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The Bubble Head Nurses are monsters appearing in Silent Hill 2, the spin-offs Silent Hill: The Escape and Silent Hill: Book of Memories, and in Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2. A manifestation of James Sunderland's subconscious, they were first encountered when James Sunderland entered Brookhaven Hospital after coming to Silent Hill, Maine, in search of his deceased wife. They can be seen both in the hospital and the streets of South Vale.

History[]

When James Sunderland reaches Brookhaven Hospital in search of his late-wife Mary, he is stalked by the Bubble Head Nurses for the duration of his stay. When the town cycles into the Otherworld, the equivalent of REM-sleep in this reality-state, a more demonic variation of the nurse surfaces, and they continue to stalk him until he reaches the Silent Hill Historical Society.

In other media[]

Silent Hill: The Escape[]

The Bubble Head Nurses appear as recurring enemies in the 2008 iOS mobile shooter Silent Hill: The Escape.

Silent Hill: Book of Memories[]

Sh book of memories art 20120126 06

Nurse from Book of Memories.

In the dungeon crawler spin-off Silent Hill Book of Memories, they are simply called "Nurses" (as opposed to their full name) and are one of the first enemies to be encountered in the game, appearing in the first zone onwards. The player can encounter light, blood, and steel versions of the nurse.

Armed with a steel pipe, they usually attack in groups, are fairly fast, and will attempt to surround the player; however, their attacks only cause a small amount of damage, and they are fairly easy to kill, especially from range. They also have a weakness to the steel pipe, the same weapon which they wield.

If the player has the Expansion Pack, they can also wear Bubble Head Nurse masks, called the "Creature Head".

Silent Hill: Downpour[]

Bubble Head Nurses make an appearance in the "Surprise!" ending of Silent Hill: Downpour, attending Murphy Pendleton's birthday party, alongside James, Mary, Laura, Heather Mason, and several other cameos.

Silent Hill 2 (Bloober Team)[]

The Bubble Head Nurse appears in Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2. Returning concept artist Masahiro Ito redesigned them to wear colored stockings, because he felt the original showed too much skin and he wanted to demonstrate that this was a new interpretation of the story. The design is also tied to the gameplay.[1]

Guest appearances[]

BubbleHead active

The Bubble Head Bomber.

The Bubble Head Nurse appears as a playable character Super Bomberman R under the name Bubble Head Bomber.[2] The game states that she is a monster who stalks an abandoned hospital on the barren Planet Silent-Hill, and will sometimes fall prey to Pyramid Head. Although she takes the form of a nurse, her true form is unknown.[3] Rather than wielding a pipe, Bubble Head Bomber wields a giant bendy straw.

Design and symbolism[]

When I worked on designing creatures in Silent Hill 2, I really made them have their each meaning of appearance on the true reason of James's journey. Because they are something like illusions from his subconscious, not only creatures to take the score.
Masahiro Ito[4]

The Bubble Head Nurse is a female humanoid creature, roughly the same height as Mary Sunderland,[5] that appears in a low-cut Brookhaven Hospital nurse uniform. Their heads are wrapped in a thin vinyl mask containing a semi-liquid (mixed with thinned blood) covering the surface of their face.[6][7][8] The liquid-trapped mask gives the head a swollen appearance reminiscent of Mary's swollen head during her illness and hospitalization.[9][10][11] The bottom center of the mask takes the shape of an infant's face,[12] sometimes obscured by a red square covered in dried dirt or blood tied to the save points and the nine red squares that James encounters at the end of the game.[13][14] The Nurses are seen constantly twitching and jittering, as they suffocate and attempt to shake the liquid-filled masks from their heads.[9]

The baby face symbolizes James and Mary's desire for a child.[15][16] The suffocation that the Nurses experience is also representative of James's subconscious memory of smothering Mary with a pillow.[17][18] The red squares covering the mouths symbolize "shrieking insanity," particularly Mary's anger and verbal abuse against James. This motif was continued in Silent Hill 3.[19][20][21]

Nurse Mod 01

The Otherworld variant of the Bubble Head Nurse

A dirtier brown-tinted variant of the nurses can be seen in the Otherworld wearing tattered clothing, a mask with spikes driven through it, and a protrusion coming from their back and shoulder. According to creature designer Masahiro Ito, this variant of the Nurse was a last-minute addition to the game, so the symbolism behind it wavers slightly. However, it serves as a metaphor for Mary on her sickbed. Despite fan speculation, the protrusion is in no way connected to the Parasite or Puppet Nurses from the original game.[22][23][24][25] Ito clarified that the design of the nurse reflects James's subconscious and not Mary's feelings.[26]

Gameplay[]

Bubblehead nurse1

James shooting a Bubble Head Nurse.

