Hey there, fellow Traveler! I’ve been thinking a lot about Baizhu lately. As a long-time Genshin Impact fan, I was overjoyed when he was finally announced as a playable character back in Version 3.6. For years, we saw him as that mysterious, sickly pharmacist running Bubu Pharmacy in Liyue Harbor, always accompanied by his wise-cracking snake companion, Changsheng. The wait felt eternal, especially since we knew he was Dendro, an element that wasn’t even in the game when he first appeared! Now, looking back from our perspective in 2026, his journey from NPC to a cherished member of our teams has been incredible, but it’s always been shadowed by one looming question tied to his very essence: given his fragile health and obsession with cheating death, could Baizhu be the first playable character to die?
Let’s talk about what makes this theory so compelling. From the moment I met him, Baizhu’s character has been intrinsically woven with themes of mortality, longevity, and the natural cycle. He’s this brilliant, kind-hearted man cursed with a debilitating ailment that leaves him physically weak. His entire life’s work—his pursuit of eternal life—stems from a desperate desire to overcome his own fragility. He’s even the guardian of Qiqi, a character whose very existence is a paradox of life and death. This narrative foundation makes the concept of his passing not just possible, but thematically resonant. Community theorists, like the dedicated folks at BaizhuMains, have long speculated that his story arc might culminate in a sacrifice or a final acceptance of his fate, creating a powerful, emotional moment for the game’s lore.
However, let’s be real for a second. As much as a major character death could be a narrative bombshell on par with Signora’s demise, permanently killing off Baizhu would be a terrible move from a practical standpoint. Think about it:
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Event & Story Lockout: If he’s gone for good, how does he show up in future festivals, story quests, or hangouts? His absence would create massive plot holes.
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Banner Viability: Why would players wish for a character who is canonically deceased? It could severely impact the commercial success of his rerun banners.
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Precedent: No playable character has ever permanently died in Genshin Impact. Introducing that first death comes with a mountain of logistical and gameplay challenges to solve.
So, if HoYoverse were to go down this path, they’d need a masterful twist. Perhaps his search for immortality succeeds in a way he never intended—maybe he transcends his physical form or achieves a new state of being. Or, his death could be a temporary, story-driven event that is later reversed, completing that ‘cycle of life and death’ central to his theme. This would allow for that shocking story beat while keeping the character available for our adventures.
Reflecting on it now, years after his release, Baizhu’s story continues to be one of the most poignant in Teyvat. His struggle isn’t about conquering nations or defeating gods; it’s an intimate, human battle against time itself. Whether his tale ends in tragedy, triumph, or something in between, it’s guaranteed to leave a lasting impact. For those of us who waited so patiently to have him on our team, any development in his storyline feels deeply personal. His potential demise wouldn’t just be a plot point; it would be a profound moment reflecting on the value of the life he fought so hard to extend. Only time, and the storytellers at HoYoverse, will tell what destiny has in store for the good doctor of Liyue.