#natlan music

[aroacenezhaanddainsleif]

Anthem of the Savannah (Swahili/English)

Shujaa / Hero Unasafirini kwa matakwa ya watu wako / You embark on a pilgrimage, for the wishes of the people Mnachagueni vita kwa majina ya shujaa / You choose to battle, to earn a glorious name Mwishowe mnaunguweni tena majivuni / In the end, you rekindle in ashes because of a dream Mwishowe mnaunguweni tena majivuni / In the end, you rekindle in ashes because of a dream Ukuu ukuu / Glory, oh glory Kwa wanao ona yajayo / To those who look into the future Tutaimba wimbo wa mwanga moto, usiku wa gize (Mwanga na moto wetu) / Song of the light, fire of the night (Light and fire, the light and fire bestowed to us) Matakwa ya watu wako / For the wishes of the people Unachagya vita kwa jina la / For the name of a great hero Shujaa Mwishowe unaunguwa kwaajili ya ndoto / In the end, you burn to cinders for a dream Mwishowe unaunguwa tena majivuni / In the end, you rekindle in ashes because of a dream Unasafirini kwa matakwa ya watu wako / You embark on a pilgrimage, for the wishes of the people Mnachagueni vita kwa majina ya shujaa / You choose to battle, to earn a glorious name Mwishowe unaunguwa kwaajili ya ndoto / In the end, you burn to cinders for a dream Mwishowe unaunguwa tena majivuni / In the end, you rekindle in ashes because of a dream Unasafirini kwa matakwa ya watu wako / You embark on a pilgrimage, for the wishes of the people Mnachagueni vita kwa majina ya shujaa / You choose to battle, to earn a glorious name Mwishowe unaunguwa kwaajili ya ndoto / In the end, you burn to cinders for a dream Mwishowe unaunguwa tena majivuni / In the end, you rekindle in ashes because of a dream Utukufu / Glorious A shujaa / Ah, hero Geuka kama alfajiri / Rise like the dawn!

[rubikor]

welcome to Natlan!

[snarkspawn]

mavuika warmup

[c6jpg]

I am absolutely loving the natlan ost so far but it does feel like a slap in the face to see and hear the music be so wonderfully represented by poc and traditional instruments/vocals and then you turn around and look at the characters in the game the music is for and that same diversity and respect just isn't there

[niteshade925]

When can Genshin's character designers catch up with the composers

[demdems]

genshin trying to explain why every playable natlan character is gonna be paper white but enemy npcs who get easy aggro'd need to be dark skinned

[evelynpr]

Why the fuck are there roller skates, dubstep, stage lighting, an LED screen, and all kinds of modern technology in Xilonen's trailer??? I thought Fontaine had the most advanced technology next to Schneznaya and arguably Sumeru, and every instance of high-end technology we have seen leaned more towards machinations with gears, magic, alchemy, essentially fantasy styled sci-fi???

The disrespect towards Native American and African cultures is enough to piss me off already, but it even goes against Genshin's own consistency with its fantastical world design..and for what? Just so you can have this...pop and gamer aesthetic???

Just look at these two bubbly and optimistic characters for me okay

Yoimiya's design isn't the most respectful and accurate representation of a Japanese firework craftsman, but at least you can damn tell she is Japanese. The large ribbons, hair accessories, tassels, leg covering, tattoo design, shoe style, and fabric patterns all allude to this (I apologize for not knowing the exact terminologies for these, this needs further research).

Then there's Mualani who has...what? Please do correct me if I am wrong here, but her character must be inspired by the real Mualani, a Hawaiian Chiefess. Additionally, her tribe's specialty is in tourism and vacationing, which further leads into the idea that she and her tribe are based off of Hawaii despite the known issues regarding Hawaii and tourism (if there are any good sources that summarize the issue, please do lmk).

I am not too familiar with Hawaiian culture, but there really is nothing about her design that reads as Hawaiian, or even just traditional, to me. What about a 2 piece swimsuit with bows and tails, a bow + braids + ponytail hair style, combat gloves (?), and an entire neon shark, is Hawaiian???

The characters, their designs, and their trailers, are just so culturally disconnected from their real life counterpart that it's even disconnected to Genshin's own world building and design. How the fuck is the fashion trend in Natlan denim pants. I feel like the only parts of Natlan that feel like Genshin Impact and culturally inspired are the in-game music and landscapes (God bless Hoyo-mix and the world designers).

[petorahs]

hoyo music casually being masterpieces is hardly a rare occurence BUT YOURE FUCKING KIDDING MEEE WITH THE NATLAN LIVE SYMPHONY HOLYSHIT 😭 I fanboyed. no other way to describe my excitement and giddyness. ITS SO FUCKING COOL ARE YOU SEEING THIS??? THE LYRICS THE MELODY THE SOULFULNESS 😭 my heart is so full...

