Genshin Impact developer Mihoyo issued an official statement that actor Showtaro Morikubo will no longer voice Ifa in the Japanese version of the hit Chinese mobile RPG. Although the notice only says “due to various circumstances” and does not specify why, Japanese fans are speculating that this sudden announcement might be due to political factors.
Showtaro Morikubo was due to appear in Genshin Impact, however, he has been forced to withdraw from the project due to various circumstances. We apologize for the inconvenience caused to all related parties. We would also like to deeply apologize to all players for any inconvenience and concern caused. We ask for your understanding in this matter.
As pointed out by Japanese speaking users on X, Showtaro Morikubo appeared in a live reading in Tokyo back in August 2024 called Inochigake no Shougen (Life-risking Testimonies). This was based on the book of the same name by Tomomi Shimizu which contains testimonies of Uyghur people. It likens the Chinese government’s treatment of the Uyghur to the Nazi party’s suppression and genocide of Jewish people.
It was originally announced that Morikubo would be voicing Ifa in the Japanese version of Genshin Impact back in October 2024, two months after Inochigake no Shougen was performed. However, Mihoyo suddenly announced today that he would no longer be in the cast. If the reason for his dismissal from Genshin Impact is due solely to the play he was in last year, then it is not clear why Mihoyo even announced his appearance in Genshin. Some Japanese users speculate that the withdrawal could be for other reasons, while others wonder if the decision suddenly came down from the Chinese government, albeit months later.
At the time of writing, the real reason for Morikubo’s withdrawal from the Genshin Impact cast is unconfirmed.
