Overwatch's New Hero Anran Getting Redesigned After Massive Backlash – Voice Actor Calls It a 'Hill Worth Dying On'
Tuesday, February 10, 2026Overwatch's New Hero Anran Getting Redesigned After Massive Backlash – Voice Actor Calls It a 'Hill Worth Dying On'
February 10, 2026 — Blizzard has caved to fan outrage and its own voice actor: new fire-wielding Damage hero Anran will be redesigned in the upcoming Season 1 update. The controversy exploded over "same-face syndrome" — her in-game model looking like a Kiriko/Juno clone — with VA Fareeha Andersen publicly blasting the "docile" look as a betrayal of the character's power.
Blizzard's Official Response: Redesign Confirmed
In a video on X, Game Director Aaron Keller addressed the firestorm:
"We agree that she can be even better [...] The team is currently discussing what it will take [to update her design] and we hope to make that change during Season 1."
This comes amid Overwatch's rebrand (dropping the "2") and five new heroes, with Anran in trial mode now.
The Backlash: From Reveal to #NOTMYANRAN
Anran — a Chinese flanker DPS and Wuyang's sister — debuted with sharper features in trailers/comics. In-game? Round cheeks, button nose, "Ozempic-chic" vibe matching Kiriko/Juno/D.Va.
Fans erupted: Petitions, fan redesigns, "asset flip" accusations. Chinese players reportedly love it, calling Western complaints off-base.
Voice Actor Fareeha Andersen Goes Nuclear
Twitch streamer @AskFareeha (Anran's English VA) dropped a video: "I mourned [the design] [...] This is a hill worth dying on." She slammed it as too "cute/docile," pushing "unrealistic beauty standards" over fiery power.
Same-Face Syndrome Breakdown
| Hero | Issue | Fan Fix? |
|---|---|---|
| Anran (New) | Shrunk nose, fuller cheeks vs. original sharp look | Redesign incoming |
| Kiriko | Template face: Skinny, big eyes, small nose | #1 culprit |
| Juno | Martian but "Kiriko 2.0" | Fan edits viral |
| D.Va/Brigitte | Overwatch's "pretty girl" mold | Ongoing meme |
Community Split: Woke Wars or Lazy Art?
X is divided: Some hail VA/fans for forcing change ("Blizzard listens!"); others blast "narcissism" and "woke demands" to "uglify" heroes.
Posts like Dexerto's (8K+ likes) and IGN's racked up millions of views.
What's Next for Anran?
Season 1 drops soon — expect tweaks "very soon." Play her trial now on PC/console. Will this fix OW's design rep?
Your take: Legit gripe or overblown? Comment below!
Sources: IGN