Hornet's Cloak Removal in Silksong Sparks Fan Theories

Yesterday, IGN announced that the highly anticipated game Hollow Knight: Silksong will be playable at an Australian museum starting in September 2025, and they shared a sprite sheet featuring the game's protagonist, Hornet. This revelation sparked a lively discussion across the internet.

A Reddit thread quickly formed to analyze the sprite sheet, which included various poses of Hornet, both in battle and at rest. However, one particular sprite caught everyone's attention: an image of Hornet casually carrying her cloak under one arm. This unusual depiction led to a flurry of comments and reactions.

"In what situation [is] making a sprite of naked Hornet necessary?" asked one user, highlighting the peculiarity of the image. Another redditor humorously remarked, "What kind of situation in-game calls for her to remove her cloak and hold it like she's an exhausted dad returning from work? This is cursed."

The discussion took a speculative turn with users questioning the sprite's purpose. "Is this real???? There’s no way this is a sprite that is going to be in Silksong. Is that just what she looks like????" posited one, while another shouted, "IN WHAT KIND OF SITUATION WOULD THEY EVEN NEED THIS SPRITE?"

The conversation veered into more playful territory, with some users expressing excitement rather than confusion. "So, we don't have to bother making a mod," asserted one, hinting at potential fan creations. Another said, "We're going straight to ESRB 18+ for this one," suggesting a humorous rating increase due to the sprite.

Amidst the mix of reactions, some users expressed discomfort. "HORNET PUT YOUR CLOAK BACK ON THAT'S SO INDECENT WHAT THE HELL," chastized one thread's original poster, with another replying, "This looks so wrong," and "this is completely unnecessary." Another simply announced, "I do not like this."

While the exact purpose of the sprite remains unclear, one theory suggests it might relate to an in-game feature allowing players to upgrade or change Hornet's cloak. Until more details emerge, fans are left to speculate and enjoy the lively discourse.

Hollow Knight: Silksong 2025 Screenshots

View 5 ImagesAs one of the most eagerly awaited games, Hollow Knight: Silksong has topped Steam wishlist charts for years. It made a brief appearance at Nintendo’s Switch 2 Direct last month, and soon after, Team Cherry confirmed a 2025 release window, much to the delight of its patient fanbase. With the game set to be playable at Australia’s national museum of screen culture, ACMI, starting September 18, speculation is rife about a possible launch around August, though no official date has been confirmed.

Silksong will be part of the Game Worlds exhibition at the Melbourne museum, which will also showcase the game's design and artistic direction, offering fans a deeper look into its creation.