'Genshin Impact' Version 'Luna VIII' Update Released Today, July 1st. New ★5 'Sandrone' (CV: Mariko Honda) Appears! New Area 'Moon' Also Unlocked!

HoYoverse, a global interactive entertainment brand, has released version Luna VIII, "Summer Return! Echoes? Thousand Spirits Festival!" for the multi-platform open-world RPG 'Genshin Impact' (原神) today, July 1st (Wed). We are pleased to announce the appearance of the new ★5 character 'Sandrone (Cryo)', the unlocking of the new area 'Moon' beyond the skies of Teyvat, and other update details.

New ★5 'Sandrone (Cryo)' and Limited ★5 'Citrali (Cryo)' Appear in Event Wishes!

Starting today, July 1st (Wed) after the update, the Event Wish - Character "Teahouse of the Mirror" and Event Wish - Character 2 "Whispers of the Starry Night" have commenced.

During the event period, the appearance rate of featured characters will be significantly increased.

Event Wish - Character "Teahouse of the Mirror"

【Event Period】

July 1st, 2026 (Wed) after update ~ July 21st, 2026 (Tue) 18:59

Featured Character (★5)

"The Puppet, Seventh of the Fatui Harbingers"

◇ Element: Cryo ◇ Weapon: Two-handed Sword ◇ The Seventh of the Fatui Harbingers, "The Puppet." An elegant lady who analyzes all phenomena with logic and never misses a tea party.

● Summons the machinery "Facio" to deal powerful "Electro-Charged" AoE DMG to enemies.

● Charged Attack activates Facio's calculation mode, releasing cooling beams at regular intervals to sweep enemies in front with AoE attacks.

◆ Electro-Charged Reaction

When certain conditions are met (e.g., Sandrone is in the party), if Cryo and Electro elements come into contact, an Electro-Charged reaction occurs, temporarily turning the surrounding area into a "Polar Star Field."

Within the field, the base reaction coefficient and Cryo/Electro DMG of Electro-Charged reactions for party members are increased, and the Physical RES of enemies within the field is decreased.

Furthermore, while within the "Polar Star Field," some characters (including Sandrone) will gain the "Radiant Electro-Charged" boon, enhancing certain talents and skill effects.

◆ Elemental Skill "Eventide: Unfettered Analysis"

Allows for high-speed movement by riding the "Teahouse Assault Floating Device," while simultaneously reducing Facio's computational load and summoning a "Prism Resonance Cannon" to fire prism bullets around.

◆ Elemental Burst "Apocalypse: The Path of the Heavens"

Summons "Shadows of the Mysterium." When allied attacks hit enemies, additional attacks of the same element are unleashed.

Featured Character (★4)

"The Uncrowned King of the Sea - Beidou"

◇ Element: Electro ◇ Weapon: Two-handed Sword ◇ Captain of the "Crux" fleet, highly respected in Liyue. Rumor has it she can split mountains and seas, and summon lightning with her sword. Even the leviathans of the deep are no match for her.

"Cat's Tail Special - Diona"

◇ Element: Cryo ◇ Weapon: Bow ◇ A super popular bartender at "Cat's Tail" and a rising star in Mondstadt's brewing industry. With Diona's touch, any ingredient can be transformed into fine wine, yet she herself despises alcohol from the bottom of her heart.

"Sunken in the Dreamy Sea - Freminet"

◇ Element: Cryo ◇ Weapon: Two-handed Sword ◇ A taciturn boy who has mastered the art of diving. Beneath his ice-cold exterior lies a pure heart without a single flaw.

Event Wish - Character 2 "Whispers of the Starry Night"

【Event Period】

July 1st, 2026 (Wed) after update ~ July 21st, 2026 (Tue) 18:59

Featured Character (★5)

"White Star Black Obsidian - Citrali"

◇ Element: Cryo ◇ Weapon: Catalyst ◇ The great shaman of the "Mysterious Smoke Tribe." The "Obsidian Hag" revered by her entire clan.

◆ Elemental Skill "Frosty Dawn Black Star"

Upon activation, Citrali gains a certain amount of Night Soul, entering the "Night Soul's Blessing" state. She deploys a White Obsidian Shield and summons "Itzpapalotl of the Night Soul," dealing Night Soul-infused Cryo AoE DMG. If Citrali's Night Soul reaches 50 or more, Itzpapalotl enters the "White Flints" state, continuously consuming Night Soul to deal Night Soul-infused Cryo DMG to enemies around the character.

White Obsidian Shield: The damage absorption of the White Obsidian Shield is determined by Citrali's Elemental Mastery and has a 250% absorption effect against Cryo DMG.

◆ Elemental Burst "Decree of the Many Stars"

Summons a storm in a forward area, dealing Night Soul-infused Cryo AoE DMG while restoring Citrali's Night Soul.

