#BoycottGenshin: MiHoYo, blamed on the networks?

In the last few days, a brand new hashtag has emerged on Twitter. This hashtag directly attacks the very famous game gacha Genshin Impact by the developer MiHoYo. What has happened? Why was the hashtag #BoycottGenshin top trending on the networks? We explain it all to you!

Why the hashtag #BoycottGenshin?

Recently, the game Genshin Impact and its developer MiHoYo have suffered a wave of hatred on social networks with the famous #BoycottGenshin. A hashtag that found its way into Twitter France's trends, much to the surprise of players and fans of the game. The hashtag registered more than 50,000 tweets.

Indeed, many users have accused Genshin Impact of racism, paedophilia as well as ethnic misrepresentation and hypersexualisation.

The controversy erupted following tweets from users who raised the fact that few characters of colour were represented in the mobile and PC game Genshin Impact. Other tweets also highlighted a line of so-called paedophile dialogue between an NPC, Albert, and a child NPC, Flora. In this dialogue, Albert clearly states that he likes the character of Flora, who was underage at the time. Racism and paedophilia for many Internet users who decided to sink the developer MiHoYo on the networks.

This controversy also raises other social issues such as the ethnic misrepresentation with the Hilichurl tribe, inspired by indigenous peoples. A stereotypical resemblance that did not please many users. But also, the game has been accused ofhypersexualisation via the #BoycottGenshin through the character of Flora, a child, being judged as sexualised by the editors and developers.

Tweet with #BoycottGenshin regarding accusations of pedophilia and hypersexualization:

Tweet with #BoycottGenshin regarding accusations of racism :

Accusations of racism gained momentum whena video of one of the game's developers, clearly inspired by real indigenous rituals, was leaked on Twitter. There are still characters of colour, Kaeya and Xinyan, but one of them is described by users as "terrifying". In other words, characters of colour would be less well represented, aesthetically, than white characters.

MiHoYo gets support from fans of Genshin Impact

Opinions are divided on the #BoycottGenshin. Many fans and players of the Chinese game have expressed their despair at the hatred towards the game. Genshin Impact. Indeed, the Twitter community has not shied away from highlighting the irony behind the hashtag.

Being a Chinese game, Genshin Impact works like many Asian games. Few black characters appear in it, that's a fact. Moreover, this same dynamic often applies to manga and anime.

Others, on the other hand, thought it was disappointing that there were few characters of colour in a game that was successful worldwide. In addition, people from indigenous tribes have taken the stereotypical representation of them by MiHoYo very badly.

Opinions are divided about sexualisation. On the one hand, there are the players who think that it is a bit of a fishing expedition. On the other hand, there are the players who really didn't appreciate this hypersexualisation of a child. Fans defend MiHoYo as best they can. A hypersexualisation that is also present in many works of Chinese or Japanese origin, and particularly in Hentai culture. Except that, for the fans, this hypersexualisation is only due to ill-intentioned players and not to the developer.

One theory is that Albert's line of dialogue about Flora was an oversight by the editor. This sentence was therefore written at the time of the game's beta. Another theory is that there was a misunderstanding and misinterpretation between Flora, the child in the flower shop, and Miss Flora, who is an adult.

What do you think about the #BoycottGenshin controversy against Genshin Impact and MiHoYo? Opinions differ and this story is still far from over. We'll get back to you as soon as possible if the developers release new information!