St Freya Valkyries
Welcome to Honkai Impact. We’ve got monsters, cute characters, and an ocean of story. Are you ready to take a dive?
Retrospective Chapter
Guns GirlZ / Houkai Gakuen 2
Blue ‘Somewhere Else’ blocks are completely optional to peruse. This is regarding content from other games that may give you some extra context in the story. Please keep in mind that these blue blocks can have spoilers for those games, so if you wish to play them, you should not read the blue blocks.
Guns GirlZ (GGZ), also known as Houkai Gakuen 2 (HG2) is miHoYo’s first long form online game. It is the predecessor to Honkai Impact 3rd. It is not available in English, and anything we get from it needs to be fan translated to read.
Honkai Impact 3rd is NOT a direct sequel. Instead, it takes place in an alternate timeline. Because of this, some characters will share parts of their identity, but they’re not the same person. You don’t need to know anything from Guns GirlZ to understand or enjoy Honkai Impact 3rd.
The Honkai. A force that has plagued humanity for ages. When humanity grows, so does the Honkai. And eventually, cataclysm consumes the world.
Kiana Kaslana is a disgruntled teenager travelling from Honkai event to Honkai event in search of her father, dealing with zombies along the way.
Then, she suddenly meets Raiden Mei, and her life takes a new course. Or perhaps, it takes the course it was always destined to take.
Trailers
Note: These are some really old trailers.
Trailers will improve in quality over time. We’ve arranged them to loosely line up with content updates. Trailers contain minor spoilers. They tease the future after all. Sometimes, we’ll link the trailer AFTER the content, because the spoilers are perhaps a bit too big.
Whether you watch the trailers is up to you. They can wet your appetite, but make for a less ‘blind’ experience. You can also come back and watch them after you’ve played trough the content.
Gameplay Trailer
Old Intro/Animated Teaser
Reburn
Animation
Note: This animation is a pure concept trailer. It is not a part of the actual story.
Golden blocks will typically represent ‘bonus content’. These are worth experiencing, but are typically not a part of the story.
Chapter 1: Dusk, Girls, Battleship
Where Dreams Began
Introduction to the world and characters. Played in the game.
If you want to go in knowing a bit more about the characters, you can instead choose to click this ‘manga first?’ button to jump to Escape from Nagazora.
Chapter 2: Voice in the Dreams
Where Dreams Began
A bit more introduction and tutorials before heading into the meat of things.
Reburn
Song
A little extra for flavour. A song made specially for Honkai Impact 3rd.
Escape from Nagazora
Manga
This is a bit of a mess to sort through, but it’s worth it. When you click the link, it’ll take you to the AE Invasion page.
Do NOT read the chapters labeled AE Invasion or Divine Key just yet.
Scroll down to the unnamed chapter 1, or use the direct link to jump there, and read from chapter 1 up to chapter 6.
It provides more backstory for the world and characters. Don’t mind the chapter thumbnails. They don’t all line up.
There is a separate section for Escape from Nagazora linked from the game, but it’s incomplete. I don’t recommend relying on the in-game links.
In several manga, you may notice a note from the translators referring to a different manga. This is not always correct, since the translations came much later and the translators did not work in order.
Steamy Hot Springs
Manga
This short bonus chapter takes place before chapter 1. It is missing from the manga website. You can read a fan translation on Mangadex
Note: This chapter was put in a large collection. Mangadex chapters are not in order. Keep an eye on the chapter counter so you don’t accidentally start reading another manga. This chapter is listed as Vol 1 Ch 1.1.
Himouto BRONYA-chan
Manga
This is another chapter that is missing from the manga website. You can read a fan translation on Mangadex.
Note: This chapter was put in a large collection. Mangadex chapters are not in order. Keep an eye on the chapter counter so you don’t accidentally start reading another manga. This chapter is listed as Vol 2 Ch 7.1.
Universe Lore
In a light novel for Guns GirlZ, we were told about ‘World Lines’. Different World Lines exist separately, with similarities and differences between them.
Because Honkai Impact 3rd takes place on a different world line from Guns GirlZ, their stories will go in completely different directions.
Familiar Faces
This is the fourth appearance of Kiana Kaslana. Her first version was a magical witch girl with a jetpack flying to the moon. The second didn’t have a story. The third is running around in Guns GirlZ.
Raiden Mei also features in Guns GirlZ. There, she shares a similar backstory as the Herrscher of Thunder at the centre of the Nagazora Eruption.
GGZ spends more time exploring Nagazora, whereas HI3 skips over that part and goes to do its own thing.
Bronya too appears in Guns GirlZ as Kiana and Mei’s adversary before they rescue her from a mind controlling device implanted by her orphanage mother, Cocolia. It is implied something similar occurred in HI3, but that part is skipped over.
In Guns GirlZ, Himeko arrives at the scene under different circumstances and is actually a boss battle.
