Jill Valentine's Next Appearance in Resident Evil: A Chance to Correct Death Island's Glaring Error

As one of the most beloved characters in the Resident Evil franchise, Jill Valentine holds a special place in fans' hearts. Her upcoming game appearance presents an opportunity to address a significant misstep from the animated movie Resident Evil: Death Island.

Throughout the Resident Evil series, we've been introduced to a plethora of iconic main characters, with each new entry adding to the rich roster. While Ethan Winters has garnered some appreciation from fans, he hasn't quite attained the same level of reverence as the series' legacy heroes, like Chris Redfield and Leon Kennedy. And let's not forget the essential role that Jill Valentine plays in the saga.

Jill made her debut in the very first Resident Evil game in 1996 and has been a recurring character ever since, serving as a playable protagonist in three major entries. The recent success of the Resident Evil 3 Remake has brought Jill back into the spotlight, leading to a prominent role in the animated movie, Resident Evil: Death Island. However, the movie falls short in one significant aspect that needs attention in her next video game appearance.

Resident Evil: Death Island, available on VOD from July 25, takes a fun and adventurous approach, reuniting classic protagonists like Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield to take on infected foes. While the movie seems to have aged up Leon and Chris appropriately, showing the effects of the 17-year gap since the first game, the same care was not given to Jill Valentine's character.

In Death Island, Jill looks almost identical to her appearance in the Resident Evil 3 Remake, with the same character model, outfit, and hairstyle used in both. It's worth noting that according to the series' canon, both Chris and Jill were 23 years old during Resident Evil 1, which means they should be around 40 years old during the events of Resident Evil: Death Island. Yet, while Chris looks appropriately aged, Jill seems strangely immune to the passage of time.

The creators of Death Island provide an explanation for Jill's perpetual youthfulness, stating that her infection with the T-Virus has slowed her aging process. While this may seem plausible on the surface, it feels out of place within the wider Resident Evil universe. Some argue that this decision to keep female characters perpetually young might come across as an attempt by Capcom to maintain their attractiveness. This issue extends to characters like Claire and Rebecca in the movie, who also appear much younger than they should, given their canon ages.

As Jill is destined to return in future Resident Evil games, it's essential that her character design reflects her age and experiences. Fans cherish Jill for her personality and character development, and the next game should focus on showcasing these traits rather than prioritizing a youthful appearance.

Introducing realistic aging for characters like Jill can bring depth and authenticity to the storytelling, enhancing the overall gaming experience. By doing so, developers can pay proper homage to this iconic character and stay true to the spirit of the Resident Evil series. Let's hope that Jill Valentine's next appearance proves to be a much-needed correction to the glaring error from Death Island.