The controversy began when an American voice actor changed the ethnicity of a popular anime character, which generated outrage among Japanese fans. Now, the debate is intensifying with Mexican users discussing the cultural and aesthetic representation of Quetzalcoatl in the Fate Grand Order universe and in Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon, rekindling tensions in the global otaku community.
Scandal at Fate Grand Order and Kobayashi-san over depiction of Quetzalcoatl sparks cultural firestorm
The controversy began when an American voice actor named AJBecklesVO, known for his work in anime adaptations, changed his X/Twitter icon to a fanart modifying the ethnicity of Okarun, a character from Dandadan, one of the most popular anime of the season. This act sparked a wave of criticism among Japanese fans, who considered the image a “hateful depiction that excludes Japanese and blacks” and a “racial discrimination that desecrates the original work.”
The controversy quickly escalated, with calls to cancel the actor for promoting a reinterpretation of the character that many felt distorted the values of the original play. The pressure and criticism was so intense that the actor reportedly decided to delete his X/Twitter account. This case once again brought into focus the cultural sensitivity surrounding the ethnic representation of anime characters, especially in a medium that has been questioned for its handling of characters of color.
The debate, far from calming down, intensified when Mexican users took the opportunity to talk about the cultural representation in two very popular universes: Fate Grand Order and Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon, especially the representation of Quetzalcoatl in the works.
One of the Mexican users on X/Twitter cited Okarun’s case while sharing images of Quetzalcoatl, a character inspired by the Mesoamerican deity, especially as seen within the Fate Grand Order universe and that of Kobayashi-san. In his message, he stated, “I am Mexican, by the same logic, I should be able to bitch and moan like you about these aberrations that anime did to MY culture and MY deities.” This comment sparked a new debate, this time focused on the representation of Quetzalcoatl in anime and video games.
Quetzalcoatl, in Mesoamerican mythology, is one of the most important deities of the Toltec and Mexica cultures. Known as the Feathered Serpent, he is a god associated with knowledge, creation, wind and fertility. His image has been reinterpreted in multiple ways over the years, and his presence in Fate Grand Order has not been without controversy. In this universe, Quetzalcoatl is presented with an appearance that many consider far removed from his cultural roots, with marked influences from other styles that prioritize fanservice over historical authenticity.
On the other hand, in her version of Kobayashi-san we see her represented in her more “waifu” version, being known as Lucoa, a dragon who is now in human form to live in the “Slice of Life” of the anime. And her representation is one of the best known due to the fact that here we see her as a woman with great “attributes”, which are precisely one of her main attractions, even in the same story of the series.
The Mexican user’s post criticizing this depiction was not met with great support. Another Mexican responded with a thread on X/Twitter arguing that the representation of Quetzalcoatl in Fate Grand Order makes sense within the rules of the franchise’s universe. In his message, he began with, “let me explain a bit about the character of Quetzalcoatl, within the world of Fate Grand Order, and why I consider it a coherent representation, within the terms of its own universe, beyond the fanservice.”
Throughout the thread, this user detailed that, in the Fate universe, characters are usually reinterpreted based on narrative rules that privilege aesthetics, entertainment and adaptation to the context of the story, above historical or cultural fidelity. He argued that this creative license should not be seen as disrespectful, but as a reinterpretation of the medium itself.
The cultural debate that emerged from these cases highlights the tensions that exist between the globalization of anime and the differing cultural expectations of its growing audience. While some defend reinterpretations as part of the creative process, others consider it necessary to maintain a respect for cultural and ethnic roots, especially when dealing with historical or mythological figures.
Ultimately, such discussions reflect not only the global impact of anime, but also the ongoing dialogue between cultural identity and representation in mass entertainment media.