Otto made his first appearance as a name in a letter. He had not yet done much or shown his face in Guns GirlZ by the time the Houkai3rd manga came out.
End of Day
Song
This song was originally Himeko’s theme music in Guns GirlZ. It was also used as the theme music in the celebration of the Houkai3rd manga.
Chapter 3: Poem of the Wind
The End of Destiny
Time to continue the game’s story!
Chapter 4: Betrayal Has a Silvery Smile
The End of Destiny
Girl Inside
Song
A little extra for flavour. A song made specially for Honkai Impact 3rd.
Familiar Faces
In Guns GirlZ, Cocolia first appeared as a voice speaking through Bronya. She became the first long term antagonist of the story.
Bronya mentions ‘Seele’, another girl from the orphanage. Seele is a playable character in Guns GirlZ who was first introduced through a time limited event in Guns GirlZ. There too, she is a girl Bronya knew from the orphanage. They found her again in a special space in Nagazora, housing a dangerous alternate persona. Despite her affection for Bronya, she served as an antagonist before joining the group.
Stigma Saga
Bronya is in a coma with severe brain injuries. Wendy is dead. Things have gone downhill fast. But before we can explore what the future may hold, it’s time to take a jump into the past.
Everlasting Memory
Chronicles
In the game, find the Chronicles tab and play through Everlasting Memory in its entirety.
EX - Sakura Arc
Manga
This bonus manga is in a weird spot. It was originally drawn for GGZ, another miHoYo game using the same basic setup for the story. The EX series of manga would give backstory to GGZ, before Houkai3rd launched with its alternate storyline, silently taking parts of EX into its canon.
This manga was added to the HI3 official Chinese manga website. It is referenced often, even word for word in some cases, so it can safely be considered a part of HI3’s story. The version linked here was fan translated. It was never officially translated. (The fan translation is a bit messy. ‘Kullen’ is meant to be ‘Kallen’ for instance)
Read at your leisure. 8 chapters
Familiar Faces
Apart from Yae’s boss battle, the manga above was Yae’s first major appearance in Guns GirlZ. Kallen, Yae, and the fox demon’s stories were essentially what is shown above. HI3 decided to migrate the plot almost in its entirety.
In GGZ, Kiana and Mei then met Sakura in Nagazora, and were perplexed by her. HI3 skips this meeting, but does suggest it happened.
Sakura Remembrance
Manga
The continuation of the Houkai3rd monochrome manga series. We’re using the same link here as with Escape from Nagazora.
This time, read unnamed chapter 7 up to chapter 14.
Remember not to go past Chapter 14. Ignore the rest of the chapters (Divine Key and AE Invasion) for now.
Chapter Xuanyuan
Chronicles
Under the Chronicles tab, play through Chapter Xuanyuan in its entirety.
Due to complicated events, these parts are unlocked at a higher level than the next story chapter. I still recommend doing this part of the story first.
Youtube Alternative
Chapter Chiyou
Chronicles
Under the Chronicles tab, play through Chapter Chiyou in its entirety.
Due to complicated events, these parts are unlocked at a higher level than the next story chapter. I still recommend doing this part of the story first.
Youtube Alternative
Mystery of Stigmata
Manga
The two Chronicles you just played through retell an alternate version of the events in this manga. The manga was removed from the Chinese website before a Global version could even exist. It is presumed this was due to censorship over the portrayal of certain cultural elements.
The manga arc contains aspects that have become loose ends, and are generally considered scrapped. However, it also contains content that has been referenced by later stories.
Reading it is optional.
Personally, I heavily recommend reading it, as it does fill some holes, but do keep in mind that some of it will contradict the Chronicles, and certain plot points appear to have been completely scrapped or altered.
2016 New Year Special
Manga
This is another chapter that is missing from the manga website. You can read a fan translation on Mangadex.
Note: This chapter was put in a large collection. Mangadex chapters are not in order. Keep an eye on the chapter counter so you don’t accidentally start reading another manga.
AE Invasion
Manga
Now you can finally read all the chapters labelled AE Invasion. 15 Chapters.
Ignore Divine Key, that one is for later.
Familiar Faces
During AE Invasion, we see Kiana defeat several opponents from her memory.
These are Chloé, Sin Mal, Kaguya, Yae Sakura and Luna. Sin Mal originally appeared in the Houkai3rd manga and plays a role in HI3. We can assume here that Kiana fought her before. We also already know Kiana met Yae Sakura.
Chloé, Kaguya and Luna are all characters with boss fights in GGZ. They’re characters the gang met and confronted in Nagazora. They are here mostly as an easter egg and a reference to how eventful the trio’s escapades in Nagazora were. They don’t play any further role in HI3’s plot.
