How Arataki Itto Represents Japanese Tradition and Youth Culture (Genshin Impact Design Origins)

In this video I showcase the research I found regarding the many cultural influences that went into Arataki Itto's design including visual design, personality, translations, and more!
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Intro: 0:00
Overall Visual Design: 0:46
The Arataki Gang: 2:17
Itto’s Hairstyle: 3:16
Hobbies + Beetle Fighting: 3:41
Beans (Setsubun): 5:47
Kanabo War Club: 6:54
The Red Oni Who Cried: 7:17
Translations: 8:37
#Genshin #GenshinImpact #AratakiItto

[@RedFlaim]

Seeing as how this will be my last video of the year, just wanted to say thanks for an amazing 2021! I hope you look forward to all the exciting stuff coming in 2022 :]

[@waferae]

hii

[@J.oey0909]

have a happy new year!

[@miyukoi]

No, thank YOU for amazing 2021! Even after quitting game I still watch your videos. You know how to entertain people very well

[@ceci_sph]

thanks for all your videos made this year!! you’re an amazing content creator and i can’t wait to see what you’re gonna make in 2022, have a happy new year

[@Barb.u]

Happy new year! Your content during 2021 was amazing and I’m happy to see your channel grow. Keep it up!

[@neil5694]

He is literally a shonen main character lol. He’s overly positive, was/is shunned by others, and I guess you could say he follows the “demon within” trope. Also, I love how Itto’s VAs sound so different from each other but they all fit so well.

[@ChrisPickaxe]

Max Mittelman is an amazing voice actor. He gives the character so much personality.

[@lolosh99]

More like overly childish rather than positive.

[@Imserious184]

Yk, the only reason I don't like Itto is because of his demon. It's called Oni and it's a fucking cannibal.

[@silverhawkscape2677]

One can say that Itto beat Boxing as his Birthday line was an ad lib line that adds to his character and inspiration.

[@SmoLollipop]

I bet they put "(just sing happy birthday in the most over the top way as possible)" Because all his VA's sang it too impressive xD

[@altnova6643]

@@SmoLollipop I read somewhere that the voice director just told the VAs to sing happy birthday badly. Max Mittleman, the EN VA, convinced them to let him beatbox instead, the result is as you see.

[@hedgehogundercover5056]

Adding onto the visual kei point: the Arataki gang represents a group of people who struggle to "fit in" in society standard, So "doing things differently" and freedom of expression (the members can express themselves in the circle of their gang), can also be rooted in the inspiration for the whole gang theme itself

[@laurel9629]

I think the comb animation is a reference to an old trope of “delinquent” gangs in America- movies involving these characters would often show them nervously or proudly fixing their gelled hair with a foldable comb; scenes from the movie Grease come to mind. The hair gel is also my personal headcannon for why Itto uses slime condensate as a talent level-up material.

[@abbystafford7549]

Slime condensate as hair gel? I love that lmao

[@vanvanvanilla]

GREASE! it reminded me of Danny Zuko for sure lmao

[@RHKang-hl3ps]

On another note: emo subcultures, especially scene kids are known for having purposefully "messy" looking hair which actually takes a lot of care.

[@doplop]

slime condensate being used as hair gel isnt much weirder than putting it in food i guess

[@randomgrmlin]

I also think it's a thing in Japanese culture because delinquents and gang members will usually have the "pompadour" hair style in media!

[@eertikrux666]

I think the reference to cattle may be a reference to how the ox is known for its toughness and violence, but deep down, it’s just a herbivore, similar to Itto’s intimidating exterior while being an absolute sweetheart

[@keikou_vg7864]

The second kanji of Ittou (斗) could mean 'battle' or 'fight' or 'strike'. So ittou could just mean 'single battle' or 'one strike'. Which is ironic seeing how he keeps looking for rematches with Sara Oh, and 'Arataki ichiban' could also just be him tooting his own horn as it can be interpreted as 'Arataki is the Best'

[@bdfreitas4876]

he indeed keeps calling himself 'numero uno'

[@aplatehatenjoyer3053]

wait a minute Itto’s name can be interrupted as “one strike” and his English va is the same as one punch man… Itto is Saitama confirmed?? 🤔🤔🤔

[@user-vt1nq8kn7v]

That is not right😅.the sound "tou" correspond to two kanji 斗(a Capacity unit) and 闘(fight). Not the same.

