What Happened to Teppei in Genshin Impact?
Teppei’s story in Genshin Impact is a tragic one, largely influenced by the life-draining effects of a Fatui Delusion. Initially, he found success in battle and was appointed as the captain of the newly formed Herring I unit. However, unbeknownst to him, the Delusion, which he believed was a secret weapon, gradually weakened him. As he continued to use it, he exhibited signs of accelerated aging and ultimately passed away after uncovering the true nature of the Delusion.
Introducing Teppei, we first encounter him as a rebel NPC under attack by Shogun samurais. His main role in Act II is to guide the player through the Rebel side. By Act III, he becomes a rival of the Traveler, significantly contributing to the war effort. Yet, this contribution stemmed from his reliance on the Delusion, which caused his rapid aging and subsequent death.
After his demise, Teppei is largely forgotten, with only sporadic mentions of him. His existence can be viewed as a footnote in the Inazuma Archon Quest. The overarching theme of the Inazuma Arc revolves around Visions, making the exploration of Delusions justifiable; nonetheless, this revelation only unfolds in the third act, linking Teppei to the Delusion subplot he suffered from.
To be honest, upon completing this segment of the quests, many players felt that the pacing was flawed. Teppei’s death emerged more as an injection of drama rather than an organic consequence, which exaggerated the Traveler’s anger in response to his loss.
Furthermore, a crucial aspect of character attachment is the depth of their backstory, which is often the result of effective pacing and storytelling. Unfortunately, with Teppei, players learn very little about him—he is merely depicted as a rebel eager to prove his worth in battle, leaving much to be desired in terms of character development.
Surprisingly, Teppei secretly wielded a Delusion, utilizing it in battle to secure victories against the Shogun’s army. However, these victories came at the cost of a grave sacrifice. Following his use of the Delusion, he experienced rapid decline and aged significantly, leading to his inevitable death.
In a climactic turn, it’s revealed that Scaramouche killed Teppei. The Wanderer repents but lamentably, the Delusion—bestowed upon him by the Fatui—accelerated his aging. During the quest, players witness Teppei transform into an elderly man before he ultimately succumbs to the Delusion’s debilitating effects.
In Act III: Omnipresence Over Mortals, Teppei’s death occurs due to the life-draining consequences of the Fatui Delusion. His passing ignites a wave of accumulated rage in the Traveler, fueling a series of misguided decisions arising from this mounting tension since the beginning of the game’s narrative…
Who Was Responsible for Teppei’s Death?
In the investigation of Teppei’s death, multiple individuals played crucial roles.
- Initially, Keiichi decided to kill Teppei during the Watanagashi Festival. He sent a fake call to Teppei’s house, luring him to the police station under the pretense of picking up Satoko.
- Afterward, in a forest, Keiichi ambushed Teppei while he was riding a moped and killed him with a bat. He subsequently buried Teppei’s corpse and disposed of the moped in Onigafuchi Swamp.
However, Rena also played a significant role in Teppei’s fate. She attacked Teppei directly, slamming a hatchet into his head. In an attempt to cover up their actions, Rena began to chop up Teppei and Rika’s corpses for disposal.
Nevertheless, their plans were interrupted when the club discovered the bodies before Rena could complete the disposal. The club ultimately decided to assist her, helping to bury the remains in the middle of a forest.
Moreover, it is important to note Teppei’s abusive behavior toward Satoko. He treated her very poorly, keeping her home to do chores and preventing her from attending school. His cruelty escalated, particularly after the failed attempts by the club to involve child protective services.
As a result of using a delusion, Teppei’s health declined. He aged rapidly, leading to his eventual death.
In the aftermath, Keiichi, Mion, Rika, and Satoko were arrested for their involvement in the murders of Teppei and Ritsuko. They were all sentenced to life in prison.
The Role of the Fatui Delusion in Teppei’s Story
Delusions Overview:
- Delusions are powerful, Vision-like objects produced by the Fatui. Their production method is unknown.
- They grant their wielders the ability to manipulate certain elements.
- Unlike Visions, Delusions can be used by anyone and are supposedly far more powerful.
- However, Delusions have immense and potentially lethal drawbacks. They may drain the user’s vitality or backfire on them.
- Knowledge about Delusions is scarce and is a closely-guarded secret even among the Fatui.
Teppei’s Involvement with Delusions:
- Teppei, who used a mass-produced Delusion, never received a Vision. He guessed that using a Vision would be similar.
- However, the side effects of Delusion usage vary from person to person.
- Some members of the Watatsumi Army suffered from rapid aging due to their vitality being drained, leading to Teppei’s death as a result of its effects.
Impact on Others:
- Delusions used by Agents, Cicin Mages, Mirror Maidens, and Operatives are visually identical to those distributed to the Watatsumi Army.
- Their orbs are colored based on the elemental abilities they bestow.
- Delusions emit the smell of Mist Grass upon use and can cause rapid aging and other debilitating effects.
- The side effects were not uniform; for example, Crepus and Teppei died shortly after taking up their Delusions, while Diluc used Crepus’ Delusion for three years without any obvious consequences.
Teppei’s Decline:
- Teppei initially believes he is only exhausted from battle.
- After realizing that the Fatui had been supporting the resistance with Delusions, the Traveler rushes to Teppei, noticing he has significantly aged.
- Unfortunately, Teppei soon succumbs to the Delusion’s effects and dies.
Conclusion:
- Surprisingly, Teppei secretly owns a Delusion and uses it in battle against the shogun’s army.
- He achieves temporary victories, but at a great cost. After using the Delusion, Teppei becomes ill and ages rapidly.
- In the end, the reason for his decline is the Delusion given by the Fatui, as these Delusions drain the life of their users, which ultimately happened to Teppei.
Exploring Teppei’s Legacy: Why Fans Remember Him
Teppei showed us around on the resistance like a friend. He was a normal character in a truly abnormal state of Inazuma.
Moreover, he made sure that we are well-acquainted with everyone.
Teppei’s Death: A Turning Point in Genshin’s Narrative?
Teppei’s death in Genshin Impact serves as a pivotal moment, yet its emotional resonance varies among players.
- For some, Teppei wasn’t a particularly important NPC. His death was sad initially but felt insignificant in the broader narrative.
- One player described him as the “worst example of a disposable tug-at-your-heartstrings feelsbait NPC” throughout the game.
- Another noted that they quickly moved past their feelings of sadness, emphasizing that more impactful deaths, such as those of Silver and Melus, left a deeper emotional mark.
- However, Teppei’s death did trigger long-standing rage in the Traveler against the Fatui, culminating in a decision that nearly cost them their life.
- Furthermore, it’s suggested that his death could have had a greater impact if more backstory about his opposition to the Vision Hunt Decree had been provided.
