Unmasking Xiao’s Secrets: Age, Height, and the Enigma of the Vigilant Yaksha
Xiao is the stoic, powerful Vigilant Yaksha from Genshin Impact. Players often wonder about his true nature. His Anemo abilities and tragic past prompt questions about his age and human form. Let’s explore his lore and uncover Xiao’s mysteries.
Xiao’s Age: Older Than Your Grandparent’s Great-Grandparent’s… You Get the Idea
In Genshin Impact, age can be complicated. Xiao is not your average rebellious teen. If you guessed his age based on looks, you might think he’s 16-25. But that’s way off. Xiao is over 2000 years old. Yes, that’s two thousand years.
Various game sources confirm this age. His character page states he is over 2000 years old. It’s not a random number. Xiao’s age links to his history, especially during the Archon War. This conflict occurred long before current events in Genshin Impact. As an adeptus, Xiao’s long life is expected. Adepti are immortal beings, which explains his longevity in battling demons.
In Genshin Impact’s ancient character roster, Xiao is old but not the oldest. The Archons are older. Venti, the Anemo Archon, is about 2,600 years old. Zhongli, the Geo Archon, is around 6,000 years old. So, Xiao is like the middle child in this immortal family—still ancient, but not the oldest.
Xiao’s Height: Don’t Let His Size Fool You
Now, let’s discuss height. Xiao is horizontally powerful but vertically challenged. Standing at 5’3″ (158cm), he is among the shorter male characters. This fact sparks humor and endless memes in the community. He uses the “medium male model,” but that’s relative to tall characters like Zhongli or Diluc.
This brings up a question: why is Xiao so short? Some theories suggest adepti can shapeshift, meaning Xiao might choose his size. However, the lore gives a different, less clear explanation. It suggests Xiao took on the form of a 14-year-old. The reason remains unclear. It could be artistic choice or another undisclosed motive. There’s no solid lore that proves he actively maintains this form.
Regardless of height, Xiao’s power remains immense. He can decimate enemies using his Anemo-infused polearm. So, while his height may lead to laughs compared to Arataki Itto, remember Xiao could likely obliterate him and his gang effortlessly. Respect the Yaksha, height or not.
Xiao’s Identity: More Than Just “Xiao”
Xiao is what we call him, but it’s not his only name. His full title is Vigilant Yaksha Xiao. He is also known as Conqueror of Demons, Nuo Dancer of Evil Conquering, Guardian Yaksha, and General Alatus. “Alatus” is his actual name. “Xiao” was given by Zhongli for protection. It serves as a codename or pseudonym to shield him from attention or karmic backlash.
As for his origin, Xiao is an adeptus, one of five Yakshas sent by Morax, the Geo Archon (known now as Zhongli). These Yakshas subdued demonic spirits in Liyue during and after the Archon War. Tragically, Xiao is the only survivor of these Yakshas. His allies succumbed to karmic corruption or death. This past weighs heavily on him as he fights evil.
Xiao’s Nature: Immortal, Burdened, Vigilant
Xiao’s nature is complex. Primarily, he is an immortal adeptus. This immortality is not a gift in his case. It serves as a constant reminder of violence and suffering endured over millennia. He also carries a karmic debt from his battle against demons. This corruption tortures him constantly, weighing on his immortal soul.
Despite this suffering, Xiao remains the Vigilant Yaksha, dedicated to Liyue’s protection against demonic threats. His resilience in the face of constant pain is remarkable. While his fellow Yakshas fell to corruption or death, Xiao perseveres. He embodies unwavering vigilance and a strong sense of duty.
Xiao in the Age Spectrum: A Quick Comparison
To view Xiao’s age in context, here are comparisons to other Genshin Impact characters:
- Klee: Appears young; her “human age” is around 10-12. Her actual age might be greater, though not clearly stated.
- Furina: An immortal being at least 500 years old, appears as a young woman. Much younger than Xiao.
- Traveler (Aether/Lumine): Both are at least 500 years old from their travels before Genshin Impact. Also younger than Xiao.
- Nahida: The youngest Archon, at 500 years old. Far younger than Xiao.
- Ganyu: Born after Liyue’s creation; younger than Xiao but still ancient as a half-qilin adeptus.
In summary, Xiao is an ancient being in the form of a young man. His age exceeds 2000 years, making him one of the oldest playable characters. His height is unexpectedly short, which adds to his mysterious nature. He is the Vigilant Yaksha, weighed down by karmic debt yet committed to his duty. So when you play as Xiao, remember you control a character with a history spanning millennia, a powerful warrior trapped in a youthful, if small, form. Quite the package, don’t you think?
