Paimon (Genshin Impact)

Paimon is a character from the 2020 action role-playing gacha game *Genshin Impact*, developed by miHoYo. She acts as both the game’s mascot and a guide, traveling with the protagonist, the Traveler, through the world of Teyvat. She looks like a small, flying fairy, speaks for the player, and explains how to play. Her English voice was originally provided by Corina Boettger, who was replaced in 2025 by Penelope Rawlins due to the SAG-AFTRA video game strike. In other languages, she is voiced by Duoduo Poi (Chinese), Aoi Koga (Japanese), and Kim Ga-ryung (Korean). Critics and fans have given Paimon mixed reactions—some enjoy her insults toward other characters, while others dislike her role as a guide. A common joke in the game refers to her as "emergency food," which became an internet meme. Players have also debated her true nature, drawing comparisons to characters from earlier miHoYo games.

Her design resembles a fairy, with a toddler-like appearance and a white-and-gold color scheme. She wears a cape with a galaxy pattern, a hairclip, a single sock, and sleeves similar to those on statues of Archons (the game’s gods). On her chest is an inverted triquetra symbol. Her name comes from the 17th-century text *Ars Goetia*, where Paimon is a king of hell. Her species and origin remain unconfirmed as of version 5.x, though players have speculated about connections to Celestia and fae-like traits based on in-game hints. Boettger was initially asked for a "fairy type" voice that wasn’t too cartoonish, but during recording, the team had her raise the pitch. She expected the role to be a one-time job but later learned it would require years of recording. In English, Paimon often refers to herself in the third person and insults other characters, giving them rude nicknames.

Paimon first appears early in the game, rescued from drowning by the Traveler. She then teaches the player how to play and speaks for the Traveler, who rarely talks. Her design, personality, and movements were made to clearly show she is the guide. The "emergency food" joke starts early, with the player given the option to call her that. Outside the game, she serves as the game’s face on social media, with developers answering questions in-character during the game’s release.