Today Honkai: Star Rail developer HoYoverse announced the date of the next big update reveal and three new characters coming down the line.
We learn that update 2.0, which will introduce the new planet Penacony, will be revealed on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 19:30 UTC+8. That translates into 3:30 a.m. PST, 6:30 a.m. EST, 11:30 a.m. GMT, or 12:30 p.m. CET, depending on where you live.
Since it's a big milestone, the event will be livestreamed and introduced directly by CEO Lu "Dawei" Wei. 
Here's how she's described:
"Lone voyagers in the cosmos are driven by two desires: to tread in the trails of the past, and to forge their own way. But under Their scrutiny... most end up adhering to the former."
A drifter claiming to be a Galaxy Ranger. Her true name is unknown, and she walks the cosmos alone, carrying with her a long sword. Though aloof and taciturn, her blade flicks out like lashing lightning. And yet, she always strikes with her scabbard, never drawing the sword free.
She's voiced by Allegra Clark in English and Miyuki Sawashiro in Japanese. You may be familiar with her as the voice of Raiden Shogun in Genshin Impact, Katalina in Granblue Fantasy, Aranea in Final Fantasy XV, Minfilia in Final Fantasy XIV, and many more big roles.
Update 1/24/2024: a second new character has been revealed, and it's Aventurine, a five-star Imaginary character following the path of Presevation. Here's how he's described:
Go ahead, use me as you wish, even stab me in the back when you see fit. Exploitation and treachery are simply tools of the trade. But remember, I don't make deals that don't pay off... So, I hope you don't disappoint me."
A senior manager in the IPC Strategic Investment Department and one of the Ten Stonehearts. His Cornerstone is "Aventurine of stratagems."
He possesses an air of frivolity and doesn't shy away from taking risks. His constant smile makes it difficult for people to discern his true feelings. He won his current position by wagering against fate itself. He views life as a high-stakes, high-return investment, and he plays this particular gamble with masterful ease.
He's voiced by Camden Sutkowski in English and Kengo Kawanishi in Japanese. You may know him for his role as Miyamoto Iori in Fate/Samurai Remnant and Mikazuki Augus in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.
Update 1/25/2024: a third new character has been revealed and it's Gallagher, a 4-star fire character following the path of the Preservation. Here's how he's described.
"Making a drink is a sensory skill. In dreams, creating fizzy concoctions requires adding a bit of your mood. Heavier if you're troubled, a touch sweeter if you're in high spirits... It's not just about mixing beverages. It's about mixing the experiences of life."
A security officer of the Bloodhound Family at Penacony. He is also a slovenly and indolent mixologist. Though unorganized in apparel and casual in how he makes his drinks, he is always courteous toward guests but keeps his vigilance about him. He seems to be a character with a complicated past, yet never actively mentions any details.
He's voiced in English by Erik Braa and in Japanese by Satoshi Mikami, whom you may know for his roles as Akechi Mitsuhide in Nioh 2 and Ocelot in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
They're not the first playable characters we see that we'll meet on Penacony, as HoYoverse already introduced Black Swan a while ago.
While we don't know whether they'll be playable, we'll also run into the Ever-Flaming Mansion family of the Annihilation Gang, who we just met in their own trailer a few days ago. Apparently, they want to destroy the whole planet.
Below you can find the livestream for the 2.0 reveal, if you'd like to follow along.
Honkai: Star Rail is available on PC, PS5, iOS, and Android. It's available for free but with the usual microtransactions for those who want to partake.
Speaking of updates to HoYoverse's games' we also recently got the reveal of the next update for Honkai's older brother, Genshin Impact.