[@keikou_vg7864]

@@user-vt1nq8kn7v huh! I always thought that 闘 and 斗 were interchangeable. Thanks for telling me!

[@user-vt1nq8kn7v]

​@@keikou_vg7864 it's a little complex😁,斗 鬥 鬪 in fact it has three different type in China, Teiwan, Japen. and 斗 in China include 斗 鬪.....

[@Milutama]

5:22 Damn that beetle went flying.

[@emopeterparker7]

im not japanese but in filipino culture, rhino beetles and beetles in general are favourite fun for kids sometimes. sometimes we would tie three of them together and have them fly as a "helicopter". i was a kid so i wasnt aware if this is humane or not, but yeah, its a thing in other cultures too

[@AloeReaper]

Helikopter helikopter

[@deulalune]

That actually sounds like fun, even if morbid

[@caparashon]

I really like that mention to visual kei. He felt very punk rock to me with all those spikes and leather straps, but this makes much more sense! Especially the heavy makeup/tattoos. Those bands often had pretty men with big hair as leads, and Itto fits that. I read on a tweet somewhere that the bull thing might be a reference to ushi-oni, a type of youkai that's part bull, part another creature (spiders, men, cats, oni, etc). There are different kinds of ushi-oni and stories depending on the region. They're not oni lore per se but it could be a shoutout to this kind of monster together with Ushi. They also live near water bodies so that might explain where the surname Arataki comes from. Maybe. Also, his long black coat feels to me like the sort of uniforms that teen delinquent gangs wear in Japan, except he's wearing it as a cape in a shounen protagonist sort of way. His gang friends wear black conic hats with the red symbol on his coat so it's likely their gang symbol.

[@bombyxtau]

same about the visual kei and thats really cool about ushi! another thing- along with what flaim said about his club's origins, it also always immediately reminds me of a baseball bat... which you quite often see 'delinquents'/gang members depicted carrying around, the same as the coat and hair etc, the way he swings that/his sword around in general fits that too and i think thats just great :) even the way he just absolutely yeets ushi screams the same inspiration, its awesome ngl itto is basically a visu-kei inspired jojo character, ORAORAs and all and i freaking love him so much because of it lmao.

[@caparashon]

@@bombyxtau True, true! I didn't think about the mace being like a bat but true. I don't even Jojo but it was a missed opportunity not to have the crimson oni on his ult/splash art hovering during the entire burst like a stand a la Razor's wolf. Then again, it's cluttered enough with his superlative stacks on his back + Gorou's doggo if on the team + shield if he's using one + etc. It'd be so hard to see when his charged is ready lol

[@ivy4360]

Who else wants to be in Itto’s gang, lol.

[@stinkylemony103]

me

[@janwarlock]

Me

[@mehfood5546]

Me👀

[@thisladyisavamp0828]

Me

[@mrnone208]

Me

[@Barb.u]

Seeing your analysis makes me think there were cultural reason for Mihoyo to choose TM Revolution as Itto’s Japanese VA

[@AratakiBullPowerSiddo1]

GANTORYUUU!

[@secondaegis9190]

The reason why beans are beloved to be effective on demons by the Japanese is because of its pronunciation : Mame It sounds exactly the same as 魔滅, or Devil Destruction So throwing beans at Itto means you wish death or destruction upon him

[@bunnywifalaptop3684]

Sadge

[@silverhawkscape2677]

Sara should throw that on Itto to ward him away.

[@Wheuwe-this]

Whisper: "he's just a big kid..."

