Genji Shimada

Genji Shimada, also known as Sparrow, is a character from the Overwatch series.
== Charactah Account ==
Originally the lazy younger son of the master of the Shimada Ninja clan, Genji Shimada was raised to be a skilled Ninja with his brother Hanzo, but wasn't interested in his family's illegal business. Tension built between Genji and the clan until eventually the clan Elders pressured Hanzo into a violent confrontation with his younger brother. Nearly killed by his injuries, he was rescued by Overwatch, but just barely. The damage that had been done was so severe that they offered to rebuild his body through extensive cyberization in exchange for his help in the dismantling of his former clan.
In the years that followed, Genji became a successful agent within Overwatch as a member of their global task force assigned to Blackwatch under Gabriel Reyes. Over time, however, he began to feel extremely conflicted with what he had become. Feeling alone in the world and unable to come to grips with his mechanical body, he abandoned Overwatch before its eventual dissolution. He drifted from one place to another, looking for meaning until eventually, he met Zenyatta the omnic monk. Through Zenyatta's teachings, Genji was slowly able to come to terms with his half-man-half-machine existence and feel at peace with himself.
== Appearance ==
=== Comics ===
* Overwatch
=== Video Games ===
* Heroes of the Storm
* Loverwatch
* Overwatch
* Overwatch 2
== Trivia ==
* Genji's name may be a reference to the main character in the Japanese classic novel, The Tale of Genji. Overwatch's Genji is described as a 'playboy', while the novel's Genji is heavily characterized by his relationships with multiple women. Similarly, both men experience being banished from their families.
* Genji's design may be based off of Uzu Sanageyama from the 2013 Japanese Anime "Kill La Kill" As they are both robotic samurais with extremely similar outfits and both excel in sword combat.
* In his youth, Genji's father Sojiro gave him the nickname "Sparrow." He appears to use the feather of a Japanese sparrowhawk as a calling card.
* Genji and Hanzo were the first playable heroes in Overwatch to be related, followed by Pharah and Ana, and Torbjörn and Brigitte.
* A giant action figure of Genji was put on display in Paris as part of a pre-release promotion for Overwatch.
* Genji's sword was replicated by armory series Man at Arms.
* Genji is the fourth playable Overwatch character in Heroes of the Storm. He is also a purchasable announcer.
* Genji seems to be ambidextrous, as he throws shurikens and uses Dragonblade with his right hand, and sword for Swift Strike and Deflect with his left hand.
* Genji used to have an exclusive skin (See Picture: Oni) only obtainable from doing the Nexus Challenge in Heroes of the Storm, it later returned again in the Nexus Challenge 2.0, along with an exclusive skin for D.Va. As of Patch 1.12.0.2, they were added to the classic lootboxes and ccould be purchased for 1,000 credits.
* The Japanese word bushin ("wargod") is written on Genji's chest, likely an homage to the Final Fight character Guy.
* Genji uses his own armor polish. Walnuts are part of the ingredients.
* Triceratops is Genji's favorite animal.
* Genji's backstory was retconned between Overwatch and Overwatch 2. In his initial hero description, it was stated that he left Overwatch while it was still active, that after the dismantling of the Shimada clan, his mission was complete. His Overwatch 2 page, however, states that Genji left Overwatch after it was disbanded.
* Genji is playable in Loverwatch.
* Genji's Agent ID Number in Overwatch is 3945_49
== Gallery ==
File:Genji Shimada Render 01.png
File:Genji Shimada Render 02.png
File:Genji Shimada Render 03.png
File:Genji Shimada 01.png
File:Genji Shimada 02.png
== External Links ==
* Genji at Overwatch Wiki
Category:Characters
Category:Males
Category:Overwatch