I havent felt this way since I first heard Port Ormos theme (literally sounds like coming home. like songs from my childhood) and Sumeru's live symphony where I saw instruments from my culture 🥹 I can only imagine the same euphoria from other ppl who can relate to the culture presented in Natlan's live symphony will feel..

"In the end, you rekindle in ashes because of a dream."

BARSSSSS

[alillttn]

Even though Hoyoverse isn't good when it comes to listening to player feedback and being a tad bit non-inclusive in skin color, I give them credit where credit is due. Damn, Natlan's ost slapped me so hard, I got a concussion and a half. Also, first region and battle theme with lyrics, and it's in Swahili too. Good job, Hoyoverse, and please, I beg of you, make the game at least a little bit more bearable.

Edit: So I just watched a summary of the livestream, since I missed it bc of business. WE'RE SO BACK BOYSSSSS. They also added a way to win(?) a lost 50/50

THEY FINALLY LISTENED! THEY ALSO FIXED THE WEAPON BANNER TO MAKE STUFF CHEAPER.

The life of your typical Genshin player.

They really are cooking with Natlan rn

[aroacenezhaanddainsleif]

Natlan/Ode of Resurrection (Swahili/English)

Shambulia! Beba Silaha / Charge! Bearing all burdens Pigana mpaka mwishowe / Fight! Until the very end Kwa nchi yetu tutaunguza damu yoyote / For our homeland, we’ll shed our last drop of blood Rudi kwa pambaja ya dunia / Returning to the earth’s embrace Hadithi yaendelea (Kama moto) / The tale continues on (Like flames ablaze) Heshima warithi vizazi (Waka daima) / Glory passed through generations (Forever burning) Ushujaa waangaza mbingu na ardhi / Courage ignites the sky and earth Mara tena ashinda Natlan / Once more, victory heralds Natlan’s path Milele tuwangoje, na tutawaimbia / We’ll wait for you, we’ll sing for you Rudini ndugu, rudini mashujaa / Come back, brothers, come back, heroes Mara ya tena mwangani / Once again, once again, burn bright! Ati kweli mwahofuni kifo? (Hapana) / Do you fear death? (Never) Ushujaa wenu ni imara? (Bila shaka) / Is your courage unwavering? (Beyond doubt!) Kumbukeni majina ya mashujaa / Remember our heroes’ names, follow their lead Andameni uwanjani / March once more onto the battlefield Kwa jamaa, nchi na taifa (Zuri, safi, sawa) / For our family, homeland, and nation (For glory) Kwa Matumaini, mbeleni, malengo (Vuma, raha, nguvu) / For our ideals, dreams, and future (For hope) Rudini tunawangojeni / Come back, we’ve been waiting Nyimbo kelele sana / Listen, the songs grow louder Sikiliza zitakuongoza nyumbani / Listen, they’ll guide you home Hadithi yaendelea (Kama moto) / The tale continues on (Like flames ablaze) Heshima warithi vizazi (Waka daima) / Glory passed through generations (Forever burning) Ushujaa waangaza mbingu na ardhi / Courage ignites the sky and earth Mara tena ashinda Natlan / Once more, victory heralds Natlan’s path Milele tuwangoje, na tutawaimbia / We’ll wait for you, we’ll sing for you Rudini ndugu, rudini mashujaa / Come back, brothers, come back, heroes Mara ya tena mwangani / Once again, once again, burn bright! Maisha marefu ni sasa! / This is the moment of rebirth!

[rubikor]

once again, burn bright

[sillyslayer6]

i'm not excusing the absolute dogwater representation in natlan

BUT

if characters look ashy/gray, i've found messing with the brightness settings somehow makes it a less obvious/changes the skin tone entirely

pacal, for example, looks less gray and slightly better, i wish i screenshotted how he looked in one of the cutscenes because i swear he looked even better before

for reference, i keep my brightness settings towards the lower end (not quite fully dark, but close)

this doesn't seem to fix every npc, and obviously doesn't solve hoyo just... sucking ass at having characters of color

but it's something you can try :)

[euthymiya]

I change my vision depending on the selfship tbh

[the-commonplace-book]

Natlan is gorgeous but miHoYo babygirl where tf are the chests and open world challenges what happened to every nook and cranny being rewarding to explore what happened to things not being big just for the sake of being big actually really bummed about this

[bubbleddisasters]

Been thinking about the Traveler being reminded of Inazumas War during Natlan and an Open Arms Reprise , I saw that sparked an idea about Teppei and Vichamas deaths so i’m about to make it everyone else’s problem.

Spoilers, obviously

————-

With every scrape of blood off the sole of her once gleaming white boots, the sound of every solider and innocent lost being counted in the rest area, she was reminded of flashing lightning.

