The official artwork, titled "Aha Instant | Yao Guang," showcases the Xianzhou general in a mesmerizing display of elegance and mystery. She appears as a silver-haired beauty with flowing white locks, adorned in a intricate blue-and-white gown featuring prominent peacock feather motifs. Dynamic orange flames swirl around her as she strikes a graceful pose, wielding what looks like a ornate white umbrella or fan. The art confirms her as a Physical damage dealer on the Elation path, marked by the signature mask icon of Aha's followers.

 

Leaks had long hyped Yao Guang as an Elation support with a "maid" body model similar to March 7th, potentially boosting Erudition allies or synergizing broadly. Her Japanese voice actress, Kana Hanazawa, adds to the star power.

Version 4.0: A New Frontier in Planarcadia

Version 4.0 marks a pivotal shift, launching on February 12, 2026, for NA servers (February 13 for EU/Asia). Players will explore Planarcadia, a vibrant new planet tied to the Elation Aeon Aha, featuring structured open zones, larger hubs, and combat-linked environmental mechanics.

Key highlights include:

  • New Path: Elation - The flagship mechanic arrives, with hyper-carry potential and chaotic, comedy-infused gameplay (possibly Italian commedia dell'arte vibes).
  • Banners: Phase 1 features Yao Guang; Phase 2 brings Hanami, a Superimposed (SP) Sparkle as the first Elation DPS, a skill point-hungry hyper-carry with streamer aesthetics.
  • No New Trailblazer Form - Unlike past majors, 4.0 skips this, focusing on two 5-stars, two 4-star cones, and new relic sets.

 

Scrubbing Japanese References from 4.0

 

A major controversy surrounds 4.0's development. Originally dubbed "Benzaitengoku" or "Edo Star," the planet drew heavy Japanese inspiration, including names, architecture, and designs akin to feudal Japan. Amid escalating China-Japan political tensions, HoYoverse mandated a full purge: "remove all Japan references." This involved scrubbing Japanese names, styles, and elements, renaming the world to Planarcadia, and delaying the update by weeks. Leaks suggest Hanami's design retained some flair, but the overhaul shifted focus to Elation's madness without overt cultural ties.

Juicy Leaks Heating Up the Hype

Beyond the drip, leaks paint 4.0 as meta-shaking:

  • Character Buffs: Insane upgrades for older units, revitalizing the roster.
  • Team Synergies: Yao Guang may pair perfectly with SP Sparkle, leveraging complex Elation techniques.
  • Skins and More: Potential new skins, though sparingly released.
  • Roadmap Teases: Future SP forms for Himeko, Blade, Silver Wolf, and arrivals like Yae Sakura in later patches.

Yao Guang's debut signals 4.0's chaotic promise. With Planarcadia's frontiers beckoning and Elation's whimsy unleashed, Trailblazers are primed for HoYoverse's boldest update yet. Stay tuned for the full livestream reveal.