From Kill Bill to South Park: Fortnite’s “Niche” Collaboration Era

Epic Games is moving away from the “superhero-only” era, opting instead for cult classics and adult animation that target a more mature audience.

The Bride Meets the DeLorean

The Pacific Break Battle Pass is perhaps the most eclectic in the game’s history. Headlining the set is Beatrix “The Bride” Kiddo from Kill Bill, complete with her trademark Hanzo sword as a mythic item. Alongside her, Marty McFly brings the Back to the Future nostalgia, marking a clear pivot toward 80s and 90s cinema that resonates with the older demographic of the player base.

The South Park Shockwave

The real headline-grabber this month is the South Park crossover. Despite years of “too mature for Fortnite” rumors, Cartman and Kenny have officially arrived in the Item Shop. This collaboration marks a turning point for Epic, proving that no IP is truly off-limits as they expand the Metaverse. The “Stick of Truth” back-bling is already a top-seller, and the custom cel-shaded style helps these characters pop against the realistic lighting of Chapter 7.

A Curated Pop-Culture Museum

This shift represents a strategic change in Epic’s licensing department. Instead of chasing every seasonal blockbuster, they are curating a “pop-culture museum.” By securing legendary IPs like Kill Bill and South Park, they are appealing to “collectors” who may have grown tired of the revolving door of Marvel and Star Wars skins. The focus has shifted from quantity to cultural relevance, ensuring that the Item Shop feels like a daily event rather than a predictable rotation.

The Rise of Manhwa: Solo Leveling Leaks

Looking ahead, the “niche” trend is set to explode with the rumored Solo Leveling collaboration. Leakers have confirmed that Sung Jin-woo is coming in February, marking Fortnite’s first major venture into the world of Korean manhwa. Data-miners have already found assets for a “Shadow Monarch” emote that summons spectral soldiers—a feature that would have been unthinkable just two years ago. This suggests that Epic is looking beyond Western media to capture the global zeitgeist of 2026.