History YMMV / GenshinImpact

*** Arlecchino's fans tend to either embrace her being problematic because it's [[EvilIsCool "hot"]] or assume that the lines of other Harbingers that she's wearing a MaskOfSanity are misinformed (this belief supported by the fact that they [[{{Hypocrite}} both fit the descriptions they gave Arlecchino]]) and she's as AffablyEvil as she appears. There's some reason to assume that, as her behaviour is more suggestive of a taskmaster than a sociopath. There may be a mix-up, as the former Arlecchino was revealed to exist before the current one appeared and seems to match Tartaglia and the Wanderer's descriptions. This is also precisely the kind of thing a cold, calculating character would want you to think. [[spoiler:With the "The Song Burning in the Embers" animated short and Arlecchino's story quest confirming that much of the alleged child abuse was the work of the previous Knave while she genuinely does have a relatively stronger moral compass and was slandered by the other Harbingers for a justified murder, some of her fans were disappointed that she isn't more problematic. It should be noted however that Arlecchino isn't NotEvilJustMisunderstood, and is more of a NobleDemon]].

*** Arlecchino's fans tend to either embrace her being problematic because it's [[TroubledButCute "hot"]] or assume that the lines of other Harbingers that she's wearing a MaskOfSanity are misinformed (this belief supported by the fact that they [[{{Hypocrite}} both fit the descriptions they gave Arlecchino]]) and she's as AffablyEvil as she appears. There's some reason to assume that, as her behavior is more suggestive of a taskmaster than a sociopath. There may be a mix-up, as the former Arlecchino was revealed to exist before the current one appeared and seems to match Tartaglia and the Wanderer's descriptions. This is also precisely the kind of thing a cold, calculating character would want you to think. As of Chapter IV Act V, whether the latter are right remains to be seen.

* {{Narm}}: The ending cutscene of Prologue Act 2 is supposed to be a dramatic or heartbreaking moment as [[spoiler:Stormterror thinks that he has been betrayed by his friend Barbatos/Venti]]. But in the English dub, it can be surprising or funny to realize that he is being manipulated by an Abyss Mage who has an adorably high-pitched voice.

** Dori is an especially notorious example, to the point she has caused {{Administrivia/Edit War}}s to break out on ''this very wiki''[[note]]With even a special note in her folder warning editors against wrongfully adding HateSink to her entry[[/note]]. Her fans accept her as a cute, morally gray character whose money-grubbing antics are genuinely funny, sympathize with her DarkAndTroubledPast of [[HealthcareMotivation failing to accrue enough money to save her sister]], and point that her many PetTheDog moments make her, at worst, a JerkWithAHeartOfGold. Her haters, however, [[NeverLiveItDown refuse to forgive her]] for putting [[TheCutie Layla]] and [[NiceGuy Kaveh]] in PerpetualPoverty, and think her FreudianExcuse [[MotiveDecay rings hollow in the wake of just how selfishly greedy she's become]], signaling her as a {{Jerkass}} whose moments of kindness are also fueled [[MoralPragmatist by her greed and pragmatism]].
** Nilou was immediately met with ridicule upon release. There are those who like her for her cute design, her being a NiceGirl, and the fact that her dance is based off of a traditional Persian dance. However, there are also those who don't like her, seeing her as nothing but fanservice, and find her backstory to be the least interesting of them all, due to the fact that she's one of the few characters who doesn't have a tragic backstory or other notable traits beyond merely being a NiceGirl who loves to dance[[note]]She's notably the only 5★ character (many of whom otherwise have complex, in-depth characterization) with this distinction, as the other 5★ characters that don't have tragic backstories, such as Hu Tao and Yoimiya, display HiddenDepths or other traits beyond their respective eccentric and cheerful personality[[/note]]. Her defenders point out that Nilou represents how people whose passion for art is often overlooked by those who think that art is irrelevant, while her detractors have said that she could have been replaced with a random NPC, and nothing would have changed.