[@jasminesidney8174]

And we love him for it

[@stressedhaish69420]

He is a grown-up but being childlike, maybe when he was younger, he has a sad childhood

[@loola8908]

When the world needed him, he returned. I love your character analysis videos a hell lot and I think you should keep going with more of them. It's great to appreciate the research and details put into each character in the game :)

[@sussiesushi9474]

Itto is the main character and we’re living in his world

[@randomgrmlin]

Immediately fell in love with Itto when I first saw him because I'm a sucker for oni type characters. This vid made realise there's even more to his character than I first thought and made me love him even more. Thank you for making it!

[@voltisheep]

ayy yee boy, one of the things I was most excited about itto is his relation and how mihoyo explores oni taking it from irl culture to their game, and Ima be honest, ittos release gave me one gigant flashback to when I was little researching japanese mythology and found about oni, instantly became a fan, and guess Im still some of a fan

[@voltisheep]

also, its a bit funny to me bc Im latino and its like a number of cultures being like "yes, beans mean good luck" because it is a normal thing to do to throw beans for fortune (if i remember correctly on new years celebrations) in my country and probably for other latino cultures, also keeping beans in purses, bags and wallets wich associates it to money and luck, a funny coincidence

[@silverhawkscape2677]

Best thing I love about Itto? He's a Lovable Dork. I love that dumb Lovable guy.

[@vanvanvanilla]

Do you think perhaps they were also referencing kabuki with his eye makeup and white hair? Specifically the kabuki dance ‘Renjishi’? Thats the first thing I thought of when i saw him

[@mandiouca194]

I thought it was very interesting that you commented about the visual kei. because the japanese seiyuu (voice actor) of Itto is Nishikawa Takanori the vocalist of T.M.Revolution/abingdon boys school and others. its not exactly visual kei but J-ROCK xD

[@tohtohroh8505]

This video was super insightful. Just goes to show how much research goes into designing a character

[@user-kf6oy1gq8v]

I realized that Itto is also a beyblader (spinning top) and beatboxer made me realized that I'm a jobless man just like him xd

[@olivernotolive]

Arataki also has a purple and white shimenawa on his back, like Yoimiya.

[@enriqueramos2426]

for the bull / cattle association I have 2 ideas that have not much ground to stand in lol First is that he is really strong but dumb as a rock, and also very stubborn with the whole Sara rematch and specially with him not losing his memories alongside his vision. Unlike other people who lost their visions, his aspiration became even stronger and he kept trying to get his vision back, that sounds very bull like. The second idea is that he is geo aka earth sign and his personality is kind of like a Taurus? lol idk that last one is kinda dumb but it fits :P

[@AratakiBullPowerSiddo1]

Makes me sad everytime I realize that he's a Taurus at heart but a goddamn Gemini. It seems like diluc will be the only 5 star Taurus until varka, I hope

[@pofficial3345]

This gotta be one of my favorite video format, the efforts behind the character designs are incredible

[@IAmDAN004]

@ bull It's a reference to how onis are thought to appear in the "hour of the ox-tiger" (based on the ancient Japanese system of time), around 1:30 AM, so they have horns like an ox and wear tiger pelts

[@deepfriedmochi]

this is my favorite video series from you! I can't wait to see more design videos in the future!

[@ibakbuli3685]

I love this series!! Genshin and your videos have really taught me so much about culture and tradition! Thank you so much for all the effort!

[@SugarHoneyIceTea90]

This is so cool. Thanks for the breakdown...I love itto!

[@LittleOddsAndEnds]

Dude, as usual, awesome job with this video!! Finding your channel this year was a wonderful surprise; the thought, research and work you put into your videos really shines through. Thanks for sharing, this was very cool and I learned a lot :) Take care and happy new year!

[@danisetsuna8312]

Thanks for this detailed analysis, it helps me in my process of learning japanese when you break down the character's and skills' Kanjis like that!

[@AdLast]

So much info! Thanks duuuuuuuuude

[@tnl35]

for his elemental skill; he punches people and an ox with a roof comes out

[@AdLast]

Good stuff

[@yuuzelthyc9683]

Thank you for sharing♡

[@kaiser8773]

The Inazuma Shounen Protagonist

[@ryokyko]

thanks, I hope you will do more charters.

