MiHoYo has unveiled a tantalizing teaser for a brand-new entry in the Honkai universe, sparking widespread speculation that it could be the rumored Honkai Nexus Anima—a game that may take inspiration from Pokémon-style mechanics. The brief but impactful trailer has ignited excitement among fans, hinting at a creature-based battle experience that could redefine how players engage with the franchise.
A Pokémon-Like Experience in the Honkai Universe?
During the Honkai: Star Rail Concert livestream on May 4, MiHoYo surprised audiences with a 20-second teaser showcasing Kiana from Honkai Impact 3rd and Blade from Honkai: Star Rail, both commanding fantastical creatures in dynamic combat. The visual storytelling strongly suggests a gameplay style centered around monster collecting, team building, and strategic battling—mechanics reminiscent of Pokémon or auto-chess strategy titles.
While the exact genre remains unconfirmed, the teaser implies a deep focus on creature companions and tactical engagements. This wouldn’t be a stretch for MiHoYo, given the popularity of in-game critters and companion systems in their existing titles. In Genshin Impact, players can capture and care for creatures within the Serenitea Pot, while events like "Fabulous Fungus Frenzy" leaned into the charm of beast taming and pet-based challenges.
Similarly, Honkai: Star Rail introduced the "Aetherium Wars" event, where players utilized in-game monsters as partners in turn-based combat—a concept that mirrors Pokémon’s core gameplay loop. The new title appears to expand on these ideas, potentially making creature collection and battle strategy the central pillars of the experience.
The teaser also hints at a crossover of characters across the Honkai series. It concludes with a silhouette panel featuring recognizable outlines, possibly including Aventurine from Star Rail. This suggests a multiverse-style narrative where fan-favorite characters unite under a shared mechanic centered on commanding powerful entities.
Though details remain scarce, MiHoYo has confirmed this is a "brand-new Honkai game," with potential appearances from characters beyond Honkai Impact 3rd and Star Rail. Fans are hopeful that Genshin Impact representatives might also make an appearance, further unifying the developer’s expansive IP landscape.
Could This Be Honkai Nexus Anima?
The timing of the teaser has fueled strong speculation that this project is none other than Honkai Nexus Anima, a name MiHoYo recently trademarked. While the filing provided minimal details, its proximity to the trailer release has led fans to connect the dots. The name "Nexus Anima" evokes themes of connection and life force—fitting for a game centered on bonding with spirit-like companions or anthropomorphic beings.
Further supporting this theory are past job postings by HoYoVerse, which referenced roles tied to "Character Concept Art (Anthropomorphic Animals)" for a chibi-style life simulation, and "Scene Concept Art – Honkai IP Pre-research" involving fantasy spirit companions. These listings suggest early development work on a project blending cute, animal-inspired designs with immersive world-building—elements that align perfectly with the teased gameplay.
Despite the mounting evidence, MiHoYo has not officially confirmed the game’s title or mechanics. Whether Honkai Nexus Anima is the true name or simply a codename remains to be seen. For now, all conclusions are speculative—but the pieces are undeniably falling into place.
With MiHoYo’s proven track record of delivering rich narratives and polished gameplay, this upcoming title promises a fresh, innovative experience within the Honkai universe. As anticipation builds, one thing is certain: fans have plenty to look forward to in the evolving world of Honkai.
