Arataki Itto is a highlight of Genshin Impact’s Irodori Festival

Arataki Itto, a club-wielding warrior from Genshin Impact, can rock black nails and red eyeliner like nobody’s business. Hebo is a rambunctious and sarcastic himbo who refers to himself simply as “numero uno” in a humorous way. And now, Itto has stolen the show in Genshin Impact‘s newest event, the Irodori Festival, and it’s all because this bitch accidentally drank a drink with soy in it. And as everyone in the world knows, Arataki Itto is allergic to beans!

[Editor’s note: This post contains spoilers for Arataki Itto’s and Thoma’s quest in the Irodori Festival.]

Itto’s new story comes as part of the 2. 6 “Zephyr of the Violet Garden” update. The Irodori Festival, in the realm of the game is an opportunity for Inazuma’s region to promote cultural exchange. In the brief but delirious quest tied to the event, the Traveler (the generic name for the protagonist of Genshin Impact) and their familiar Paimon help organize the event and are tasked with stopping Itto and his friends from hogging a tanuki-themed photo cut-out board.

When approached by Traveler, Itto has no interest in leaving the little cut-out board, which is when Thoma steps in. Thoma is both the Kamisato Clan’s housekeeper and manager, making him a bit heavier. After a brief fluttering of eyes, and an acknowledgement of their “bromance” from Paimon, Thoma suggests Itto solves his problems with a life-or-death “volunteer off.” Whoever wins gets the festival’s free signature drink, a cocktail inspired by a popular light novel.

Itto initially had no desire to volunteer. He discovers that the drink is possible and he says “Thoma,” then he retorts and adds, “Thoma bro, my man, my dude. Maybe I didn’t understand properly.” Then he asks for more information about the way to win the light drink. It is a brief, rambling moment but Max Mittelman’s portrayal of Itto helps make it come to life. Fans loved it even more when they learned that the line was entirely improvised.

Mittelman has a reputation for portraying offbeat characters such as Saitama in One Punch man. On Twitter, responding to a Genshin Impact fan account, he said, “it always tickles me when productions let me go off script.”

Upon winning the volunteering competition, the previously starry-eyed Itto gets a cold hard dose of reality when he realizes the cocktail has soy milk in it. Panic arises, as characters shout, “He’s allergic to beans!” And the great warrior falls to the ground with stomach pain.

It is a delightful and joyful little escape from all the tedious tasks that come with the festival. It’s an exciting highlight of the update. You can experience the joy of the mission with Arataki Itto or Thoma by completing the quest “About that Time We Saved the Tanuki Photo Board” under the “Hues of the Violet Garden” event.