It’s been a while since we last heard about the Genshin Impact anime. It’s presumably still in the works, but the wait has been unbearable. Thankfully, even if there isn’t an official anime yet, the fanbase has us covered.
There are a lot of talented animators out there, and some of their work was featured in the latest HoYoFair exhibit. I encourage you to check out the presentation in full, but here’s a highlight of some of my favorite segments!
1. Progenitor: The Surface
Progenitor is an animated Genshin project from DillonGoo Studios. Dillon Gu, director and head of the studio, is a former animator for RWBY, and the influence shows in his unique 3D anime style.
Progenitor takes Genshin characters and places them in a dystopian cyberpunk setting. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I’m blown away by the detailed environments, fluid fight choreography, and unique takes on Genshin character designs.
If you want to check out the Progenitor series in full, I suggest starting with episodes 1 and 2. I also enjoy The Last Bakery, which features Neuvillette, Xiangling, and Navia in a similar futuristic setting.
2. Ranked Daycare
Ranked Daycare is an animated short by No_Tables, following Lumine and Klee as they fight their way through mobs of enemies in a ranked game mode. Unlike the usual Genshin combat with swords, spears, and elemental abilities, though, Lumine and Klee are equipped with a vast arsenal of elemental firearms.
I love the fresh character designs and how elemental reactions are worked into the gunplay. The animation is a joy to watch, especially with Klee’s adorable giggles as she sets off massive explosions.
If you want to see more Genshin with guns, check out No_Tables’ previous HoYoFair entry titled Times…Changed?
3. Domain 404
If you prefer a hand-drawn anime style, Domain 404 has you covered. Directed by LucHD, Domain 404 perfectly portrays the chaotic fun of Genshin co-op. A group of four players takes on a domain, but soon find that the game isn’t behaving as they expect.
I thought it was fun to see 5-star characters from Genshin Impact playing the game with different characters. They were playing an actual meta team too, indicating that the creators know the meta. I loved seeing Genshin’s unique co-op combat system portrayed in an animated format. If you’ve ever played co-op in Genshin, you know the pain of realizing that someone brought their C6 Bennett.
4. Moonlit Bamboo Forest
Moonlit Bamboo Forest has a gorgeous painted art style. This short, produced by Passion Paris and directed by David Pagaille, takes place in the forests of Liyue. The story follows a boy setting out on a journey from his hometown, only to run into some strange forest spirits.
It’s stylistically stunning and a real treat for the eyes. Even better, it’s an adaptation of in-game lore that you’ll only come across if you buy a book series from an NPC. When’s the last time you sat down to do some reading in Genshin?
5. Titanslayers: Edge of Oblivion
Created by KIERU, Titanslayers: Edge of Oblivion is an epic fight between some of my favorite Genshin characters and a mysterious beast from the Primordial Sea. As an added bonus, it also features a sweet moment between Beidou and Ningguang.
The short that premiered during the HoYoFair presentation actually appears to be a work in progress. KIERU has commented that, in order to stay true to their original vision, the full short will be released next month. The version we’ve seen looks fantastic already, so I can’t wait to see what the finished animation will look like.
The Song Burning in the Embers
Unlike the others on this list, The Song Burning in the Embers is an official animated short from HoYoverse. It provides a glimpse into Arlecchino’s backstory and how she became the Father of the House of the Hearth. I love everything about it, except the fact that it’s not part of the official Genshin Impact anime series.
I’m glad there’s plenty of animated Genshin content to enjoy, whether it comes directly from HoYoverse or from a myriad of talented creators. The wait for the Genshin Impact anime series continues, but in the meantime, we’re being fed well. I just hope the anime doesn’t end up floating around forever, like the potential Nintendo Switch version of Genshin Impact.
