Honkai Star Rail 4.0 Leaks: SP Characters (Hanami), Banners, Edo Star & New Elation Path

As Honkai: Star Rail players eagerly await the next big chapter, Honkai Star Rail 4.0 (HSR 4.0) has become the focal point of rumor mill activity.

Leakers and dataminers are pointing to massive developments: a brand-new Path called Elation, SP characters like Sparkle (Hanami), a refreshed banner roadmap, Yao Guang HSR, and even potential body model changes for familiar faces.

In this deep dive, we’ll break down what the leaks say and what they might mean for your pulls, team comps, and long-term strategy.

What Is the Elation Path in HSR 4.0?

One of the biggest and most exciting leaks is the emergence of a new Path: Elation. Several sources, including HSR leak sites, claim that this Path will make its debut in version 4.0.

So, what does Elation do? While the exact mechanics are still under wraps, leaks suggest it could lean into energy control, extra turns, and burst-style damage, with abilities that emphasize resource cycling and large payoff windows.

In short, Elation appears to be built to reward fast setup and flexibility, potentially offering a fresh meta dynamic for HSR players.

SP Characters in HSR 4.0 | Hanami (SP Sparkle) & More

One of the most highly anticipated leaks is the SP version of Sparkle, commonly referred to as Hanami (or Hanabi in some sources). According to leak reports:
Hanami / SP Sparkle is expected to be a 5-star Elation DPS.
Her kit reportedly revolves around burning multiple Skill Points in a single turn to do high burst damage.
Design-wise, the leaked concept leans into a holographic or digital aesthetic: white bangs, streamer imagery, and a futuristic performance flair.
Leaks also mention mark mechanics - possibly red, black, and unknown marks applied by her passive or skill, which suggests some layered resource or status effect interactions.

Beyond Hanami, other SP or alternate-form characters are strongly rumored for 4.x: Silver Wolf SP, Blade SP, even Himeko SP, Robin SP, and Aventurine SP. These SP versions could offer not just new kits but even body model changes, making them feel like entirely fresh characters.

Yao Guang and Other Key Characters in HSR 4.0

Leaked banner roadmaps and character lists also highlight Yao Guang (sometimes spelled “Yaoguang”) for Version 4.0. According to leaks:

Yao Guang is a 5-star and is expected to share the same team “position” as Hanami.
She is one of the Arbiter-Generals of Xianzhou, sometimes referred to as the “Seer Strategist.”
Her Path isn’t completely confirmed, but some leaks hint she might bring support-leaning or utility capabilities suited to the new Elation environment.

Other possible characters tied to the Edo Star arc include Yae Sakura and Pearl, among others.

Edo Star | HSR 4.0 Setting

Much of the 4.0 leak chatter centers around a brand-new region called Edo Star. Here’s what the leaks suggest:

Theme & Aesthetic: Edo Star is described as a cyber-Japan-style world. Think neon, traditional architecture, but with futuristic, almost digital overlays.
Lore Twist: According to leaks, Edo Star was born from fictional / painted worlds — a meta-concept where characters and stories are “made real” via IPC (Interastral Peace Corporation) technology.
Conflict: Some leaks suggest that Edo Star is under lockdown or experiencing tension, possibly due to an attack by the Antimatter Legion, which could be deeply tied to the Version 4.0 storyline.
Playable Roster: Key figures in Edo Star leaks include Yao Guang, Hanami, Yae Sakura, Silver Wolf SP, and more, hinting at a rich cast built around this world.

Banner Roadmap & Pull Strategy for HSR 4.0

Based on the leaks, here’s a rough breakdown of what to expect and how to plan:

1. No HSR 3.9 Banner:

According to leak aggregators, there might not be a banner for version 3.9 at all.

2. Phase 1 (4.0):

Yao Guang could lead.
Potential 5⭐ pull target if you want a new utility / strategic character.

3. Phase 2 (4.0):

Hanami (SP Sparkle) is rumored to be the big 5⭐ DPS for this half.
If her kit is about multi-SP consumption, she might be more niche or “high skill” to use, so plan your Stellar Jade accordingly.

4. Beyond 4.0:

Leaks suggest banners for 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 featuring more SP/alternate characters (Yae Sakura, Silver Wolf SP, Blade SP, etc.).
If you don’t find value in the early 4.0 lineup, consider spacing your pulls to later versions, but also weigh the risk of spoilers or changes.

Potential Impact on Meta & Team Composition

If the leaks hold true, HSR 4.0 could reshape the meta in several ways:

Elation-focused comps	With Burst / SP-burn mechanics, we might see teams built around generating and spending large amounts of skill points efficiently.
Synergies with existing characters	Hanami could potentially work well with the “old” Sparkle SP (Harmony), according to leaks.
New relic and Light Cone considerations	Elation likely favors Light Cones that enhance crit, SP regeneration, or burst windows. Relics that boost critical hits or skill point generation could rise in value.
Model-change SP units	With body model changes, SP variants (such as Silver Wolf SP) may feel fresh and worth building, even for those who already own the base version.

Wrapping Up

In summary, Honkai Star Rail 4.0 (HSR 4.0) leaks are pointing toward a transformative update, including the introduction of the Elation path, SP characters such as a new Sparkle (Hanami), Yao Guang HSR, and a brand-new Edo Star region that blends cyber-Japanese aesthetics with in-game lore. There’s even talk of a body model change for HSR SP variants, such as Silver Wolf.

For those tracking SP characters HSR, this could be one of the most substantial SP cycles yet. On the other hand, more conservative players might wait, especially since some leaks suggest that HSR 3.9 will not have a banner, meaning pre-4.0 Jade saving could be a strategic move.