not to talk abt gnshn but thinking abt how ei is a traditionally masculine archetype:

old experienced guardian samurai who loses loved ones, worries that the horrors they experienced will make them a horrible protector so they choose to isolate themselves in hopes of preserving what remains of what they love

plus, SO MANY of inazuma's quests blatantly follow stereotypical samurai movie tropes (esp the film ones)
I feel like hoyo did this on purpose & ei is lowkey the grizzled old warrior protag but woman