In the world of Teyvat in Genshin Impact, female characters are never confined to the roles of mere eye candy or background figures. They challenge tradition with wisdom and bravery, or resolve conflict with tenderness and resilience—each forging her own legend. Furina and Keqing, two iconic figures representing Fontaine and Liyue, embody this contrast perfectly. Like two sides of the same coin—one soft, one strong—they reflect the multifaceted nature of female strength. Furina shields herself with softness, seeking redemption amid the drama of survival; Keqing wields strength like a blade, forging her path through doubt and reform.
Furina’s Softness: Furina’s Softness: The Gentle Wisdom of Resilience
Furina’s story begins with a five-hundred-year-long “lie.” As Fontaine’s so-called “Hydro Archon,” she is not a true deity, yet she must play the role of one—guarding Fontaine under the looming shadow of an ancient prophecy. This dissonance between identity and duty gives rise to a unique kind of softness in her character—an inner resilience wrapped in theatrical flair, a wisdom born of gentle endurance.、
Theatrical Performance: The Art of Softening Crisis
Furina’s softness is most evident in the way she handles conflict and crisis. Enamored with opera, she is drawn to the spotlight and the applause, treating the daily affairs of Fontaine like a never-ending performance. In the face of prophecy and fear, she hides her vulnerability behind grand gestures and eloquent speeches. When faced with public doubt, she turns to dramatized responses to redirect attention. This performative way of surviving isn’t mere pretense—it’s a calculated strategy. Caught between divine authority and human emotion, Furina uses “softness” to quietly diffuse countless potential confrontations. For instance, she often wanders the streets of the Court of Fontaine as an “ordinary girl,” observing everyday life. Her yearning for simplicity is, in itself, a quiet rebellion—a way of coping with loneliness through softness.
Desserts and Opera: Comforts That Soften Loneliness
Furina’s personal tastes are rich with symbolic softness. Her love for desserts borders on obsession—especially for cream puffs, Fontaine-style macarons, and of course, her signature dish Proustis. These sweet treats reflect her longing for a simple, ordinary life. HoYoverse captured this side of her through a furina chibi figure that highlights her adorable, down-to-earth charm. Across five centuries of solitude, desserts became her emotional anchor—tiny fragments of humanity that allowed her to retain a sense of warmth even while playing the role of a deity. Meanwhile, opera serves as her spiritual refuge. The dramatic twists, the joys and sorrows of fictional characters—these stories allow Furina to express the emotions she cannot reveal in real life. As she once said, “No matter how absurd the tale on stage, it is still gentler than reality.”
Furina’s Growth
After the prophecy crisis is resolved, Furina sheds her divine role and returns from “actress” to “mortal.” No longer needing to hide her vulnerability behind performance, she begins to embrace her imperfections with honesty and courage. Her relationship with the Traveler and Neuvillette evolves as well—from that of a deity and her followers to one of friends and equals. This newfound balance, built on trust and mutual respect, marks a turning point in her growth—a quiet strength emerging from her inherent softness.
In the end, Furina chooses to face her past head-on and uses her voice to help heal Fontaine’s wounds. Her “softness” becomes not just a defense, but a redemptive force—gentle, yet powerful.
Keqing’s Strength: The Independent “Lead Heroine”
In stark contrast to Furina’s softness stands Keqing’s resolute strength. As the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, Keqing is known for her decisive actions and fearless questioning of tradition—qualities that make her one of the most independent-minded female characters in all of Teyvat.
Challenging Divine Authority: A Reformer with Resolve
Keqing’s strength first manifests in her bold stance against divine rule. In Liyue, a nation built on the faith in the Geo Archon Morax, she dares to question the idea that gods should dictate the course of humanity. She believes firmly that “humans must walk their own path through their own power.” At the time, such thinking was considered radical, even drawing criticism from more conservative factions.
