Does Genji Have Skin? Unveiling the Cybernetic Ninja’s Layers
The short answer is yes, Genji does have skin, although much of it is covered or replaced by cybernetics. Beneath the sleek armor and glowing lights, Genji Shimada is still, at his core, a human being. He retains organic components that require sustenance and care, albeit augmented by advanced technology.
Genji’s Transformation: From Human to Cyborg
Genji’s story is one of tragedy and redemption. Severely injured in a conflict with his brother Hanzo, Genji was brought back from the brink of death by Overwatch, but at a cost. He underwent extensive cybernetic augmentation, replacing large portions of his body with mechanical parts. These augmentations granted him superhuman abilities, transforming him into the agile cyborg ninja he is today. However, they also left him wrestling with his identity and the remnants of his humanity. This transformation is a pivotal aspect of Genji’s lore, deeply influencing his character and gameplay style.
The Visual Evidence: Skins and Lore
While Genji is often depicted fully armored, several in-game skins and lore snippets offer glimpses into the organic components that remain. His Blackwatch skin, for example, reveals a portion of his face concealed beneath a mask, suggesting the presence of skin and tissue. Furthermore, the need for life support and the struggle to reconcile his human and mechanical aspects underscores the fact that he still possesses a biological body.
Genji’s Skins: Rarity, Availability, and Cost
Genji boasts a wide array of skins, each offering a unique aesthetic and insight into different facets of his character.
- Common Skins: These are the most basic skins, typically featuring color variations of his default armor.
- Rare Skins: Rare skins introduce minor alterations to his armor design, adding subtle visual flair.
- Epic Skins: Epic skins offer more significant changes to Genji’s appearance, often introducing new color schemes and armor details. A noteworthy example is the “Street Runner” Genji skin, an Epic Skin which is currently unavailable to obtain but costs 1000 Overwatch Coins when it is available.
- Legendary Skins: Legendary skins represent the most dramatic transformations, often completely overhauling Genji’s armor and appearance, sometimes tying into specific lore or themes.
- Mythic Skins: As of Overwatch 2, Genji has the distinction of possessing a Mythic skin, putting him in a different category than most other heroes.
Obtaining Genji Skins
The availability and cost of Genji’s skins vary depending on their rarity and release method. Some skins are available for purchase in the in-game shop using Overwatch Coins, while others are unlocked through battle passes, events, or challenges.
- The Genos Genji skin, for example, was available for purchase as part of a bundle costing 1,900 Overwatch Coins.
- The Happi Genji skin was available for a limited time through the Overwatch League, costing 200 League Tokens.
- The Cyber Demon Genji skin was obtainable by completing the premium battle pass in a previous season.
The Rarest Genji Skins
Certain Genji skins stand out for their rarity and exclusivity, making them highly sought after by collectors.
- The Illidan Genji skin, obtainable only by attending BlizzCon in 2019, is considered one of the rarest.
- While not specific to Genji, the Alien Zarya skin is considered the rarest Overwatch skin in general.
- The Oni Genji skin is a non-rare skin that comes with the game.
Genji’s Gameplay and Abilities
Genji’s gameplay revolves around his agility and offensive prowess. His kit allows him to be a highly mobile and deadly flanker, capable of swiftly eliminating key targets.
- Shurikens: Genji’s primary fire consists of throwing shurikens, offering both ranged and burst damage options.
- Deflect: This ability allows Genji to reflect incoming projectiles, turning enemy fire against them.
- Swift Strike: Genji’s Swift Strike is a fast-paced dash that deals damage to enemies in its path.
- Dragonblade: Genji’s ultimate ability, Dragonblade, equips him with a katana that deals massive melee damage.
Genji’s Ultimate: Dragonblade
During Dragonblade, Genji gains extremely high melee damage but loses the ability to attack at range. It is important to utilize Cyber-Agility to double jump and wall climb to remain evasive. During the ultimate, Genji shouts “Ryūjin no ken wo kūrae!” which translates to “The dragon becomes me!“
Genji’s Cybernetics: Function and Purpose
Genji’s cybernetic enhancements serve several crucial functions:
- Enhanced Agility: His mechanical limbs provide him with incredible speed, agility, and the ability to perform acrobatic maneuvers.
- Augmented Strength: His cybernetics grant him superhuman strength, allowing him to wield his katana with deadly force.
- Life Support: His cybernetic systems likely provide essential life support functions, compensating for the damage sustained to his organic body.
The Mask’s Purpose
Genji’s mask plays a critical role in his survival. It could be something to help him breath while fighting and also protects the organic parts of his face. Cybernetically enhanced strength and speed add stress to what remains of his organic body. Genji’s mask opens during Dragon Blade, hero poses, and one of his highlight reels.
Genji Lore & Relationships
Genji’s past with his brother Hanzo and his relationship with Dr. Angela Ziegler, Mercy, are important aspects of his lore. The character Mercy is a very important aspect of Genji’s story due to being the one to heal him.
- Genji and Mercy are speculated to be in a relationship within the community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the five rarity tiers of Genji skins?
The five tiers are Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary, and Mythic. Genji is unique in that he has access to a Mythic skin, unlike most heroes in Overwatch 2.
2. Can you still get the Happi Genji skin?
No, the Happi Genji skin was available for a limited time and is no longer obtainable.
3. How much does the Genos Genji skin cost?
The Genos Genji skin was available as part of a bundle costing 1,900 Overwatch Coins.
4. What is the rarest Genji skin?
The Illidan Genji skin, obtainable only at BlizzCon 2019, is considered the rarest.
5. Can you still get the Cyber Demon Genji skin?
The Cyber Demon Genji skin was available through a previous season’s battle pass and is no longer obtainable through that method.
6. What does Genji say when he uses his ultimate?
Genji yells “Ryūjin no ken wo kūrae!” which translates to “The dragon becomes me!“
7. Can you still get the Street Runner Genji skin?
The “Street Runner” Genji is currently unavailable to obtain but costs 1000 Overwatch Coins when it is available.
8. Is the Oni Genji skin rare?
No, the Oni Genji skin is not rare and is often included with the game.
9. Why does Genji wear a mask?
Genji’s mask protects what remains of his face and may aid in breathing, given the stress his cybernetic enhancements place on his organic body.
10. Is any Genji skin free?
No, all of Genji’s skins require either Overwatch Coins, League Tokens, or battle pass progression.
11. How do you unlock the cute Genji spray?
To get the cute spray for Genji, you need to get 4 kills with Dragonblade.
12. What is Genji’s famous line?
Genji has several iconic lines, including “The dragon and I are one” and “My blade is ready to be unleashed.“
13. What does Hanzo yell during his ultimate?
Hanzo yells “Ryuu-ga, Wa-ga-te-ki-wo, Ku-ra-u“, which translates to “Let the dragon consume my enemies.“
14. Has Genji been nerfed?
Yes, Genji has received several nerfs to his ammo capacity and shuriken damage due to his strong performance as a DPS hero.
15. What is Genji’s level 80 skin?
The level 80 skin from a past Overwatch season was the Cyber Demon skin, a Mythic skin for Genji.
Genji’s journey from a pampered heir to a cybernetic ninja is a testament to the transformative power of technology and the enduring strength of the human spirit. His unique blend of organic and mechanical components makes him a compelling and iconic figure in the Overwatch universe. If you are interested in learning more about the lore and educational aspects of games like Overwatch, consider visiting the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.