[@ringo2496]

I need more of this

[@sairenjiharuna3372]

Raiden shogun also good potryaing japanese phenomena of hikikomori and the funny is they usually don't cook food And whising for long life(eternity) is also unique culture of east asia I read alot of japanese comment they satisfy that mihoyo really good at potraying japanese culture

[@emopeterparker7]

very cool timing since i JUST finished his story quest!! can't wait for inazuma characters lore summarized

[@sachielw.s.demayo3920]

I want more videos like these

[@MikuLeekz]

This was a cute and really nicely researched video. He really is all of this - and then BDSM. I feel like the latter feature was understated (esp with everyone zeroing in on his skinny arms), not that I expected you to bring it up, but despite all the more-tasteful-than-average nods to queer pairings in the game, Itto was the first time I was like wow some of the people who actually make this game are queer too. His visuals are genuinely interesting to behold.

[@shadowroxili123]

honestly i didnt even make the vkei connection until you pointed it out but now it makes so much sense

[@jenniferchaulam]

4:23 /i am not japanese, but catching bugs and pitting them with each other is a thing around here. Anddd its the bugs actually die in heated battles. I had a cricket once and pitted them against the other kids wasnt the strongest but i made sure it never loses a limb -----still died of old age tho---

[@aghost1657]

I love that you used the oni from dead by daylight in the thumbnail it’s great haha

[@deulalune]

I know a kid in my neighborhood who loves to collect bugs, and he gets the other kids into it too. They’re so adorable

[@mochijuice8074]

Cant wait for the Yunjin analysis for cultural Chinese opera :DDD I hope qwq

[@vondertann8218]

looking forward to your reaction of Yunjin's design video

[@electricmastro]

No one seems to have mentioned this here, it really does strike me how similar Itto is to Yamato from One Piece.

[@user-vt1nq8kn7v]

荒瀧一斗's 斗 in chinese is a big Capacity unit.so the character has the image like "big" or "srong". for example:才高八斗 means very talented,斗膽 means Bold or audacious. The name うし(ushi) and cow in Japanese has two different Chinese characters:丑 牛,they are a little bit different

[@sepheverett1916]

Do gotta say now that perilous trail came out it ushi makes so much sense now why he is with itto and that hes not just a random addition to ittos mechanics but their is actually a reason why itto has him and albight how ironic that ushi an animal that has the power to exorcise demons is happy to be friends with a demon just makes their relations ship more sweet

[@dawn.star7]

Nice bro

[@dovahchick]

I also appreciate the sumo aspect of his design with his idle and shiminawa

[@XiaosChannel]

run fact the red and blue oni are also the origin story of the oni sisters in Re:Zero

[@nora9817]

Also from the back, ittos little bangs kinda look like cow ears the way the kinda stick out and hang low lmao

[@v.emiltheii-nd.8094]

Missed opportunity for a Gaijin Goombah collab.

[@megaleafblade27]

THAT BEETLE GOT SENT FLYING WTH USJDISJSKX

[@ardyla0909]

there's a reason why I gotten him in the first place.

[@Drancia_]

what about this thing on the back this like big "ribbon" on his back, like the one thatt orochimaru also have? Would be interesting to know whats the cultural aspect of that!

[@Blueberry-wn5fc]

Will you be making a video on Shenhe?

[@Tromnic]

Oni my beloved

[@MrDerpinati]

ohh so the story subaru tells rem im re:zero was an actual japanese folklore story

[@xkai84]

I'd like to take a guess of the hair reference is because of Vergil, they do reference devil may cry a lot in their games.

