Evanescia is a pink-haired, fox-eared character introduced during Honkai Star Rail's Version 3.8 and central to the Planarcadia storyline that kicks off in Version 4.0. She lives inside a painting, partially oversees the Phantasmoon games, and directly assists the Trailblazer by providing one of the masks needed to become a supplicant. She also breaks the fourth wall during the 4.0 Trailblaze Missions by speaking directly to the player — a narrative choice that signals just how important she is to the arc.
Quick answer: Evanescia is currently an NPC on Planarcadia. Unconfirmed leaks place her as a playable 5-star Elation character arriving around June 3, 2026, in Version 4.2. No official confirmation of her element, rarity, or kit exists yet.
Evanescia's Role in the Planarcadia Story
Planarcadia is the new world introduced in Version 4.0, tied to the Aeon of Elation, Aha. Evanescia appears to be the single most narratively significant local character on the planet. She exists within artwork and has a supervisory role over the Phantasmoon games, a competition that draws the Trailblazer to Planarcadia in the first place.
Story hints suggest a deep connection between Evanescia and Himeko. Both characters appear to have been involved in the Phantasmoon games roughly 15 years before the current timeline, and that event may be the reason Evanescia became trapped inside the painting. The full nature of their relationship remains unresolved as of the 4.0 Trailblaze Missions.
The Yae Sakura Expy Connection
Evanescia is an expy — HoYoverse's term for a character who shares visual DNA and thematic parallels with a counterpart from another game — of Yae Sakura from Honkai Impact 3rd. The resemblance is unmistakable: pink hair, long stylized fox ears (often mistaken for rabbit ears), and a weapon that evokes a blade. Her Japanese voice actor is Sakura Ayane, who also voices Yae Sakura in Honkai Impact 3rd and Yae Miko in Genshin Impact. The Korean voice actor, Moon Yoo-jeong, likewise voices Yae Miko in Genshin Impact.
The name itself is a clever nod. "Evanescia" derives from the Latin evanescere, meaning "to vanish" or "to fade away." This mirrors the Flame-Chaser Sakura's signet title "Setsuna," a Japanese word meaning "a fleeting instant." Her Chinese name, 绯英 (Fēiyīng, "Scarlet Flower"), is a deliberate homonym of 绯樱 (Fēiyīng, "Scarlet Sakura"), referencing the Scarlet Sakura Arc from Houkai Gakuen 2 that introduced Yae Sakura's shrine maiden backstory. The naming sidesteps overt Japanese terminology while preserving the character's lineage for longtime HoYoverse fans.
Her design draws particular inspiration from the Flame Sakitama battlesuit variant of Yae Sakura, visible in sleeve detailing and the overall color palette. Community discussion has also noted that her weapon appears to be a ruler with holes — possibly a playful twist on Sakura's traditional katana, fitting Planarcadia's Elation-themed whimsy.
Planarcadia's Naming and the Benzaitengoku Rework
Planarcadia was originally known in-game references and planar ornament lore as Benzaitengoku. The name change occurred alongside a two-week delay of Version 4.0, which coincided with heightened political tensions between China and Japan in late 2025. HoYoverse extended Version 3.8's duration and rebranded the planet, though the Japanese cultural inspiration remained largely intact in character designs, environment art, and thematic elements. The core content had been in development for years, making wholesale changes impractical in such a short window. Most adjustments appear limited to terminology, certain proper nouns, and marketing materials rather than fundamental design overhauls.
Evanescia's Expected Playable Release
Evanescia was featured in the initial Planarcadia drip marketing tease alongside other upcoming characters, strongly suggesting she will become playable. Current unconfirmed rumors point to Version 4.2 as her debut, which would place her release around June 3, 2026, if the standard six-week patch cycle holds.
She was first revealed on HoYoverse's official social media on January 15, 2026, as part of the "Ready to Become Aha?" character showcase for Planarcadia. Her silhouette also appeared in the Version 4.0 announcement materials.
Rumored Path, Element, and Rarity
No official confirmation exists for Evanescia's Path, element, or star rarity. Leaks from community sources consistently describe her as an Elation Path character, which aligns with Planarcadia's connection to Aha. Given her prominence in the main storyline and the heavy marketing push she has received, a 5-star rarity is widely expected. Her element remains unknown.
Her full kit details — abilities, traces, and Eidolons — have not been officially revealed. Until HoYoverse provides a formal drip marketing post or beta test data becomes public through official channels, treat all kit-related speculation with appropriate skepticism.
Evanescia's Voice Cast
| Language | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| English | Nathalie Ferare |
| Chinese | Suxun (溯浔) |
| Japanese | Sakura Ayane (佐倉 綾音) |
| Korean | Moon Yoo-jeong (문유정) |
The shared voice actor casting reinforces the expy lineage. Sakura Ayane has voiced every major Yae variant across HoYoverse titles, while Moon Yoo-jeong connects Evanescia to Yae Miko in Genshin Impact and Soldier 11 in Zenless Zone Zero. On the Chinese side, Suxun also voices Xueyi in Honkai Star Rail.
Design Reception
Community reaction to Evanescia's full design reveal in early February 2026 has been broadly positive, with particular praise for the outfit's symmetry — unusual by Honkai Star Rail standards — and its fashionable, relatively modest silhouette featuring a high-waisted skirt, tights, and boots. The design blends subtle Japanese elements like kimono-inspired sleeves and sakura motifs with school-uniform touches such as bows and what appears to be a tamagotchi-like accessory at the waist.
The fox ears remain a point of confusion for players unfamiliar with the Yae Sakura lineage. They are stylized fox ears based on traditional East Asian depictions of fox spirits, not rabbit ears, despite their elongated shape. This design choice has been consistent across every Yae variant since Honkai Impact 3rd.
Evanescia sits at the intersection of Honkai Star Rail's narrative ambitions for Planarcadia and HoYoverse's long tradition of reimagining beloved characters across its game universe. With her story role already established in Version 4.0 and a playable release widely anticipated for Version 4.2, she is one of the most closely watched characters in the current patch cycle. If you're planning to pull for her, start saving Stellar Jade now — the wait likely runs through early June 2026.
