Sometimes HoYoverse knows exactly how to get its community talking. Just hours before Zenless Zone Zero’s (ZZZ) Version 3.1 Special Program, players have started spotting Pom-Pom, the iconic conductor of the Astral Express from Honkai: Star Rail, wandering around New Eridu. Naturally, it didn’t take long for the community to jump to one conclusion: is HoYoverse teasing a crossover?
Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but the timing certainly worth noting. Pom-Pom’s arrival comes right before ZZZ’s biggest livestream of the year, one that’s already expected to reveal the game’s second anniversary update. Whether this is simply a fun anniversary easter egg or something much bigger, players are already putting on their tinfoil hats.
The Community Already Has Its Own Theories
Pom-Pom showing up isn’t exactly subtle. He’s one of the most recognizable characters in the entire Honkai universe, and HoYoverse even leaned into the mystery by posting an in-universe notice referring to him as a mysterious “Bangboo” that had suddenly appeared around Sixth Street.
Across Reddit and social media, players have already started piecing together their own theories, with many believing this could be the first tease of a Honkai: Star Rail collaboration. Considering the timing, it’s not hard to see why. Anniversary livestreams have always been the perfect place for surprise announcements, and a crossover would definitely qualify.
So… Who Would Actually Come to ZZZ?
Of course, once the crossover speculation started, players immediately moved on to the next question: who would actually make the jump? A few names seem to come up far more than others.
Kafka is probably the community favorite. She’s one of Honkai: Star Rail’s most recognizable characters, and she’s already proven to be one of HoYoverse’s biggest fan favorites over the years.
Blade isn’t far behind. His fast, aggressive fighting style feels like it would translate surprisingly well into ZZZ’s combat, making him an easy pick if HoYoverse wanted a character that already feels at home in New Eridu.
Then there’s Sparkle, who honestly might be the funniest option of the three. Between her chaotic personality and her love of causing mayhem wherever she goes, plenty of players think she’d fit into ZZZ almost too well.
Of course, all of this is still just community speculation. Pom-Pom’s appearance could simply be a playful anniversary easter egg with nothing else attached to it. Still, with the Version 3.1 Special Program only hours away, it’s safe to say the community is going to be watching a little more closely than usual. After all, HoYoverse doesn’t usually drop one of its biggest mascots into another game for no reason.
