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KafHime is the femslash ship between Himeko and Kafka from the Honkai: Star Rail fandom.
Canon[]
Main Story[]
Himeko is the navigator of the Astral Express and Kafka is a Stellaron Hunter. At the beginning of the game, Kafka activates the Trailblazer's receptacle, basically reviving them. Kafka purposely has the Trailblazer be found by and join the Astral Express to fulfill the future Elio foresaw.
Himeko and Kafka first interact when Kafka interrupts a meeting in the Astral Express, appearing as a hologram. While the rest of the crew stares at her in apprehension, Himeko turns away in disdain. Himeko tells Kafka there's no need for the mysterious introduction, identifying her as a Stellaron Hunter. Kafka chuckles and greets Himeko by name. She requests the crew to make a "destination alteration." Tensions high, Himeko tells Kafka that she's seen her bounty on a wanted poster. However, Kafka says she takes this as a compliment. Himeko then quotes what Herta has told her about the Stellaron Hunters: "wild lunatics in pursuit of the most dangerous objects of the universe." Kafka replies that with the description, the Stellaron Hunters and Astral Expressers are not so different. Himeko remarks that she is not about to get into bed with a Stellaron Hunter, and still refuses to accept Kafka's request. She then says she would be willing to discuss further if Kafka shows up in person.
Kafka then brings up the Luofu, causing Himeko and Welt to uneasily glance at each other. Kafka tells them a Stellaron burst occurred there recently, and wants the crew to clear the Stellaron Hunters' name and get her companion, Blade, back. As Kafka explains why helping her would be beneficial to the Astral Expressers, Himeko inquires that Blade's life is in danger, to which Kafka chooses not to respond.
Himeko and Welt don't believe Kafka is telling the truth, but can't ignore what they heard. So Himeko holds a vote among the crew, and she is one of the people to vote in favor of going to Xianzhou.
Letter From A Strange Woman[]
After receiving a text message from Kafka asking for help, the player is given the option to show the text message to Himeko. If they go through with it, Himeko remarks that it is surprising Kafka is still on the Xianzhou. The player can either ask Himeko if she can go instead, or what she thinks they should do, to which she responds suggesting they go themselves, as if they do not want anything to do with her it would be best to say it in person, however she feels as though Kafka really does need their help. Himeko goes on to say that as an member of the Express she does not wish to interact with Stellaron Hunters, but Kafka does truly have a deep connection with them, and she has not acted so far as if she wishes to hurt them. Himeko comments that if she were in Kafka's place and seeking help from someone, she would want them to show up in person, telling the player to do as they see fit, as she doubts Kafka would hurt them.
Keeping Up With Star Rail[]
For Kafka's "Keeping up with Star Rail" episode, "Kafka: Elegance Unmasked", Owlbert invites Himeko to co-host with him because she is rumored to have several encounters with Kafka. While Owlbert goes over Kafka's gameplay, Himeko will occasionally chime in with critical remarks about Kafka.
- “If she feels the need for weapons, perhaps her "Spirit Whisper" isn't so great after all?”
- — Himeko about Kafka's skill
- “For wanted criminals, dealing with unexpected battles is just part of their routine.”
- — About Kafka's trace
- “A classic Kafka tactic — leveraging the DoT effects that her allies inflict on the enemy.”
- — About Kafka's talent
- “All those flashy moves seem like overkill, if you ask me.”
- — About Kafka's ult
At the end, Owlbert asks what the beef is between them. Himeko replies that Kafka is someone who holds up her train journey, and she also takes issue with Kafka implanting a Stellaron in the Trailblazer, manipulating lives, and speaking in riddles.
Quotes[]
- “Oh, the Express Crew. Looks like we'll be joining forces quite often, huh?”
- — Kafka's voiceline when added to the same team as Himeko
- Himeko – “No need for the mysterious introduction... Stellaron Hunter.”
- Kafka – “[chuckles] Himeko... correct?”
- — An Invitation Without Proffer quest
- Kafka – “In pursuit of the most dangerous objects in the universe, huh? ...In that sense, you Astral Expressers and I are cut from the same cloth.”
- Himeko – “You're in the wrong place, Kafka. We're not about to accept your request, and we're not about to get in bed with a Stellaron Hunter.”
- — An Invitation Without Proffer quest
- Owlbert – “Miss Himeko, mind if I ask what the beef is between you two?”
- Himeko – “Why take kindly to someone who holds up your train journey?”
- Owlbert – “That the whole story?”
- Himeko – “Well, there's the unethically implanting a Stellaron, manipulating people's lives, speaking in riddles...”
- — "Keeping up with Star Rail — Kafka: Elegance Unmasked"
Fanon[]
One of the first KafHime fanarts when the ship started getting popular (by @BlueTorqoui)
KafHime has been shipped as early as May 2022. However, the ship didn't gain much traction until the release of Star Rail's final closed beta in February 2023, where the two characters interact. Fans noted the tension between Himeko and Kafka in their interactions. Many headcanon them as exes. Fans also enjoy how the two mirror each other, as members of opposing groups. KafHime shippers envision that they have a sad backstory, where Himeko and Kafka were together in the past, but Kafka's duties as a Stellaron Hunter caught up to her so she forced herself to abandon Himeko. In Himeko and Kafka's first cutscene together, their interactions are seen as both trying their best to pretend they don't know each other in front of the Astral Express crew.
While the ship started out as a rarepair, it has become one of Star Rail's most popular femslash ships. It currently has 480+ works on AO3, ranking 11th in the Honkai: Star Rail tag.
Fandom[]
FAN FICTION
- Himeko/Kafka tag on AO3
Trivia[]
- On Kafka and Himeko's official art for the countdown to the game's release, they are both holding spheres. Himeko's radiates a purple color similar to Kafka's hair and Kafka's is the bright red color of Himeko's hair.
- In the event "Cosmodyssey" when Kafka and Himeko are paired together for the assignment "Fashion Squad", they get a unique report. "Kafka designed a beautiful coat, and asked Himeko to tailor it — If we just look at the results, Aventurine/Trailblazer/Luka looks pretty good in something that these two made together."
- As shown in the Stellaron Hunter Edition of the 1st anniversary Seiyū Congratulation Messages, the Stellaron Hunters group chat is named "Stellaron Hunter★Family (Laughs)", which was certainly named by Kafka. The Astral Express group chat is named "Astral Express♡Family", highly likely named by Himeko, which suggests that Kafka named their group chat based on what she knew Himeko had called hers.[1]
- In the Astral Express Annual Trailblaze Report Web Event when Himeko says that we should treasure the bonds of our friends who are important guests on the train, Kafka appears and comments "Oh? Does that include us too?". [2]
Gallery[]
Official[]
Screenshots[]
Fan Art[]
- All art in this section is fan made, and must be sourced back to the original artist. It also must have permission from the original artist to be posted here. If your art is here without your permission and you wish to have it taken down, please inform an admin, so that we may delete it.
Videos[]
