Natlan - Blog Posts

Hello, my name is Alex and before I start speaking my mind about the Natlan (&Sumeru) situation, I want you to know that I'm a white Italian and for that my opinion on racism will always be less important that POC opinions. Also, I'm aware that my anger is nothing compared to the anger and suffering of the minorities that are being misrepresented, but if I don't talk then I would be complicit in the racism that's spreading online.

I'm angry because I'm seeing white people talking about "forcing diversity" and removing "representation" from white people (geez, that's cringe bro). I've also seen really racist offences on every app I'm in.

To all these people: fuck you. We are the most privileged and represented group on this motherfucking planet, everything is about us.

Also, it's not forced diversity, they are using non-white cultures but refuse to properly represent them. This is cultural appropriation.

We stole everything from these cultures: their lands, their freedoms and now we still steal from them. And then we have the audacity to ignore their existence, because god forbid something is not for white people.

You are all quick to complain if there's a black protagonist in a game about Japan, even if he is an historical figure, because the reality is that you are racist, plain and simple. And if you think you are not, you probably can't understand your privilege and the fact that every one of us has been raised in a racist society, and we should listen and learn from others experiences. But noooo, you're all complaining because...what? Why does melanin bother you so much? Get over yourselves. You are trying to silence people, the same thing that we have done to them for hundreds of years. They are tired and they are fucking right to feel like this.

Also, saying that entire countries (Japan, China) are racist is generalising and, considering what's happening with racisms in a lot of weastern countries, we should stop infantilizing another country and start seeing how our governments are enforcing racist behaviours.

My personal story is different, but I know for a fact that if someone creates something with an all POC cast, you will be screaming and having a tantrum because you hate not being the center of attention. Why do I know that? Because it happened in my community with queer creators, where straight people complain if there's an all queer cast. Privileged people H A T E when something is not about them.

To all of the beautiful people who are fighting for their right to be represented correctly: you are incredible, strong and you deserve respect. And I'm deeply sorry for what you're going through.

(Sorry if my English isn't perfect)

>waiting for a new husband<

Been thinking about the Traveler being reminded of Inazumas War during Natlan, and an Open Arms Reprise I saw/Heard that sparked an idea about Teppei and Vichamas deaths, so i’m about to make it everyone else’s problem.

Spoilers, obviously

————-

With every scrape of blood off the sole of her once gleaming white boots, the sound of every solider and innocent lost being counted in the rest area, she was reminded of flashing lightning.

Of Gorou returning from unsuccessful search and rescues. Of Kokomis deep eye bags, Of….him. He who never got to try on his uniform.

A dash of moonlight reflected on Paimons hair, now drained from all the tears she had shed, wrapped in the blondes scarf.

She had really been with her through everything. The one constant Lumine could always count on.

“Captain?”

The once familiar voice had the outlander turning immediately.

“Teppei?”

Smiling in his Watasumi uniform, the apparition waved happily . As if he had never died. The friendship bracelet made from his first broken dummy still tied neatly as he stood by a crackling blaze.

“Thats me! It’s been awhile, huh? You look pretty tired, you can rest here by my fire, if you want.”

As if in a haze, she moved forward, an in a foolish leap of faith, jumped to hug her fallen friend, silent tears staining his uniform as he returned the embrace.

When she pulled back, the reality came in.

“You’re dead.”

“Yup.”

“Then how..?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, the former soldier looked off to the side.

“Night…uh…Kingdom stuff? I won’t be here for long, but I met this guy in the afterlife, and he mentioned you made it here, so I wanted to check on you! He helped me out.”

“He?”

Another figure fizzled into view. One she had seen only days ago. But this form was mutilated, ripped apart. He couldn’t have….not after..

“Vichama….?”

He didn’t meet her eyes.

“Rifthounds are the worst, aren’t they?”

Prodding the small flame with a stick, the fallen sighed.

