So, possibility that the Tsaritsa = Elysia/Cyrene theory is actually stronger than most think it is
So, for the longest time that it was believed that the Tsaritsa was going to be an Bronya-Expy or inspiration. This was further reinforced by the fact that supposedly, Childe's betaline had "Bronya" in it. I myself believed this for the longest of time.
But as over time, I began to doubt that theory due to lore that came out, like her name being "Anastasya Feodorovna Snezhnaya" and her possible connections to the descender. So I thought, maybe she'll be an expy or inspiration of Ana Scharic.
Then finally, the 6.6 livestream, and we finally got a brief glimpse of the Tsaritsa's statue:
As the most notable feature everyone noticed about her is the pointed-ears, like the snow fae. At first, it could be a given since she's the daughter of the Belyi Tsar (Though, it adds the question to why the Snow Fae didn't accept her rule, but that's whole other can of worms)
But this lead to conclude that she was going to look like of Elysia/Cyrene. And after delving into her lore and looking for hints that can make this a possibility... I hate to admit it, but there's actually a strong case for this happening.
The Evidence
- As said by the Devs in the 6.5 Livestream, Cryo is about preservations and memories. Cyrene's path in HSR is about Remembrance.
- While, Elysia is a physical in Hi3, Cyrene is Cryo in HSR.
- In Hi3, Elysia is the Herrscher of Humanity: Ego, and has a love theme to it, basically like she loves humanity. The Tsaritsa is speculated to be the Archon of Love.
- Snezhnaya is Russian inspired, and in Hi3rd, Elysia while not actually Russian ethnically, she was raised in Vladivostok
- The name of the Cryo Gemstone is the Shivada Jade Gemstone, which derives its name Shiva from the Hindu God of Destruction. In Hi3rd, Elysia is fused with the Honkai genes of Maheśvara, which is another name for Shiva
- Some have compared her being part of a large group akin to Elysia and Cyrene. The 11 Harbingers are comparable to the 13 Flame-Chasers or 12 Chrysos Heirs. Depending on your interpretation of the Harbinger Wheel, you either get 12 harbingers + Tsaritsa or 11 Harbingers + Pierro + Tsaritsa, with in either case leads to 13. Though I will be transparent, it'd be easier just to have 11 (GI), 12 (HSR), 13 (Hi3rd), mostly because its simpler and a funnier.
- Elysia, Cyrene and Anastasya are all names with Greek origins. Elysia = From Elysium, Anastasya= Resurrection and Cyrene = Lord, ruler, sovereign queen.
- Elf Ears. This one is relatively minor since a lot of characters (Like Chasca, Layla, Klee, Alice, Neuvillette, Nahida, Iansan, Lauma, Mizuki, and Linnea) have pointed ears because most of them are a non-human species, and in the case of Linnea, an actual Snowland Fae. The Tsaritsa possibly being the daughter of the Belyi Tsar (Who lead the Snowland Fae, therefore possibly had similar features) meant that this was a given. In any other circumstance, this wouldn't be a big deal. But stacked with the previously mentioned points and how Elysia had pointed ears, it contributes nonetheless to the potential direction its heading.
However, the biggest evidence I've seen about this possibility is the release date of Snezhnaya: 8/12. Want to know what else was released that day?
Elysian Realm.
The dates matches up too much to be a coincidence. And we know Hoyo doesn't skip out on dates matching for thematic effect. Like how they did with the Lunar days, or just recently with Collei's birthday being the same day as the 6.6 livestream, featuring Dottore. So, this cannot be a coincidence.
Counter-Arguments
Now there are also some counter arguments to this idea of the Tsaritsa being Elysia:
First, is the Bronya Betaline in Childe's CBT. Some argue that proves that Hoyo has intentions of her being a Bronya expy or at least inspired her to Bronya. But again, this was the betaline. So overtime it could've been changed, like how Venti met Furina before for sapphire wine, which never happened, or how in that same CBT, Childe had an Eyepatch which never happened (So far). So something in the development must've changed, even if some argue that this was planned from the beginning.
Second, is that some argue the Tsaritsa predates Elysia's release and Cyrene's release in HSR. Again, this wasn't set in stone. I have my doubts that Hoyo made a concept of the Tsaritsa all the way back in Version 1x. And like I said, the development of her could've changed. Besides, its the same company, and so the possibility of just sharing notes between different teams could be a thing.
Third, is the possibility of her connections to the Descender, and how she "had no love for her people." This counter-argument has more weight to it, as both Elysia's story and even Bronya's story don't match to it. In all honesty, the 3rd Descender connection is more of point for Ana Scharic, more than anything. But again, expies in Genshin aren't direct copies like in HSR. Things changed in Genshin, like Raiden Mei never had a twin sister. Sure, there are some parallels, but never direct copies. So this could be complete original story for the Tsaritsa detached from Elysia or Cyrene.
Fourth, some say she can't be Elysia since her name is Anastasya Feodorovna Snezhnaya. This is moot with the existence of Nahida, who one can argue is an Expy of Theresa Apocalypse. Or a none archon example, Alhaitham with Su. Names don't have to be one-on-one similar like how Raiden Ei is just Raiden Mei with an M.
Fifth, a minor one, but people say since she's pink, she can't be the Cryo Archon, since most archons corresponds to their respective elements colors. I agree on principle as I can't imagine the Tsaritsa being pink, but arguing that because Elysia's pink and therefore the can't be the Tsaritsa, doesn't make it so. They can always just change her haircolor to either something like White or Silver. But an counter-argument to this point is with Nahida and Furina, who have white hair with green/blue highlights that corresponds to their respective elements colors. Plus, saying there can't be an Elysia without pink is ignoring the existence of the Herrsecher of Corruption, who took her form.
Conclusion: Will she be an expy or just inspired?
Now, will the Tsaritsa look like an exact replica of Elysia, like how Cyrene/Demiurge was in HSR? I believe... No. There are key differences, like the possibly hair drills. And I cannot for the life of me see her have pink hair (God forbid I hope that's not the case). And its not like her story is going to be the same. But there will be strong chances that she'll have some similarities to Elysia/Cyrene, in the same way you can argue Mavuika has with Himeko.
Then there's the VAs, which is a whole lot complicated, since Elysia/Cyrene's VAs for EN, JP KN, and CN are already in Genshin, voicing mutiple characters. So, they can either have them voice multiple characters like how Nahida has Klee's and Qiqi's JP VA, or do something like Mavuika, where its different VAs, but you can make an argument for similarities to appearance to Himeko
It's not a guarantee to be exactly her, but will take a lot of elements of her. So in a way, she'll probably be an Original, yet heavily inspired Elysia/Cyrene.
Now, we'll have to see what happens when the Snezhnaya gets released. All I'm saying, prepare for anything.