Possessed Skull: When Citrali uses her Elemental Burst, she summons Possessed Skulls near up to 3 enemies within the area, which explode after a short delay, dealing Night Soul-infused Cryo AoE DMG and restoring a certain amount of Citrali's Night Soul.

Featured Character (★4)

"The Uncrowned King of the Sea - Beidou (Electro)"

"Cat's Tail Special - Diona (Cryo)"

"Sunken in the Dreamy Sea - Freminet (Cryo)"

Event Wish - Weapon "Epitome Invocation" Commences!

Starting today, July 1st (Wed) after the update, the Event Wish - Weapon "Epitome Invocation" has commenced.

During the event period, the appearance rates of the new ★5 weapon "Two-handed Sword - Key of Ultimate Destiny" and the limited ★5 weapon "Catalyst - Gaze of the Celestial" will be significantly increased.

【Event Period】

July 1st, 2026 (Wed) after update ~ July 21st, 2026 (Tue) 18:59

Featured Weapons (★5)

"Two-handed Sword - Key of Ultimate Destiny"

"Catalyst - Gaze of the Celestial"

Featured Weapons (★4)

"One-handed Sword - Favonius Sword"

"Two-handed Sword - Rainslasher"

"Catalyst - Magic Guide"

"Bow - Favonius Warbow"

"Polearm - Dragon's Bane"

Chronicled Wish "Stars Gather" Commences!

Starting today, July 1st (Wed) after the update, the Chronicled Wish "Stars Gather" has commenced.

During the event period, you can select one ★5 character or ★5 weapon from the entire ★5 lineup for this phase to "set a course" for, increasing its appearance rate in the "Stars Gather" wish.

【Event Period】

July 1st, 2026 (Wed) after update ~ July 21st, 2026 (Tue) 18:59

【★5 and ★4 Items Appearing in This Phase's Chronicled Wish】

★5 Characters: Albedo/Lyney/Wanderer/Yae Miko/Qiqi

★5 Weapons: Skyward Blade/Primordial Jade Winged-Spear/Staff of Homa/Mistsplitter Reforged/Amos' Bow

★4 Characters: Lynette/Charlotte/Fischl/Noelle/Bennett/Xiangling/Xingqiu/Sucrose/Diona/Beidou/Kuki Shinobu/Gorou/Kazuha/Heizou/Thoma/Yanfei/Rosaria/Xinyan/Barbara/Lisa/Amber/Kaeya/Razor/Collei/Dori/Layla/Faruzan/Mika/Yaoyao/Kirara/Gaming/Chevreuse/Freminet

★4 Weapons: Alley Hunter/Favonius Warbow/The Stringless/Windblume Ode/Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers/Magic Guide/Mappa Mare/Favonius Codex/Favonius Lance/Dragon's Bane/Rainslasher/The Bell/Whiteblind/Skyward Pride/Waster Greatsword/Lion's Roar/Sacrificial Greatsword/Skyward Spine/Skyward Atlas/Skyward Harp/Aquila Favonia/Wolf's Gravestone/Primordial Jade Cutter/Mistsplitter Reforged/Kagura's Verity/Staff of Scarlet Sands/Calamity Queller/Beacon of the Reed Sea/Aqua Simulacra/Tome of the Eternal Flow/Splendor of Tranquil Waters/Light of Foliar Incision/Key of Khaj-Nisut/Redhorn Stonethresher/Song of Broken Pines/The Unforgiven/Skyward Pride/Wolf's Gravestone/Primordial Jade Cutter/Mistsplitter Reforged/Kagura's Verity/Staff of Scarlet Sands/Calamity Queller/Beacon of the Reed Sea/Aqua Simulacra/Tome of the Eternal Flow/Splendor of Tranquil Waters/Light of Foliar Incision/Key of Khaj-Nisut/Redhorn Stonethresher/Song of Broken Pines/The Unforgiven/Skyward Blade/Primordial Jade Winged-Spear/Staff of Homa/Mistsplitter Reforged/Amos' Bow

※ This wish is a "Chronicled Wish," and the wish count and pity are shared with "Wanderlust Invocation."

※ Additionally, the wish counts and pity for other wishes are counted separately from "Wanderlust Invocation" and "Chronicled Wish," and do not affect each other.

Some Characters Enhanced by "Witch's Admonition"!

Starting today, July 1st (Wed) after the update, the "Circulating Admonition" quest will be unlocked. Clearing it will grant you the "Witch's Box."

By deciphering the "Witch's Box" admonition, you can unlock additional talents for corresponding characters and enhance them.

【Participation Requirements】

・Complete Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom"

【Corresponding Characters】

★5 Characters: Albedo/Lyney/Wanderer/Yae Miko/Qiqi

★4 Characters: Diona/Beidou

New Area Unlocked!