They emit shrieks and gurgles when approaching him and carry their own melee weapons, usually pipes similar to James's. They are fairly aggressive and will surround James if he encounters more than one in an area. However, if they come in close contact with one another and decide to attack, chances are they will harm one of their own close by.

It is advised to fight them from range either with the handgun or shotgun, as a blow from their pipes can do quite a bit of damage. In the hospital, it is advised to use the shotgun, due to the narrow corridors, and because they tend to travel in groups. Melee is not the best option for fighting them, but if the need arises, the steel pipe is the favored option due to its range.

Trivia[]

SH2 Nurse Concept

Initial concept for the Bubble Head Nurse.

  • At one point in Silent Hill 2's development, the Bubble Head Nurse's face mask was intended to burst like a balloon when taking damage to the head (such as from a gunshot). Their weapon was also going to be a blood transfusion stand.[27] Eventually, it was changed to a steel pipe as an homage to Harry Mason.[28]
  • Despite being a manifestation of James Sunderland's subconscious, similar monsters have appeared in Silent Hill: Origins and Silent Hill: Homecoming.
  • When asked why the Brookhaven Hospital nurses in Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3 are distinct from one another, Masahiro Ito replied, "Because they had different protagonists."[29] However, because the Silent Hill 3 nurses are callbacks to the Puppet Nurses from Alessa Gillespie's nightmare, but with red squares and Brookhaven uniforms, Ito referred to them as "a cross between 1 and 2's nurses".[30]
  • In the E3 trailer for Silent Hill 2, Bubble Head Nurses can be seen in the streets of South Vale during the Fog World segments.[31] This was not present in the final game.
  • The Silent Hill 2 BradyGames strategy guide by Dan Birlew refers to them as "Nurse Demons". However, this should not necessarily be accepted as an official name because it never appears anywhere else, and even the official strategy guides occasionally have errors.
Image 9185f9c54

Lying Figure concept art.

  • Masahiro Ito drew inspiration for the design of the nurses' attire from The Exorcist III, Jacob's Ladder, and bondage outfits.
  • The red boots worn by the Gecco figurine were repurposed from Ito's concept art for the Lying Figure.[32]
NurseAttack

Dark Nurses in the film.

Gallery[]

Artwork[]

Models[]

Silent Hill 2[]

Silent Hill: The Escape[]

Silent Hill: Book of Memories[]

Silent Hill 2 (Bloober Team)[]

Merchandise[]

References[]