** Nilou was immediately met with ridicule upon release. There are those who like her for her cute design, her being a NiceGirl, and the fact that her dance is based off of a traditional Persian dance. However, there are also those who don't like her, seeing her as nothing but fanservice, and find her backstory to be the least interesting of them all, due to the fact that she's one of the few characters who doesn't have a tragic backstory. Her defenders point out that Nilou represents how people whose passion for art is often overlooked by those who think that art is irrelevant, while her detractors have said that she could have been replaced with a random NPC, and nothing would have changed.

** Nilou was immediately met with ridicule upon release. There are those who like her for her cute design, her being a NiceGirl, and the fact that he dance is based off of a traditional Persian dance. However, there are also those who don't like her, seeing her as nothing but fanservice, and find her backstory to be the least interesting of them all, due to the fact that she's one of the few characters who doesn't have a tragic backstory. Her defenders point out that Nilou represents how people who's passion for art is often overlooked by those who think that art is irrelevant, while her detractors have said that she could have been replaced with a random NPC, and nothing would have changed.

** [[spoiler:The Fatui]] don't actually do anything villainous in Fontaine's storyline. [[spoiler:Arlecchino deploys the House of the Hearth solely to perform reconnaissance and work to prevent TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. Neither her or her subordinates ever actually use violence against innocents to achieve their goals, although Arlecchino herself comes disturbingly close at times. The House of the Hearth repeatedly provides assistance to the heroes, including disaster relief in the town of Poisson. This came with no strings attached other than a potential favor in the future, and the EnemyMine that Arlecchino proposes is one where the Traveler isn't forced to do anything wrong. In fact, the (rather cruel) plan for exposing Furina's identity is Neuvilette and Clorinde's idea. The Fatui don't even do anything to steal the Gnosis: Neuvillette gives it up, albeit because he feared the Fatui. Arlecchino also actually ''agrees'' with the Traveler, Paimon, and Navia when they suggest that a HeroicSacrifice should be treated as just that and not an acceptable price to pay as part of a greater good. When you really think about it, this makes sense. Arlecchino's backstory is rooted in [[WhatASenselessWasteOfHumanLife distaste for the House of the Hearth sacrificing soldiers willy nilly]], and relying on the threat of force rather than doing anything physically violent makes her probably the only Harbinger to do her job right. Childe was also simply there for personal reasons and actually ends up saving the heroes from the real threat to Fontaine, the [[EldritchAbomination All-Devouring Narwhal]].]] Even outside of the Archon Quest, they are presented as far more malicious than the preceding regions. [[spoiler:The In Search of Lost Time World Quest series just follows a group of harmless Fatui trying to get a vacation and a girl named Penny is friends with a Fatuus, named Kerek, who is described as a good person by ExcellentJudgeOfCharacter Don Quijano]].

** The Version 4.6 update has become this in terms of the new additions to the overworld map. While it introduces Petrichor, the Faded Castle, and the Sea of Bygone Eras, there is also a stretch of northern Sumeru that literally has almost nothing besides about a dozen chests, leaving fans both outraged and/or wondering if there was originally going to be something there but got scrapped or if there will eventually be something added in a later update.

** Arataki "I'm Just That Good" Itto has received this status and more. He's strong, loud and boisterous, but that's [[SmallNameBigEgo undermined by his lack of luck and recognition]] in-universe. The fandom, however, loves Itto for it and will frequently cut him some slack. It helps that he's a CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass.
** (Madam) Faruzan just won't be quiet about her achievements received during her tenure in the Akademiya, being a much more experienced person than her juniors, or insisting to be called "Madam". To be fair, she really is that experienced while still caring for and doting on her juniors, so nobody out of universe is disagreeing with her soon.