Starting today, July 1st (Wed) after the update, the new areas "Dunana Deep Mine," "Moonlit Highlands," "Sea of Whispers," and "Other Side of the Moon" have been unlocked.

During the event period, clearing the corresponding exploration quests will grant you 400 Primogems as an additional reward.

【Reward Claim Period】

July 1st, 2026 (Wed) after update ~ September 22nd, 2026 (Tue) 15:59

Event Information

Event "Summer Return! Echoes? Thousand Spirits Festival!" Commences!

Starting today, July 1st (Wed), the event "Summer Return! Echoes? Thousand Spirits Festival!" has commenced.

During the event period, by completing quests and reaching a specified "Popularity" level, you can invite the ★4 character "Inquisitive Monocle - Charlotte (Cryo)" and obtain Charlotte's exclusive costume "Harlock Variations." Additionally, you can earn rewards such as Primogems and Crowns of Wisdom.

Furthermore, upon the event's start, the entire story of the Story Quest "Summer Return! Echoes? Thousand Spirits Festival!" will be unlocked and playable. Experience the story of Sandrone's return and the events of the Thousand Spirits Festival by playing through it.

Additionally, by clearing quests during the event period, you can obtain additional rewards such as Primogems, character ascension materials, talent level-up materials, and regional specialties from Fontaine.

【Event Period】

July 1st, 2026 (Wed) after update ~ August 11th, 2026 (Tue) 04:59

※ Even after the event ends, you can still accept and complete the Story Quest "Summer Return! Echoes? Thousand Spirits Festival!"

【Event Participation Requirements】

・Adventure Rank 20 or above

・Complete Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom"

・Unlock any Statue of the Seven in Fontaine

※ It is recommended to complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act X "A Meeting of Fates Across the Sea" before playing for a better experience.

Event "Aim! Long Shot" Commences!

Starting July 17th, 2026 (Fri), the event "Aim! Long Shot" is scheduled to commence.

Participate in the shooting practice to earn rewards such as Primogems and furnishings.

【Event Period】

July 17th, 2026 (Fri) 11:00 ~ July 27th, 2026 (Mon) 04:59

Citrali's New Costume Available!

Starting today, July 1st (Wed) after the update, Citrali's new costume "Starry Night of Smoke and Mist" is available.

This costume will be permanently available for purchase in the shop. During the sale period, the costume price will be discounted to 1350 Genesis Crystals.

※ After the sale ends, the selling price will return to 1680 Genesis Crystals (normal price).

※ This costume can only be purchased once.

【Sale Period】

July 1st, 2026 (Wed) after update ~ August 10th, 2026 (Mon) 04:59

◆ About 'Genshin Impact'

'Genshin Impact' is a free-to-play open-world RPG. Embark on a journey as a traveler from another world, searching for your lost sibling across the beautiful continent of Teyvat—

In the new version "Song of the Moon," the seventh region, "Nadro-Clai," is unlocked.

In these vast nations with diverse cultures, you will encounter numerous characters. Master elemental reactions to battle and uncover the secrets of Teyvat.

'Genshin Impact' also supports cross-platform play on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Android, and iOS, allowing you to enjoy your adventure solo or with friends, regardless of platform, through shared data saving and multiplayer features.

◆ Game Overview

Title: Genshin Impact (原神)

Genre: Open-world RPG

Supported OS: PlayStation®5 / Xbox Series X|S / PC / iOS / Android

Planned Supported OS: Nintendo SwitchTM

Price: Free-to-play (in-app purchases available)

◆ Latest Information on 'Genshin Impact' Here

【Genshin Impact Official Website】 https://genshin.hoyoverse.com/ja

【Genshin Impact Official X (formerly Twitter)】 https://twitter.com/Genshin_7

【Genshin Impact Official YouTube Channel】 https://www.youtube.com/@Genshin_JP

【Genshin Impact Official TikTok】

https://www.tiktok.com/@genshin_jp

◆ About HoYoverse

HoYoverse aims to provide players worldwide with immersive virtual world experiences. We have delivered various entertainment content, including games such as 'Genshin Impact,' 'Honkai: Star Rail,' 'Honkai Impact 3rd,' 'Tears of Themis,' and 'Zenless Zone Zero.'

Community is at the core of HoYoverse's services. We are dedicated to fostering a community environment where fans worldwide can freely express their creativity and talent, and share their love for anime, comics, and games.

Furthermore, by constantly pursuing cutting-edge game development technologies with boundless imagination, we have accumulated top-tier expertise in fields such as toon rendering and cloud gaming.

We will continue to advance content creation, technology research, and publishing operations through our offices in Singapore, Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and other locations.

HoYoverse Official Website: https://www.hoyoverse.com/ja-jp

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