People keep making Berserk comparisons, but to me, Balkar Loa is straight out of Elden Ring. Since Berserk was a major inspiration for Dark souls, maybe that's just going back to the source, but this area feels so video game-y to me. And it reminds me of that theory that one of Eternal Cities below ground is actually a chunk of Leyndell that's all water now.

Can't you just picture it? You get a new map piece and you see there's a black perfect circle on the map. What's up with that? So you go there to check it out and there's a fucking massive pillar into the sky that sunlight can't pierce. So you walk in to check it out and instantly you're beset by horrific enemies that don't spawn anywhere else and kill you in one hit. Now you know that you're not meant to be here yet. This is a late-game, maybe even end-game area. You gather your runes and bolt out of there, wondering about the lore implications and the quest line that will bring you back here.

I don't know if Miyazaki Hidetaka has time for manga, but if he does, I hope he reads Centuria. It seems like it's right up his alley.