Is Natlan ACTUALLY White Washing its Characters? A Deep Dive!

Is Natlan ACTUALLY White Washing its Characters? A Deep Dive!

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Introduction

So, something has happened recently in the Genshin Impact community—there's a boycott being called for HoYoverse. This controversy centers around the new Natlan region and its representation. People are in an uproar, but why? Let's dive into the controversy, the accused whitewashing, and what it all means.

The Incident

HoYoverse recently released their trailer for Natlan, the newest region in Teyvat's story. This region was rumored to take inspiration from Latin American, African, or Mesoamerican cultures. However, fans were shocked and horrified when the trailer revealed characters with uniform skin tones, sparking debates and calls for boycotts.

Background Context

Each Genshin Impact region is heavily inspired by real-life cultures. For example, Sumeru is inspired by various Middle Eastern, Indian, and North African cultures. However, complaints have arisen that the character appearances don't accurately reflect the diversity in these cultures.

Whitewashing: Definitions and Historical Context

Whitewashing refers to altering an original story by casting a white performer in a role based on a non-white person or character. This has been extensively criticized in Western media examples like "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "Ghost in the Shell."

However, HoYoverse isn't a Western company; it's Chinese. While China may have different historical contexts, it isn't free from the influence of colorism—a beauty standard that prefers fair skin over darker skin tones.

Colorism in Eastern Asia

Colorism in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea is quite different but equally pervasive. Fair skin is often seen as a status symbol. Skin bleaching products are marketed ubiquitously to maintain this beauty standard, reinforcing that whiter skin is equated with higher social status.

The Present Situation

Considering this historical and socio-cultural background, it's understandable why people are upset with HoYoverse's lack of diverse skin tones. Accusations of whitewashing are rampant, and this isn't the first time HoYoverse has faced such allegations.

Interestingly, the anger isn't unanimous. Some fans from the cultures being represented feel mixed—to some, the cultural representation seems beautiful, while others feel it disrespects their heritage.

Opinions and Perspectives

It's essential to acknowledge that opinions vary widely. For example, some Latino players are angry that characters don't reflect the diversity of Latin American skin tones. Others are excited merely to see their culture represented at all.

My Personal Opinion: As a mixed Puerto Rican, I long to see people like me in media. While I'm disappointed, I'm not surprised by HoYoverse's decisions. It's a delicate balance, but the game does bring different cultures into the spotlight, even if it falters in accurately representing those cultures' people.

Conclusion

Should you stop playing the game? Are you racist for continuing to play it? The answers are no, no, and no. It's still a game designed to be fun. The controversy highlights important issues but should lead to constructive dialogue rather than division.

Keywords

• Genshin Impact
• HoYoverse
• Natlan Region
• Cultural Representation
• Whitewashing
• Colorism
• Latin American Cultures
• Mesoamerican Cultures

FAQs

1. What is whitewashing? Whitewashing is altering an original story by casting a white performer in a role based on a non-white person or character.

2. What inspired the controversy in Natlan? The controversy stemmed from the uniform skin tones of the new Natlan characters, which fans felt failed to represent the diverse cultures that inspired the region.

3. Is HoYoverse a Western company? No, HoYoverse is a Chinese company, and its decisions may be influenced by local cultural and beauty standards.

4. What is colorism? Colorism is the preferential treatment of people based on the lightness of their skin tone, prevalent in various parts of the world, including Eastern Asia.

5. How do people from the represented cultures feel? Opinions are mixed. Some feel honored that their culture is featured, while others feel disappointed by the lack of accurate representation.

6. Should I stop playing Genshin Impact if I care about these issues? No, the game is still meant to be fun. Engaging in constructive dialogue about these issues is more beneficial than quitting the game altogether.