By Triúnn liðþjálfabikkja

Recently a studio known as Santa Monica Studios released a series of drawings for some characters set to appear in a game called, “God of War: Ragnarök ''. One such drawing was made by whatever creative director or whatever inept fool decided the design for the áss of battle, thunder, and men to be a male so fat that it is not just sickening as a Heathen and follower of Forn Siðr but traumatizing. As if it wasn’t bad enough when Marvel/Disney did it with Chris Hemsworth who wasn’t even a redhead or even closely resembled to Þórr, they decided to have a guy who isn’t even Norse pagan play the role but instead a Sikh, yes you read that right Sikh. Ryan Hurst is a convert to Sikhism and he is set to play/voice Þórr, the Áss of battle and thunder known to be the greatest warrior in the Nine Worlds. A son of an Áss and a Jötunn as well who would never either become fat or let himself go like that as he is the protector of Miðgarðr as well as a remarkable warrior revered by many and this random studio and some supposed “Norse Myth experts'' dare say that this is alright! They say that this is accurate because supposedly we lack information on the description of Þórr from medieval sources in one video with a guy known as Jackson Crawford who is a supposed expert and consultant on Norse Myth.

For many reasons, some previously mentioned, this is false on many levels. In Norse culture, fitness is extremely important and reflects many things in a single man not to mention the view of the Æsir as ancestors so considering this fact that Norðmenn put strength and fitness as a high priority from the Icelandic Sagas, a medieval source that gives a pretty good idea about Vikings and Norse people unlike what Jackson Crawford says, how can anyone assume any of the Æsir were fat. I could go even further into this discussion to mention Heimdallr and how he was mentioned as one of the whitest of the Æsir but Marvel/Disney again goes out of their way to depict him as black though I digress, this form of representation as accommodating those who are fat but wish to be great warriors like Þórr is not just appalling and traumatizing as mentioned but harmful not just to those fat people but to those who truly follow the traditions of Heathens such as Forn Siðr. As well to mention this is cultural appropriation, like if any other figure was shown as such like lets say a mythical African warrior then there would be massive backlash but because a figure from a northern culture is depicted it is perfectly fine in the minds of those who drew and designed this. But of course the supposed Norse Myth expert Jackson Crawford would say it’s perfectly fine as we lack sources though as I’ve mentioned we actually have a good idea but you obviously need a brain to make many connections but in his defense, he was a consultant for Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla” and Disney’s “Frozen” both atrocious misrepresentations of Norse culture and Norwegian culture respectively.

There are many people who say this representation is accurate and some have gone as far as to say that this is peak male performance such as a powerlifter by the name of Daren McCormac claims. Many of his arguments are based on a small percentage of those males who perform in strong man competitions saying they are at peak physical condition to compete even though they cannot run or even have good stamina in those regards. He himself is rather fat as well and not to mention a Brit so his morals and ideas are not exactly ones to line up to as he is lacking key factors about Norse culture and not to mention physical fitness to make an informed opinion on the subject of whether this depiction of Þórr is truly either accurate or the peak of male performance. For many trainers and dietitians who have any idea of how fitness works would tell you it is possible to be extremely fit and still do the type of strong man events that Daren has done, not to mention the multitude of athletes who can perform just as well and be fit. One argument he uses is basically the equivalent of “Everyone else jumped off the bridge so I did too!” He mostly says that all other strong men have and I quote “a power belly” going as far as calling some strong men dad bods saying that they have it so he does as well and they’re extremely song but then proceeds to say he does not run. One point he has not taken into account is how the men who settled Iceland had to have been extremely fit as some of the original settlers were able to row from Norway to Iceland in two days which is a trip that normally takes a week back then.

Lastly I have a great issue with a person playing Þórr who isn’t even Norse Pagan, such as Ryan Hurst or by what he calls himself as a Sikh, Gobind Seva Singh. This is just adding insult to injury at this point, having a person who not only has no idea about Norse culture voicing one of the most important figures within the culture and religion but who is also culturally and religiously being the complete opposite of what Þórr is. Also Ryan Hurst has been shown to play as a criminal and coward many times consistently but what is to be expected of the males of today's world especially one who has no idea about true honor or masculinity. As Sikhs are the strangest mix of Christians and Hindus which becomes more confusing when read up on as they also look like Muslims and all these religions and cultures advocate weakness and blind following of those who have not proven themselves as true men but effeminate cowards who would rather be beaten then fight back against injustice believing they should just pray so God will save them.

Now as this will most likely continue whether anyone says anything and show proof to everyone that this depiction of Þórr is wrong and cultural appropriation it will not change what studios and companies like Santa Monica Studios do as they truly do not care about accuracy but being woke and up to date on the new insult to Norse culture like Marvel/Disney has continuously done. Though it may not change anything I believe it is still important to call out these atrocious people and their disturbing actions about how they depict the Æsir for those who follow the true Norse culture such as Forn Siðr. It is wrong for these people to continuously go so far to validate a bastard depiction of a great warrior who now looks like a lazy slob who looks more like he has never fought or even worked hard a day in his life which is NOT what Þórr is or represents. Truly Þórr is an extremely fit warrior with the strength to kill Jötnar by the dozens with his mighty hammer who would kill any fool who would honestly think he is fat or would ever depict him as so. Shame on Santa Monica Studios, Ryan Hurst, Jackson Crawford, Daren McCormac, and lastly every person who thinks this constant bastardization of Norse culture is fine.