Yet Keqing never backed down. She turned her beliefs into action—driving reform across Liyue through effective policies in land planning, resource distribution, commerce, and public welfare. Her efficiency and dedication became living proof of humanity’s potential. As she once said: “The Geo Archon has watched over Liyue for a thousand years—but the next thousand… will be ours to shape.”
Workaholic Tendencies: A Steely Sense of Duty
Keqing’s strength also shines through her relentless work ethic. She’s a true workaholic—often staying up late to handle government affairs and even declining the Traveler’s help with a firm belief that “one should walk their own path.” Her pursuit of efficiency and responsibility has earned her immense respect among the people of Liyue, but it has also placed a heavy burden on her shoulders. Interestingly, her favorite dish—Golden Shrimp Balls—reveals a rare soft spot in her otherwise hardened persona. This seemingly simple food symbolizes her appreciation for small moments of joy, hinting that she isn’t made of stone, but rather hides her gentleness beneath a serious exterior.
This contrast is further highlighted in Genshin Impact’s “Radiant Night Banquet” merchandise series, where Keqing 1/8 figure appears not in her usual stern Qixing attire, but in an elegant evening gown—adding a touch of youthful sweetness to her image. That fleeting moment of grace feels like a breath of relief after laying down her burdens, offering players a glimpse of the warmth hidden beneath the Yuheng Star’s armor.
Independence and Resilience: Leadership with Strength and Grace
Keqing’s strength is not reckless—it’s grounded in logic and unwavering determination. She understands that the path of reform is filled with resistance, yet she chooses to confront it head-on. For example, in advancing Liyue’s modernization, she must navigate opposition from conservative factions while balancing the interests of various groups. Such a complex situation demands not just boldness, but also exceptional intelligence and strategic vision.
Her evolving relationship with the Traveler—from initial caution to eventual trust—reflects her growth as a leader who can adapt and embrace change. Keqing’s “hardness” makes her a pillar of Liyue, while her underlying “softness” makes her a leader others can rely on. This balance of strength and empathy defines her unique and inspiring brand of leadership.
The Cultural Metaphor of “Softness” and “Strength”: A Multifaceted Expression of Female Power
The contrast between Furina and Keqing is not only a difference in character traits but also a collision of cultural metaphors.
Furina: The Resilient Power of a “Humanized Deity”
In traditional mythology, gods are often symbols of authority and coldness. Furina breaks this stereotype. Her loneliness, vulnerability, and love for life make the image of a deity vivid and relatable. This design not only enriches her character depth but also conveys a value: true power lies not in lofty authority, but in embracing and transcending human frailties.
Keqing: The Strong Image of a “Modern Woman”
Keqing represents another form of female power—independence, autonomy, and refusal to rely on any authority. She embodies a modern, dynamic character. Her existence proves that women can become leaders through wisdom and courage and can stand firm amid doubt and controversy. This design resonates with contemporary calls for female independence.
The Balance of Softness and Strength: The Ultimate Expression of Female Power
What Furina and Keqing share is that their “softness” and “strength” are not opposites but complementary. Furina’s softness allows her to remain resilient in crises, while Keqing’s strength keeps her steadfast in reform. This balance represents the ultimate expression of female power: true strength is not about being solely tough or gentle but about flexibly adapting to circumstances—using softness to overcome strength or strength to control softness.
In the world of Genshin Impact, female characters have never been defined as “weak” or “mere ornaments.” Whether it is Furina’s softness or Keqing’s strength, both showcase the multifaceted dimensions of female power. This design not only enhances the characters’ credibility and appeal but also conveys a value of equality and inclusiveness: everyone has their own way to survive, and every kind of strength deserves respect.
Furina’s story teaches us that true strength can hide beneath a gentle exterior; Keqing’s story reminds us that independence and resilience are the brightest badges of honor for women. Their coexistence further proves Genshin Impact’s profound understanding of female characters—power has never been a single label but a symphony of “softness” and “strength.” In the land of Teyvat, every female character writes her own legend, and their stories inspire us in real life: whether choosing “softness” or “strength,” being true to oneself is the truest form of power.
