Genshin Impact has increasingly faced accusations of cultural appropriation and whitewashing, and some of the game’s voice actors have reached out to publisher HoYoverse asking for changes.
The ever-expanding universe of Genshin Impact features stories and locations that feel inspired by the real world. Similarities range from the geography of the in-game settings to the architecture, mythology, music, food, and overall history. These connections are extended to the novel region, Natlan, which was revealed in a trailer released last week.
The fan outcry stems from what many see as a lack of precise representation of the cultures each character draws from, including the fact that Mavukia, Kinich, and Ororon — who appear to be inspired by real-life deities like the Māori Mahuika — are all white. This continues a trend in Genshin Impact where players are begging for proper representation.
Now, some of the actors behind the faces of Genshin Impact have started to weigh in. Albedo’s actor, Khoi Dao, posted statement on X/Twitter calling for changes to Genshin Impact.
“If a game draws so heavily from real-world cultures and bases a character on the supreme deity of the Yoruba religion, and that character ends up looking like a pale Sasuke Batman, people have every right to demand better representation, ESPECIALLY when said game clearly states its commitment to a *global* audience.”
Dao continued, “I hope you all spread the word and that they will listen to you.”
Zeno Robinson, who voiced the recently released character Sethos in Genshin Impact, also HoYoverse shoutedhighlighting the global need for better representation.
“If even your core audience, Chinese fans, are demanding better representation/characters with different shades of melanin, who are you creating these characters for?” Robinson said.
Ọlọrun Is the supreme deity of the Yoruba. You can even find him with a quick Google search.
This is unforgivable. Look at the unwell job SMITE did with their own interpretation!!! THIS IS NOT DIFFICULT!!! photo: twitter.com/LbP3nuT3MK— Valeria Rodriguez 🍉 (@ElvisBadger) July 13, 2024
The actress Valeria Rodríguez, who played in the film “Sucrose”, brought more attention to this problem a series of postsas well. One post compares Olorun’s appearance in Titan Forge Games’ MOBA Smite to their appearance in Genshin Impact, saying, “Look at the sick job SMITE did with their own interpretation!!! IT’S NOT HARD!!!”
“It shouldn’t be a radical desire to see yourself reflected in the media you consume” – actress Yoimiya Jenny Yokobori said in your own post.
Natlan has not yet been officially added to the Genshin Impact universe and does not have a release date. Since there is still some time left until the release, Cyno actor Alejandro Saab I took into account the complaints surrounding Ororon and turning to the HoYoverse team with a request.
“I didn’t know THAT was who he was modeled after… AH, that’s bad,” Saab said. “You still have time to fix it.”
there is so much beauty in the world – so many stories to tell or draw from, and when it’s not done to its full potential, it ends up feeling disrespectful, even if it’s not intentional. I hope that at this point, change can be made.
— Allegra Clark (@SimplyAllegra) July 13, 2024
Anne Yatco, who plays Raiden Shogun in Genshin Impact, added“I sincerely hope that a video game company listens to its fans when valid criticism is raised for many years in a row regarding its implementation of research and inclusion of elements/aspects of other cultures.”
Genshin Impact launched in 2020, and since then the game has continued to expand on its foundations, adding novel locations and characters. HoYoverse has yet to respond to calls for better representation or the BoycottHYV movement.
IGN has reached out for comment.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor to IGN. He began writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work on outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to follow him on Twitter @MikeCripe.