** Dori is an especially notorious example. Her fans accept her as a cute, morally gray character whose money-grubbing antics are genuinely funny, sympathize with her DarkAndTroubledPast of [[HealthcareMotivation failing to accrue enough money to save her sister]], and point that her many PetTheDog moments make her, at worst, a JerkWithAHeartOfGold. Her haters, however, [[NeverLiveItDown refuse to forgive her]] for putting [[TheCutie Layla]] and [[NiceGuy Kaveh]] in PerpetualPoverty, and think her FreudianExcuse [[MotiveDecay rings hollow in the wake of just how selfishly greedy she's become]], signaling her as a {{Jerkass}} whose moments of kindness are also fueled [[MoralPragmatist by her greed and pragmatism]]. It's gotten to the point she has caused {{Administrivia/Edit War}}s to break out on ''this very wiki'', with even a special note in her folder warning editors against wrongfully adding HateSink to her entry, simply because Dori's haters ''cannot'' stand her at all.
--> '''(The entry in question)''' NOTICE: Do not add HateSink to her folder. For a character to be considered one, they must lack redeeming qualities or moments of kindness. Even if Dori's less sympathetic than other characters, her DarkAndTroubledPast, HealthcareMotivation and PetTheDog entries show she has good reasons to not qualify.
** Arataki Itto has become this in spite of being initially well received, simply because he receives much more [[CharacterFocus focus]] than most other playable characters. As of Version 4.5 he's appeared in over half the patches since he debuted. For context, appearances for most other playable characters outside those from the latest region are extremely sporadic, with many going months or almost a year without even a minor cameo. This has made him the most recurring Inazuman character despite being far from the most popular or important. Combine this with him being deliberately obnoxious, and his presence over other popular characters from Inazuma and out feels a bit overbearing for some.

* HypeBacklash: The game experiences this in some parts of the Western community.

** Just how powerful is The Traveler? This question has become more heated after Arlecchino's Story Quest, when [[spoiler: she effortlessly defeats The Traveler while dueling them, Lyney, Lynette and Freminet]]. One side says that being [[spoiler: A Descender]], The Traveler should have god-like power and be able to easily defeat most foes, even with only (as of 4.6) 5 elements. Another side points out that The Traveler has barely actually ''won'' a major fight by themselves, requiring the help of other people, [[spoiler: Descender]] or not.

