HSR 4.0 Leaks, New Sparkle Form & More Details！

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious updates the game has released to date. From the introduction of SP characters like SP Sparkle (Hanami) to the mysterious arrival of Edo Star, everything about HSR 4.0 suggests a significant shift in the Trailblazer’s journey.

HSR 4.0 Overview

Version 4.0 is not just a typical update — based on current leaks, it sets up an entirely new era of the game. Many of the new mechanics, characters, and regions appear interconnected, which is unusual even for HoYoverse’s layered storytelling.

Key features summarized from current leak sources:

A new world known as Edo Star
A new, storyline-integrated version of Sparkle, known as SP Sparkle / Hanami
The debut of the new Elation Path
The introduction of multiple SP characters across 4.x versions
A two-phase banner lineup featuring Yaoguang and SP Sparkle

These main leaks help establish what players can expect from a patch that may significantly alter the game’s path. If you want to know more about HSR 4.0 ranks, you can read another article from BuffBuff.

Part 1. Edo Star

Edo Star is shaping up to be one of the most significant story additions in current HSR leaks. Instead of a simple new zone, it introduces a lore-rich world where imagination, virtuality, and reality intersect.

Part 1. Edo Star

What Edo Star May Offer in HSR 4.0

A vibrant mix of cyberpunk futurism and Japanese mythological aesthetics
A setting that reflects the mysterious origins of SP Sparkle
NPCs and culture are shaped by the idea of “fiction becoming real”
Strong ties to the new Elation Path suggest that new gameplay features will also be introduced here.

With Edo Star serving as the foundation of 4.0’s storyline, the region is expected to be a visual and narrative centerpiece.

HSR 4.0 Banner Leaks: Yaoguang & SP Sparkle

HSR 4.0 Banner leaks are the heartbeat of any HSR update, and 4.0 appears to follow a high-impact two-phase release schedule. Both leaked 5⭐ characters bring unique gameplay identities and play a major role in shaping the new region and path.

HSR 4.0 Banner Leaks: Yaoguang & SP Sparkle

Phase 1: Yaoguang

Before SP Sparkle becomes the center of attention, Yaoguang takes the lead in Phase 1 of the update. As one of the Seven Arbiter-Generals of the Xianzhou Cloud Knights, she holds major authority and plays an important role in the lore. Her arrival strengthens the ongoing connection between the Xianzhou storyline and the new 4.0 chapter.

Yaoguang’s Leaked Highlights:

Expected Path: Harmony
Role: Team buffer and strategic enhancer
Personality: Careful, analytical, and commanding
Possible synergy with characters connected to the Xianzhou Alliance

In short, Yaoguang isn’t as eye-catching as SP Sparkle, but it is seen as a strong and dependable support option for players looking to better control their team.

Phase 1: Yaoguang

Phase 2: SP Sparkle (Hanami)

SP Sparkle (known by her leaked name Hanami) is the main focus of HSR 4.0’s hype cycle. Unlike typical alternate versions, SP Sparkle seems to be a fundamentally new character with her own kit, animations, model style, and gameplay identity.

Why SP Sparkle Is Important

This character debuts the updated Elation Path, a fast-paced DPS style built around quickly spending skill points for big damage. She’s also closely linked to Edo Star’s story, further emphasizing her importance in the 4.0 narrative.

SP Sparkle Leaked Features:

Path: Elation
Role: Hyper carry DPS
Consumption of multiple Skill Points per turn
Synergy with the original Sparkle (Harmony Sparkle)
Rumored design: Japanese-style schoolgirl + streamer aesthetic
Relic bonus tied to Crit DMG and SP consumption

SP Sparkle is shaping up to be one of the most creative units HoYoverse has developed for HSR future banners.

HSR future banners.

The New Elation Path: HSR’s Next Gameplay Evolution

New Paths are uncommon, so adding one signals a major shift in gameplay. The Elation Path focuses on fast energy generation, stronger resource management, and powerful burst damage, making it a perfect fit for characters with high-impact, explosive playstyles.

