#technically speaking.

Every week I see a tweet where genshin fans are quote tweeted into oblivion because they are terminally online. They are so stuck in their bubble of ‘Genshin is the best and any criticism or statement of someone enjoying one thing over genshin is a personal attack against me’.

This week some person, in response to someone calling Ayato’s design lifeless to their own opinion, and compares it to an Arknights character that they like.

Instead of ignoring the tweet -which was one of many in replies to a criticism to the reveal of a Sumeru enemy npc, which featured a much buffer body type than any that was available to a playable character, alongside a noticeably darker skin tone- they felt the need to defend Ayato, who, by looking at their profile, wasn’t even a favorite of theirs?

Specifically they called the character’s, who’s called Goldenglow, design quote “shit . Just a bunch of random design choices thrown together meanwhile ayato derives inspiration for the actual Meiji era of feudal Japan. But sure “lifeless” end quote. This in of itself is something that would be worth a couple dozen quote retweets, but meaningless in the end. It’s what they say next that sparks almost 2,800 quote retweets.

Quote “Like, the AK character design is just blatant hypersexualization for the sake of pandering to horny teenagers meanwhile Ayato has actual thought and inspiration put into it. You really thought this was a good comparison huh?” End quote.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Goldenglow, this is her design.

She’s just wearing a short skirt and thing highs. That’s the only thing that stands out that could be seen as sexual. And it’s not even close to the focus of the art here. And that tweet blows up.

People are are comparing Genshin and Arknights characters, pointing out that oftentimes it’s *Genshin* that sexualizes it’s characters, with Mona being the main example used.

I have never seen the Arknights fandom be so bloodthirsty. In my experience, the Arknights fandom doesn’t usually get involved with drama like this. They seem comfortably in the “if you aren’t a fan that’s okay, just don’t bash.” type mindset. They aren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves either, and usually have a decent sense of humor. Most of Arknight’s drama centers around the devs and specific content creators.

I realize that Genshin has many young fans, and is a young fandom in of itself, but they need to learn that you can’t escalate every little criticism or opinions that disagree with your own. If someone responds with “I think this character’s design is pretty lifeless, I like this character from this game instead.” You cannot escalate it to “how DARE you say that?! Because HER design is HYPERSEXUAL!” You can always, always ignore it. And if you want to make your opinion known, keep it civil. “I disagree with you. I think her design is way too busy, I like my character because even though it’s simple, there’s still plenty to enjoy.”

And if you do have a Bad Take and get ratio’d into oblivion, try not to double down. Just slink back and lick your wounds so to say.

To keep in example with the catalyst of this post, this same person keeps doubling down. They’ve even gotten into some mild slutshaming in their replies. There was some art someone drew of three Arknights characters beating up Ayato, I’m pretty sure like the last panel as the one jojo meme where a guy sips some wine before joining the beat down. Clearly more of a joke than any actual malice behind it. Someone comments, quote, “This is what you get for calling Goldenglow design hypersexualized. It’s like calling someone’s little sister a hoe.” End quote. I genuinely don’t know much about Goldenglow, I stopped playing Arknights a good while ago. But from what I glean, she just wants to be a fashion designer, and struggles to control the electric powers she has. A wholesome, if slightly sad character. And of course, their response is, quote, “if your little sister is out wearing stockings with lingerie straps and a shirt ass skirt, I’ma call her and YOU a hoe. The fuck you on about ? 🤨” end quote.

Just by scrolling through the replies they make, anytime someone seems to mention them, or respond to them in a way they deem unacceptable to leave alone, they need doubling down. Keeps saying they’re right. Attacks people. To one tweet they responded, quote, “I’m literally in y’alls head rent-free.” End quote.

But I think the most ironic part of this all, with how they came after one character for being “hypersexualized”, is the fact they retweet anime girls with the boobs very very visible, with oftentimes the focus being on the boobs, or attention drawn to the boobs. Even twiters automatic crop seems to favor the boobs with some of these retweets.

I also took the effort not to mention or add screenshots of the tweets, mainly so people are less likely to waste their time on this, and to also make this more accessible for those with screen readers. I’ll do my best with the image alt image description feature as well, but I don’t promise quality.