You are so noble and virtuous, I’m sure you have more important things to do for humanity than post on the Halo Waypoint forums.
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Not at 3:40AM while my girl’s on duolingo.
Hello.
I do not like to reveal personal things about myself online, but do know that by your standards, I have a voice in this matter.
You are the first to make a post of this nature towards the Yoroi armor. You are not from Japan nor are you Japanese or have Japanese in your DNA at any percentage judging by what you’ve previously written. Why? Due to it being monetized in some way? Are you aware that people paid $60 for a complete package and part of those packages included Japanese inspired Samurai/Ninja armors/items? (Previous Halo titles) Are you unaware of the Japanese 343i employees? The Japanese fans? (Most notably the ones who have recently arrived to make their voices heard about their beloved OG Master Chief VA Mr. Atsuki Tani and wanting him to reprise his role. Do it 343!) The Asian-American fans? The fact MCC was a paid experience as well. Though Infinite (It’s Multiplayer) is a very different beast. It’s F2P. Not all of the Yoroi armor is purchasable. A lot is free and is also a recurring, returning event. We are currently unaware of the extent of which will be available in the shop.
No one of sound mind has a real issue with the armor, whether or not their background dictates how strong their voice is on the matter. We all as a community have an issue with their monetization strategy though, but that doesn’t strictly apply to just the Yoroi armor. They’re doing it to a lot of the armor. Most of it, from the looks of it. What makes Yoroi so special?
It’s Samurai armor. People like Samurai and Ninja’s and the culture of Japan is beautiful and should be celebrated. Japan loves cool stuff just like Americans do and anybody else. I would like it to be celebrated and to remember that not all of the Yoroi armor can be purchased. So far it has been revealed to be very little from what’s been put out there.
I am not heated that there is Samurai armor in a video game. I doubt anyone in Japan is heated that there is Samurai armor in this video game. In fact, I am very happy it’s here. I can ask plenty of people and they will agree it’s very cool to have a presence in games that are not made by the Japanese.
Let me say remind people of an event not too long ago: There was a time Super Mario Odyssey had Super Mario, a beloved Japanese character of Italian descent wearing a sombrero and a poncho on the cover art for the game at one point and fans (mainly Americans, most being white) complained about it and thus it was changed to whatever it is today.
This was to the displeasure of many Mexican and Mexican-American fans who were happy one of their favorite characters, Super Mario, was taking part in and enjoying their culture. They felt seen. People enjoy sharing their cultures and want others to take part in it. If you love it, come enjoy it. If you respect it, come enjoy it. This is a good thing. It left me feeling bad for our friends in Mexico and America (and anywhere else in this world they could be) who really liked seeing Super Mario on the front cover in a sombrero of all things.
It is a non-issue and intrigues me many Americans feel the need to speak for others when they have no need or want to talk, especially when it’s something they/we don’t see as a problem.
It feels akin to elementary school when Billy told Suzy I think she’s a big -Yoink!- when I, in fact, did not say such a thing.
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I didn’t mean any disrespect by calling you a virtue signaler, that’s just the first thing that comes to my mind when I see stuff like this being brought up, especially when they aren’t of the culture the topic is currently encircling.
Also I’m very aware of the topic of cultural appropriation already. I used to be involved with someone who was VERY active in issues such as this one, so I’m already pretty informed on the topic.
But I’ve already mentioned another game that happens to be made by Nintendo, a Japanese company, as well. That being Punch-Out. It has many extremely stereotypical depictions of various cultures, and yet it’s a beloved franchise, especially in the west. But does it get a pass because it was made by the Japanese? And if so, why?
And like I said, if the Japanese actually express concerns over the Yoroi set, then of course I’ll back them. I’d be a hypocrite otherwise.
Also, funnily enough, I’m getting stationed in Japan for the next 3 years. Pretty topical honestly.
Bro it’s a cool armour. Who cares what race or culture it came from. Stop bringing race into everything and finding issues where there aren’t any. You’re choosing to be offended.
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Well, I did address the Japanese 343i employees. I said I don’t doubt that there was consultation, but I really can’t know for sure. Anyway, I’m glad you posted and will speak with deference to you on this topic. I am also sorry that I have managed to place you in a position where you felt the need to reveal things about yourself you’d prefer not to. My sincerest apologies.
