Could the Honkai Star Rail trailer from Studio MAPPA be previewing an upcoming movie adaptation?
During the Honkai Star Rail version 4.2 livestream, fans were treated to a “Concept Trailer” for the movie. MAPPA, the same studio responsible for Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, among others, adapted the Stellaron Hunters to their style. The trailer also gave us a first look at what could be Elio’s non-cat form. This could mean that the rumored Honkai: Star Rail movie is well underway at the studio.
Honkai Star Rail MAPPA trailer
You can watch the three-minute Concept Trailer titled “Death in the Afternoon” here.
It featured the Stellaron Hunters: Kafka, Blade, Firefly, Silver Wolf, and, supposedly, Elio. Other Factions and characters also made an appearance, like the Xianzhou leaders, Acheron, Black Swan, and, of course, the Astral Express Crew.
Back in August of 2025, whispers of a Honkai Star Rail movie adaptation by Studio MAPPA started circulating online. Not many details were included in the leak, but it did say that Studio MAPPA would be working on it. Now, over eight months later, this may be close to reality.
Tachikawa Yuzuru directed the trailer. His directed series include Mob Psycho 100, Death Parade, and Deca-Dence. Meanwhile, he is credited for storyboards in the Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc movie and Sword Art Online.
Kayoko Ishikawa was the character designer. Her wide resume includes Bakemonogatari, Angel Beats, and the Reze Arc movie as the Assistant Animation Director.
This trailer doesn’t necessarily confirm a movie is in the works, but it is close to one. After all, HoYoverse isn’t averse to working with massive Japanese animation studios to handle their adaptations. Take the Genshin Impact anime, for example, which is being made by ufotable.
Elio’s real face and form
The Stellaron Hunters have been part of Honkai Star Rail’s overarching lore since the beginning. Many dialogues in the game allude to Elio, the “Destiny’s Slave” and leader of the Stellaron Hunters. He is usually symbolized by a black cat, which is visible in many aspects in the game, including Kafka’s splash art.
So, when this mysterious hooded white-haired figure appeared alongside the Stellaron Hunters in the trailer, the community gravitated toward the theory that this is Elio’s human form. It seems they’re not far off, either, since near the end of the trailer, Elio’s eyes transitioned into a black cat’s.
Eagle-eyed fans also noted a scene focusing on Elio’s eyes, and how MAPPA is “treating [it] like Gojo Satoru’s eyes.” Some noticed that the rings around his eyes were composed of the names of all the Aeons. Can you spot them in the screenshot below?
Again, this isn’t necessarily a confirmation of a Honkai Star Rail movie from MAPPA. For now, check out the other updates that came alongside the 3rd Anniversary livestream, like the giveaways and the banners.