Highly Anticipated Star Rail Character Debut Confirmed: 2026 Release Date Announced

A thrilling new chapter has begun for the acclaimed sci-fi anime series, bringing with it a treasure trove of free incentives for fans.

Hoyoverse, the international gaming powerhouse known for hits like Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero, has announced the forthcoming installment of Honkai: Star Rail set for a 2026 release. This eagerly awaited narrative will unravel over the course of the year, introducing players to a fresh world where the inhabitants are absorbed in entertainment to a critical degree.

Alongside this novel setting, fans of Honkai: Star Rail can anticipate exciting perks, including the chance to select a complimentary 5-star character. Additionally, the Version 4.0 update, scheduled for release on February 13, 2026, will offer free character outfits and more.

In addition to the brand-new world, Honkai: Star Rail players will have the opportunity to pick a free 5-star character and earn free character outfits and more when the Version 4.0 update launches on Feb. 13, 2026.

New Honkai: Star Rail Update Reveals Free 5-Star Character & Outfits — Available for a Limited Time

Starting Feb 13, Honkai: Star Rail players will be able to pick one out of seven free 5-star characters when Version 4.0, “No Aha at Full Moon,” goes live. The free 5-star characters include Acheron, Aventurine, Sparkle, Jingliu, Imbibitor Lunae, Kafka, and Jing Yuan.

Players will have until the launch of Version 4.2 to claim a free 5-star character.

In addition to the free 5-star character, players will also receive 20-pull rewards, as well as a new free outfit for Ruan Mei, after logging on to the game when Version 4.0 launches. 1,600 Stellar Jades will also be given away through the Yao Guang fortune event, in celebration of the upcoming update.

New Trailblazer outfits and headwear will also be available during this launch period.

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 is set on Planarcadia, Aha’s very own playground, where “clout reigns supreme,” and “society amuses itself to death.” With this new, colorful and dangerous world comes two new companions: Yao Guang and Sparxie.

“As a Physical character on the Path of Elation, Yao Guang specializes in using ‘Weal and Woe Lots’ to control the flow of battle,” her official character description reads via a press release from Hoyoverse.

“Weal Lots increase Ally Elation and grant the team ‘Punchline’ stacks when Yao Guang uses her Skill. During an ‘Aha Instant,’ Yao Guang casts Woe Lots, causing enemies to take increased DMG while regenerating Skill Points for the team.”

“Yao Guang’s ‘Certified Banger’ buff allows teammates’ attacks to deal 1 instance of Additional Elation DMG; if that attack consumes a Skill Point, the DMG is further increased. Furthermore, her Ultimate not only provides ‘Punchline’ for the team but also immediately triggers an extra ‘Aha Instant,’ increasing All-Type RES PEN for all allies.”

Sparxie, a 5-star Fire-based livestreamer, turns the battle arena into her personal streaming setup, complete with upvotes and “gifts” from the livestreaming audiences.

“Players can continuously consume Skill Points to send random ‘Gifts’ to Sparxie, regenerating varying amounts of Skill Points or ‘ Punchlines’ for the team,” her skill description reads.

“The more Skill Points consumed, the more Punchlines the team gains, and the higher the DMG dealt at the final settlement. During ‘Aha Instant,’ Sparxie kicks off a boisterous lucky draw, dealing massive DMG to all enemies with multiple bounces.”

“While in the ‘Certified Banger’ state, every Gift triggered during the live showdown will deal additional Elation DMG to a random enemy target upon settlement. Furthermore, Sparxie’s Ultimate also deals extra Elation DMG.”

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 will see the return of Black Swan, Evernight, and Hysilens during the first phase of this event’s Limited 5-star character banners, while Sparkle, Cerydra, and Rappa will be featured in the second half.

Furthermore, Black Swan and Sparkle will receive enhancements to their respective abilities. “Black Swan can further elevate the overall DMG output of DOT teams, while Sparkle’s support effects will now apply to Elation DMG, boosting the overall damage output of Elation teams and providing players with more stable and powerful combat support in their journey ahead.”

Version 4.0 of Honkai: Star Rail will be available on Feb. 13, 2026. The game is available on mobile devices (iOS and Android), PC, and PlayStation 5.

Systems

Released

April 26, 2023

ESRB

Teen / Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact

Developer(s)

HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)

Publisher(s)

HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)

Engine

Unity