The bustling, neon-drenched streets of New Eridu offer a stark contrast to the celestial express of the Astral Express or the seven nations of Teyvat, yet a familiar question echoes among the gaming community: where does HoYoverse's latest action RPG, Zenless Zone Zero, truly fit? Released to critical acclaim, the game follows the sibling Proxies Belle and Wise, operating under the alias "Phaethon," as they navigate the perilous, dimension-warping Hollows. While presenting a brand-new world for players to immerse themselves in, the title inevitably sparks intense speculation about its connection to the developer's established multiverse, a tapestry woven through Honkai Impact 3rd, Genshin Impact, and Honkai: Star Rail.
The foundational lore connecting HoYoverse's titles is the Imaginary Tree, a cosmic structure from which all universes and bubble worlds are born. This concept elegantly explains the existence of diverse realities like the sci-fi landscape of the Honkai: Star Rail's galaxy or the elemental realms of Genshin Impact. Developers have previously confirmed their games share this multiversal framework but emphasized each possesses an independent universe. Identical characters across games, such as Bronya or Raiden Mei, are thus understood as alternate versions—similar souls shaped by different worlds—rather than the exact same individual traversing dimensions.
In Zenless Zone Zero, the central antagonistic force is the Hollow, a catastrophic supernatural phenomenon that tears reality asunder, creating disordered dimensions teeming with monstrous Ethereals. Many analysts and lore enthusiasts posit the Hollow can be interpreted as this universe's manifestation of a Honkai-level disaster. Much like the Honkai energy that plagues other worlds, the Hollow represents a chaotic, world-altering power that humanity must contend with, with Proxies acting as essential guides and combatants in this struggle. This thematic parallel is one of the strongest narrative threads suggesting a shared cosmic lineage.
Beyond thematic echoes, several in-game elements offer tantalizing potential links. The most overt is the presence of Belobog Heavy Industries, a major construction faction. This name is identical to the snowbound city of Belobog on the planet Jarilo-VI in Honkai: Star Rail. Whether this signifies a direct corporate connection, a multiversal echo, or simply an affectionate nod is a subject of fan debate. Furthermore, the game's core energy substance, Ether, extracted from Hollows, bears conceptual similarity to materials like Refined Aether in Star Rail, hinting at a possible commonality in the fundamental substances that power these different realities.
A notable point of divergence, however, is the current absence of direct character crossovers. While Bronya has appeared in multiple titles, Zenless Zone Zero has so far introduced an entirely original cast of vibrant characters like the agile Anby and the cunning members of the Cunning Hares faction. This deliberate choice has fueled an alternative theory: perhaps New Eridu exists outside the Imaginary Tree entirely, as a truly standalone universe unrelated to the Honkai saga. The game's distinct cyberpunk aesthetic and urban fantasy setting support the idea of HoYoverse successfully building a world unshackled from its existing lore.
Let's examine the evidence for both perspectives:
| Argument for Connection (Imaginary Tree) | Argument for Independence |
|---|---|
| The Hollow parallels Honkai disasters. | Unique setting with no direct lore references to Honkai, Aeons, or Archons. |
| Shared faction name (Belobog). | Completely original character roster with no alternate versions. |
| Conceptual similarity of Ether to other cosmic energies. | Self-contained story focusing on Hollows and New Eridu's factions. |
| HoYoverse's established multiverse model. | Demonstrates HoYoverse's capacity for entirely new IP development. |
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the future may hold answers. Zenless Zone Zero has a long pipeline of characters and story updates planned. The community widely anticipates that future updates could introduce familiar faces from other HoYoverse titles as playable agents or story NPCs, which would decisively cement its place on the Imaginary Tree. Conversely, if the game continues for years without a single crossover, the case for a separate, independent universe will grow stronger.
Ultimately, whether Zenless Zone Zero is a new branch on a vast cosmic tree or a seed planted in entirely different soil, its success is undeniable. 🎮 The game provides a fresh gameplay loop, a stunning visual style, and a captivating cast, proving HoYoverse's mastery extends beyond a single narrative framework. For players, this mystery is part of the fun. They can scour New Eridu for clues, debate theories online, and enjoy the thrilling proxy action, all while wondering if a certain gray-haired strategist or electro-wielding warrior might one day step out of a Hollow and into the streets of this dazzling new world. The connection, or lack thereof, does not diminish the experience but rather adds an enriching layer of speculation to an already rich universe.