Overwatch fans and Anran’s voice actress push for a character redesign following 'not-as-advertised' model controversy

 

The hype has exceeded all expectations for the massive rebranding of Overwatch. It’s more than just a total gameplay overhaul and dropping the "2" from its name; Overwatch has returned with five new heroes launched simultaneously, featuring specialized sub-roles for more diverse playstyles. The update also introduces new modes and the long-awaited story content—delivering everything that should have been in Overwatch 2 from the start.

This "reset to one" has successfully recaptured the attention of veteran players, newcomers, and even those who weren't fans before (and no, they can't "do it instead" of us—just kidding!). However, amidst the positive reception, a controversy has emerged. Fans, and even Anran's own voice actress, are calling for a redesign of the character's face to match the stunning look seen in the "Elemental Kin Wuyang" Hero Trailer.

Let’s dive into the story behind this.

The movement calling for a redesign of Anran stems from the stark contrast between her trailer appearance and her in-game model. In the Wuyang cinematic trailer for Overwatch 2, Anran was portrayed with a more mature, commanding look—fitting for a powerful "big sister" figure who wields the element of fire.

However, when the new Overwatch officially revealed her character model, she appeared much younger and "cute" (kawaii), losing that strong, mature aura. Furthermore, as previously reported, fans have pointed out that her face looks like a recycled blend of Juno and Kiriko with a different hairstyle and outfit. This has led to a widespread outcry for a facial rework—a sentiment even shared by Anran’s own voice actress, Fareeha Anderson, who has openly agreed that the character needs a change

Fareeha Anderson shared her thoughts on X, stating: "I am the voice of Anran in Overwatch!!! I haven’t posted about it until now because I wanted to take the time to prepare and make sure I addressed this role with the weight it deserves. Here is what I wanted to share! Let’s keep supporting and showing love for Anran as she is (and what she could be in the future). I hope you all have so much fun playing her!!" That was Fareeha’s public statement—but the real "meat" of the matter, and her true stance on the controversy, lies within the video she posted alongside the text.

In her video, Fareeha stated: "To be honest, it took me some time to process the discrepancy between the Anran design I expected and the final design we actually received. I believe the 'Elemental Kin' comic and short animation had already set a certain standard. It felt like an unspoken promise that said, 'We are going to challenge the beauty standards that are currently plaguing and destroying modern media,' right? Whether it’s the trend of being overly slim, or contouring a nose until it practically disappears—making it as tiny as humanly possible. Because of the expectations that were built up, I think it’s completely understandable why people feel disappointed by this."

She further added: "Overwatch has a reputation for being a pioneer in challenging conventional beauty standards and representing a diverse range of what a 'hero' looks like. But what we received this time feels like the opposite. It’s a disheartening shift. It doesn't reflect the same courage to be different that Overwatch has always stood for."

This likely refers to the facial diversity that Overwatch was known for in the past. Now, it seems the game has shifted toward "pretty and cute" character tropes to cater to certain trends, which hasn't sat well with the community. As the saying goes, a character should stay true to its essence—neither forcing a "Woke" agenda nor becoming overly "kawaii" just for the sake of it. This is a crucial point that Overwatch needs to understand and adjust according to fan feedback.

What are your thoughts on this situation?