In the vibrant world of Teyvat, few characters capture the imagination quite like Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue. As a five-star Pyro polearm wielder, she is renowned not only for her formidable combat prowess but for an eccentric personality that seamlessly blends the solemnity of death with a mischievous, poetic spirit. Her unexpected arrival in the world of Genshin Impact years ago left players intrigued by her unique perspective on life's final journey. Even now, as we move through 2026, Hu Tao remains a cornerstone character, her story quests and seasonal re-runs continuing to reveal the profound depths beneath her playful exterior.

Hu Tao's unconventional nature was evident from her earliest days. She was far from a typical Liyue child. 🧒 By the age of three, she was already reading, often doing so while exercising—a peculiar habit that hinted at her unique intellect. Her eccentricities only grew; she would sneak out of school to take naps in coffins, finding a peculiar comfort in the very symbols of her future profession. The pinnacle of her youthful undertakings came at the mere age of 13, when she arranged her first funeral, demonstrating a precocious understanding and acceptance of the cycle of life and death that would define her life's work.

A Solemn Duty and Profound Knowledge

Inheriting the directorship of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor at a young age, Hu Tao approaches her responsibilities with immense gravity. When conducting funerals and last rites, she is the epitome of respect, solemnity, and thoroughness. She views her role as a vital guide for souls transitioning from life to death, a sacred duty she strives to perform flawlessly. This deep-seated respect stems from an extraordinary knowledge base. Hu Tao possesses a vast understanding of life, death, and the metaphysical barriers between them, knowledge passed down through generations of her family. This allows her to accept death not with fear, but with a respectful comprehension few in Teyvat can match.

Her wisdom extends beyond funeral rites into the hidden secrets of Liyue itself. Hu Tao is privy to ancient knowledge about the region's past, making her exceptionally perceptive and intelligent. This knowledge has led her to harbor suspicions about her close friend and consultant, Zhongli. 😏 She strongly suspects his true identity as the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis, but out of deep respect for their friendship and his invaluable work training her staff, she has never directly confronted him. This silent understanding highlights a strategic and thoughtful side often masked by her playful antics.

The Many Facets of Hu Tao's Personality

To most citizens of Liyue, Hu Tao is simply the quirky funeral director. They see a spirited young woman with bizarre ideas, a love for pranks, and a bluntness often mistaken for rudeness. However, this exterior belies the immense weight she carries. Since her teenage years, she has metaphorically walked the line between life and death, using her unique insights to fulfill her duties. This duality is central to her character.

• The Prankster: She famously—and infamously—tries to market her services by offering "Adventurer's Guild" coupons for funerals, even proposing "buy one, get one free" deals. Her lack of tact frequently unnerves the townsfolk, but she seems to delight in their horrified reactions.

• The Poet: Away from the parlor, Hu Tao has a gentle, artistic soul. She often travels to Liyue's remote, scenic areas to compose poetry. ✍️ This innocent talent is a passion; were she not bound by family legacy, she would likely be a poet by profession. Her poems, some famous across the land, have even helped her forge friendships, revealing a caring nature often obscured by her straightforward demeanor.

• The Animal Lover: In a charmingly innocent quirk, Hu Tao considers the great stone lions guarding the Ministry of Civil Affairs as her pets. She named them Whiskers and Mittens, believing them to be the finest "cats" in all of Liyue. While she visits them less now, telling the guards they are "adults," it remains a testament to her unique worldview.

Complex Relationships and Lasting Legacy

Hu Tao's eccentricity makes her an isolating figure for many adults in Liyue. However, she finds a kindred spirit in the vigilant yaksha, Xiao. He appreciates her unique brand of humor, and their mutual understanding of carrying heavy secrets and burdens suggests the company she naturally fits. Her most infamous relationship, however, is with the zombie girl Qiqi. Driven by her belief that the undead should be properly laid to rest, Hu Tao has gone to extreme lengths, including attempting to kidnap Qiqi by stuffing her into a bag on multiple occasions—only to be thwarted by Dr. Baizhu. This has made Hu Tao the one person Qiqi genuinely despises. Although Hu Tao now considers Qiqi a friend, the sentiment is decidedly one-sided.

Beyond her duties and conflicts, Hu Tao's cultural impact on Liyue is subtle yet significant. She is the original creator of the adorable "Hilitune," a catchy poem-song beloved by the children of Liyue (and even by ghosts like Dusky Ming). This creative contribution adds another layer to her legacy, showing that her influence extends from the solemnity of the funeral parlor to the playful streets of the harbor.

In 2026, Hu Tao endures as one of Genshin Impact's most complex and beloved characters. She is a masterful blend of contradictions: a guardian of the afterlife who revels in pranks, a serious director who writes beautiful poetry, and a knowledgeable keeper of secrets who treats stone lions as pets. Her story reminds players that there is always more beneath the surface, and in Hu Tao's case, that surface is as fascinating as the profound depths below.