* EpilepticTrees:
** There are {{invisible wall}}s that prevent players from exploring unreleased regions, accompanied by the screen darkening while Paimon appears and encourages you to turn around, saying "Let's explore the area in front of us later." An interpretation/joke/fan theory on this matter suggests that Paimon is actually using some space-manipulation power to force you in turning around.
** Alice is Klee's mom, but she entrusted her child to the Knights of Favonius and [[MissingMom went off somewhere]], causing Jean to step in the role as Klee's adoptive mother. However, fan theories (which also involve [[FanPreferredCouple shipping]]) suggest that Klee might be the biological child of Jean (on the basis that Klee is also blonde just like her) and Diluc (on the basis that both of them have the same eye color and are also Pyro-elementals). Note that Klee has elf-like {{pointy ears}}, a trait that doesn't apply to Jean or Diluc.
** A popular explanation for the [[InexplicablyIdenticalIndividuals three identical Katherynes]] in the Adventurer's guild booths is that they're RidiculouslyHumanRobots. They do occasionally say "Error" and "Rebooting" when you're not talking to them. Furthermore, fans also theorize that they may have been built by Snezhnayans (as the Fatui wield technology that isn't seen in the available regions, and the Adventurer's Guild HQ is mentioned to be in Snezhnaya). Also, the Fatui Harbinger Sandrone/Marionette wears a maid uniform under her coat that's very similar to Katheryne's uniform, suggesting that she's the one who built them to begin with. [[spoiler:This was eventually confirmed in Chapter III, where Nahida refers to Katheryne as a "bionic puppet"]].
** Dainsleif is thought to be Fischl's brother simply because they look similar to each other. Both of them are blonde, have eyepatches, and wear clothes with dark-blue/purple themes. However, Fischl's bio doesn't mention her having any older brother at all. [[spoiler:The fact that he's [[Really700YearsOld actually over 500 years old]] and the last sane survivor of Khaenri'ah means that he can't possibly be her actual brother - though her {{Chuunibyou}} personality's backstory seems to imply their could be some other connection to him instead.]]
** There's also theories floating around about Dainsleif being an older Aether, the male protagonist, from the bad future or an alternate timeline in which he failed to save Lumine due to what is presumed to be his monologue from the "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAlKhARUcoY Teyvat Chapter Storyline Preview: Travail]]" trailer. The "brother prince" from the "Gnostic Chorus" trailer is also often presumed to be either him, or the Traveler.
** Because the finale of the "Teyvat Chapter Storyline Preview" trailer has Dainsleif mentioning "show me you are worthier than I to rescue her" to Aether, a common fan theory suggests that he is referring to Lumine and might have known her for a long time before Aether woke up in Teyvat (since in this context, Aether wants to find her sister in the first place). This line alone also opens an implication that Dainsleif is closely or romantically related to the missing twin, so a bizarre fan theory then asks a scenario: What if we are playing as Lumine, and Aether is the missing twin, would Dainsleif have feelings for Aether? Dainsleif world quest released in the 1.3 update partially confirms this via SlidingScaleOfGameplayAndStoryIntegration [[spoiler:where he'll refer to the playable twin as being similar to the non-playable twin]].
** Ever since [[https://i.redd.it/ovl2r70tq6x51.jpg this image]] popped up, a fan theory regarding Sucrose suggests that she might be an Electro Fatui Cicin Mage since the latter's model has the same hair style and color. Some players then hoped that Sucrose would receive a Fatui outfit, while others began calling the Cicin Mage enemies "[[https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/85642274 Sucrose Alter]]". Supposedly she has an Electro Delusion along with her Anemo Vision, allowing her to control two elements; though our first encounter with a Delusion is [[spoiler:Childe's boss fight]], who is ''much'' more powerful than a Cicin Mage. Nothing in Sucrose's playable version indicates she has [[JekyllAndHyde hidden evil powers]], though it's conceivable that could be left for a future update.
** ''VideoGame/HonkaiImpact3rd'' fans who play this game made several theories on how both games are exactly related. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJaGQr8OX48&t=39s Beyond Otto Apocalypse's observation]] of the Imaginary Tree showing a cameo of Dvalin, and the concept of a [[https://houkai3rd.fandom.com/wiki/Multiverse Multiverse]] from ''[=HI3=]''), some fan theories try to predict the story of this game based on events that happened in ''Honkai Impact 3rd''. Others try to guess if a ''Genshin'' character is an {{Expy}} of a ''Honkai'' character even if their similarities may not be obvious at first glance. For example, some fans think that Zhongli may have been based on the characterization of Fu Hua[[note]]Being very old, knowledgeable, wise and powerful individuals who worked as "guardians" of their own lands (Shenzhou/Liyue), having taken on multiple identities throughout their long lives, and having problems with their memories being "too good".