Visual Hermeneutic Reception In The Character Xiao In The Game Genshin Impact

Abstract

Abstract
Video games have evolved beyond mere entertainment into complex visual and narrative systems capable of conveying layered meanings through character design. This study aims to analyze the visual hermeneutic reception of the character Xiao in Genshin Impact using Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutic framework, which emphasizes interpretation through symbols and layered meanings. The research adopts a qualitative approach through visual observation and literature review, focusing on costume design, color composition, and symbolic elements embedded in the character’s appearance. The findings indicate that Xiao’s character design represents deeper philosophical and emotional values. Philosophically, the character reflects a duality between purity and suffering, manifested in his role as a divine guardian (Adeptus) and his traumatic past as a Yaksha. This duality is visually articulated through contrasting color schemes, intricate costume details, and symbolic accessories. Emotionally, Xiao embodies solitude, inner conflict, and resilience, expressed through muted tones, sharp design lines, and restrained ornamentation that suggest both strength and burden. These elements construct a narrative that emphasizes transcendence alongside psychological struggle. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that visual elements in character design function not merely as aesthetic components but as narrative devices that communicate cultural, symbolic, and psychological meanings, contributing to a deeper understanding of visual hermeneutics in contemporary video game studies.