Honkai: Star Rail anime announced with MAPPA Studio
HoYoverse has confirmed an anime project for Honkai: Star Rail, co-produced with MAPPA, the Japanese studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Attack on Titan: The Final Season.
The announcement came at the end of the Version 4.2 special programme, with a three-minute concept trailer titled "Death in the Afternoon."
The trailer centres on the Stellaron Hunters, showing a large brawl at a nightclub and glimpses of the crew's life aboard the Astral Express. It also includes the first visual of Elio the Prophet, depicted as a blond-haired, blue-eyed youth in futuristic attire with the names of the Aeons reflected in his pupils.
Director and character designer confirmed
Director Yuzuru Tachikawa is helming the production. Tachikawa's previous credits include Death Parade, Mob Psycho 100, Steins; Gate, and Attack on Titan: The Final Season. Character design is handled by Kayoko Ishikawa, who worked on Attack on Titan: The Final Season and Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc.
The announcement also lands during MAPPA's 15th anniversary year, a milestone the studio has been marking with a push into international collaborations, including its first booth at Anime Japan 2026.
No release window confirmed
HoYoverse described the project as "an original animation project co-produced by HoYoverse and MAPPA" but has not confirmed a format, episode count, or release window. When Anime News Network contacted the company for clarification, HoYoverse said the trailer was intended as "a small Easter egg for the upcoming anniversary and a little surprise for our players," and asked fans to look forward to future announcements.
Three years in, Honkai: Star Rail is sitting at more than 150 million downloads across PC, mobile, and PlayStation 5, and has picked up Apple's App Store iPhone Game of the Year and Google Play's Best Game along the way.
The concept trailer's focus on Kafka, Blade, and Silver Wolf follows the Stellaron Hunters' status as among the most popular characters in the game's roster.
Part of the Version 4.2 anniversary update
The anime reveal was part of the Version 4.2 "So Laughed the Masses" special programme. Version 4.2 brings two new 5-star limited characters, Silver Wolf LV.999 and Evanescia, alongside anniversary rewards that include free pulls, a free 5-star companion, and 1,600 Stellar Jades on April 26, 2026. Further details on the anime are expected in the second half of 2026.
The collaboration follows a similar path to the Genshin Impact anime, which was also first revealed under the "concept trailer" label and is being produced by Ufotable. If you are a fan of mobile RPGs, the timing could not be better. Dragon Quest Smash/Grow launches on iOS and Android on April 21, bringing a free roguelite twist to the franchise just as Honkai: Star Rail is reminding everyone why animated storytelling and mobile gaming belong together.
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