Honkai: Star Rail 2nd Anniversary Concert review – A magnificent crowd pleaser at the perfect moment

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This year has been challenging for Honkai: Star Rail, and not everyone is content with how things are right now. However, the 2nd Anniversary Concert over the weekend seemed to signal a move towards a more promising tomorrow. It stirred nostalgia, heightened anticipation for what’s to come, and overall, it was an incredibly enjoyable experience.

Just like last year’s concert, this year’s livestream was available for free and featured English subtitles to cater to a global audience. This wasn’t just convenient for the brief spoken sections, but also beneficial because the Chinese versions of popular songs often have different lyrics compared to their English counterparts. Therefore, being able to see these translations on screen was wonderful as it allowed us to explore the meanings behind them in more depth.

allow me to share an exciting aspect from this year’s concert that stood out for me: For the first time in a while, we could actually hear the audience cheering. To me, the lively energy from a live audience is a significant part of enjoying a concert, and the crowd in Shanghai certainly delivered on that count. Last year, unfortunately, the microphones failed to pick up any sound from the audience, which slightly altered the ambiance. However, this year we managed to capture just the right amount of audience noise, making the interactive parts of the songs much more immersive. I suspect that the crowd’s participation was enhanced even further this year due to the higher usage of Chinese song versions compared to English ones, another thoughtful choice that contributed to the overall atmosphere.

Additionally, I found myself enjoying the cheers and chants during the breaks, despite not understanding their meaning.

Regarding the pauses between acts, I must say that last year’s concert seemed to have a more fluid progression. The transitions between performances in 2024 were almost imperceptible, giving a sense of seamless continuity. It might not seem significant, but it’s quite noticeable when you compare the two events.

Essentially, what mattered most was the quality of the music in the game, and HoYoverse definitely delivered on that front. The almost non-existent repetition compared to 2024, with only a few repeats of fan favorites, resulted in hit after hit. This speaks volumes about the soundtrack for this game. Moreover, I appreciated the thoughtful arrangement of the tracks – they were meticulously planned.

As a gamer, I kicked off my journey with the game’s main theme playing, then I was presented with an array of character introduction themes. First up was Herta, who made a personal appearance and unexpectedly dismissed the conductor, leaving quite an impression on me. Following that, Reol’s No Dazzle, No Break started live, sending chills down my spine as the captivating Awoo notes echoed through the speakers.

One noteworthy aspect – demonstrating HoYoverse’s close connection with its fanbase – was the fusion of Argenti and Boothill’s trailer music themes and the accompanying performance. Highlighting this unique duo during the anniversary concert was a refreshing touch, and the music did justice to the occasion.

Kafka and Firefly had their shining moments, leading us towards Penacony, where a lively Chinese rendition of White Night ignited the audience’s spirit – more than compensating for the somewhat awkward 2024 English version. The performance level escalated during Aventurine’s jazzy theme. Although we didn’t hear the complete Acheron x Black Swan Rondo, or the anthem some refer to as Yuri’s, it made a grand appearance as a teaser for Acheron’s theme.

More HSR:

On Sunday, it was the church’s turn, carrying forward Dominicus’ managerial theme in a captivating live show, truly embodying its roots in theater. His trailer theme also made an impact, featuring the intriguing spectacle of maneuvering two pianos on stage. Here, Chevy seamlessly integrated “Hope Is the Thing With Feathers” and visually stunning effects to evoke memories of that intense boss fight.

Following a heartfelt Chevy tune, Owlbert lightened the mood and introduced two fan-created songs that took center stage – first came Jingliu’s tale from Sword Upon Snow, then the hilarious spectacle known as Dr. Ratio’s Metaphysics of Bathing. This concoction was a testament to HoYoverse’s understanding of their community, and I found myself chuckling throughout it all.

Year after year, Xianzhou Luofu’s segment never fails to immerse us in rich Chinese culture, showcasing martial arts displays and dances fit for an emperor’s court. Last year, as well as this one, I found myself captivated by the blend of cultural performances within the concert. They add depth to the music and offer insights into the characters, such as demonstrating Lingsha’s inspiration in the game or using nine backup dancers to represent Fugue’s tails.

At the concert, Amphoreus delivered an impressive first musical performance, but Tribbie’s theme momentarily distracted me due to its dramatically distinct style. However, The Glory of Kremnos and Epitaph were simply breathtaking, bordering on otherworldly performances. A big shoutout to the warrior dancers who performed during The Glory of Kremnos – the use of their shadows on the columns at the start was incredibly impressive.

I must express my strong feelings for the Chinese rendition of Nameless Faces as well. The vocalist really poured her heart into it, the audience was captivated, and the words resonate even more deeply now given our current position within the narrative’s arc. As for the Flame Reaver, he is a character who gathers power in both the game and reality by cultivating an aura.

The 2nd Anniversary Concert kicked off with theme music from trailers, transitioned into Penacony, followed by fan songs, then Xianzhou Luofu, and finally Amphoreus. These segments roughly depicted the game’s second year. However, HoYoverse didn’t miss out on a strong dose of nostalgia towards the end.

We had an incredible trifecta of hits: Wildfire, Interstellar Journey, and On the Journey, each one captivating the crowd. To top it off, they performed Come With Me Take the Journey as an encore, syncing it beautifully with significant story moments that left many teary-eyed. All in all, it was a stunning performance that held the audience spellbound for over two hours, filled with both humorous and poignant scenes that underscored the journey of these characters and their progression throughout the story.

After that, they reached a thrilling peak by making Saber exclaim “Excalibur!”, unveiling the specifics about the HSR x Fate collaboration, and even hinting at a fresh Honkai game to add to the excitement.

They built up a lot of anticipation among us by having Saber yell “Excalibur!” which led to the disclosure of details regarding the HSR x Fate collaboration and a sneak peek at a new Honkai game, making things even more exhilarating.

Star Rail required at this juncture.

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2025-05-05 13:50