I'm so confused about this new event. Like, Genji-wise, specifically. This is 2 years after Retribution (in-game time), so 2 years after Genji edgy Blackwatch era Gengu. How the hell did he get over his neard death experience, his family's murder, and his not-by-choice body modification in just two years? And how does this add up with him leaving Overwatch to hang with Zen like. Specifically for guidance. He's already jovial and chill in this event, so. uh. Yo Blizzard I got some questions!!
Well, nonnie. If we look back into the bit of lore we have, we'll find out answer.
Our poor Genji is still suffering.
One tell-tale is in the ending sequence of Storm Rising.
Skip ahead 3:05 and watch his left hand after he lets go of Max. It visibly shakes in anger. Once you spot it, it’s hard to ignore.
There's no reason for him to be angry at Max, though. It's obviously still his anger towards his body and whatnot.
Just because he has this newer, probably better body, doesn't mean he's recovered. I imagine that Blackwatch body was probably one of his first bodies to get after being nearly killed. The design of it isn't great compared to his current green body, was probably riddled with bugs and stuff, and with this additions to Archives, the picture of him and Reinhardt in the dropships on maps, he obviously got his green body sometime in Overwatch after his Blackwatch era.
I wouldn't say he's cheerful in this event. Seeing how he interacts, it seems like he doesn't really seek out interaction with others much, but isn't hostile towards those who are near the same rank as him. He'll add his two cents in occasionally ("He'll talk") but will still hold conversations with people (Tracer + Genji with Mercy's coffee). You can hate your body, hate the organization you're in, but still interact with others in a neutral manner. He probably tries to hide a lot of the pain he's feeling.
With Genji leaving, his wiki page states that, "As time passed, Genji felt increasingly at war with himself. He was repulsed by the mechanical parts of his body and could not come to grips with what he had become. When his mission was complete, he abandoned Overwatch and wandered the world in search of meaning. He drifted for many years before crossing paths with the omnic monk Zenyatta. Though Genji initially rejected Zenyatta's wisdom, the benevolent omnic would not be deterred. In time, Zenyatta became his mentor, and under the monk's tutelage, Genji reconciled his dual existence as both man and machine. He learned to accept that although he had a cyborg body, his human soul was intact, and he came to see his new form as a gift and a unique strength."
Genji didn't leave Overwatch to hang out with Zenyatta. He left, still having issues dealing with being a cyborg, looking for answers. It doesn't specifcy how they meet, but they crossed paths and Zenyatta helped him out eventually. How it all works out between them, we have yet to see. And god damnit Blizzard, it's about time you told us how these two meet!
I hope this answers your question, nonnie. If not, feel free to hmu again and I'll see if I can help. :)