The New Elation Path: HSR’s Next Gameplay Evolution

Why the Elation Path Matters

Elation is the first Path introduced since the game began that significantly alters how Skill Points are utilized. It focuses on momentum, efficient action use, and quick, continuous attacks, a big shift from usual DPS systems.

Elation Path Leak Summary:

The content highlights the importance of quick turns and effects that are based on marks.
It introduces three different types of marks linked to SP Sparkle.
The design encourages players to be more aggressive by using multiple SPs.
It also adds new relic choices that depend on how Skill Points are spent.
The Elation Trailblazer is included in this update.

This new Path has the potential to greatly increase the possibilities for advanced players in terms of strategy and build options.

Part 4. SP Characters

The SP mechanic is a key part of the 4.0 and 4.x roadmap. These units aren't just different versions. They seem to be completely reworked characters with fresh identities, new skill sets, and updated artwork.

Why SP Characters Matter Moving Forward

SP characters allow HoYoverse to create detailed, alternate versions of popular characters without changing their original story roles. This gives the developers freedom to experiment with combat styles, visual design, and alignment with the game's narrative path.

Leaked SP Characters Across 4.0:

SP Robin
SP Aventurine
SP Himeko
SP Silver Wolf (likely in 4.2, rumored Erudition AoE)
SP Blade (expected to receive a full model transformation)

With this lineup, HoYoverse may be positioning SP characters as a major long-term pillar of the game.

Why SP Characters Matter Moving Forward

Why HSR 4.0 Becomes the Game’s Most Important Update

Version 4.0 is shaping up to be more than just a content update. It’s a new chapter in how Honkai: Star Rail approaches both storytelling and combat systems.

Edo Star introduces unprecedented lore depth
SP Sparkle and the Elation Path expand gameplay creatively
Yaoguang offers new strategic support options
The SP system becomes a long-term design framework

The combined weight of these changes may create one of the most memorable updates in the series.

FAQS

1. Will Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 be delayed, and if so, what is the new expected release date?

Yes, Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 will be delayed by three weeks. Originally scheduled to launch on January 28, 2026, the delayed release date is around February 18, 2026 (during the Chinese New Year period).

2. Is there a HSR 3.9 Banner?

No, there will be no HSR 3.9 Banner. The story of Amphoreus will conclude in Version 3.7, and leaks indicate that players will briefly return to Penacony in Version 3.8 before the next major adventure.

3. What role does Yao Guang play in HSR 4.0, and when will her banner be released?

Yao Guang is a Harmony Support character, and leaks suggest her banner will debut in the first half of HSR 4.0. She is one of the seven Arbiter-Generals of the Xianzhou Alliance's Cloud Knights (known as the "Seer Strategist") and presides over the Xianzhou Yuque.

4. Who is Hanami in HSR 4.0, and what is her gameplay characteristic?

Hanami is the newly named SP version of Sparkle, expected to be the first Elation DPS in Honkai: Star Rail. Her banner will release in the second half of 4.0. She is a powerful hyper-carry who consumes multiple Skill Points in a single turn for massive damage, and her best support is rumored to be the original Harmony version of Sparkle.

5. What new Path will be introduced in HSR 4.0, and who is its flagship character?

The new Path introduced in HSR 4.0 is "The Elation." Leaks confirm that Hanami (SP Sparkle) will be the flagship character for this new Path.

Final Thoughts

While still unconfirmed, the volume and consistency of these leaks suggest that HSR 4.0 is poised to reshape the game’s identity.

With the addition of SP Sparkle, the Elation Path, SP characters across 4.x, and Edo Star’s lore-rich environment, Trailblazers may be entering a completely new era of gameplay and storytelling.

If HoYoverse delivers on even a portion of what these leaks promise, Version 4.0 may stand alongside Penacony as one of the most defining updates in Honkai: Star Rail history.

HSR 4.0 ranks

Elation