It's 2026, and I still catch myself gazing across the ocean from Liyue Harbor, remembering the first time I set foot on Inazuman soil. Man, time flies when you're exploring Teyvat! The Electro Archon's realm opened up in a cascade of updates that stretched through late 2021, and each patch brought a new face—some fiery, some frosty, and a few that completely reshaped how I build my teams. Even with the years that have passed, Inazuma's playable cast remains some of the most iconic characters we've ever had. Let me walk you through each of them, in the order they dropped, complete with their rarities, elements, and weapons. I'll also sprinkle in a few of my own battle‑hardened impressions, because, well, I've fielded every single one of these warriors more times than I can count.

Below is a quick‑reference table I've kept updated through 2026. Since most of these characters have returned on banners multiple times now, you'll have had plenty of chances to grab them.

Character	Rarity	Element	Weapon	Release Banner
Kaedehara Kazuha	5★	Anemo	Sword	Leaves in the Wind (1.6)
Kamisato Ayaka	5★	Cryo	Sword	The Heron's Court (2.0)
Sayu	4★	Anemo	Claymore	Tapestry of Golden Flames (2.0)
Yoimiya	5★	Pyro	Bow	Tapestry of Golden Flames (2.0)
Kujou Sara	4★	Electro	Bow	Reign of Serenity (2.1)
Raiden Shogun	5★	Electro	Polearm	Reign of Serenity (2.1)
Sangonomiya Kokomi	5★	Hydro	Catalyst	Drifting Luminescence (2.1)
Thoma	4★	Pyro	Polearm	Moment of Bloom (2.2)

Now, onto the details. I'll share a few of the stories and quirks that have kept these characters alive in my heart—and in my Spiral Abyss runs—for half a decade.

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Kaedehara Kazuha 🌪️

Even in 2026, Kazuha remains the golden standard for Anemo support. When he first appeared back in mid‑2021, just before Inazuma proper unlocked, I remember thinking, "He's stylish, but can he really replace my Sucrose?" Boy, did he deliver. His Elemental Skill and Burst group enemies into tight little vortexes, and his passive talent grants an elemental damage bonus based on his Elemental Mastery. That means whether I'm running a vape team with Hu Tao or a freeze comp with Ayaka, Kazuha just slots right in. He's still one of my most used five‑stars, and honestly, his autumn‑leaf aesthetic never gets old. If you're a relatively new player who grabbed him during one of his reruns, you've got yourself a forever unit.

Kamisato Ayaka ❄️

Ah, Ayaka. The Shirasagi Himegimi had fans buzzing long before her debut, and when patch 2.0 finally dropped, she became the Cryo queen of permafreeze. Her alternate sprint lets her traverse water with ease, which saved my resin more times than I can count while farming for artifacts. As a main DPS, she unleashes devastating Cryo‑infused slashes, and her Elemental Burst creates a blizzard that chews through enemies. I've tried slotting her into all sorts of teams over the years—mono Cryo, melt, even a weird physical build once—and she always shines. By now, most players have at least her C0, and she continues to anchor many Abyss lineups. I kid you not, seeing that burst animation still gives me chills.

Sayu 🍃

Don't let her pint‑sized frame fool you. Sayu smashes hilichurls with a claymore almost as big as she is, and she does it while rolling around like a sonic hedgehog. What a ride, right? Her Elemental Burst both heals the party and deals Anemo damage, making her a budget‑friendly healer and Viridescent Venerer carrier all in one. Plus, her passive talent keeps crystalflies from fleeing, which, even in 2026, is a godsend when I need condensed resin on the fly. I still throw her into my exploration team whenever a new area drops, because that fast roll is pure joy. She's a four‑star, so if you somehow missed her, she's always lurking in the standard pool or featured on banners.

Yoimiya 🎆

Yoimiya burst onto the scene right after Ayaka, bringing fireworks and a contagious smile. As a Pyro bow user, she's a single‑target menace. Her normal attacks lock onto enemies, and her Elemental Skill infuses those arrows with fire, letting her trigger vape or overload with ease. Her Burst even buffs the entire party's attack after it tags an enemy. Over the years, I've found her especially fun in co‑op, where she can pepper bosses from a safe distance while friends draw aggro. She may not have the AoE of some other Pyro carries, but for melting down Primo Geovishaps and similar beefy foes, few do it with more flair.

Kujou Sara ⚡

Sara, the Shogun's loyal general, is a specialist. Her kit revolves around boosting the team's Electro damage—especially if you have a Raiden Shogun of your own. Her Elemental Skill leaves a feather that later explodes, providing an ATK buff akin to Bennett's, but narrower in scope. I'll be honest, she can feel a bit clunky to play, with her charged attack needed to trigger the buff. But once you master the rhythm, she becomes a fearsome support. In 2026, with the rise of pure Electro teams (hello, dendro reactions), Sara has found a comfortable niche. She's still a four‑star, so if you're building an Electro hypercarry, she's worth the investment.

Raiden Shogun 🌩️

The Electro Archon herself. The Raiden Shogun can't cook, but she sure can bring the house down. Her Elemental Skill bestows an Eye of Stormy Judgment that follows your active character, dealing coordinated Electro attacks and increasing Burst damage. Meanwhile, her own Burst scales with the resolve stacks generated by your party's Bursts, culminating in one devastating slash. She's been a staple across countless team comps—National, Hypercarry, Superconduct drivers—and even in 2026, she's a top pick. Rolling for her constellations was one of the best decisions I ever made; C2 Raiden still shreds through Spiral Abyss floors like butter. If you missed her banners, keep an eye out. She tends to return when you least expect it.

Sangonomiya Kokomi 🐠

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Kokomi, the Divine Priestess, used to be the butt of jokes about "crit rate minus." But time has been kind to her. As the game introduced environments that demand heavy healing—corrosion, anyone?—her consistent Hydro application and significant off‑field heals became invaluable. She's a cornerstone in freeze teams alongside Ayaka or Ganyu, and her jellyfish turret never misses. In 2026, I see her regularly in co‑op as a designated healer, and she's even found work in dendro‑related bloom teams. She's one of those characters that, if you pulled her on a whim, you've likely never regretted it.

Thoma 🔥

Last but not least, our favorite housekeeper from Mondstadt who calls Inazuma home. Thoma shields and throws Pyro, functioning much like a four‑star Xingqiu for Pyro reactions. His Elemental Burst leaves a fiery barrier that pulses with your active character's attacks, making him a reliable enabler for vape comps—especially with Hu Tao. He first appeared on her rerun, and since then he's remained a solid choice for anyone needing a shielder with some offensive utility. While other shielders have appeared over the years, Thoma's charm and consistency keep him in my rotating list of supports.

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Inazuma's legacy in Genshin Impact isn't just about the story or the scenery—it's about these characters who turned the meta on its head and gave us countless memories. Whether you're a day‑one veteran or someone who just set sail for the islands in 2026, each of these fighters has something unique to offer. I've loved revisiting them today, and honestly, I might just log in and run a few domains with my old Inazuma squad. Cheers to whatever region comes next, but let's give it up for the pioneers who made Electro feel like home.

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