Let’s be real, folks. Five years into Teyvat, and Genshin Impact is still pulling heartstrings and emptying wallets. I mean, with every new update, miHoYo drops another gem, but some legends are simply built different. Just the other day, I was scrolling through some old archives and stumbled upon a classic piece from Japan’s Animate Times. They had polled their audience to close out 2021 on the top 30 most popular characters across all media—anime, games, music, the whole shebang. And guess what? Three of our beloved playable units made the cut! As we vibe through 2026, with the game’s lore deeper than the Abyss, it's the perfect time to look back at why this holy trinity remains the gold standard. It hits different seeing how these picks from 2021 have become even more legendary today.
Raiden Shogun: The Electro Archon Who Changed the Meta (And Our Hearts)
Back in 2021, the Raiden Shogun was the new kid on the block, and she still cracked the list at Number 27. Fast forward to today, and calling her merely 'popular' is the understatement of the century. I swear, the day the 2.1 update dropped was pure chaos. Everyone and their mother was saving Primogems for the Plane of Euthymia. Why? Because she was one of the first big Electro injections since the game launched, and her Japanese-inspired design was absolutely chef’s kiss.
Even now, when I hear Miyuki Sawashiro’s commanding tone in the JP dub or Anne Yatco’s chilling delivery in English, I get goosebumps. It’s not just about the 'Booba Sword' meme anymore; it’s about the universal battery concept she introduced. In 2026, with the Dendro reaction meta fully matured, Raiden’s Hyperbloom and Hypercarry teams are still S-tier. She’s the epitome of a character who ages like fine wine. Her ability to recharge the entire party while dishing out massive burst damage makes her a must-pull for any serious account. It’s no wonder she went from a feared ruler chasing visions to a timeless staple in our rosters. Pulling her is what I’d call a 'no-brainer' move.
Zhongli: The CEO of Comfort Gaming
Next on that nostalgia train is the Geo Daddy himself, Zhongli. Placing right behind Raiden back then, this man has never left the meta conversation. You know the vibe: you’re struggling against a new weekly boss, sweating bullets, trying to iframe everything... or you just hold down Zhongli’s Elemental Skill and put up that massive, unbreakable Jade Shield. Problem solved. No cap.
Voiced by the silky-smooth Tomoaki Maeno and the legendary Keith Silverstein (who brings that profound, resonant power we all know and love), Zhongli’s cool, collected dialogue makes him more than just a shield bot. He’s a philosophical vibe machine. Over the years, miHoYo has thrown many enemies at us—Corrosion wolves, aggressive Consecrated Beasts—trying to dethrone the shield king, but he adapted. In 2026, his value is still insane for casual mobile players and hardcore speedrunners alike, thanks to that universal resistance shred on his shield. He’s had, what, three or four banner re-runs by now? And every single one rakes in the cash because people know this sophisticated archon is a team essential. He truly turns the game into a 'walk in the park' experience.
Childe/Tartaglia: The Ageless Combat Junkie
Finally, ranking highest among the Genshin crowd in that famous poll—coming in at Number 15 overall—is our favorite battle-hungry ginger, Childe (or Tartaglia, if you’re feeling formal). This guy is the Riptide king. I genuinely think Childe is one of the most flexible and skill-expressive units ever designed. He isn't just a 5-star Hydro powerhouse; he has a unique dual-stance mechanic that remains one of the most complex and satisfying gameplay loops in the game.
We all collectively gasped back in the Liyue arc when his dark, complicated story unfolded. He’s not a typical black-and-white villain; that deep love for his family, especially Teucer, makes him weirdly relatable and beloved in the fandom. Gameplay-wise, the International Team (Childe, Xiangling, Bennett, Kazuha) has been a dominant force for half a decade now. As a professional, I gotta say—don’t sleep on his damage ceiling just because he’s an 'old' unit. His cool down management is a high-risk, high-reward game that keeps the adrenaline pumping. To this day, he’s the poster boy for elegant chaos, proving that a hydro blade is sometimes thicker than blood.
The Verdict in 2026
It’s crazy to think that a snapshot from 2021 predicted the longevity of these icons. Raiden Shogun, Zhongli, and Childe aren't just flash-in-the-pan DPS checks; they represent the pinnacle of design, lore, and voice acting quality. They’ve weathered five years of power creep, new nations, and shifting meta dynamics without falling off the radar. So, I’m turning the mic to you, fellow Travelers: five years deep, who stands as the absolute top character in your heart? Hit me with your hot takes—let’s keep the debate rolling!