All shall fade away

In the land of Inazuma, they vanish like mist,

But the Shogun pursues, her purpose not missed.

Unfettered and unperturbed, eternity's grace,

Closer to Plane of Euthymia, she finds her place.

Lightning, eternal, shadows in its wake,

A fantasy sustained by the reality we make.

Beneath the illusion, deep in the still,

Eternity's essence, a powerful thrill.

Torn to oblivion, yet in dreams, we reside,

In a waking world where illusions may hide.

Woven from dreams, our reality's seam,

"All shall fade away" in Raiden's timeless scheme.

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Who is Raiden Shogun in Genshin Impact?

The Raiden Shogun is the awesome and terrible power of thunder incarnate, the exalted ruler of the Inazuma Shogunate. With the might of lightning at her disposal, she commits herself to the solitary pursuit of eternity.

Raiden Shogun, the Puppet: Despite holding the title of Shogun, the day-to-day governance of Inazuma is entrusted to an intricately designed puppet known as Raiden Shogun. This creation was crafted following Makoto's tragic demise. Legend has it that Ei has secluded herself within the Plane of Euthymia for centuries, guarding her pursuit of eternity.

Divergent Personalities: Raiden Ei and Raiden Shogun are physically identical, yet their personalities differ significantly. Raiden Shogun, as the highest authority in Inazuma and an Archon, rules with an iron fist, instilling fear and demanding obedience.

The Master Behind the Scenes: On the other hand, Raiden Ei, the mastermind behind the "puppet" Raiden Shogun, never fully relinquishes her authority. In Inazuma, sovereignty and power are solely determined by Raiden Shogun's thoughts and understanding, a dynamic that adds complexity to their intriguing narrative.

Raiden Ei and Raiden Makoto: Raiden Ei, also known as the current Electro Archon, happens to be the sister of Makoto. However, a fascinating twist lurks beneath the surface. Many mistakenly refer to her as Baal, the previous Electro Archon who perished centuries ago, with Raiden Ei now bearing the mantle.

Raiden Ei's Mysterious Rule: Ei's reign over Inazuma remains shrouded in mystery. Most of the time, her consciousness resides in the ethereal Plane of Euthymia, closely linked to her mental state. This mystical realm reflects her emotions, yet due to Raiden's deep meditations, it often remains static.

Ei's Pursuit of Eternity: In stark contrast to her sister Makoto, Ei's primary aspiration is 'eternity,' an existence prolonged as much as possible. She isolates herself, driven by a relentless determination to attain this elusive goal—a determination born from the profound trauma she endured during the Archon War, where she lost her sister and dear friends.

Creation and Design:

Raiden Shogun's inception and design journey were marked by significant milestones. Her promotional debut occurred on July 9, 2021, as part of miHoYo's campaign for Genshin Impact Version 2.0, introducing the Inazuma region and its storyline. She made her in-game appearance during the storyline's opening act on July 21, 2021, and was subsequently confirmed as an upcoming playable character through promotional illustrations by miHoYo the following day.

In August, miHoYo tantalized fans with additional promotional material, hinting at forthcoming story quests that would delve deeper into her character's background. Alongside these quests, her signature weapon, the "Engulfing Lightning" polearm, was unveiled. Finally, Raiden Shogun graced the game as a playable character on September 1, 2021.

On February 4, 2022, during miHoYo's promotional event for Version 2.5, Raiden Shogun's character took an unexpected turn as she assumed a new form and became a formidable adversary for players. Her character quest's second act introduced her as a boss ready for combat.

Character Design:

Raiden Shogun's captivating design draws inspiration from Raiden Mei, a character from miHoYo's Honkai Impact 3rd. The development team dedicated considerable time and effort to perfecting her image, emphasizing her commanding presence as a deity. Boss battles with Raiden Shogun strategically limit players' usual attacks and skills to create a sense of domination and desperation.

Her design also incorporates various elements of Japanese culture. Raijin, the Japanese god of lightning, serves as her foundational archetype. Her name combines an alternative form of Raijin's name (Japanese: 雷電, romanized: Raiden) with the title of shōgun (Japanese: 将軍), harkening back to the warlords of feudal Japan. Notably, Raiden Shogun's "Chakra Desiderata," represented as a radiant halo trailing her, pays homage to depictions of Raijin.

Her attire features a purple kimono reminiscent of a yukata, cinched with an obi around her waist, tailored to suit the game's aesthetics. Mitsudomoe symbols, often associated with the Shinto god Hachiman, the god of war and archery, accentuate her design, underscoring her image as a seasoned warrior.

To convey an aura of composure, sovereignty, and sanctity, the development team drew inspiration from kendo when animating her character. Her ultimate attack draws from kendo postures such as hassō-no-kamae, jōdan-no-kamae, and gedan-no-kamae, as well as movements like the noutou (Japanese: 納刀, lit. 'sheathing the sword').