Here are some thoughts and predictions regarding the possible connections, or lack of, between Otto Apocalypse fromHonkai Impactand Kamisato Ayato inGenshin Impact.
miHoYo justrevealedthat Ayato inGenshin Impactwill be voiced by Akira Ishida in the Japanese dub. Meaning he has the same seiyuu (Japanese voice actors) as Otto inHonkai.
Everything miHoYo does has an otaku meaning or reference behind it. Many characters created by miHoyo are expies heavily inspired from other popular characters.
One of the many examples inGenshin Impactis Kaeya, who is very similar to Yuri, the protagonist ofTales of Vesperia. Both are voiced by Kousuke Toriumi and have similar personalities. Meanwhile, Diluc, who’s Kaeya’s adoptive brother, friend and rival, also has some of Yuri’s personality traits and story elements incorporated into him. Like with how they’re both the leader of a “guild” and acting out of the law.
How miHoYo might, or MIGHT NOT, connect Otto and Ayato
First, it’s important to note Ayato actually won’t be an expy of Otto. Unless miHoYo is trolling us and turns out Ayato is a blond, Caucasian-looking man and looks nothing like Ayaka.
Not only physical-appearances wise, but story-wise both characters will definitely be different as well. Long story short, Otto is one of the leaders of humanity’s fight against the Houkai inHonkai Impact, and is one of the most important characters in the story.
Meanwhile, Ayato is “just” an important faction leader in Inazuma. We probably won’t even hear about Ayato in upcoming story chapters not linked to Ayaka, Ei or other Inazuma characters like Itto.
It’s possible Ayato might be intricately linked with some of the secrets of the world of Teyva. Or the fight against the Abyss Order. But nothing so far points in that direction. We might have more theory material or even confirmations when Ayato finally get released though.
The Akira Ishida connection between Otto and Ayato
However, Ayato and Otto will definitely have some similar personality traits. Simply for the fact that Akira Ishida is voicing both. miHoYo does what we call type casting. As in they create new characters with one or more popular seiyuu already in mind, and then send offers to the agencies of these seiyuu. They don’t do auditions.
It’s very likely Ayato will have a calculating, double-faced personality. As it is the case with many Akira Ishida characters, especially Xellos fromSlayers, one of Ishida’s most defining character. This doesn’t mean that Ayato will be emotionless or “evil” though. As we already know he likes playing children cards games with Itto.
Long story short, I believe miHoYo is sorta baitingHonkaifans into believing so, but Otto and Ayato actually won’t have much in common. What are your theories so far? Tell me in the comments.
