A number of Genshin Impact voice actors have accused the game of discrimination over its newly introduced Natlan characters.
A screenshot from Genshin Impact (2021), MiHoYo
Genshin Impact introduced a handful of its Natlan characters earlier this month in a teaser video.
Since the character reveals a petition was launched on Change.org accusing Hoyoverse of cultural appropriation and whitewashing. The petition states, “We call on MiHoYo to stop cultural appropriation and whitewashing in their games and to commit to respectful and accurate representation of all cultures.”
It continues, “MiHoYo, a leading game development company, has repeatedly taken inspiration from indigenous cultures without proper representation and respect. In particular, the many characters from Sumeru and Natlan in Genshin Impact, and from Penacony in Honkai Star Rail are all clearly white or only lightly tanned at best, with the exception of some enemy NPCs which has sparked concerns of racism among players and indigenous communities.”
Character art for Kachna from Genshin Impact (2024), Hoyoverse
Next, it declares, “Cultural appropriation and whitewashing perpetuate harmful stereotypes and diminish the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities. These practices not only misrepresent cultures but also contribute to ongoing marginalization and disrespect.”
It then issues a list of demands: “MiHoYo to: Engage with indigenous cultural consultants. Revise existing content to ensure accurate representation. Commit to creating diverse and inclusive characters.”
The petition currently has 60,168 signatures.
Character art for Mualani from Genshin Impact (2024), Hoyoverse
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X account HYV (Hoyoverse) Boycott was also created and provides instructions for players on how they can participate in the boycott.
HYV Boycott on X
A number of Genshin Impact voice actors have also engaged in backlash against the character designs and implicitly call the designs racist. June Yoon, who provided the voice for Yip Tak and Kujou Takayuki shared an email requesting the characters be redesigned.
He wrote, “First and foremost, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart, for your continued dedication in working hard on Genshin Impact. As a fan, I appreciate all that your team does to bring this amazing game to us. Thank you so much.”
Next, he admits Teyvat is a fictional world, “I understand that the world of Teyvat is fictional, and that the nations and characters are informed by various real cultures that are mixed to create a fictional setting. With so much research and attention put into the characterization of each nation in their design, Natlan included, it’s disheartening to see those efforts be drowned out by the green-lit character designs that doesn’t respectfully portray the people and the deities of those cultures.”
Character art for Kinich from Genshin Impact (2024), Hoyoverse
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From there, he called on them to change the designs, “Please consider redesigning the Natlan characters with respect to the originating cultures, specifically the skin colors of the characters and the names of the deities.”
He concluded, “Genshin Impact is loved by millions around the world. And I truly believe such an action will bring about even more fans to the game and HoYoverse will gain an even higher level of respect from global fans. Thank you for your time. With respect, the EN voice of Yip Tak, Kujou Takayuki, and other NPCs: June Yoon.”
June Yoon on X
Yoon was not alone. Anne Yatco, who voices Raiden Shogun in the game posted, “I really hope that a video game company listens to its fanbase when valid criticism is made multiple years in a row about the execution of its research and inclusion of elements/aspects of other cultures.”
Anne Yatco on X
Albedo voice actor Khoi Dao also shared on X, “If a game draws so heavily from real-world cultures and bases a character on the supreme deity of Yoruba religion, and that character ends up looking like pale sasuke batman, people are absolutely within their rights to demand better representation, ESPECIALLY when said game has a clearly-stated commitment to a *global* audience.”
He added, “I hope y’all keeping make your voices heard, and I hope they listen.”
Khoi Dao on X
Zeno Robinson, who voices Sethos, posted, “if even your base audience, the Chinese fans, are asking for better representation/or character with different shades of melanin, who are you making these characters for?”
Zeno Robinson on X
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An individual, who uses the name Valeria Rodriguez and voices Sucrose. posted, “I could stay quiet about this & protect myself but us folks of color don’t always need to stay quiet & let others fk us over and disrespect us so that we can continue to advance at half the pace of our white peers.”
“If you’re going to use real-world deities, RESPECT them. If you’re basing off of real cultures, RESPECT THAT. I’m fine with things being inspired by various cultures- that’s awesome. Representation is dope. But bare minimum do some research & show some cultural appreciation,” Rodriguez added.
The actor concluded, “Ọlọrun Is the supreme Yoruba deity. You could find that with a quick Google search, even. This is unforgivable. Look at what a sick job SMITE did with their own interpretation!!! IT’S NOT HARD!!!”
A person using the name Valeria Rodriguez on X
Jenny Yokobori, who voices Yoimiya posted, “It shouldn’t be a radical desire to want to see yourself reflected in the media you consume.”
Jenny Yokobiri on X
Cyno voice actor Alejandro Saab reacted to Rodriguez’s post and wrote, “I didn’t know THATS who he’s based on… AH that’s bad. You still got time to fix it.”
Alejandro Saab on X
Allegra Clark who voices Beidou in Genshin Impact and Acheron in Honkai: Star Rail posted, “it’s just disappointing when parts of the world that are so seldom reflected in media could be portrayed accurately. I know this is ‘inspired by’ as opposed to a 1:1 depiction, but if you’re drawing on specific sources it would be so lovely to see it done the way it should be!”
Clark added, “there is so much beauty in the world—so many stories that can be told or drawn from, and when it’s not done to its full extent it ends up feeling disrespectful, even if that isn’t the intent. I hope it’s possible to make changes at this stage.”
Allegra Clark on X
What do you make of these voice actors’ accusation against Genshin Impact and HoYoverse?
