The long wait for the Genshin Impact anime finally has some good news. After nearly four years of silence, the animation studio Ufotable has confirmed that the project is very much alive. A brand new teaser showing the Traveler siblings, Aether and Lumine, has given fans their first real look at the adaptation since its initial announcement back in September 2022.
The new footage arrived on February 21, 2026, tucked inside a promotional reel that Ufotable released on their YouTube channel . The video showcased the studio’s busy schedule, including work on the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle films and other major projects. But for Genshin Impact players, the big moment came at the end when the Genshin Impact anime appeared under the “Future Projects” section .
The teaser itself is simple but meaningful. Aether and Lumine reach out toward each other against a dark background, their character designs looking noticeably different from the concept trailer released in 2022 . This visual update suggests the project has moved past the early planning stages and into actual production design .
What the New Genshin Impact Anime Teaser Shows
The short clip lasts only a few seconds, but it carries a lot of weight for fans who have been waiting since 2022. The first concept trailer showed Paimon in a forest along with familiar locations like Mondstadt and Dragonspine . This time, the focus is purely on the twin protagonists who are central to the game’s story.
The updated art style for Aether and Lumine shows a stronger resemblance to Ufotable’s work on the Fate series rather than the original concept footage . This shift indicates that the studio is now deep in the process of finalizing how the characters will look in the finished anime.
Many fans immediately noticed the change. Online discussions highlight how the emotional moment of the twins trying to reach each other fits perfectly with the game’s storyline, where they get separated at the very beginning of their journey through Teyvat .
HoYoverse Confirms Steady Progress at Genshin FES 2026
Before Ufotable released this new teaser, HoYoverse already gave fans a reason to be hopeful. At Genshin FES 2026 in Shanghai on January 3, the game’s combat designer Aquaria addressed the long silence directly .
Aquaria confirmed that the Genshin Impact anime is moving forward smoothly with no unexpected problems. “Rest assured, it’s in the works,” Aquaria told attendees . “There are no unexpected issues, no instability, everything is progressing steadily.”
The designer also explained why such a long project timeline makes sense. Aquaria compared it to how Genshin Impact itself is developed. A minor game update takes about six months, while major updates can require 18 months or longer . This includes concept art, multiple revisions, voice recording, and animation polishing. The same level of care applies to the anime adaptation.
“Apropos, I want to apologize to everyone,” Aquaria said, addressing the lack of updates over the past months. “Why? Because some of you have probably seen feedback like: ‘Hey, Genshin! What’s this about?’ Many improvements, including some design improvements, only came in later versions. Why didn’t we release them earlier? You might think the development team is not giving their all and that our feedback wasn’t taken seriously.”
Aquaria described the team’s workflow as working in a “four-dimensional” space, juggling multiple large-scale projects simultaneously . This apology and explanation helped calm fears that the anime had been quietly canceled.
Why the Genshin Impact Anime Took So Long
The gap between the 2022 announcement and this new update left many fans worried. Rumors of cancellation spread across social media, with some calling it the “Ghost Anime” . But several factors explain the long wait.
Ufotable has an extremely crowded schedule. The studio’s main priority remains the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba franchise. The Infinity Castle arc is being released as a trilogy of films, with the first one arriving in 2025 . The second film is scheduled for 2027 . Additionally, Ufotable is working on the Witch on the Holy Night film, confirmed for Japanese theaters in 2026, and a Katsugeki: Touken Ranbu theatrical film .
On April 3, 2026, the studio will also share new information about the future of the Tales of series . With all these projects demanding attention, the Genshin Impact anime naturally moved at a slower pace.
Another factor is the size of Genshin Impact itself. When the anime was first announced, the game’s story had only covered Mondstadt and Liyue. Since then, the world of Teyvat has expanded to include Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and soon Snezhnaya . Adapting an ongoing story with so much lore requires careful planning.
Aquaria framed the project as a “long-term” endeavor from the very beginning . The team at HoYoverse and Ufotable are taking their time to get it right rather than rushing something out.
When Will the Genshin Impact Anime Release?
Right now, no official release date has been set. However, the categorization of the project under “Future Projects” rather than the 2026 slate strongly points to a 2027 premiere at the earliest .
This timeline actually makes sense for several reasons. By waiting until 2027, Ufotable can finish its priority projects first. The Demon Slayer films will be closer to completion, freeing up more resources. Additionally, the Genshin Impact game itself will be closer to finishing its main storyline.
The icy region of Snezhnaya, home to the final Archon, is expected to arrive in-game within the coming year . By the time the anime airs, Ufotable could have access to a near-complete narrative arc rather than adapting a story that is still being written .
Structuring the game’s massive amount of content into a coherent anime series is a challenge. Genshin Impact spreads its story across Archon Quests, World Quests, character story quests, and lore hidden in item descriptions. Having the full picture would make the adaptation work significantly easier .
Fan Reactions to the Long-Awaited Update
The response to the new teaser has been mostly positive, though some fans remain cautious. Western fans expressed excitement about finally seeing proof that the project exists . Many are looking forward to spectacular battles animated in the same style as Demon Slayer or Fate .
However, some fans worry about how Ufotable will handle the storytelling. A portion of the community remembers the studio’s adaptations of Tales of and God Eater, where some felt the narrative quality suffered . There are concerns that compressing the game’s huge story could lead to a watered-down version.
In Japan, the announcement received a mixed response. Some online comments reflect tension due to the collaboration between a Japanese studio and a Chinese company . A small number of voices expressed concern that Ufotable might prioritize Genshin Impact over Japanese manga properties like Demon Slayer or Fate .
Despite these mixed reactions, the majority of the global fanbase seems relieved. After years of uncertainty, having confirmation that the Genshin Impact anime is still moving forward feels like a victory.
What Format Will the Genshin Impact Anime Take?
As of now, no details have been confirmed about the format. It remains unknown whether the Genshin Impact anime will be a television series, an original video animation (OVA), or a theatrical film . Staff credits beyond the Ufotable and HoYoverse partnership have also not been disclosed .
The original 2022 concept trailer showed sweeping shots of Teyvat’s landscapes, suggesting the studio plans to capture the beauty of the game’s world. The new teaser focusing on Aether and Lumine hints that the story will center on the Traveler twins, which makes sense given their role as the protagonists.
Many fans assume the anime will adapt the main Archon Quests, following the Traveler’s journey through each region. However, HoYoverse has not confirmed which part of the story the anime will cover.
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The Road Ahead for the Genshin Impact Anime
For now, fans will have to remain patient. The Genshin Impact anime is progressing steadily behind the scenes, but it will likely be a while before more substantial footage or a concrete release date arrives.
The new teaser serves as proof that the project was never abandoned. Ufotable and HoYoverse are committed to making this adaptation happen, even if it takes years to complete. Given Ufotable’s track record with visually stunning series like Demon Slayer, the final result could be worth the extended wait.
The coming months may bring more news. With the Witch on the Holy Night film set for 2026 and the Tales of announcement scheduled for April, Ufotable has several opportunities to share updates. Fans will be watching closely for any additional hints about when they can finally see Teyvat come to life in animated form.
Until then, the 2022 concept trailer and this new teaser are all that exist. But for the first time in four years, the future of the Genshin Impact anime looks certain rather than speculative.
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