Decoding miHoYo: Is the Gaming Giant Chinese or Japanese? The Real Tea
Gamers, let’s get straight to the point. You want to know about miHoYo. They are behind hits like
The Origin Story: Straight Outta Shanghai
First things first. miHoYo is a Chinese company. Headquarters are in Shanghai, China. Founded in 2012 by Cai Haoyu, Liu Wei, and Luo Yuhao. All three founders are Chinese.
Cai Haoyu was the chairman for a long time. He stepped down as chairman in 2023. However, he remains a major shareholder with 41%. He is not missing; he is focused on R&D and new gaming tech. Liu Wei is now chairman with a 22.6% stake. Luo Yuhao has 21.4% of the shares. This confirms miHoYo’s Chinese roots.
HoYoverse: The Global Face
Next, let’s talk about HoYoverse. It acts like miHoYo’s global branch. Though miHoYo is in Shanghai, they needed a way to manage worldwide gaming. That’s when Cognosphere Pte Ltd became known as HoYoverse. This subsidiary is set up in Singapore. So, when HoYoverse publishes games outside China, it still relates back to miHoYo.
For clarity, Singapore is independent. It isn’t part of China or Japan. It’s its own nation, based in Southeast Asia.
Game On: Made in China, Played Worldwide
Let’s discuss the games. That’s why we are here, right?
The Honkai series is another product of miHoYo. Its name “Honkai” ties back to Japanese (崩壊, hōkai) which means “collapse.” This comes from the Chinese 崩坏 (bēng huài). There’s some name crossover, but core development is Chinese.
Cultural Mashups: Inspiration from Around the Globe
This is where it gets interesting for those curious about Japan. miHoYo’s games pull inspiration from various global cultures. Consider
- Liyue: Inspired by ancient China. Architecture and festivals scream China.
- Inazuma: Clearly mirrors Shogunate-era Japan with cherry blossoms and samurai.
- Sumeru: Combines Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures. Think Egypt and India.
- Fontaine: French flair with English notes in art and fashion.
- Khaenri’ah: Draws from Germanic and Nordic mythology.
- Natlan: Mixes Pre-Columbian Latin America and African cultures.
See the pattern? While Inazuma is Japanese-influenced, it is just one region in a game inspired by many cultures. miHoYo stays firmly Chinese.
“Tech Otakus Save the World”: MiHoYo’s Motto & Workplace Vibe
MiHoYo’s motto is “tech otakus can save the world.” It shows their tech-focused approach and appeals to the otaku spirit many gamers have.
What’s it like to work at miHoYo? Employee reviews on Glassdoor are generally good. They hold an average of 3.5 out of 5 stars. About 62% recommend it to friends, and 71% have a positive outlook on the business. Sentiments may change over time, but the overall vibe seems positive.
Why the Confusion? Japan, China, and Gaming
Why the confusion about miHoYo’s origins? Several factors play a role:
- Inazuma’s Japan Inspiration: It’s a key region in
Genshin Impact , leading players to link it with Japan. - “Honkai” Name Origin: A Japanese-derived name can lead to confusion.
- Anime Style: The games carry an anime art style linked to Japan, though anime has become global.
These elements may create misconceptions, but the facts are clear: miHoYo is Chinese.
Snapping Back to Reality: TikTok, Sakoku, and More Context
Now let’s touch on some points that sometimes surface in these talks.
TikTok: It belongs to ByteDance, based in Beijing. TikTok has global offices in Los Angeles and Singapore. It’s not banned in China; it has its version called Douyin.
Japan’s Isolation (Sakoku): Historically, Japan isolated itself during the Sakoku period from 1603 to 1867 to stop Christianity and maintain stability under the Tokugawa Shogunate. It’s an interesting fact but doesn’t directly relate to miHoYo!
The Final Verdict? Chinese, With Global Flair
To sum it all up: miHoYo is definitely a Chinese video game company based in Shanghai. They have expanded globally with HoYoverse in Singapore. Their games draw from worldwide cultures, including Japan. Still, miHoYo is a Chinese success story at heart. Now you know! Game on with this knowledge.
