For years since its 2022 reveal, fans have tirelessly debated one burning question: Is Silent Hill f truly connected to the iconic horror series? After much anticipation and speculation, the answer is finally here. (Fair warning: major Silent Hill f spoilers lie ahead!)
Those who have reached Silent Hill f‘s initial ending are no strangers to its unsettling twist. We learn that Hinako, the high school student we’ve been guiding through Ebisugaoka, is actually an adult Hinako embroiled in a severe drug-induced psychosis. What appeared to be a typical day for a young protagonist shockingly transforms into a wedding day massacre in the real world, where Hinako has brutally murdered her loved ones. While her actions are horrifying, a deeper look reveals a disturbing logic.
The root of Hinako’s madness lies with Kakura-Makakura, a natural medicine derived from ground Hakkokusou seeds, delivered in small, red capsules. Her friend Shu, an apprentice apothecary, initially offered it for her tension headaches, seemingly without fully understanding its potent effects or notorious reputation. Sparse journal entries from Shu indicate he created it using peony and kudzu root, intending to reduce Hinako’s dependence on conventional medicine. However, further exploration through scattered town documents and the eerie spirit realm unveils the true, sinister nature of this “remedy.”
In-game research papers label Hakkokusou as “the flower of the gods,” an herb deeply ingrained in folklore. Its seeds are said to grant users the ability to commune with deities, traverse divine realms, and unlock latent powers—experiences Hinako undergoes firsthand. These same documents also highlight Hakkokusou’s extreme rarity and specific cultivation needs, making its presence near Shu’s apothecary, the town’s herbal medicine hub, particularly significant.
Near Shu’s residence, a small pond emerges, encircled by striking white flowers unlike any other in Ebisugaoka. This is the crucial moment where Silent Hill f reveals its deep ties to the franchise. Though named Hakkokusou in this game, seasoned Silent Hill players will instantly recognize these blossoms as White Claudia, a perennial aquatic herb known for its hallucinogenic seeds.
White Claudia has been a recurring, significant element throughout the Silent Hill series. In the original game, Harry Mason uncovers documents suggesting that the town’s cultists consume its seeds during rituals, shedding light on their erratic conduct. He also discovers a broken bottle of Aglaophotis at the hospital—a dense, red liquid, which is, in fact, refined White Claudia.
In Silent Hill 3, Heather Mason cherishes a pendant from her father, its item description revealing a “jewel inside, like a little red tablet.” This “jewel” is later confirmed to be a small vial of Aglaophotis. More recently, the remake of Silent Hill 2 featured White Claudia in a new ending, depicting James consuming the substance and experiencing vivid hallucinations of his late wife, Mary, before her illness took hold.
Further strengthening this theory, let’s explore Aglaophotis, White Claudia’s liquid counterpart. Historical sources suggest “Aglaophotis” might refer to a real herb, often linked to the European peony, and even named by the Greek doctor Dioscorides as part of the Paeoniaceae family. This aligns perfectly with Shu’s journal, where he notes using peonies to create Kakura-Makakura. Moreover, an item crucial for achieving Silent Hill f‘s “Fox Wedding” ending—Agura no Hotei-sama—is a medicine bottle filled with a red liquid, strongly resembling Aglaophotis. Hinako herself is compelled to consume this refined “flower of the gods” to maintain her stability within the spirit world.
While Silent Hill f may not be set in the familiar town of Silent Hill, it undeniably exists within the same terrifying universe, weaving together the franchise’s signature narrative threads and unsettling themes. This title stands as one of the series’ finest, with critical acclaim describing it as “a visual spectacle, a mastercraft in psychological horror, a work of narrative brilliance, and a new benchmark for the Silent Hill series.”
