Bayonetta designer lends talents to Soul Calibur V

Namco Bandai has brought Mari Shimazaki on board as a guest character designer for Soul Calibur V.

1UP reports Shimazaki served as character designer on Platinum Games' hack-and-slash, Bayonetta.

The designer has provided three costumes for the game - the main design for new character Leixia, and alternate costumes for returning characters Tira and Ivy.

Both Shimazaki and Soul Calibur V producer Hisaharu Tago considered Bayonetta herself as a guest character.

"Bayonetta not only uses a weapon but also special magical attacks that were beyond the project's limit at the time of selecting, so this time she was taken off of the list," Tago explained.

"I think Bayonetta would fit well too, so I personally would like to see it - fighting scenes between Ivy and Bayonetta would be very interesting to watch," Shimazaki commented.

1Up has a collection of images and design documents of Shimazaki's work, so hit the link above to check it out.

Soul Calibur V is due on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in early 2012.