Episode 108: Yelan

Yelan’s official demo video sets the tone for her story. It has a film noir and old-timey PI (private investigator) story feel. Her character miscellany digs a bit deeper into her overall story and connection to The Chasm.

Feens is a big fan of Yelan’s lip gloss. Do you think she used Tif’s color selection tip? Feens also mentioned a common trope based on the birthmark on her breast that in anime means you’re gonna die. Luckily, that isn’t the case. At least not yet.

We’ve all been mesmerized by the physics of keeping Yelan’s coat on her shoulders. So it’s not surprising that it’s not an ordinary coat… It’s a sleeved mantle. Nothing has been named more accurately in this game.

During Yelan’s story quest, we see her assessing three candidates to replace Tian as the Tianshu of the Liyue Qixing. The Dick, Nervous-Nelly, and Jerry (aka Qianwei, Mingbo, and Zhiyi) all have one thing in common, and no, it’s not their emo-haircuts. None of them will be the next Tianshu.

Beidou and Ningguang are an OG ship across the fandom, and one heavily insinuated in-game. But have you heard of the thrupple that includes Yelan? These gals sure love playing some chess.

While we discuss the Perilous Trail event more in-depth in our Yaksha episode (Season 1, Episode 6), it’s essential to at least mention it as part of Yelan’s lore. It helps explain her draw to The Chasm and gives insight into her family’s impact on Teyvat’s history.

Yelan’s bracelet is more than just a fashion accessory. It’s a communication device, like a walkie-talkie. Unfortunately, its pair is missing. But maybe one day, a message will come through. And hopefully not as a creepy whisper trying to give her nightmares.

Yelan is obsessed with Regrator, aka Pantalone, the Ninth Fatui Harbinger. Could it be because he’s causing some nefarious business in her hometown, or has she found something out that we’re not privy to? Maybe one day we’ll get to see them interact, or get that rom-com Bee started spitballing.

Before Yelan took over the Yanshang Teahouse, it was a hidden casino and not entirely up to snuff. In Childe’s Character Tales video, Sigil of Permission, we see a look into the previous owner’s money woes with Northland Bank and, apparently, the IRS.

Bee reminds us that the hostess at the Yanshang Teahouse, Chuyi, has a bit of an attitude adjustment depending on how far along you are in the story. Before Yelan became the owner, she was much less hospitable to potential patrons.

Here are some helpful links if you’re unfamiliar with the pop culture references we mentioned during the episode. Along with a small rendition of All About that Bass, Bee told us about the awkwardness of Jerri Blank from Strangers with Candy.

Thank you to fellow travelers Mia & Tara for writing in. We truly appreciate your questions and comments! If you’d like to send us mail via the Komaniya Express, reach out on our Instagram, X/Twitter, or email. We’d love to hear from you! And Kirara could use the work.

Mia asked our hosts about their favorite Nightsoul characters from Natlan. Feens said Kinich, Bee favored Ororon, and Tif liked Xilonen’s design.