Do You Play as a Boy or Girl in Undertale? Unraveling Frisk’s Gender Identity
The simple answer to the question “Do you play as a boy or girl in Undertale?” is: neither. You don’t play as a character explicitly defined as male or female. Instead, you embody Frisk, a deliberately gender-neutral character. This isn’t a mistake or oversight by the game’s creator, Toby Fox. It’s a conscious choice to allow players to project their own identities onto Frisk, enhancing immersion and the overall experience of Undertale. Frisk’s gender is entirely open to player interpretation.
This ambiguity is consistently reinforced throughout the game. Frisk is referred to with they/them pronouns, the common grammatical choice for gender-neutral language, further cementing this intention. The lack of a definitive gender is a crucial element of Frisk’s character, allowing the player to fully connect with them and shape their journey through the Underground.
Why is Frisk Gender Neutral?
The decision to make Frisk gender neutral isn’t arbitrary. It’s a deliberate move on the part of the game developers to create an inclusive and engaging narrative experience. Here’s why it works so well:
- Player Projection: By not assigning a specific gender, the game allows players of all genders to see themselves in Frisk. This fosters a deeper sense of engagement and investment in the story. If Frisk were explicitly male or female, players might feel a disconnect, limiting their ability to truly embody the character.
- Universal Appeal: The gender-neutral approach enhances the game’s universal appeal. It makes Undertale a game that resonates with a broader audience, breaking down traditional gaming stereotypes and opening up to more players.
- Emphasis on Choice: Undertale is heavily focused on player choice and its consequences. By leaving Frisk’s gender ambiguous, the game further underscores the importance of individual agency and interpretation within its world.
- Subversion of Tropes: The lack of a traditional gender role for the player character subverts common gaming tropes. This adds another layer to Undertale’s unique narrative, highlighting its innovative storytelling approach.
The Importance of ‘They/Them’ Pronouns
The game consistently uses they/them pronouns to refer to Frisk, which is a crucial element in their non-binary presentation. This ensures that players are not forced into a binary gender role, respecting and reinforcing the intended ambiguity of the character. This consistent use of neutral pronouns also signals to the player that Frisk’s gender is not intended to be a defining characteristic. It’s a detail that makes a big difference in how players perceive and interact with the character.
The Visual Ambiguity of Frisk
Frisk’s visual design also plays a role in their gender neutrality. Their appearance is deliberately ambiguous, with no traditionally male or female attributes being emphasized. Their short, slightly bowl-cut hairstyle, coupled with simple, largely gender-neutral clothing, further contribute to this open interpretation. Even the character’s yellow skin tone is designed to be ambiguous, similar to emoticons so it can represent any race. This intentional lack of specific traits makes it easier for players to picture Frisk as they see fit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Frisk’s Gender and Undertale
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that delve deeper into Frisk’s gender, as well as related characters and themes in Undertale:
1. Is Frisk Non-Binary?
Yes, according to an interview with the game’s creator, Toby Fox, Frisk is considered non-binary and intentionally uses they/them pronouns in the game. This reinforces their gender-neutral design and purpose.
2. What about Chara’s Gender?
Similar to Frisk, Chara’s gender is intentionally left undefined. The game exclusively uses they/them pronouns for Chara, reinforcing the notion that their gender is not a crucial factor in the story. This ambiguity encourages player interpretation and further aligns with the game’s focus on open-ended narratives.
3. Are There Other Non-Binary Characters in Undertale?
Yes, in addition to Frisk and Chara, several other characters in Undertale are presented as non-binary through the use of they/them pronouns and their lack of gendered appearances. For example, Monster Kid is another character whose gender is never explicitly defined.
4. Is Frisk Supposed to Look Like a Girl?
While Frisk’s appearance may be perceived as feminine by some, this is largely due to societal interpretations of clothing and hair styles. Frisk’s design is intentionally ambiguous, and the game’s narrative makes it clear that they are not meant to be seen as explicitly male or female. Their appearance is designed to be a blank canvas for players.
5. Why is Frisk’s Skin Yellow?
Frisk’s yellow skin is meant to be intentionally ambiguous and race-neutral, mirroring the use of yellow in emoticons to represent a wide range of people. This design choice further contributes to Frisk’s open-ended and inclusive nature.
6. Can Male Cops Frisk Female?
While this is a real-world question, it does relate to the concept of searching and bodily autonomy that may relate to in-game experiences. Legally, it is possible for male officers to search women, especially for outer garments. However, many police departments have policies in place where same-sex officers conduct these searches, which is regarded as a best practice.
7. Is Frisk a Bad Guy?
Frisk’s role as a “bad guy” is entirely dependent on player choice. In the Genocide Route, through player action, Frisk becomes a violent protagonist. However, in other routes, Frisk is generally portrayed as a heroic figure. Frisk is the avatar of the SOUL, and the SOUL itself is the player.
8. Is Undertale Inappropriate for Kids?
While Undertale is generally suitable for teens 13 and older, it does contain complex themes, some frightening imagery and has a challenging gameplay. It’s important for parents to consider their child’s maturity level before allowing them to play.
9. Who is the “Evil Girl” in Undertale?
While Chara can be portrayed as a villainous character, especially in the Genocide Route, they are more complex than simply being “evil”. Chara is the Fallen Human and often portrayed as an antagonist, but their role is more complicated than being a simply “evil girl”.
10. Is Frisk a Real Name?
Yes, Frisk is a Swedish surname often given to soldiers to make their names more unique. It is also used in the game to refer to the character.
11. How Old is Frisk?
Based on context clues within the game, Frisk is likely between 9 and 13 years old. This estimation is also supported by the meaning of the word “frisk” which means “to leap or skip playfully.”
12. Is Monster Kid a Boy?
The translation book confirms that Monster Kid has no canonical gender. Their character is another example of the game’s preference for ambiguity and neutrality, and fits with the consistent character design choices made in Undertale.
13. Can a Woman Request a Female Officer?
Yes, legally, a person can request to be searched by an officer of their preferred gender. While the request may not always be accommodated due to circumstances, the person has a right to voice this concern.
14. Is Frisk a God?
In a crossover setting or outside of the canon of Undertale, Frisk is sometimes depicted with god-like abilities, referencing their high potential for power due to their strong SOUL and determination. However, this is not a part of the game’s main story arc.
15. Is Frisk Mute?
Although the player doesn’t see Frisk’s dialogue, some in-game events suggest that Frisk does talk, though the player doesn’t have direct access to their words. This subtlety adds to the unique player experience.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, you do not play as a boy or girl in Undertale. You play as Frisk, a gender-neutral character intentionally left open to player interpretation. This allows for a more immersive and inclusive experience, making Undertale a truly unique and memorable game. The intentional ambiguity and use of they/them pronouns reinforce the character’s non-binary nature, further proving how conscious and deliberate the developers were with this game’s design and inclusive narrative.