[[/note]] but with the body of "Post-Honkai Odyssey"'s Protagonist[[note]]A story that takes place years after the "end" of Honkai's threat on Earth[[/note]]. Some fan artists even depict both characters together out of CommonalityConnection, with Fu Hua's Azure Empyrea appearance being chosen to match Zhongli's aesthetics.
** Vennessa, the founder of the Knights of Favonius, is commonly theorized to be Diluc's ancestor (and thus making him a part Muratan) due to his red hair and Pyro Vision, and the falcon that appears in his IdleAnimation is commonly thought to be her in falcon form. This usually ignores the lore where the Ragnvindr clan has always been red-haired and had existed long before Vennessa came into Mondstadt.
** The Tsaritsa is, as of this writing, the only Archon whose "divine ideal" is not explicitly confirmed yet. In the "Travail" video, Dainsleif mentions the kind of gods each Archon is supposed to be, but of Tsaritsa, he only says "she's a god who has no love left for her people". From this, many fans speculate and guess that she is (or was) the "[[LoveGoddess God of Love]]." It's also suspected she might be an {{Expy}} of Bronya Zaychik from ''Videogame/HonkaiImpact3rd'' as both of them are associated with Russia and [[AnIcePerson ice]].
** [[spoiler:Despite being a fictional character,]] many fans have latched onto the idea that Ms. Hina may be added into the game someday [[spoiler:by using Albedo's alchemy to bring her to life.]]
** There are widespread theories that Kokomi is a Vishap having taken human form, or even [[spoiler:the reincarnation of the Primordial Dragon of Water]] due to her odd eyes matching the claim that Vishaps gradually lose the ability to see as they age, the belief in-universe that the Priestesses of Watatsumi somehow descended from Vishaps, and Kokomi's constellation name, Dracaena Somnolenta, translating to "sleeping dragon". Patch 2.5 even introduced the in-universe theory that Vishap-People have infiltrated human society. That Kokomi denies the existence of Vishap-People in the same patch did absolutely nothing to discredit the theory.
** The Aranara Ararycan is theorised to be related to Dottore due to him being the only blue Aranara (all others are green, orange, yellow or brown), the pattern on the leaves on his head looking vaguely like a Fatui insignia and the world quest focused on him being about the Ruin Golem of Devantaka Mountain (where notes left by Dottore, as Zandik, back when he was in the Akademiya can be found).
** Before Alhaitham's playable release, it was common for fans to speculate that Alhaitham was a reincarnation of the King Deshret. In the eyes of fans, this was "supported" by Alhaitham's supposedly unnatural looks, primarily his ExoticEyeDesigns that resembled the symbol of King Deshret, his shirt having the symbol of the King Deshret on it, the gem on his chest having the same shape as the gem that symbolically depicted Deshret in Kasala's memories, as well as the story's suspicious insistence that he's just some guy that wants to live a peaceful life despite the competence he shows and the lengths he'll go to the achieve his goal. Come Alhaitham's playable release which went into depth about his background, it was confirmed that he really is just some overly competent guy who worked hard during the Archon Quest so he could continue to live listlessly [[{{Jossed}} and not related to King Deshret at all]].
** Another prevalent theory concerning Alhaitham was that he was an android due to his distinct headgear connected to a cord extending down his back. It turned out to be a pair of noise-canceling headphones connected to a music player in his waist wrap, both of which he invented.
** The extraordinary lack of information regarding Natlan compared to other regions (including the total absence of [=NPCs=] from there) has led to lots of speculation on the reason behind it, for example, it being in a state of self-imposed isolation. There are even theories about the region having already been destroyed (usually by Celestia or during the Cataclysm), although they're seemingly contradicted by [[https://twitter.com/genshinimpactes/status/1587270735982219266/photo/1 this tweet]] from the game's Spanish Twitter account celebrating what appears to be the Day of the Dead.
** Out of Celestia's "Primordial One" and their four shades, only Istaroth's divine authority of Time has been explicitly named. However, among the five different types of artifacts is the timepiece, the Sands of Eon, leading players to speculate that the other authorities are likewise represented by the remaining artifacts, with the Circlet representing Reason, the Goblet representing Space[[note]]Dubbed in Chinese as the "Cup of Space/Emptiness/Void", which is curiously the same wording used for the Herrscher of the Void that the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles heavily resembles[[/note]], the Flower representing Life, and the Plume representing Death. This theory gained more traction after [[spoiler:Rene's research into Descenders speculates that they are distinguished by their power of Reason. More notes from the World Quest also muse that by becoming a Descender, he would become "one that can protect the world, '''sustain''' the world, '''destroy''' the world, and '''create''' the world".]]

* [[ShipTease/GenshinImpact Ship Tease]]