[@thechrischaosX]

Yoimiya next please 🥺

[@patronum4285]

Cool 😎

[@MikuLeekz]

Ok I haven't watched the majority of this video (I will) but as soon as you said that it's difficult to pinpoint what his design's inspiration is, I had to say that I immediately noticed his O-ring collar and fantasy jockstrap when his image first dropped and I'll never forget my friend saying that he was clearly designed by gay people lol. Iconic

[@noireel5977]

i think his bull reference to other youkai named ushi oni

[@MainDoorFrames]

Has anyone done xiao? Or venti or liyur or mondstat lol

[@AGUSTIN-zc5iu]

"The loser don't sustain any serious injury-" Beetle: *NNYEONG!* lol jk 😂

[@Toonrick12]

Eh, bugs rarely receive fall damage.

[@yongusdongus7351]

im so pissed that I didn't get him ive been saving up and got c4 mona ( I have no other standard five stars yall she's came home like 5 times)

[@thattrickytrickster612]

Though I personally don’t like Itto enough as a character to pull him, his quest was really good. Can’t wait for Ayato though!

[@AratakiBullPowerSiddo1]

Another game that paints demons in a better light is nioh 2. A very hard and satisfying game if you can learn it. Our character's a half demon too and itto looks like a mix of shuten doji and Otakemaru, 2 of the 3 strongest demons in Japanese myth. While team ninja games have never had the best story, it's still fun enough, explores the humanity of the yokais and the dlcs really Amp up to tie together all the loose ends. Check this out. We have gozuki here to. He's the first boss of the game you don't need to fight to progress but he gives you a taste of how the game's gonna be like. People died alot fighting him. He also has a horse counterpart named mezuki and together. They both torture bad people

[@cl0k3]

I hope there's a vid like this for Kokomi in the works. A why character vid makes sense for her, given how contentious she is as a character, but even then I hope that her taking inspiration both from zhuge lang and urashima taro/otohime folk tale is noted.

[@elknolasshrineofraja3966]

🌸❤️I could use an upload about lore, thus I am sold and in for the long haul❤️🌸

[@senbon9456]

Ushi is probably a reference to Japanese Buddhism.

[@jamesneuman7083]

Ittos story was way better them shoguns or kokomis

[@kaiser8773]

Totally

[@naughtmeinam4603]

And apparently latino. I'm truly stumped on that one. It's kind of weird.

[@user-pv2fz6wm2g]

Remember when itto and arataki were two different characters?

[@ExpiredFood0]

Not a monster oni means demon in japanese

[@thesmilyguyguy9799]

:D

[@jenniferchaulam]

9:34 /i mean, from a company that names their character "man dress as worker", we shouldnt expect too much

[@jonathanliang8682]

[@dasnoipeh85]

First here

[@colorbar.s]

if you can say bosozoku correctly, please stop saying "eena zooma" 😭

[@garenmix365]

One thing that contradicts with itto's position as a red oni is the fact that we don't really see anything that signifies him being one, except for his red horns and even in his splash art and his ult, it's depicted as brown and not red: this may just be an artistic choice by mihoyo to show him to be a geo unit yet why is he still described as a red oni if that's the case? You can also recieve a dialogue from npc's in inazuma city or the bulletin boards stating that he's supposed to be a "sumo wrestler", while this may just be him proclaiming himself to be one you'd think that mihoyo would see information about it cause one quick google search about sumo wrestlers immediately depicts them as being fat or muscular which we see none in his official art nor his 3d model but I think it's referenced by his other idle animation (why not depict it in his anatomy tho), onis are also depicted as buff as the examples you have shown in the video yet we barely see any muscular definition or fats in !++0's design which is a shame since he's also supposed to be intimidating at first glance as stated by npc's or the bulletin board yet we see none of those in his character design. If he's supposed to be an oni, he's an anatomically incorrect one.

[@garenmix365]

@Hellbanisher Rockz No? He barely has any muscle definition there

[@_Kaori_Miyazono_]

Fan favorite? Meh he is booring. I would rather get Qiqi

[@zynczinc1443]

Majority he is a fan favorite not because of his playstyle but his personality and his line of dialogues. But for unga-bunga playstyle and big damage, Itto sure lives up to the expectation

[@_Kaori_Miyazono_]

@@zynczinc1443Hah I guess you're right