KafBlade

KafBlade is the het ship between Kafka and Blade from the Honkai: Star Rail fandom.

Canon
Kafka and Blade are both members of the Stellaron Hunters, a mysterious organization that works under Elio's orders and collects Stellarons. Not much is known about their history yet, but they are close colleagues and seem to be working together often. Considering the story of the "Before the Tutorial Mission Starts", it's known that they text each other and seem to share a friendly relationship.

The "Passerby's Ragged Embroidered Coat" relic hints that Kafka was the one who recruited him into the Stellaron Hunters. The relic describes a woman in sunglasses (Kafka), as well as a man in armor that stood in Blade's way to extend him an invitation. Blade refused their offer, resulting in a fight, but the "smiling woman" offered him a deal he could not refuse, and so he accepted.

At one point in the story, Kafka contacts the Astral Express crew. She presents a hologram of Blade and explains that he has been captured by the Cloud Knights of Xianzhou. She wants to bring "her companion" back and asks the crew to rescue him as he is apparently innocent. Kafka also expresses that she wishes to clear both her and Blade's names.

Later, when Kafka escapes imprisonment and is pursued by the Trailblazer, Blade suddenly jumps inbetween and threatens the Trailblazer with his sword. He had also escaped prior to these events. Kafka has no reaction to this, even having her back turned to all of it and walking away calmly. This suggests she knew of or expected his arrival. She tells him to come along as they have two more places to visit before letting herself fall of the roof. Blade obeys her order and jumps after her.

This is the last time they're both seen in the current available story.

Quotes
"My companion Blade has been taken away by the Cloud Knights. I want to bring him back, solve the Stellaron crisis and clear our names."

- Kafka

"Let's go, Bladie. Two more places to visit."

- Kafka

Fanon
Kafblade is a decently popular ship for both characters.

In regards to their relationship, it is often interpreted that Kafka takes on the more dominant and playful role in the relationship, as well as Blade being incredibly loyal to Kafka and obedient to her orders. A trope often found is Kafka being able to make the usually cold Blade flustered. Fans also believe that Kafka has a lot of trust in Blade as she was unsurprised to see him protect her from the Trailblazer's pursuit.

Another common way to depict Kafblade is with Silver Wolf in a found-family or trio type context. Silver Wolf will usually take the role of the youngest, most child-like one with Kafka and Blade being responsible for her. These fan works aren't strictly in parents-and-child context, but rather a trio of clashing personalities that is depicted as close and always together.

Kafblade are commonly both viewed as bisexual by fans of the ship. As some other fans headcanon them as other sexualities (lesbian/gay), there has been discourse surrounding the ship.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

TUMBLR

TWITTER

Trivia

 * Kafka refers to Blade as "Bladie."
 * In Chinese, she calls him "阿刃 ā rèn", with 阿 being a prefix for names to indicate closeness.
 * Blade can be seen holding an umbrella next to Kafka on her splash art.
 * Blade and Kafka can be seen texting in the light cone "Before the Tutorial Mission Starts." The story suggests Blade is irritated by having to take care of Silver Wolf and asks Kafka when the action starts. Kafka thinks he has nerve asking that, telling him that Silver Wolf must pass this assignment. When Blade tells Kafka she's doing well, Kafka is relieved and tells Blade that he is also a reliable operative, to which Blade responds "..."
 * Since Kafka is missing her sunglasses in the illustration, some suggest that Blade could be wearing hers.