Leon Kennedy’s Ever-Changing Locks: What Color is His Hair in Resident Evil 6?
The question of Leon S. Kennedy’s hair color has plagued Resident Evil fans for years. It’s a topic rife with debate, inconsistencies across games, and even a touch of in-universe mystery. So, let’s cut to the chase: In Resident Evil 6, Leon Kennedy’s hair is depicted as completely blonde. Yes, that’s right, not dirty blonde, not light brown, but a full-fledged, albeit sometimes slightly muted, blonde. This stark departure from his usual hair color was a significant point of discussion amongst fans at the time of the game’s release, and it remains a curious aspect of the character’s design.
The Curious Case of Leon’s Hair: A History of Shades
Leon’s hair color has been anything but consistent throughout the Resident Evil series. In his initial appearance in Resident Evil 2, he was often portrayed as a brunette and sometimes even with a ginger hue in certain cutscenes. These inconsistencies were largely attributed to the technical limitations of older game engines. As the series progressed, Leon’s hair seemed to settle into a more established color palette, albeit one still prone to fluctuation.
From Brown to Dirty Blonde and Beyond
The transition to Resident Evil 4 marked a significant shift, with Leon sporting a distinct dirty blonde hairstyle. This version of Leon became incredibly iconic and was widely regarded as his “true” look by many fans. However, the variations didn’t stop there. Following Resident Evil 4, his hair continued to toggle between shades of brown and dirty blonde across various titles, including animated features like Degeneration, where he also has blonde hair.
The Blonde Experiment in Resident Evil 6
Then came Resident Evil 6, where Leon’s hair took its most radical turn, becoming a pure blonde. This change was noticeable and, for some fans, a departure from the familiar look. It was an outlier in the broader narrative of his hair, and while not universally embraced, it added another layer to the ongoing saga of Leon’s changing appearance.
Reconciling the Changes: The Remakes and Beyond
The most recent entries, the Resident Evil 2 Remake and the upcoming Resident Evil 4 Remake, appear to bring Leon back to his dirty blonde roots, seeming to solidify this as his canon hair color. The remakes even suggest, through the inclusion of brown roots, that Leon may be dyeing his hair, implying a conscious choice on his part. This explanation suggests that Leon is naturally a brunette, who styles his hair blonde.
15 Frequently Asked Questions About Leon Kennedy’s Hair
To further clarify the mystery surrounding Leon’s hair, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions:
1. What is Leon’s natural hair color?
The consensus, based on the remakes and the appearance of his brown roots, suggests that Leon’s natural hair color is brown. It appears he dyes his hair to the various shades of blonde.
2. Why does Leon’s hair color change so much?
In the early games, technical limitations led to inconsistent hair colors. Later, it appears to be an intentional styling choice, with evidence suggesting he dyes his hair dirty blonde.
3. When did Leon’s hair turn dirty blonde?
Leon first appeared with dirty blonde hair in Resident Evil 4.
4. Did Leon have red hair in Resident Evil 2?
In some cutscenes of the original Resident Evil 2, Leon’s hair appeared to have a ginger hue, but this is likely due to color variations caused by the technology of the time.
5. Is Leon’s hair blonde in Resident Evil Degeneration?
Yes, Leon’s hair is blonde in the CGI animated film Resident Evil: Degeneration.
6. Is Leon’s hair black?
No, Leon’s hair is not black. While it’s often been depicted as brown or dark brown, it’s most commonly seen as various shades of blonde, from dirty blonde to a fuller blonde.
7. Does Leon have brown roots in the remakes?
Yes, the Resident Evil 2 and 4 Remakes depict Leon with brown roots, supporting the theory that he dyes his hair.
8. Is Leon a redhead?
No, despite some early game appearances that made his hair appear to have a ginger tint, Leon is not a redhead. His natural hair color is suggested to be brown, though he usually styles it with a blonde shade.
9. How old was Leon in Resident Evil 6?
In Resident Evil 6, which takes place in 2013, Leon was 36 years old.
10. How old was Leon in Resident Evil 2?
In Resident Evil 2, Leon was 21 years old.
11. What is Leon’s full name?
Leon’s full name is Leon Scott Kennedy.
12. Who is Leon’s face based on?
In the recent remakes and some other instances, Leon’s features are based on the Romanian model Eduard Badaluta.
13. Does Leon know Spanish in RE4?
While not in the original version, Leon knows Spanish in the Resident Evil 4 Remake.
14. Is Leon a police officer?
While initially designed as a veteran, Leon is a rookie cop during the events of Resident Evil 2. By the time of the remakes and other games like RE4, he’s more along the lines of a government agent or DSO agent.
15. Who are Leon’s allies in Resident Evil 6?
In Resident Evil 6, Leon’s allies include Chris Redfield, Jake Muller, and Ada Wong, with the story featuring intertwined narratives that unite them in various locations.
Conclusion: The Shifting Sands of Leon’s Hair
The journey of Leon Kennedy’s hair color is a fascinating microcosm of game development and character evolution. From the technical quirks of early games to the deliberate design choices of more modern titles, the color of his hair has become a subtle yet intriguing part of his iconic status. Whether he’s a brunette, dirty blonde, or a full blonde in Resident Evil 6, Leon remains a compelling protagonist whose adventures continue to captivate players around the world. His current dirty blonde locks, now seemingly cemented as his signature look, might finally provide some consistency to the age-old debate.