Racism is a recurring plot element in the Tales series. Many games that include this specific type of discrimination often use it as a major plot-driving force.
Description[]
In Tales series racism takes generally form of humans vs. beastfolk discrimination, a common variant present in video games. As opposed to real world, racism in the series is generally centered on abilities of the oppressed side, usually a minority. As an accompanying theme slavery is also commonly used when the oppressed are exploited for power.
Appearances in Original Titles[]
Tales of Phantasia[]
Half-elves are typically discriminated against by elves, who view them as tainted by humanity and are thus barred from the Elf Colony.
Tales of Symphonia[]
In Tales of Symphonia, both Sylvaranti and Tethe'allans are prejudiced against half-elves, a cross breed between a human and an elf. However that minority functions differently in each world: Sylvarant, which during the events of the game is a declining worlds, has a group of half-elves known as Desians who terrorize the world inhabitants and use them for Exsphere manufacturing, while on the flourishing Tethe'alla those who have the misfortune of being caught by Tethe'allans are being forced to work in Sybak's Imperial Research Academy.
Tales of Rebirth[]
In Tales of Rebirth, Calegia is the home to two major races: Huma, ordinary humans, and Gajuma, physically strong beastfolk who can use a unique power known as Force. On the surface Huma and Gajuma live in relative peace, however the ruler of Calegia is always a Gajuma. The Divine King Geyorkias intends to eliminate all Huma due to their past cultural development which resulted in a war that would end in Gajuma's subjugation.
There also exists a third race known as Half, who are an interbreed species between Humas and Gajumas. Due to taboo on interracial relationships, great hardships of birth, and their proneness to illnesses Halfs are very few in number and even if they exist are persecuted by both sides.
Tales of the Tempest[]
In Tales of the Tempest, one hundred years prior to the start of the story the event known as Beast War that caused destruction of the world. As the conflict was mainly between Leymons, a type of beastfolk, in time they became a target of discrimination due to the results of the war and Leymons' drastically decreased numbers. By the time the story starts Leymon hunts are in full swing on the order of the Pope, encouraging people to turn them in for a reward.
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World[]
In Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, the unification of the two world has changed things: Tethe'allans who possess superior technology oppress Sylvaranti and as a side effect half-elf oppression lessened. Moreover Tethe'allan side of the Church of Martel also subjugates its Sylvaranti side to the point of treating them worse than half-elves before causes decline in Martel faith. To counter the ongoing discrimination a group known as Vanguard is formed by Brute Lualdi which with time grows as violent as their oppressors.
Tales of Xillia 2[]
In Tales of Xillia 2, after the schism was dispelled the Exodus, an Elympion organization who were previously a group working towards expending Rieze Maxia as a fuel for Elympios, became a violent terrorist group with no known leader. Its members scorn Rieze Maxians and perform terrible deeds that aim to deepen the divide between Rieze Maxians and Elempions.
Tales of Arise[]
In Tales of Arise, Dahnans are under oppression from minority group of Renans who can use astral artes, the game's equivalent of magic, as opposed to "plain" Dahnans. Renans use Dahnans to harvest specific astral energy elements from each realm of Dahna, with each Lord employing different methods to do so. To combat the discrimination, many resistance organizations are formed, such as the Crimson Crows from Orbus Calaglia and the Silver Swords from Cyslodia, with the Dark Wings from Mahag Saar being the most extremist.