NPCs are a crucial part that brings Genshin Impact to life. Some of these characters are quite irrelevant, while others are highly memorable. Whether it's event-exclusive NPCs or the ones players can meet and talk to daily, these characters create a large impact on the community.
For example, many people were devastated when Teppei faced a gruesome fate in an Archon Quest. Recently in Genshin Impact 2.6, it is Halfdan that takes the spotlight. Fortunately, the well-written characters of Genshin Impact allow some NPCs to be memorable even without having to meet a sorrowful ending. Here are some examples.
Updated November 10th, 2022, by Nahda Nabiilah: Whether it's Story, World, or Archon Quest, the updates of Genshin Impact are surely more exciting with new Quests. HoYoverse has been on quite a roll with the last three versions considering players keep getting a new Archon Quest, and the amount of lore bomb successfully drops the jaw of lore-loving fans. Not only new knowledge, but the land of wisdom also comes with some more memorable NPCs, like Dunyarzad and the Aranara. These two will surely be memorable in times to come, but for now, this list will include NPCs that players may have met a long time ago.
10 Kazari/Hanachirusato
Older players likely know this NPC under the name Kazari, but newer visitors of Inazuma will be seeing this NPC as Hanachirusato. Kazari's name was altered in Genshin Impact 2.7, but her role as the supervisor for the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual World Quest remains the same.
This Inazuma Quest is one of the longest and most confusing for many. Players have to clean "filth" off the roots of the Sacred Sakura and the Thunder Sakura, then defeat a gigantic Miasmic Tumor to complete the Genshin Impact ritual. After all the chores are over, however, instead of having a happy time, Kazari disappears after thanking the Traveler. She leaves behind her fox mask, which can be used to unlock the recipe for the forgeable Catalyst, Hakushin Ring.
The Shrine Maiden disappears as she too is a manifestation of accumulated "filth". So, after Travelers finished the Cleansing Ritual, it's only natural for her to be cleansed. The long journey players have gone through with her, and the sad, abrupt ending, successfully allows her name to be carved in many Traveler's hearts, making her one of the most memorable NPC of Genshin Impact.
9 Guoba
Guoba is a mysterious creature that tails behind Xiangling wherever she goes. He met Xiangling when she accidentally fell asleep in a cave and was attracted by the food the Chef brought with her. Ever since then, Guoba became Xiangling's companion, assisting her even in combat.
Of course, Guoba is not his actual name. Xiangling named the creature based on a snack she loves, as the creature is incapable of human speech. For those who missed Genshin Impact 2.1, Guoba's real name is actually Marchosius. He was once known as the God of the Stove, but after calamity falls upon Liyue, he uses his power to restore the land. In this process, he lost both his physical and mental prowess, and Guoba is reduced to his current size and intelligence.
8 Katheryne
If one is to talk about NPC, the name Katheryne will surely come to mind. The receptionist of the Adventurer's Guild has long been suspected to be a robot, but it's only confirmed almost two years later in an Archon Quest involving Genshin Impact Nahida. The Dendro Archon even mentioned that the bionic hails from Snezhnaya, which many fans have also guessed.
As a machine, it's no surprise that Katheryne is identical in all nations. However, the true purpose of Katheryne in the Adventurer's Guild is still a mystery, and only time will tell what Snezhnaya is planning to do with having a robot mobilize Adventurers throughout Teyvat.
7 Liben
Liben is only available in Genshin Impact during the Marvelous Merchandise Event. This striking NPC is loved by many thanks to how easy it is to earn Primogems from him. Liben is a traveling merchant that often comes up with “interesting” ideas to make money. Unfortunately, so far he hasn't succeeded in most of his plans. It may be due to his bad luck or simply his bad ideas.
Luckily, despite all his failures, he never stops trading daily items for some precious Genshin Impact Primogems.
6 Madame Ping
As much as players want Madame Ping as a playable character, for now, people have to settle for her being an NPC. This Adeptus takes the form of an old lady that can be found admiring Glaze Lilies at the Yujing Terrace. However, despite her fragile appearance, Madame Ping hides a tremendous power.
Unlike most of the Adepti, she chooses to live in Liyue Harbour instead of retreating to Jueyun Karst. Because of this, she was able to reassure the other Adepti that Liyue is safe in the hands of mortals. By far, Madame Ping is the only Adepti that can be found at all times, making her even more memorable than she already is.
5 Timmie
When Genshin Impact was first released, many players quickly grew to resent the kid. Most people would fall victim to his scolding as they tried to cross the Mondstadt bridge. Unfortunately for Timmie, instead of being more careful, a lot of Travelers decide to torture him instead. People would come up with various ways to kill Timmie's pigeons. Whether it's Traveler's Wind Typhoon, or Ganyu's charged attack, harvesting Fowls in front of Timmie always strikes a weird sense of satisfaction.
And it doesn't stop there. Players would even make Timmie cry on purpose by killing the ducks during his commission.
4 Nadia & Vlad
Both Nadia and Vlad are guards of the Northland Bank. Vlad is the daytime guard while Nadia takes the night shift. One day, Nadia accidentally left a letter for her brother on her post. Vlad thought that the letter was for him and replied to it. Ever since then, the two became pen pals despite never meeting each other.
In Genshin Impact 1.3, Nadia and Vlad can be seen together at the Lantern Rite. However, they do not recognize each other as pen pals. Nadia only said that talking with Vlad feels familiar. Many players rooted for their relationship to move forward, and it did. In version 2.1, Nadia and Vlad were moon-gazing together. Afterward, in Genshin Impact 2.4, the two watch the Lantern Rite fireworks side by side.
3 Taroumaru
When Travelers first arrive in Inazuma, they will have to visit Komore Teahouse frequently. Upon entering the teahouse, the first thing most people see would be a dog on the front counter. What's curious is that the title under his name is “Owner of Komore Teahouse”. While it is not entirely clear how a dog could own an establishment, this and Taroumaru's cuteness easily makes him one of the most memorable NPCs in Genshin Impact.
While Taroumaru is incapable of human speech, it is implied that he understands it completely. For him to communicate with people, he requires the assistance of Genshin Impact's Gorou.
2 Ying'er
Among the many people in Liyue Harbor, Ying'er is certainly one of the most memorable NPCs. She's a playful perfume maker that has a way with words. It's very easy to misunderstand what Ying'er is trying to say unless people fully concentrate on the literal context. For example, she says, “the warmth of their bodies, the smoothness of their curves under your hands,” to describe the surface of freshly baked porcelain vases.
Of course, this isn't the only double entendre she ever said. In the A Study in Potions Genshin Impact event, the perfume maker even got Timaeus bothered with her “unique” choice of words.
1 Ruu
Long ago, the inhabitants of Tsurumi Island worshipped a Thunderbird named Kapatcir. The bird was enchanted by Ruu’s voice, and they eventually became friends. However, as the situation on the island got worse, Ruu decides to sacrifice himself to please the Genshin Impact Thunderbird. Seeing Ruu dead on the altar, Kapatcir becomes angry and curses the island with a never-ending loop of destruction.
Eventually, the Traveler manages to break the curse by making Ruu sing to Kapatcir. At this moment, there was a small cutscene showcasing the little boy relieving the Thunderbird's grief. After finishing this Tsurumi Island Quest, unfortunately, Ruu can no longer be found. Despite that, the heartfelt scene of two friends reuniting is one of the most memorable moments in Genshin Impact.
Genshin Impact is now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.