genshin impact hilichurls

#BoycottGenshin

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Updated Apr 07, 2021 at 02:49AM EDT by andcallmeshirley.

Added Apr 06, 2021 at 11:20AM EDT by Adam.

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Overview

#BoycottGenshin refers to a hashtag protest against Genshin Impact after it was discovered that the hilichurl enemy, a sentient, goblin-like creature, was specifically modeled off of Native Americans.

Background

On October 3rd, 2020, YouTube channel FedEXX58 posted a behind-the-scenes video of Genshin Impact developers Mihoyo working on the game. At one point in the video, an animator works on the hilichurl enemy, using video of Native Americans dancing as a reference (shown below).



People had pointed out the similarities between the "primitive" hilichurl and indigenous people in the ensuing months before the #BoycottGenshin hashtag was introduced. On December 15th, 2020, Twitter user @khennayaya[1] pointed out the reference in a tweet that gained over 50 likes (shown below).


Khennya @khennyaya ... HAHA, HOLD MY BEER SON. IF I SEE ANOTHER "MIKU MADE GENSHIN IMPACT" JOKE, I'LL SUE. DoI need to remind you that we only use that when the interest at hand isn't harmful?? The game itself whitewashes their POC characters and based an entire enemy race off Indigenous people, cmon 6:54 AM · Dec 15, 2020 · Twitter for Android

Developments

On April 5th, 2021, Twitter users began using the #BoycottGenshin hashtag to protest what they saw as the harmful representation of Native Americans in the video game. While it's unclear which tweet started the hashtag, early notable posts include tweets by @AFRODIYKE[2] and @depressoh[3] (shown below).


lee + do better mhy @AFRODIYKE Give us black ppl that aren't labeled as scary ALSO WHY ARE NATIVE AMERICANS WAR MONGERS ?! #boycottgenshin 7:35 PM · Apr 5, 2021 · Twitter for iPhone des eula waiting room @despressoh #boycottgenshin 100% indigenous person here! please listen! as someone who would be considered a "whale" i feel nothing but pure anger at the fact that my people were the basis for f------ hilichurls. im devastated because i have a big hyperfixation on this game. but im not+ 10:58 PM · Apr 5, 2021 · Twitter for iPhone

The hashtag also saw a considerable amount of mockery from people who did not think the hilichurl/indigenous people comparison was a serious issue. For example, Twitter user @Kep3netan[4] tweeted a sarcastic complaint about the grass in the game, gaining over 1,000 retweets and 8,000 likes (shown below, left). User @SNCHGA[5] tweeted a still from the game as a way to mock people using the hashtag, gaining over 2,300 retweets and 12,000 likes (shown below, right).


enki THAT'S SUPER GOOD! @Kep3natan people need to know that the grass in genshin impact is mocking the real life grass we know today. how it waves and it grows back after being burned is not real and it's utterly blasphemous ! #boycottgenshin Shichiro ... @SNCHGA My reaction when I saw #boycottgenshin is trending. Lol Reply Dear Customer, please learn the difference between fantasy and reality. Yours faithfully, Mondstadt General Goods.

Search Interest

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External References

[1] Twitter – @khennayaya

[2] Twitter – @afrodiyke

[3] Twitter – @depressoh

[4] Twitter – @Kep3netan

[5] Twitter – @SNCHGA

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