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  1. #1
    Player
    TitanMenII's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Half-white, half-PoC, 2SLGBTQIA+, he/they, gender-questioning, poly/ace and also homoromantic
    Posts
    169
    Character
    Byregot Builder
    World
    Ultros
    Main Class
    Botanist Lv 90

    Thavnair verges on white savior tropes and presents a caricature of South Asians

    Although I understand that Final Fantasy XIV draws inspiration from a variety of cultures in the real world, I find the depiction of Thavnair in the newest expansion to be highly problematic. As a person of color, I feel uncomfortable with the level of cultural appropriation present in this creation, despite being aware that Japanese culture can often be insensitive to such issues.

    My concerns about Thavnair are twofold. Firstly, the accents of many Thavnairians appear to be based on a stereotypical Indian accent, which in no way resembles the way in which typical Indians speak. The fact that Matsya's voice actor does not appear to be Indian is also concerning, as it suggests that a Westerner is responsible for perpetuating these stereotypes.

    Secondly, the story seems to have an underlying white savior complex, with the light-skinned, blue-eyed Scions rescuing the Thavnairians from the Final Days. This trope is problematic as it perpetuates the "noble savage" stereotype that has been problematic in the past. Nidhana's portrayal as an Other who possesses a mystical force of nature reinforces this stereotype. Additionally, the Scions' appropriation of Nidhana's culture to identify dynamis and save the day further contributes to the problem.

    While Square Enix has portrayed Thavnair in a generally respectful manner, the underlying tones of cultural appropriation and insensitivity to postcolonial discourse and ethics are still present. I hope that the company will become more sensitive to these issues in the future when portraying different cultures in the game.
    (4)

  2. #2
    Player
    Thaciscokidd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Posts
    531
    Character
    Alfimi Einst
    World
    Golem
    Main Class
    Reaper Lv 100
    (67)

  3. #3
    Player
    Antharaes's Avatar
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    Jan 2023
    Location
    Gridania
    Posts
    260
    Character
    Thaelyn Arryn
    World
    Sagittarius
    Main Class
    Arcanist Lv 100
    (32)
    Don't look back, that's not the way you're going.

  4. #4
    Player
    TitanMenII's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Half-white, half-PoC, 2SLGBTQIA+, he/they, gender-questioning, poly/ace and also homoromantic
    Posts
    169
    Character
    Byregot Builder
    World
    Ultros
    Main Class
    Botanist Lv 90
    Quote Originally Posted by Antharaes View Post
    As a society, if we don't have the tenacity to talk about these issues in the open we won't move forward.
    (0)

  5. #5
    Player
    Antharaes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    Gridania
    Posts
    260
    Character
    Thaelyn Arryn
    World
    Sagittarius
    Main Class
    Arcanist Lv 100
    Quote Originally Posted by TitanMenII View Post
    As a society, if we don't have the tenacity to talk about these issues in the open we won't move forward.
    As a society we do, but in a FANTASY game we don't have that obligation.
    (7)
    Don't look back, that's not the way you're going.

  6. #6
    Player
    TitanMenII's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Half-white, half-PoC, 2SLGBTQIA+, he/they, gender-questioning, poly/ace and also homoromantic
    Posts
    169
    Character
    Byregot Builder
    World
    Ultros
    Main Class
    Botanist Lv 90
    Quote Originally Posted by Antharaes View Post
    As a society we do, but in a FANTASY game we don't have that obligation.
    Art has always been used as a way to reflect society... Justice doesn't disappear just because it's media.
    (3)

  7. #7
    Player
    Antharaes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    Gridania
    Posts
    260
    Character
    Thaelyn Arryn
    World
    Sagittarius
    Main Class
    Arcanist Lv 100
    Quote Originally Posted by TitanMenII View Post
    Art has always been used as a way to reflect society... Justice doesn't disappear just because it's media.
    Dude/dudette, you know what....have it your way. We have cats, giants, elves, talking elephants and you go on about real life issues. Have a nice life and welcome to my ignore list. You'd be pleased to know, that you are the first, so number 1 on the list.
    (3)
    Don't look back, that's not the way you're going.

  8. #8
    Player
    Zalosk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2023
    Posts
    1
    Character
    Zaloski Pistole
    World
    Adamantoise
    Main Class
    Black Mage Lv 82
    Because nobody thinks it's an issue besides you lmao
    (0)

  9. #9
    Player
    Oizen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    playing other games like yoshida intended
    Posts
    2,420
    Character
    Alondite Ragnell
    World
    Marilith
    Main Class
    Dark Knight Lv 100
    Matsya is an elephant. I cant blame them for not casting the voice to a talking elephant.
    (46)

  10. #10
    Player
    Thelasoriao's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2021
    Posts
    54
    Character
    Ionic Beam
    World
    Sargatanas
    Main Class
    Scholar Lv 90
    Quote Originally Posted by Oizen View Post
    Matsya is an elephant. I cant blame them for not casting the voice to a talking elephant.
    Careful there, OP is going to cry that they didn't cast an IRL elephant to voice Matsya KEKW
    (4)

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