Hold onto your inter-dimensional hats, because Zenless Zone Zero and Honkai Star Rail are officially crossing over — and yes, it’s as wild as it sounds. When I first heard the rumors, I thought maybe someone had been hitting the Bangboo too hard. But nope, here we are in 2026 with Pom-Pom, the adorable yet fussy conductor of the Astral Express, waddling around Sixth Street like they own the place. I mean, really — I nearly dropped my controller when I saw that little fluffball pop up in the video store. Is it a bird? Is it a tiny plane? Nah, it’s just Pom-Pom asking for a comic book. This is not a drill.
The event marks the first major inter-HoYoverse collaboration in quite some time (though veterans will remember the Genshin and HSR cross-promotions of old). But this one feels different — it’s not just a handful of items or a cameo in a screen. Pom-Pom physically appears on Sixth Street, roams around, and actually needs the Proxy’s help to track down a missing comic book. It’s a full-blown mini-narrative, which frankly, warms my cold proxy heart. You can follow the little conductor around, chat them up multiple times, and get a taste of Astral Express charm right in New Eridu. And let me tell you, the fandom is losing its collective mind.
So now the question everyone’s asking: will this event bring actual playable characters from one game into the other? Leaks are swirling, and oh boy, they are spicy. Several credible sources suggest that Robin from Honkai Star Rail might be added to the Zenless Zone Zero roster. I know, I just had to sit down for a moment. Meanwhile, whispers indicate that a couple of ZZZ agents could appear on the Star Rail banners. Now, of course, these are leaks — meaning you should take them with a grain of salt the size of a Hollow. HoYoverse hasn’t officially confirmed anything beyond Pom-Pom’s visit. But would it be so crazy? We’ve seen stranger things happen. If Robin does become a playable agent, I’m already preparing my in-game polychromes for the pull. Imagining her singing “White Night” while slicing through Ethereals? Pure cinema.
Of course, this collab opens up a huge can of worms about the HoYoverse multiverse. Are all three of the big titles — Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero — really separate dimensions, or has the writing team been pulling a massive interconnected world on us all along? I mean, it’s not like we haven’t seen hints. Herta Space Station has a Genshin glider on display. Now we’ve got Pom-Pom physically walking the streets of New Eridu as if they just stepped off a cosmic train platform. Where exactly did the Astral Express park, anyway? Last I checked, Sixth Street doesn’t have a train station big enough for a star-faring locomotive. Maybe Phaethon’s video store has a secret space dock we don’t know about. One thing’s for sure: my lore-brain is firing on all cylinders.
According to HoYoverse’s recent livestream and social posts, we’ll get more concrete details in Winter 2026. That likely means a proper roadmap, confirmation (or debunking) of those Robin leaks, and perhaps even a joint event storyline. I, for one, cannot wait to see how the Agents and the Astral Express crew interact. Will Wise and Belle get to chat with Welt about — well, the fact that Welt’s probably seen entire civilizations rise and fall? Will March 7th try to adopt a Bangboo? The potential is endless and honestly quite giggle-worthy.
For now, I’ve got three pieces of advice for fellow Proxies and Trailblazers: first, don’t skip the event dialogue. Pom-Pom’s voice lines are absolute gold and hide subtle nods to both games. Second, make sure you’re stocked up on ZZZ codes and HSR codes before Winter comes. If a crossover banner does arrive, you’ll want every last bit of premium currency you can muster. And third? Start saving. Just in case. There’s nothing worse than watching a limited banner slip away because you spent everything on an impulse ten-pull. (We’ve all been there. No judgement.)
Honestly, this event has reignited my excitement for both titles. It’s one thing to see characters in their own worlds, but seeing Pom-Pom dodge bicycles and smile at that grumpy Bangboo near the noodle shop is a surreal slice of joy. HoYoverse knows how to tug at our hearts while sprinkling mystery on top. If this is the first step toward a fully connected Hoyoverse, sign me up. I’ll be right here, on Sixth Street, helping a star-faring bunny find a comic book, and loving every minute of it.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go triple-check my Polychrome stash. Just in case a certain Halovian songstress decides to make New Eridu her next stage.