Genshin Impact is facing growing accusations of cultural appropriation and whitewashing, with some voice actors calling on publisher HoYoverse to make changes.
The ever-expanding Genshin Impact universe features stories and locations seemingly inspired by the real world. Similarities range from the geography of in-game settings to architecture, mythology, music, food, and history in general. These connections are extended to a new region, Natlan, which was revealed in a trailer last week.
Fan outrage has stemmed from what many see as a failure to accurately portray the cultures each character draws from, including the fact that Mavukia, Kinich, and Ororon – who appear to be inspired by real-world gods like Mahuika of the Maori – are all white. It continues a trend in Genshin Impact of players clamoring for proper representation.
Now, some of the actors behind the faces of Genshin Impact have also spoken out. Albedo actor Khoi Dao posted a statement on X/Twitter calling for change at Genshin Impact.
“When a game leans so heavily on real-world cultures and bases a character on the supreme god of the Yoruba religion, and that character ends up looking like the pale Sasuke Batman, then people absolutely have the right to demand better representation, ESPECIALLY when the game has a clearly stated dedication to a *global* audience.”
Dao continued: “I hope you all make your voices heard, and I hope you will be heard.”
Zeno Robinson, who voices recently released Genshin Impact character Sethos, also took a swipe at HoYoverse, highlighting the global need for better representation.
“If even your core audience, the Chinese fans, is asking for better representation/character with different shades of melanin, who are you making these characters for?” Robinson said.
Ọlọrun Is the supreme Yoruba deity. You could even find that with a quick Google search.
This is unforgivable. Look what some sick SMITE did to their own interpretation!!! IT’S NOT HARD!!! photo.twitter.com/LbP3nuT3MK— Valeria Rodríguez 🍉 (@ElvisBadger) July 13, 2024
Sucrose actor Valeria Rodríguez also brought more attention to the issue with a series of posts. One post compares Olorun’s appearance in Titan Forge Games’ MOBA title Smite to their appearance in Genshin Impact, saying, “Look what a sick job SMITE did with their own interpretation!!! IT’S NOT HARD!!!”
“It shouldn’t be a radical desire to want to see yourself reflected in the media you consume,” Yoimiya actress Jenny Yokobori said in her own post.
Natlan hasn’t been officially added to the Genshin Impact universe yet, and doesn’t have a release date yet. With some time left between now and launch, Cyno actor Alejandro Saab took note of the complaints surrounding Ororon and made a request to the HoYoverse team.
“I didn’t know THAT was what it was based on… AH that’s bad,” Saab said. “You still have time to fix it.”
there is so much beauty in the world – so many stories that can be told or drawn out, and if it’s not done fully, it feels disrespectful, even if that’s not the intention. I hope it’s possible to make changes at this stage.
— Allegra Clark (@SimplyAllegra) July 13, 2024
Anne Yatco, who plays Raiden Shogun from Genshin Impact, added: “I really hope a video game company listens to its fans when there are legitimate criticisms of its research and inclusion of elements/aspects from other cultures for years in a row.”
Genshin Impact was released in 2020 and has since built on its foundation with new locations and characters. HoYoverse has not yet responded to calls for better representation or the BoycottHYV movement.
IGN has reached out for comment.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor at IGN. He began writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
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