OMG, fellow Travelers! 😱 I just logged into Genshin Impact's Natlan expansion and immediately noticed something off about Kinich's voice. Turns out, HoYoverse quietly replaced his English VA in version 5.5! As someone who's obsessed with this fiery king 👑, I dug deep into why this happened and what it means for our favorite Natlan warrior.
🔥 Who Even Is Kinich?
Let's rewind real quick for newbies! Kinich isn't just another 5-star - he's THE face of Natlan since the region dropped. This absolute legend:
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Carried the Archon Quest storyline
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Has pyro skills that make Diluc look basic
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Became an instant fan favorite with his deep lore
But here's the tea: his voice suddenly vanished back in 5.1! Remember those awkward silent cutscenes during the Sabzeruz Festival? 🙊 Total mood killer.
⚡ The 5.5 Bombshell
HoYoverse dropped this in patch notes without warning:
| Change Detail | Impact |
|---|---|
| New VA | Jacob Takanashi |
| Old VA | John Patneaude |
| Affected Content | All NEW Kinich dialogue |
| Old Content Update | Coming in future patches |
Seriously, why replace him NOW when we're finally getting Natlan expansions like Varesa and Iansan? 🤔 And it's not just Kinich - remember when Ifa's Japanese VA got swapped too? Hoyoverse is playing musical chairs with voice actors!
🎤 The REAL Reason Behind the Recast
Here's where it gets juicy. Original VA John Patneaude tweeted the truth: he REFUSED to record for months because HoYoverse wouldn't sign a SAG agreement protecting against AI voice theft! 💥 With the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, many VAs are taking stands like this. John's heartfelt message basically said:
"I loved voicing Kinich but won't compromise on ethics. Will return if Hoyoverse changes policies!"
Meanwhile, new VA Jacob Takanashi admitted he's got "big shoes to fill" but promises to give his all. Respect for the honesty! 🙏
🌋 Broader Impact Beyond Teyvat
Y'all, this isn't just a Genshin issue! HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero had TWO VAs replaced under similar shady circumstances. The pattern?
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Zero advance notice to actors ❌
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AI protection disputes 🤖
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Fan backlash over beloved voices 🗣️
Now the million-mora question: will YOUR main get recast next? Characters like Zhongli or Raiden could be at risk if this continues!
❓ People Also Ask...
While researching, I kept seeing these burning questions pop up:
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Will Kinich's old battle lines change?
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Why do VAs care about AI protections?
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Could this affect other language dubs?
💬 Your FAQ Answered
Q: Can I hear Kinich's old voice anywhere now?
A: Only in pre-5.1 content... for now! HoYo plans to gradually replace ALL old dialogue. Backup those voice files ASAP! 💾
Q: Is Jacob Takanashi a professional VA?
A: Total mystery! His Twitter shows passion but zero major prior roles. Fingers crossed he nails Kinich's regal vibe! 👑
Q: Why didn't Varesa/Iansan get recast?
A: Their VAs likely accepted non-union terms. Sad but true - new characters have less bargaining power. 😔
Q: Should we boycott over VA treatment?
A: Complicated! Support ethical practices but remember - the dev team ≠ corporate decisions. Vote with wallets wisely! ⚖️
This whole mess has me emotional, ngl. Kinich deserved better transparency! What do YOU think about the recast? Drop those fiery opinions below! 🔥👇