Of Gorou returning from unsuccessful search and rescues. Of Kokomis deep eye bags, Of….him. He who never got to try on his uniform.

A dash of moonlight reflected on Paimons hair, now drained from all the tears she had shed, wrapped in the blondes scarf.

She had really been with her through everything. The one constant Lumine could always count on.

“Captain?”

The once familiar voice had the outlander turning immediately.

“Teppei?”

Smiling in his Watasumi uniform, the apparition waved happily . As if he had never died. The friendship bracelet made from his first broken dummy still tied neatly as he stood by a crackling blaze.

“Thats me! It’s been awhile, huh? You look pretty tired, you can rest here by my fire, if you want.”

As if in a haze, she moved forward, an in a foolish leap of faith, jumped to hug her fallen friend, silent tears staining his uniform as he returned the embrace.

When she pulled back, the reality came in.

“You’re dead.”

“Yup.”

“Then how..?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, the former soldier looked off to the side.

“Night…uh…Kingdom stuff? I won’t be here for long, but I met this guy in the afterlife, and he mentioned you made it here, so I wanted to check on you! He helped me out.”

“He?”

Another figure fizzled into view. One she had seen only days ago. But this form was mutilated, ripped apart. He couldn’t have….not after..

“Vichama….?”

He didn’t meet her eyes.

“Rifthounds are the worst, aren’t they?”

Prodding the small flame with a stick, the fallen sighed.

“Once this flame goes out, we’ll be gone for good. You can have my stuff if it’s not too destroyed when….if…you get back. I doubt anyone else will want it.”

“The Captain of Swordfish || will definitely make it out! You haven’t seen what she can do! She’s amazing!”

“You’re weirdly positive for someone who died a long and agonizing death, y’know.”

Eyes of gold welled, the onyx haired patting the log next to him.

“You can let it all out while we wait, Captain. The dead tell no tales, right?”

———

And so, Lumine did just that. Told him everything. Sumeru, Fontaine, and what had happened so far in Natlan. Desperately, she didn’t wish for this moment to end. If only she had obtained Pyro from the Statue, she would have made Vichamas Fire burn eternally.

As it began to fade, Teppei rose from his seat, holding out his hand toward her.

“It’s time to keep moving on Captain.”

“…How Teppei?”

Wind was his only response as she took it all in. He was right, and she knew it. As she took his hand, Vichama cut in.

“I….I know you’re probably tired of all this war and bloodshed, but you’ve got the chance to have a life to live. Someone once told me to Keep them in their heart to bring them home.”

“He’s right! And give all the kindness you can, well, if you can.”

Carefully handing Paimon into her arms, the Inazumian smiled weakly.

“Remember how even during the war, our friendship still made us both feel happy and warm? Don’t give up on making friends like me again.”

The Verdette now stood, his ripped canopy outfit getting stuck on a twig for a moment before he was able to respond.

“And I know from..you know..that you probably might feel like we like we blame you for not being able to save us, but we don’t. Atleast I don’t.”

He faded away first, tossing her a dog-tag necklace with a key attached, leaving just Lumine and Teppei, who admired the mountain view, even in the pitch darkness.

“Y’know, life really is amazing. Everyone takes it for granted until they lose it, so…”

Slipping off his identification tag from around his neck, the deceased pressed it into her hand.

“Even after all this, try to greet the world with Open arms, ok? It’s going to be hard, but I think you’re capable of anything, I really do.”

Just like Vichamas, his visage began to fade, ruffling her hair as he disappeared.

“Thanks for everything, Traveler. I couldn’t have asked for a better Captain, or a better friend.”

One final time, he smiled.

“Goodbye, my friend.”

The fire flickered to nothingness as he vanished.

——-

Paimon stirred, yawning as she shifted around in the swaddle Lumine had made with scarf as the outlander began to prepare the hot air balloon.

“Paimon had this dream about Teppei and Vichama, and a huge war in….”

As she floated to oversee the region from above, the cheeriness in her voice all but faded.

“Oh…Guess Paimon wasn’t dreaming about the war then…is…is it really not over?”

“Not yet Paimon. Soon. Open arms.”

“Open arms? Whats that supposed to mean?”

————-

____________

Link to the Open Arms Reprise that gave me this idea!:

Yea thats it.

Enjoy.

[evelynpr]

I am genuinely so moved by the Natlan Live Symphony music. My god it's so beautiful, so power, so sincere, so much- it's everything I could ever ask for. Hoyo-mix genuinely never disappoints I swear.

I just wished so so bad they gave the same respect and care for the characters, story, and world. If the whole of Natlan and Sumuru were done this well, I think Genshin could have really done something truly incredible in video game history, or even entertainment history.

But no, they are still blatantly racist, colorist, and such. Until then, KEEP BOYCOTTING!!! DEMAND BETTER REPRESENTATION- BECAUSE THEY CAN DO IT!!!