  1. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1636975218517479425
  2. https://www.polygon.com/2017/11/15/16658372/bomberman-r-switch-castlevania-gradius-silent-hill-rumble-roses-zone-of-the-enders
  3. https://twitter.com/KonamiUK/status/1425849760624173059
  4. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1096846368021274624?lang=en
  5. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1221588171906928640?lang=en
  6. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1262794249952612352
  7. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1262807044421115904
  8. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1262817717301571584
  9. 9.0 9.1 http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1rk16ro
  10. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/928352377425379329?lang=en
  11. http://www.silenthillmemories.net/lost_memories/guide/048-049_en.htm
  12. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/871025486180122624
  13. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/871026997140443137
  14. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1244402367082016769
  15. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/871112029695651840
  16. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1244286176342577153
  17. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1137526700546203649?lang=en
  18. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1138097387170279424
  19. https://web.archive.org/web/20160411234831/https://8226.teacup.com/hill_nobu/bbs/1476
  20. https://mobile.twitter.com/adsk4/status/534388290971906048
  21. https://mobile.twitter.com/adsk4/status/534391668384886785
  22. http://web.archive.org/web/20190925211400/https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1171310265213652993
  23. http://web.archive.org/web/20190913220324/https:/twitter.com/adsk4/status/1171745390942535681
  24. http://web.archive.org/web/20190927192843/https:/twitter.com/adsk4/status/1171746211893657600
  25. http://web.archive.org/web/20190927084739/https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1171801667693465600
  26. http://web.archive.org/web/20190914042959/https:/twitter.com/adsk4/status/1171802900869218304
  27. http://www.twitlonger.com/show/l4lo8d
  28. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/928345853051355136
  29. https://mobile.twitter.com/adsk4/status/844153391320260608
  30. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1244166699831582720
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk7JkSArEdQ
  32. https://www.twitter.com/adsk4/status/1364152917289172992
  33. http://alchemillahospital.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/pshome_nurse.jpg
  34. https://mobile.twitter.com/adsk4/status/1364044486540632076
  35. https://mobile.twitter.com/adsk4/status/485805613277265920
  36. https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/41460754
  37. https://mobile.twitter.com/adsk4/status/431814393362251776
  38. https://mobile.twitter.com/adsk4/status/582185296751542273
  39. https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/1633168374091100163
v · e · d
Characters
Major Characters
James Sunderland - Mary Shepherd-Sunderland - Angela Orosco - Laura - Eddie Dombrowski - Maria
Other Characters
Ernest Baldwin - Amy Baldwin - Mary's Doctor - Rachel - Thomas Orosco - Mrs. Orosco - Jennifer Carroll - Patrick Chester - Mira - Harry Mason - Greys - Scott Fairbanks - Walter Sullivan
Monsters
Abstract Daddy - Bubble Head Nurse - Creeper - Flesh Lip - Lying Figure - Mandarin - Mannequin - Mary - Prisoners - Pyramid Head
Weapons
Chainsaw - Chinese Cleaver - Great Knife - Great Spear - Handgun - Hyper Spray - Pipe - Revolver - Rifle - Shotgun - Wooden Plank
Locations
Baldwin Mansion - Blue Creek Apartments - Brookhaven Hospital - Church of the Rebirth - Dog House - Heaven's Night - Jacks Inn - Labyrinth - Lakeview Hotel - Lake Shore Restaurant - Neely's Bar - Motor Home - Observation Deck - Pete's Bowl-O-Rama - Rosewater Park - Silent Hill Historical Society - Silent Hill Ranch - Silent Hill Woods - South Vale (Carroll Street - Katz Street - Lindsey Street - Nathan Avenue - Neely Street - Rendell Street - Saul Street - Vachss Road - Wiltse Road) - Texxon Gas - Toluca Graveyard - Toluca Lake - Toluca Lake Island - Toluca Prison - Wiltse Coal Mine - Wood Side Apartments
Terms
Flashlight - Fog World - Little Baroness - Manifestation - Map - Monster - Otherworld - Radio - Red Square - Siren - Seal of Metatron - UFO Ending - Sexuality - Toilets
