Genshin Impact developer HoYoverse has faced mounting backlash over ‘colourism’ in the game’s latest teaser for the upcoming region Natlan. The video, which introduces the entire cast of Natlan characters, including the assumed Pyro Archon Mavuika, has caused further outrage within certain sections of the community.
The backlash began following the first trailer release, where players noted the alleged whitewashing of characters based off of Aztec, Yoruba, and Maori gods to mention a few.
Calls for accountability for the devs has been going rounds over various social media sites, with much of the conversation taking place in X (formerly Twitter) with the hashtag #BoycottHYV. The hashtag currently has over 44,000 tweets.
Fans have taken it up themselves to start a change.org petition that calls for HoYoverse to “stop cultural appropriation and whitewashing” in their games. The petition now currently has over 51,000 signatures.
Fans have also highlighted alleged colorist and racist depictions that can be found in other HoYoverse games, pointing out Honkai Impact 3rd with certain orientalist outfits for Valkyries, Honkai: Star Rail and their depiction of Roma people and the Jazz age with Penacony, and even the new urban fantasy Zenless Zone Zero and the blackface poster which can be found in one of the areas of the map.
Voice artists and content creators rally behind fans
English Voice Artists behind Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and even Zenless Zone Zero, have aired their support towards fans who are calling for accountability.
Valeria Rodrigues, who voiced Sucrose for Genshin Impact, was extremely vocal about their thoughts regarding the issue, pointing out how devs who take from real world cultures and deities should respect their depictions.
Khoi Dao, who voices Albedo from Genshin Impact, came out to support fans who are calling out the depiction of Ororon (the “emo batman” Natlan character referenced in his tweet), who is based on the Supreme Deity of the Yoruba religion, Olorun.
Sam Slade, the voice behind Topaz from Honkai: Star Rail and Anby from Zenless Zone Zero, highlighted the animosity that fans are getting within the community for wanting better representation, and how Natlan is a missed opportunity to authentically showcase the diversity of cultures.
June Yoon, The VA for Yip Tak, Gaming’s father in Genshin Impact, has also called the community to air out their concerns about the alleged colorism and cultural appropriation to HoYoverse via email. In his email, he asks HoYoverse to consider redesigning the Natlan characters with respect to their originating cultures.
Content creator Tectone, who is himself a controversial figure in the Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail communities, was even among those who voiced their support, calling the backlash fair for wanting the characters based on indigenous cultures to be properly represented.
While BWAAP, who also does Genshin Impact content, called back to the previous controversy regarding the whitewashing surrounding the Sumeru cast.
These are just a few of the VAs and CCs who aired out their opinions regarding the issue.
HoYoverse has yet to release an official statement regarding the issue, however, fans who have emailed the HoYo CS team have received assurances that the team will continue to improve game content based on player feedback.