Before I even knew the slightest bit about Genshin Impact, I knew I loved Beidou. She’s a tall, strong, nautical queen that speaks with a sassy gruffness that I can’t stop fawning over. But when you dig a little deeper, it’s obvious that Beidou has a sense of empathy that’s so strong it’s painful. As the captain of The Crux, Beidou is known for her lack of fear, ability to skirt the rules, and immense strength. She cares deeply for her crew and holds strong friendships with some of Liyue’s most beloved characters like Ganyu and Ningguang. I’ve been pining for Beidou to join my Traveler on her adventures for ages, and in the new Inazuma update, I finally got my wish. Without so much as a moment’s hesitation, Beidou agrees to join your adventure into the intimidating Inazuma. She accompanies you on the journey and even sticks around to help out when she has no real reason to. It’s because of all this that I love Beidou – she’s the ultimate ride or die.
I reckon it’s a bit of a funny way to describe her, but it’s true. Beidou is that friend in high school that you told your wildest plans to, and instead of telling your mom, they joined you. Beidou may seem harsh upon first glance, but her commanding presence is more comforting than frightening. To her absolute core, Beidou is altruistic and earnest. She welcomes you to her boat like you’ve been part of her crew the entire time, and after a delay, Beidou jokes that if you “were anyone else” she would’ve set sail already.
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The trip to Inazuma doesn’t promise anything as welcoming as your original arrival into places like Liyue. The country is a strict, secretive place, and Atsuko – an Inazuman herself – will try to dissuade the Traveler from going there. It’s ultimately Beidou who will lead the way, asking no questions and demanding no reward for her efforts. Beidou genuinely seems like someone interested in not only helping the Traveler and Paimon, but someone who also wants to see them safely succeed.
When my party arrived in the isolated Inazuma, I expected Beidou to pack her things and turn back around. I didn’t want her to, but the captain really hasn’t played much of a role in the story thus far, so I had no reason to think otherwise. Instead, to my surprise, Beidou skips down Inazuma’s pier with the Traveler. I kept expecting her to depart with a swift goodbye, but Beidou hangs out nearby on The Crux, not abandoning the Traveler in an unfamiliar, hostile land.
A lot happens between that moment and the quest where the captain really shines – In the Name of the Resistance – but, it’s proof she always was there, working in the background. Inazuma is experiencing its own internal conflict, in which the Traveler has become involved and is helping the country’s resistance forces. It’s a dicey situation. She’s ambushed, and things look rather grim, but after not seeing her for a while, Beidou is suddenly there. She’s charging in with forces of her own, fighting her way through enemy combatants to save the Traveler and fight for the good of the people, even if they aren’t her people.
Beidou is without a doubt with you until the bitter end. She’s known for breaking rules around Liyue and doing Ningguang’s dirty work, fighting tooth and nail for her crew, and now, saving the Traveler and aiding a rebellion in a faraway country. She may not have been much of a focus in Genshin Impact thus far, but I can’t think of a character who’s proven to be more loyal and earnest than Beidou. When you eventually part ways at the end of patch 2.0 Beidou accompanies you to the beach, reminding you that, “Wherever you might end up, you’ll always be a part of Captain Beidou’s crew.” I like to think that means we’ll be seeing much more of her.
Next: I Love Inuyasha, But Sesshamoru Deserved His Own Game
