Summary
The long-awaited Honkai: Star Rail × Zenless Zone Zero crossover has been officially confirmed for Version 4.8. During the Version 4.6 Special Program, HoYoverse revealed that Ellen Joe and Astra Yao from Zenless Zone Zero will join Honkai: Star Rail as playable crossover characters.
The announcement follows earlier teases of a collaboration between the two HoYoverse titles. While Version 4.8 is now confirmed as the crossover update, many details about Ellen and Astra's kits, banners, and availability have yet to be revealed. To prepare for the crossover, buy Honkai: Star Rail Top Up and stock up on resources.
When Will the ZZZ Crossover Start?
The Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero crossover is scheduled for Version 4.8.
Before that happens, players will go through several updates, beginning with Version 4.6 on September 28, 2026. The 4.6 Special Program confirmed Pearl as the update's new character and also provided more information about the next stage of the Planarcadia storyline.
The exact release date for Version 4.8 has not been confirmed in the available announcement. Based on Honkai: Star Rail's regular update cycle, the crossover is expected to arrive later in the 2026 update sequence, but players should wait for HoYoverse to announce the specific date.
What is confirmed is the version number: the ZZZ crossover is coming in Version 4.8.
Ellen Joe and Astra Yao Are Coming to HSR
The crossover will introduce two major Zenless Zone Zero characters to Honkai: Star Rail:
Ellen Joe
Astra Yao
Both characters were shown in the crossover teaser, giving players an early look at how their designs and combat animations will be adapted for Honkai: Star Rail.
This is particularly notable because the two characters come from different gameplay systems in Zenless Zone Zero. Their appearances in Honkai: Star Rail suggest that the crossover will reinterpret recognizable elements from ZZZ within Star Rail's combat system.
However, the announcement does not yet provide a complete breakdown of their Honkai: Star Rail kits.
Ellen Joe
Ellen Joe's teaser includes an attack that appears to deal Ice damage, maintaining one of the most recognizable aspects of her Zenless Zone Zero identity.
The footage also appears to reference her signature Sharknami attack. This gives players an early indication that her crossover animations will retain familiar elements from ZZZ rather than simply using a completely new design.
Her exact Path, rarity, Ultimate, Skill, and other combat mechanics have not been fully detailed in the announcement.
Astra Yao
Astra Yao also receives a dedicated appearance in the crossover teaser.
Her animation appears to reference Idyllic Cadenza, a recognizable part of her Zenless Zone Zero kit. Like Ellen, Astra's crossover presentation seems designed to preserve elements of her original character while adapting them to Honkai: Star Rail.
The teaser alone does not confirm how Idyllic Cadenza will function in Star Rail, so players should wait for an official character reveal before drawing conclusions about her final kit.
What Has Been Confirmed About the Crossover?
At this point, several details are official:
Version 4.8
The crossover will take place during Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.8.
Two ZZZ Characters
Ellen Joe and Astra Yao have been confirmed as the crossover characters.
New Star Rail Adaptations
Both characters have been shown with animations designed for Honkai: Star Rail. Ellen's footage includes an apparent Ice attack and Sharknami reference, while Astra's teaser appears to reference Idyllic Cadenza.
More Details Are Still Pending
HoYoverse has not yet provided all of the information players would normally want before a character release. Details such as their complete combat kits, banner order, exact release dates, and other acquisition information remain to be revealed.
That means it is too early to treat unconfirmed kit or banner details as final.
What Happens Before Version 4.8?
Players will have several major pieces of content to experience before the crossover arrives.
Version 4.6 launches on September 28, 2026, continuing the Planarcadia Trailblaze Missions. Pearl, a five-star Ice character associated with the Elation path, is the new character introduced in the update. Evanescia will also receive a rerun, while her Lunar Blossoming outfit will be added. Hyacine is also getting a new outfit in Version 4.6.
The update also features events including Love, Ghosts & Robots and Interastral Peace Gala: One Take, with additional returning content planned for the second half.
These features are not part of the ZZZ crossover itself, but they establish the update path players will follow before reaching Version 4.8.
What Should Players Expect From Version 4.8?
The most important takeaway is that Version 4.8 will bring Zenless Zone Zero's Ellen Joe and Astra Yao into Honkai: Star Rail.
The first crossover footage already suggests that HoYoverse intends to preserve recognizable elements from both characters. Ellen's Ice-based presentation and Sharknami reference connect her to her ZZZ identity, while Astra's apparent Idyllic Cadenza reference does the same for her.
However, the crossover is still several updates away, so the available information remains limited. Players should not assume that teaser animations represent the complete final kits or that unannounced banner details are confirmed.
As more Version 4.8 information is released, the remaining questions will include how Ellen and Astra function within Star Rail's combat system, when each character becomes available, and what other crossover content accompanies their arrival.
For now, Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.8 is the confirmed home of the Zenless Zone Zero crossover, with Ellen Joe and Astra Yao officially set to make the jump from New Eridu to the Astral Express. To prepare for their arrival, Honkai: Star Rail Top Up can help you stock up on resources so you're ready to pull the moment their banners go live.
