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ZhongEi is the het ship between Raiden Ei and Zhongli from the Genshin Impact fandom.
Canon[]
They have not yet been seen interacting in game. However, it is made clear in both of their stories and voicelines that they are familiar with one another and have several connections with each other. Ei and Zhongli have known each other since the aftermath of the Archon War. Two are both Gods, with Ei being the God of Electro/Eternity, and Zhongli being the God of Geo/Contracts.
Both of them also share some similarities. They're both quiet, timid, and don't really interact with other characters (unless they need to) besides the Traveler or only to their closest friends in the Archon Quests, Yae Miko and Tartaglia. Both of them are also known to be one of the most powerful Archons than the Anemo Archon, Venti, because of doing their duty to protect their respective regions instead of leaving their responsibilities behind. Which gives them more power and strength. Both also lost some friends across the Archon War and it made a big impact on both of them.
Voicelines[]
In the 2.1 Update, Zhongli's voicelines about Ei ('Baal' in the descriptor), he states that she would give up everyone for her beliefs, and ponders that this might be the very reason where she stands today. He also adds that should a chance come by him, he'd like to learn the Eternity she endeavors.
In Ei's voice line about Zhongli ('Morax' in the descriptor), she reveals that she had an opportunity to feast with him once, back when she was a kagemusha attending with her late sister, Makoto, during their victory after the Archon War. Informed by the traveler of Zhongli's retirement from his Archon position, she notes that he had made his choice, but she thinks that his story isn't anywhere finished yet. This somewhat implies that she knows of his true goals to retire and of his new identity now.
Early Archon War[]
Oathsworn Eye[]
- “It was because I could best neither Deus Auri nor Narukami that I elected to flee into waters unknown.”
- — Serpent God; Orabashi (as indicated on the Oathsworn Eye game lore)
Both Zhongli (referred to his title 'Deus Auri', it was formerly titled 'that golden god' in the old descriptor) and Raiden Ei (referred by her title 'Narukami') is mentioned on the game's 4-Star Catalyst weapon, obtained from the Three Realms Gateway Offering Event by upgrading the Bokuso Box to Level 4. This is in reference to the in-game lore of both gods that the ancient dragon-like serpent, Orabashi couldn't defeat during the events of the Archon War, choosing to flee and eventually ended up beyond the seal that separated Enkanomiya from Teyvat.
Archon Quest[]
In 'The Fond Farewell' quest, Zhongli's tells the traveler that the neighboring nation Inazuma, might be closed, when asked who rules the nation, he states that the Electro Archon rules the place. He notes how he and her goes by other names among the locals of their respective nations in Liyue and Inazuma, he is referred to as 'Rex Lapis', and she is 'Raiden Shogun', since she is the Shogun of the Inazuma Bakufu, he also informs the traveler that she began promulgating the 'Vision Hunt Decree', an order to seize all Visions within Inazuma's borders. He also notes that she became 'stricter' now that Rex Lapis 'has passed away', strengthening her resolve to pursue Eternity.
Quotes[]
- “In his long life, he has met countless people, and shall meet countless more still. As they say: waters change course, but mountains move not.”
- — The Raiden Shogun (about Zhongli on his Character Introduction)
- “I had an opportunity to feast with him once, back when I was just a kagemusha attending a gathering of the gods. So he's made his choice. Be that as it may, I don't believe his story is anywhere near finished yet.”
- — Ei's voiceline about Morax
Fanon[]
As both are fellow Archons, the ship has gained some slow-rise in following, mainly on Twitter. ZhongEi mostly portraits a fluffy or angst relationship in most fan arts due to their respective backstories. It's one of the fandom's rarepair ships. Although, some fans consider this ship as a friendship along with Venti or just see them as fellow Archons. It’s main rival ships are EiMiko, EiSara and ZhongChi.
During her banner release, some fans of the fandom noticed appearance-wise similarities (Her being a Geo Vision and polearm user, as well as the purple dark hair) with Geo character YunJin, which the fandom jokingly refer her as the "daughter" of the two.
According to few shippers, the rarepair also has parallels to Hoyoverse's other game, Honkai Impact 3rd's canon pair, KevMei (Kevin Kaslana and Dr. MEI), due to the characters resemblance, especially with a particular in-game shot that parallels a flower field on of Genshin Impact's promotion image of the two alongside their fellow Archons. Interestingly, the pair is also likened to be depicted in fanarts as the Archon counterparts for the roles of Loid and Yor, the popular Spy x Family ship, TwiYor.
Fandom[]
FAN FICTION
- Raiden Ei/Zhongli tag on AO3
- Raiden Baal/Zhongli tag on AO3
- Raiden Ei & Zhongli tag on AO3
Trivia[]
- Both had their own respective banners.
- Both can make their hair and eyes glow in combat, as seen in most playable Archons in-game.
- Both uses a polearm as a weapon of choice.
- Common symbols used for this ship on Twitter include: 🔶️⚡, 🔶️🍡, 🗿🍡
- The Raiden Shogun was the one whom introduced Zhongli for his Character Introduction on Hoyoverse's social media accounts back on November 23, 2020. Meaning that she knew of his true identity by then.
- By comparing Zhongli's EP 'The Joys of Leisure and Pleasure' and Raiden Ei's EP 'A Scenery of Skylight and Serenity', there are direct parallels of them looking beyond their respective nations, staring longingly. It's also interesting to note that they are contrasting day and night parellels.
- Zhongli can be spotted staring at Ei, and her returning it with a glance before they toast their drink during the Archon montage of Genshin Impact's animation promo for Lantern Rite, "Dream Upon a Lantern".
- Zhongli is seen holding a dango milk during his stroll in Inazuma with the Traveler and Paimon on one of Genshin Radio's promotional arts. This is notably Ei's favorite drink.
- During his livestream-summoning session of Raiden Ei's banner, Tomoaki Maeno (Zhongli's JP voice actor) he is one of the VAs who were very hyped and desperate to pull her.
- "I WANT HER!! I definitely want her!" he yells, as he prepares to pull on her banner.
- In an interview on Genshin Radio, he and Ayumu Murase (Venti's JP voice actor) states that their favorite pretty female character in Genshin is 'Ei-chan'. He specifically likes her being such a strong character in the game and appearance-wise, her long braided hair.
- In another gameplay walkthrough on Genshin Radio, he urges Shun Horie (Aether's JP voice actor) to keep Ei's character for the agility event, since she is "very adorable". During his turn to play, he refers to her briefly as "My Raiden Shogun".
Variations[]
- Archon Trio refers to the ship between Venti, Raiden and Zhongli
