MAPPA has teamed up with HoYoverse for Honkai: Star Rail’s new animated short.
During Honkai: Star Rail’s Version 4.2 livestream this week, HoYoverse dropped a special surprise for longtime fans of the game: a Honkai: Star Rail x MAPPA Animation Concept Trailer, entitled "Death in the Afternoon.” The almost three-minute animated short showcases iconic Honkai: Star Rail characters, seemingly teasing a future anime adaptation from MAPPA.
Watch the Animation Concept Trailer below:
Honkai: Star Rail anime adaptation (unconfirmed)
Release date: TBA
Animation studio: MAPPA
Streaming platforms: TBA
Is Honkai: Star Rail getting an anime adaptation from MAPPA?
Honkai: Star Rail might be getting an anime adaptation in the near future, if this week’s newly-released Animation Concept Trailer is anything to go by. The video dives into the world of HoYoverse’s sci-fi cosmic gacha game, this time brought to life by animation studio MAPPA. Several playable characters in the game can be seen in the video, albeit fleetingly–including fan-favourite Kafka. The leader of the Stellaron Hunters, Elio, can also be seen.
In the video, two members of the anime’s production staff were revealed. They are as follows:
- Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa
- Character design: Kayoko Ishikawa
It should be noted that no other members of the anime’s production staff were revealed in this video, nor was there outright confirmation of future Honkai: Star Rail anime projects developed by MAPPA. The video was released alongside announcements for Honkai: Star Rail’s third anniversary celebrations, which means that it simply might have been released as part of the celebrations in and of itself.
That being said, the video ends with some interesting text: MAPPA/Honkai: Star Rail Animation: A New Story Awaits. While this seems to tease that the Animation Concept Trailer is laying the groundwork for a full-length Honkai: Star Rail anime, that fact remains to be officially confirmed.
This would not be the first HoYoverse anime adaptation to be teased of late. Earlier this year, animation studio ufotable confirmed that its Genshin Impact anime is still in the works.