“Kiana and Blade with Pokémon?” MiHoYo’s new teaser sparks heated player discussion
In early May, MiHoYo quietly released a short 20-second teaser for its new project, instantly igniting excitement among Honkai series fans. No game title, no gameplay details—just a few seconds of footage were enough to set the community ablaze. The clip featured two familiar faces—Kiana and Blade—along with a mysterious creature that looked “like a Pokémon, but not quite.”
In the Honkai: Star Rail subreddit, one user bluntly wrote, “What’s going on? Kiana and Blade with some weird Pokémon—this is hilarious.” The comment section quickly filled with memes and wild speculation, as if players were awaiting not just a new game, but a full-blown multiverse crossover brawl.
In fact, this new project didn’t come out of nowhere. Observant fans had already noticed what looked like its silhouette on MiHoYo’s recruitment posters months ago. Rumors at the time suggested that the title might be called Honkai: Nexus Anima, serving as a new branch of the Honkai IP alongside Honkai Impact 3rd, Honkai: Star Rail, and the older Guns GirlZ, all sharing the same overarching universe.
Many players have also been speculating about the silhouetted character shown at the end of the teaser. Some believe it’s Star Rail’s Aventurine, while others claim it resembles Ifa from GGZ. No one can say for sure yet—but this deliberate air of mystery seems perfectly designed to spark curiosity and engagement.
In Western gaming circles, this “officially silent, fan speculation goes wild” marketing style has long been a trend and even a cultural hallmark. For instance, back when Genshin Impact hadn’t yet revealed details about the Inazuma region, one Reddit user named Elliot went so far as to cover his walls with speculative maps and concept sketches, like some sort of urban-legend investigator. Although his predictions ended up quite different from the final version, his enthusiasm made him something of a “legendary prophet” in the community.
The teaser’s art style has also become a major talking point. Compared to the fast-paced action of Honkai Impact 3rd or the turn-based strategy of Star Rail, this footage looked more relaxed—almost evoking a “pet-raising” vibe. One player joked, “It looks like MiHoYo’s version of Pokémon—but instead of raising Pikachu, you’re training monsters that can pilot spaceships and fight quantum beasts.” Many speculate that this could be MiHoYo’s first attempt at a “monster collection” game, and if combined with the studio’s signature character writing and combat design, it might just produce another mega-hit.
In a previous investor briefing, MiHoYo mentioned plans to expand the “Honkai Universe,” positioning it as a standalone franchise separate from Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, and Tears of Themis. In other words, Honkai will no longer be just one game title, but an ever-expanding universe—much like the “Marvel Cinematic Universe.”
Aside from Nexus Anima, there are also rumors of another MiHoYo project titled Petit Planet. The name alone sounds adorable, and it’s rumored to be a cozy life-simulation game blending elements of Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley. If true, this would mark MiHoYo’s first foray into a non-combat, laid-back experience.
For players already immersed in Genshin Impact, Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero, MiHoYo’s continuous output leaves little room for boredom. Though Zenless Zone Zero has received mixed reviews in some Western markets—with some praising its thrilling combat and charismatic characters, while critics like Eurogamer’s Jessica wrote after the second beta, “It seems to have everything, yet somehow lacks a soul”—she also admitted that MiHoYo’s innovations never fail to impress visually or in terms of buzz.
Looking back, Honkai Impact 3rd wasn’t particularly strong in the Western market at first. But now, seeing Kiana and Blade reappear and dominate discussion signifies how the Honkai Universe has matured and gained a wider global audience.
We still know nothing concrete about Nexus Anima—its gameplay, release window, or even whether that’s the final title. But judging from the current community hype, MiHoYo has once again succeeded in capturing players’ attention. For Western fans used to hopping between Steam, YouTube, and Reddit to dissect every teaser frame, trailer breakdowns and theory-crafting have already become a daily ritual.
Perhaps, as one Reddit user put it: “I’m ready to catch monsters, fight, hatch eggs, and raise dragons with Kiana. Even if it turns out completely different from what I imagine—as long as I can go on another adventure with her, that’s enough.”
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