Well, you bring up plenty of good points and it’s nice to hear it from somebody who is Japanese. I can’t exactly tell you you’re wrong on any of this - nor will I.
Your take is valid and I sympathize. It’s not the same but the Drengr set made me feel pretty seen and I wear it quite proudly on MCC. I did my best to approach this topic as respectfully as possible and have tried to acknowledge my possible mis-steps. It’s late at night and I made this topic out of genuine concern with an itch to say something about it. Though I will say at no point did I claim Japanese people had an issue with Yoroi.
I’m just bothered by it being used to push an event and be sold in such a way. I wouldn’t want it for any culture’s items.
Anyway, thank you for chiming in. My apologies once again, it has never been my intention to speak on anyone’s behalf, just, to bring something to light that maybe needs speaking about.
Same
Reading it like that it does sound weird, but I feel we also aren’t a hivemind, the idea of having to apologize to others for something someone else did just doesn’t sit well with me, I feel 343i is disconnected enough from the people who did bad things in the past to not have to walk like they’re on eggshells with something as simple like this.
I feel you’re a loving person who wants everyone to feel safe and welcome, but you’re gonna worry yourself sick at this rate, heh.
FOMO sucks.
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Pro tip don’t get offended FOR OTHER PEOPLE if it’s actually an issue people affected by it will say something and I can pretty much guarantee that no Japanese people will be offended by the yoroi armor aet
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Oh I do worry myself sick believe me. I kinda’ have to though with the space I run. Not that I can’t handle it. (also hey nice, you’re poly too!? Rock on!)
I’m not harmed by your post. I just wanted to make it abundantly clear that the Yoroi armor set is mostly free to all players. The full Armor Core as well as an extra helmet, shoulders, I believe knee pads, etc are free in that 30 tier Fracture event pass. There are some things linked to the Yoroi that will be featured in the shop from the looks of it, but my point was that it’s not strictly happening to only the Yoroi. It’s happening to all of the armor.
As well as the fact that’s exactly how I view the Yoroi, as just another cool armor set in the game subjected to the same problems as the rest of the customization in this game. It’s a problem. But not one inherit to that specific armor set. The fact the main Armor Core and base pieces are even free to all of us is surprising, given their current model.
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Not exactly, that’s a closed door conversation though haha
Simple, if they get butthurt over this, they can’t use suits in any of their Yakuza games. Suits are western.
People take and extrapolate on design and art, it’s been done for millennia and will continue to be done. If taking the deisgn of or taking inspiration from something of another culture upsets you than that’s your problem.
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VALID lol I understand.
It is indeed happening to all of the armor and it REALLY super duper sucks, I’d rather it happen to nothing! But as for what makes Yoroi of note - is the fracture thing. How three European cultures were passed over for this model. If it happened to Drengr, I’d be angry, but glad it wasn’t a PoC’s culture at least.
Whatever the case may be this is a pretty good take. I should really make it clear, I’d really like if the armor cores had interchangeable parts because I really like using Hayabusa on my left shoulder, done it for over a decade. I truly have no problem with Yoroi existing, I love it actually.
I’m just worried about the way it’s being presented.
youtube. com/watch?v=TmxmPg8duvw
youtube. com/watch?v=0pXotxxYFlk
I know OP won’t watch these videos and it’s a small sample size, but ACTUAL Japanese people LIVING in Japan, don’t care about manufactured jingoistic terms like “”“cultural appropriation”"". People enjoy seeing their culture and its aesthetic appreciated by others.
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Definitely not constructive but it made me laugh haha
Good God… I’ll just leave this here.
“Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.”
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You’re overthinking this a bit.
Ninjas and pirates are always cool and sell pretty well to kids (even older ones).
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That’s the thing, it’s distinctly possible that 343i did not even consider these angles. But that doesn’t really absolve them.
It’s a free set of armor… and my -Yoink!- dude… WE HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE IN MCC
No I’m not gonna be friendly on this because you’re reaching so far out of your -Yoink!- to pull out a problem that doesn’t exist (yet).
It’s an armor for what is literally stated as if japanese influence was greatly increased in the halo universe.
Ya’ll mfs werent -Yoink!- when the Blackguard, Belos, and (I believe) Lorespinner sets. All of witch are from -Yoink!- Europe.
Istg ya’ll mfs just reach for -Yoink!-
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