Ellie from *The Last of Us* has quickly become a major figure in video games. Even though she’s only been in two games so far, she’s a remarkably well-developed character. We see her change from a sassy, quick-witted teenager into a more mature and complex young woman. While Naughty Dog hasn’t revealed everything about her – like the story behind her scar – there’s still a lot we know about Ellie and her journey.
So, I’ve been replaying *The Last of Us* and even after all this time, I’m still finding stuff I missed! Turns out there are a few details even the most dedicated fans might not have noticed. I’ve put together three of them, starting with the easier-to-miss things and moving towards the really obscure stuff – though the order isn’t super strict.
3) Her Last Name Was Revealed by the Japanese Manual
Many fans discovered Ellie’s last name is Williams through the TV series, but it actually appeared earlier. Before the show and the remastered game officially confirmed it, fans guessed at her surname. Surprisingly, it was mentioned in one place before becoming widely known.
If you happened to find the original Japanese version of *The Last of Us*, you’d notice the game manual already identified the main characters as Joel Miller and Ellie Williams. While their last names weren’t officially confirmed for years, that Japanese manual is now a neat little piece of trivia for fans of the popular game series.
I’ve been wondering, were the characters’ last names always planned, or did Naughty Dog see how much fans were speculating and then confirm them as a fun nod to us? Either way, it’s exciting to think about! I’m really hoping future *The Last of Us* games introduce more members of the Miller or Williams families. We still know practically nothing about Ellie’s dad, so that’s definitely something I’m looking forward to learning more about!
2) She Was Originally Going to Kill Tess
Tess Servopoulos doesn’t have a large role in *The Last of Us*, but she’s important because she helps Joel and Ellie begin their journey. She convinces Joel to take Ellie to the Capitol Building, but is bitten during their escape from Boston and ultimately dies. Interestingly, Tess wasn’t always meant to be a minor character. Early in development, Naughty Dog considered making her the main villain, and concept art exists showing her threatening Joel, who is tied up.
Originally, the plan for the story involved Tess having a brother who died during a smuggling operation. Tess would hold Joel and Ellie responsible and then gather a group to pursue them across the country. The story would have culminated in Tess capturing Joel, only for Ellie to rescue him by killing Tess. This was intended to demonstrate Ellie’s development as a character and set up a role reversal, with her becoming Joel’s protector after he’d protected her throughout the game. Interestingly, some of these ideas later found their way into Abby’s storyline in *The Last of Us Part 2*.
1) You Can Catch Her Secretly Picking Up Items
As a huge fan of *The Last of Us*, I’ve noticed something really cool! Throughout Ellie and Joel’s journey, Ellie will often pick up little things around the world – like those magazines in Bill’s town or a toy for Sam. It’s neat because the game is designed so she usually does this when you’re not directly watching, making it a surprise when you see her with them in cutscenes. But if you’re quick and pan the camera around, you can actually *catch* her grabbing these items! It adds so much to her character and makes the world feel even more lived-in.
It’s a very minor detail that doesn’t impact gameplay, and most players won’t even notice it because things happen so quickly. However, it demonstrates the incredible attention to detail Naughty Dog put into creating the world of *The Last of Us*. They could have simply had items automatically added to Ellie’s inventory, but they prioritized realism. These small, extra touches add a sense of believability that really shines when you happen to catch them.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-09-14 18:40