Honkai: Star Rail announces version 4.0 with the upcoming livestream

Usually, HoYoverse holds a special program on Friday, less than two weeks before the next update. However, recently, the developers have been pushing the livestream closer to the next patch, with the teaser airing one week before the version maintenance.

Today, HoYoverse finally announces the time for the HSR 4.0 livestream, bringing Trailblazers closer to Planarcadia. This finally closes the Amphoreus chapter, marking the end of the reign of Remembrance and Chrysos Heir characters.

Unsurprisingly, Planarcadia is the domain of Aha, the Aeon of Elation. Although Aha is meant to be an Aeon of joy, their way of achieving Elation is so chaotic that they're more linked to chaos than happiness.

Honkai: Star Rail 4.0 will start with two new 5-star Elation characters

HSR 4.0 is set to start strong, with two Elation units to introduce players to the new mechanics. The first is Yao Guang, a Physical-Elation character who's affiliated with the Xianzhou Alliance. Although in the lore she follows the Path of the Hunt (as most people in Xianzhou do), in combat, she will embrace the chaos of Aha.

Meanwhile, the second character, Sparxie, will immediately look familiar to players. This is because she greatly resembles Sparkle, the chaotic figure Trailblazers meet back in Penacony.

It's not yet confirmed whether Sparkle and Sparxie are the same person, but considering Sparkle is simply a stage persona adopted by the girl, Sparxie may be another of Sparkle's stage characters.

We know that Sparkle follows the Path of Elation, striving for amusement and thriving in chaos. In version 4.0, Sparxie lives up to the Aeon's way, being a Fire-Elation character of the Masked Fools.

Usually, the Trailblazer will get a new form following the Path of the chapter's main Aeon, so you can also expect the main character to get an Elation form. Considering the version was introduced with the line: "There, Aha graced the pursuers of Elation with a reward: join THEIR game and become an "Aeon" for a minute," we can even expect someone to be an "Aeon" temporarily, which may be the main character.

Honkai Star Rail 4.0 livestream is set to air on February 6, 2026, at 06:30 AM EST or February 6, 2026, at 11:30 AM GMT.