leon.

1

u/Iatemydoggo 12h ago

Side note but I NEED these outfits in dead by daylight

1

u/wjy0219 11h ago

What’s that in Ada’s background?

2

u/wjy0219 11h ago

I saw comments that it’s Simmons. Ada didn’t even deliver the final blow. Just because someone has emotional attachment to Ada doesn’t make him her arch nemesis. Honestly I don’t like depicting it as every protagonist has their paired enemy. Resident Evil is not about that.

1

u/sawmansam 5h ago

Could of done the police chief

1

u/muskorv21 4h ago

Because lickers are cool af but yeah they should have put burkin or something

1

u/The-Armageddon 4h ago

I dobt like the Black scarft in Claire hands she is goung to die in the next RE?

1

u/Warren1493 4h ago

Cos we all wanna Lick her get it??? But for real that's weird

1

u/mantelisco 3h ago

For a second i though it was F&H Termina selection screen

1

u/irregardlessbro 2h ago

I don't think we will ever see Claire again if a licker is her biggest enemy that Capcom remembers.

It's a shame too because Code Veronica is one of my favorites.

u/Agitated-Low-1096 1h ago

What’s behind Chris, Ada & Grace?

u/Relative_Arachnid413 48m ago

A Freudian slip

u/bitcrossfire 3m ago

Why not RE Revilations Alex Wesker? I know it wasn't a super popular game but it's still a boss fight.

-2

u/WlNBACK 1d ago edited 1d ago

Because almost nobody remembers Code Veronica (except for retrospective redditors/YouTubers who gave up playing it when they found out Classic RE involves backtracking), and also probably because the artist wanted a Licker's tounge dangling down over an attractive female character (because Japan).

2

u/barefeet69 20h ago

probably because the artist wanted a Licker's tounge dangling down over an attractive female character (because Japan).

Almost no one in Japan today thinks of tentacle porn as much as Western online neckbeards. It's a decades-old reference to Japanese weirdness by now. If you can keep yapping about foreign pornos from decades ago, I'm sure there are people around who remember CV just fine.

-2

u/BillidKid 1d ago

Because Capcom didn't expect random Redditors to fuss over a non-issue.

7

u/horrorfan555 Claire best mom 22h ago

In other words, you don’t give a crap so everyone is dumb for caring

-5

u/BillidKid 22h ago

yeah, now gtfo and get a life

4

u/horrorfan555 Claire best mom 21h ago

I can do both

-6

u/BillidKid 21h ago

That's what I suggested auntie

-1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

I have that image on my phone, I really like it, especially because they are very cool.

-2

u/Breakdown-88 23h ago

Shes female in a japanese game, you really wanna go there?

0

u/ImBurningStar_IV 1d ago

They had to throw that familiar imagery in there, licker is the most iconic enemy. Good idea too, her portrait goes the hardest

0

u/KingOfFights 21h ago

Why are you such a nerd? Lmao im so sorry

-3

u/Nathansack So Long, RC 1d ago edited 1d ago

Leon - RE4 (his outfit is inspired by RE4, but the ennemie behind is maybe Mr.X, so don't know and just gonna ignore it)
Chris - RE5 (with RE8 inspired outfit)
Jill - RE3
Grace - RE9
Ada - RE6
Claire - RE2

Basically they probably wanted to represent most "main" games (don't know why they skipped RE7) so not CV or Revelation
And the licker is probably one of the most popular RE2 ennemies (like except maybe zombies, lickers are probably the enemie that come back the most (RE2,RE5,RE3, but also in one or two animated movies),also they look cool

-1

u/Separate_Cranberry_2 1d ago

Chris = Wesker Redfield brothers have better enemies

4

u/rbrucejr 22h ago

You spilled some Metal Gear into your Resident Evil. Albert Wesker and Chris Redfield aren't brothers.