“Once this flame goes out, we’ll be gone for good. You can have my stuff if it’s not too destroyed when….if…you get back. I doubt anyone else will want it.”

“The Captain of Swordfish || will definitely make it out! You haven’t seen what she can do! She’s amazing!”

“You’re weirdly positive for someone who died a long and agonizing death, y’know.”

Eyes of gold welled, the onyx haired patting the log next to him.

“You can let it all out while we wait, Captain. The dead tell no tales, right?”

———

And so, Lumine did just that. Told him everything. Sumeru, Fontaine, and what had happened so far in Natlan. Desperately, she didn’t wish for this moment to end. If only she had obtained Pyro from the Statue, she would have made Vichamas Fire burn eternally.

As it began to fade, Teppei rose from his seat, holding out his hand toward her.

“It’s time to keep moving on Captain.”

“…How Teppei?”

Wind was his only response as she took it all in. He was right, and she knew it. As she took his hand, Vichama cut in.

“I….I know you’re probably tired of all this war and bloodshed, but you’ve got the chance to have a life to live. Someone once told me to Keep them in their heart to bring them home.”

“He’s right! And give all the kindness you can, well, if you can.”

Carefully handing Paimon into her arms, the Inazumian smiled weakly.

“Remember how even during the war, our friendship still made us both feel happy and warm? Don’t give up on making friends like me again.”

The Verdette now stood, his ripped canopy outfit getting stuck on a twig for a moment before he was able to respond.

“And I know from..you know..that you probably might feel like we like we blame you for not being able to save us, but we don’t. Atleast I don’t.”

He faded away first, tossing her a dog-tag necklace with a key attached, leaving just Lumine and Teppei, who admired the mountain view, even in the pitch darkness.

“Y’know, life really is amazing. Everyone takes it for granted until they lose it, so…”

Slipping off his identification tag from around his neck, the deceased pressed it into her hand.

“Even after all this, try to greet the world with Open arms, ok? It’s going to be hard, but I think you’re capable of anything, I really do.”

Just like Vichamas, his visage began to fade, ruffling her hair as he disappeared.

“Thanks for everything, Traveler. I couldn’t have asked for a better Captain, or a better friend.”

One final time, he smiled.

“Goodbye, my friend.”

The fire flickered to nothingness as he vanished.

——-

Paimon stirred, yawning as she shifted around in the swaddle Lumine had made with scarf as the outlander began to prepare the hot air balloon.

“Paimon had this dream about Teppei and Vichama, and a huge war in….”

As she floated to oversee the region from above, the cheeriness in her voice all but faded.

“Oh…Guess Paimon wasn’t dreaming about the war then…is…is it really not over?”

“Not yet Paimon. Soon. Open arms.”

“Open arms? Whats that supposed to mean?”

————-

____________

Link to the Open Arms Reprise that gave me this idea!:

Yea thats it.

Enjoy.

I really hope the other natlan characters are dark skinned, honestly the characters shown were cool looking and very pretty which makes me exited for the new nation however it’s getting tiering that genshin isn’t adding darker skinned characters despite the whole ‘wait for natlan’ thing.

We know that the natlan promo character insan (idk their name lol) has a bit of melanin so I’m holding the three we saw at the beginning are just the lighter characters of the nation (I know my hopes are probably wrong but an enby can dream)

The Natlan anti-whitewashing petition is here ☝️☝️

Now seems like as good a time as any to tap the sign, since I've received a few asks lately that assume I'm a qualified hoyo spokesperson. I am not, I'm just some guy!

This also means that I have no control over character design decisions – in fact, I have as many complaints as you do. If you want to express your opinions in a way that's more likely to reach the company, I recommend using the current in-game survey and this petition that's been circulating in both the Chinese and global communities.

I wanted to try paint tool sai and ??? it’s great??? I enjoyed drawing my little boy, you guys can have this unfinished piece 🤲🏼

my little meow meow <333