Overwatch’s new voice actor opens up about her character’s redesign, expressing the need to “mourn” the changes: “Let’s support the version of her that could be.”
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Anran, the new fire-bending hero, is set to join Overwatch next week as part of one of the game’s most significant updates. However, much of the conversation surrounding her has focused on her redesigned, more conventional appearance. Anran’s voice actor, Fareeha Anderson, has weighed in on the discussion, expressing her own sense of loss regarding the character’s original design.
For context, Anran’s in-game model isn’t the first iteration we’ve seen of this new damage hero. She previously appeared in a comic and a cinematic trailer alongside her water-bending brother, Wuyang, who is already part of the game, showcasing a different look with sharper facial features. A side-by-side comparison highlights these changes.
“I was nervous about this video because I didn’t want to ignore the elephant in the room, but I also didn’t want to overstep the developers’ intentions,” Anderson shared in a recent tweet. “It’s a balancing act of honoring the community’s feedback, which I agree with, while also giving grace to the developers who are always striving to do their best.”
“I got to mourn Anran between the design I had hoped for and the design we ended up with. In her comic and the cinematic, Elemental Kin, there was an unspoken promise to challenge the beauty standards that media often imposes. I think people feel understandably let down because of that precedent.”
Anderson emphasizes that “Overwatch has been a pioneer in challenging” conventional beauty standards and what it means to be heroic. Unfortunately, Anran’s redesign doesn’t reflect the bold, optimistic direction that fans expect from the game. She also notes that the redesign makes Anran appear more like a younger sibling, less fierce for a fire hero.
“I’ve seen everyone’s redesigns and have been quietly bookmarking them. I want you to know that this concern is valid,” Anderson adds. “This is a hill worth dying on. Speaking up about what truly matters to us is crucial for seeing ourselves reflected in the world around us.” She also mentioned that she has shared her thoughts with the development team and was encouraged to be open and honest about her feelings.