Archives
Memos - Items - Keys - Puzzles - Soundtrack - Secrets and Unlockables - Pachislot
v · e · d
Characters
Major Characters
Ashley Baker - Derek Copeland - Graham Reynolds - Howard Blackwood - Jack Merrick - Katie Collins - Matthew Collins - Protagonist - Lorelai Reynolds - Shannon - Trent Baker
Other Characters
Alex Shepherd - Cybil Bennett - Emma - Harry Mason - Heather Mason - James Sunderland - Jason - Joshua Shepherd - Lisa Garland - Mary Shepherd-Sunderland - Mira - Murphy Pendleton - Travis Grady - Walter Sullivan
Monsters
Air Screamer - Blood Baby - Blood Guardian - Blood Mama - Bogeyman - Bubble Head Nurse - Butcher - Double Head - Earth Guardian - Fire Guardian - Flesh Lip - Ghost - Grey Child - Insane Cancer - Light Guardian - Needler - Mother - Pyramid Head - Raw Shock - Tremer - Schism - Steel Guardian - Swarm - Valtiel - Water Guardian - Wood Guardian - Wood Sapling
Weapons
A. Y. Guitar - Assault Rifle - Baseball Bat - Bare Hands - Beam Saber - Bogeyman's Hammer - Chainsaw - Circular Saw - Crossbow - Crowbar - Dagger of Melchior - Earth Sword - Fire Axe - Fire Sword - Flamethrower - Great Cleaver - Great Knife - Great Spear - Grenade - Guitar - Handgun - Hyper Spray - Katana - Knife - Maul - Meat Cleaver - Laser Gun - Pickaxe - Pillow - Pipe - Princess Heart - Robbie Doll - Rock Drill - Shovel - Shotgun - Steel Sword - Stun Gun - Sword of Obedience - Submachine Gun - Television - Torch - TV Remote - Water Sword - Wine Bottle - Wood Sword - Wood Plank
Locations
Howard's Shop - Library - Forsaken Room - Otherworld
Terms
Monster - Flashlight - Accessories - Artifacts - Karma Meter - Book of Memories - Welcome Sign
Archives
Memos - Broadcasts - Michelle's Diary
v · e · d
Characters
Major Characters
Murphy Pendleton - Charlie Pendleton - Carol Pendleton - Anne Marie Cunningham - Howard Blackwood - John P. Sater - Patrick Napier - Frank Coleridge - George Sewell - Bobby Ricks - Nun
Other Characters
Sanchez - Homer - M. Koons - Bryan Handley - Ariadne Johnson - Melissa Matlan - Glen Milton - Ricky - Daniel Stephens - Chloe Zane - Mary Shepherd-Sunderland - James Sunderland - Laura - Heather Mason
Weapons
Baseball Bat - Bogeyman's Hammer - Bottle - Brick - Chair - Colt - Crowbar - Demon Statue - Double Headed Axe - Fire Axe - Fire Extinguisher - Fork - Frying Pan - Golden Gun - Golf Club - Hammer - Handle - Hand-to-Hand - Hatchet - Ladder Hook - Knife - Lamp - Meat Cleaver - Nailgun - Pickaxe - Pitchfork - Plank - Rake - Rifle - Rock - Shotgun - Shovel - Steel Pipe - Vase - Wrench - Tomahawk
Monsters
Bogeyman - Doll (Shadow) - Monocle Man - Nurse - Prisoner Juggernaut - Prisoner Minion - Pyramid Head - Screamer - Tormented Soul - Void - Wall Corpse - Weeping Bat - Wheelman- Bubble Head Nurse
Locations
Aerial Tram Station - Centennial Building - Chastain Heights - Chastain Heights Cinema - Devil's Pit - Devil's Pitstop - Interstate Gas Station - Hardware Store - Hillside - Logan's Park - Monroe Cemetery - Overlook Penitentiary - Pearl Creek - Pearl Creek Bank - Pleasant River - Port District - Ryall State Prison - St. Maria's Monastery - Underground Subway - Toluca Lake
Terms
Trinkets - Flashlight - Fog World - Map - Monster - Otherworld - Real World - Sidequest - Siren - Walkie-talkie - Manifestation - Seal of Metatron - Welcome Sign - Halo of the Sun
Archives
Items - Keys - Puzzles - Soundtrack - Secrets and Unlockables - Memos - Pachislot
v · e · d
Crossovers
Krazy Kart Racing
Characters
Pyramid Head - Robbie the Rabbit
New International Track and Field
Characters
Pyramid Head
Super Bomberman R
Characters
Pyramid Head - Bubble Head Bomber
Dead by Daylight: Chapter XVI - Silent Hill
Characters
Cheryl Mason - The Executioner
Cosmetics
Lisa Garland - Cybil Bennett - Alessa Gillespie - James Sunderland - Robbie the Rabbit
Locations
Midwich Elementary School
Terms
Map - Flashlight - Seal of Metatron - Monster - Siren - Toilets
Music
Dead by Daylight: Silent Hill Edition Original Soundtrack
Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals - Silent Hill
Playable characters
Heather Mason - Cybil Bennett - Robbie the Rabbit - Nurse
Other characters
Pyramid Head - Air Screamer
Music
Claw Finger - Until Death - Don't Cry
Archives
Category:Crossovers - Category:Dead by Daylight Characters - Category:Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals Characters - Category:DLC
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