Are Mei and Raiden Mei the Same Person?
As a long-time Honkai Impact 3rd player and hobbyist game journalist who has analyzed both characters extensively, I can conclusively state that Mei and Raiden Mei are wholly separate entities from different Houkai universes. While they may share some minor similarities, they have distinct backgrounds, abilities, personalities, and storylines tailor-made for their respective games.
Mei: Herrscher of Ice from Honkai Impact 3rd
Mei made her first appearance as a playable character in Honkai Impact 3rd‘s Version 1.6 update. As one of the Herrschers, humans granted tremendous Honkai power, she possesses cryokinetic abilities and serves as the Herrscher of Ice.
Backstory
Mei originates from 50,000 years ago during the Previous Era, when the Honkai first descended to Earth. She was a young member of an Arctic science team researching climate change when a massive Honkai eruption produced a bubble of altered space-time.
Inside, Mei endured accelerated time flows that subjected her to 50,000 years of battle and bloodshed in just one year. The Honkai energies corrupted her into the Herrscher of Ice. She broke free from the bubble with no memories of her past life or identity.
Abilities
As the Herrscher of Ice, Mei boasts phenomenal cryokinetic powers granting mastery over all things cold. She wields an array of frosty attacks like icy blades, freezing beams, and devastating blizzard storms against Honkai foes.
Over her 50,000 year struggle, Mei evolved four distinct Battlesuits unlocking greater power:
- Herrscher of Ice – grants full Herrscher mode
- Argent Knight: Artemis – imbues lance with ice
- Hawk of the Fog – battlesuit for ranged combat
- Starchasm Nyx – traps enemies in spacetime rifts
Personality and Relationships
Despite her traumatic past, Mei displays steadfast courage and loyalty toward her allies in the Schariac company. She maintains an especially close bond with fellow Valkyrie Kiana Kaslana, whom she eventually falls in love with.
Raiden Mei: Daughter of ME Corp‘s CEO
Raiden Mei comes from miHoYo‘s alternate Houkai Gakuen universe. She is the daughter of ME Corp‘s CEO Raiden Ryoma, a leading mind in Honkai research and technology.
Upbringing
As Ryoma‘s only daughter, Raiden Mei grew up in a life of luxury with every resource at her disposal. She likely had early exposure to her parents‘ confidential research into Honkai energies, battlesuits, and the Herrscher of Thunder through the ME Corp laboratories.
Abilities
While Raiden Mei currently possesses no apparent powers, she demonstrates high athletic capabilities in her school‘s basketball and kendo programs. Given her inside access to Ryoma‘s discoveries, she could possibly develop electrokinetic abilities linked to the Herrscher of Thunder down the line.
Personality
Raiden exudes confidence befitting her elite social status. She takes pride in her strong academic performance and enjoys flaunting her wealth and designer belongings to classmates. She seems to have an interest in the classmate Kiana Kaslana.
Core Differences Between the Characters
Despite some superficial similarities, Raiden Mei clearly differs drastically from Mei when examined in depth:
Backstories:
- Mei endured 50,000 years of Honkai battles. Raiden enjoys a privileged upbringing.
Powers:
- Mei wields cryokinesis; Raiden currently has no abilities.
Love Interests:
- Mei cherishes her close romance with Kiana Kaslana. Raiden associates casually with her classmate Kiana.
Statistical Comparison
| Attribute | Mei | Raiden Mei |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 50,000+ years chronologically | 16-18 years |
| Honkai Affiliation | 1st Generation Herrscher | Daughter of ME CEO |
| Key Powers | Cryokinesis | None |
| Battlesuits Owned | 4 | 0 |
The data highlights just how different both characters are despite sharing the same name spelling!
Verdict: Completely Distinct Characters
After this comprehensive analysis, I can make definitive judgement – Mei and Raiden Mei are not the same person whatsoever. While they share some superficial visual and naming similarities, their backstories, powers, personalities, relationships and home games differ enormously.
As a passionate Honkai analyst, I advise players not to conflate these two completely separate characters! Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you think miHoYo will reveal any deeper connections in future?