Book of Fuxi
Manga
This is another chapter that is missing from the manga website. You can read a fan translation on Mangadex
Note: This chapter was put in a large collection. Mangadex chapters are not in order. Keep an eye on the chapter counter so you don’t accidentally start reading another manga.
This chapter is listed as Vol 5.1 Ch 1. It counts 8 pages.
The Gratitude Arc
Manga
Next, go and read the Gratitude Arc. You can read this one safely in its entirety.
Trailers
Sakura Samsara
Open World
You can play Sakura Samsara now at any pace you like. You don’t need to look to the rest of the guide for Sakura Samsara. There will be some lore connections, but the order in which you get those doesn’t matter much.
After the release of Part 2, miHoYo decided to increase the level requirement to play Sakura Samsara to 50.
It is advisable to complete this Open World before starting ‘Phase 2’ of the story if you can. Since there’s two more acts before the end of Phase 1, you should have plenty of time. If you are not at lvl 50 when you start Part 2, you don’t need to wait to continue. Just remember this exists.
Cycle 1-3: Kiana’s Adventure
It is not entirely clear if Kiana’s Adventure is meant to take place áfter Gratitude Arc, or if it’s an alternate portrayal of the Gratitude Arc’s story. Sakura Samsara came out when the game still had some very hard technical limitations, around the time the Gratitude Arc Manga was published.
Extra Cycle: Side Story
This one came out later, and is a bit separated from the rest of the game mode with a more tailored narrative experience.
Both Gratitude Arc and Side Story are referenced by later content.
Sakura Samsara is not replayable. Below is a youtube playlist to watch in case you already played through the story before. (Japanese)
Summer Memories
Manga
Summer Memories was never added to the main website, so the link will take you to mangadex.
AI-chan's Facts
Manga
AI-chan’s Facts appears to be missing its zeroth chapter. Unfortunately, it is yet to be recovered.
Eruption
With the doctors failing to wake up Bronya, a desperate Theresa searches for information in the Schicksal archives. Behind the scenes, sinister plots are taking shape. History is about to catch up with the present.
Chapter 5: Tundra Reunion
The End of Destiny
Chapter 6: Babylon's Prisoner
The End of Destiny
Second Eruption
Manga
This is the longest manga to date with a whopping 66 chapters (including 0), and also the one with the most acclaimed story.
The Day You Vanished with the Stars
Song
Theresa Apocalypse’s character song.
Note: You can tell this is one of the oldest music videos, as the translation and editing on the text animations is a bit odd. The song’s really great though.
Familiar Faces
Sirin’s name was first heard in Guns GirlZ. Although her face hadn’t been shown yet, the vengeful little girl ‘merged’ with Kiana and set about the end of the Retrospective Chapter in the most gruesome way imaginable.
Universe Lore
HI3 inherited a lot of the initial cast from GGZ. During Guns GirlZ’s Restrospective Chapter, characters would sometimes appear in GGZ first or sometimes in HI3 first. However, after the Retrospective Arc ended, this changed. Though they would continue to share similar themes and ideas, going forward GGZ would adopt many characters from HI3, but the opposite ceased to happen.
Honkai Impact 3rd
Kiana was taken. Fu Hua is working for Otto Apocalypse. Theresa scrambles to reassemble the team. The climax is near.
Dilemma Dreamland
Chronicles
Get ready for an absolute fever dream.
Play through the entirety of Dilemma Dreamland.
Note: This one has a level requirement. If you don’t feel like grinding that far, that’s understandable. You can either grind it out, watch it on youtube or just delay the chronicle until you hit the required level. Just don’t forget to play through it when you do, as it is plot relevant.
Youtube Alternative
Kallen Fantasy VII
Chronicles
You can now play through Kallen Fantasy in the Chronicles. A game series developed by Otto Apocalypse. This one can be considered filler, but it’s also really short.
Note: This one has a level requirement. If you don’t feel like grinding that far, that’s understandable. You can either grind it out, watch it on youtube or just delay the chronicle until you hit the required level. Just don’t forget to play through it when you do.
Youtube Alternative
The Forgotten
Chronicles
Go to the Chronicles tab and play The Forgotten in its entirety. Refers back to events from the Book of Fuxi manga.
Note: This one has a level requirement. If you don’t feel like grinding that far, that’s understandable. You can either grind it out, watch it on youtube or just delay the chronicle until you hit the required level. Just don’t forget to play through it when you do, as it is plot relevant.
Youtube Alternative
Chapter 7: Lift the Sword of Rebellion
Under the Falling Sky
From now on forward, the game will provide trial characters to play the main chapters.
Fu Hua’s character song.
Chapter 8: Will of the Herrscher
Under the Falling Sky
Now play this chapter. This chapter has an animated cutscene, as listed below.
Do NOT watch it before reaching that point in the story. In the game, it will unfortunately be in Japanese regardless of the language you chose, so if you want to watch the Chinese version, you’ll have to rely on the youtube version.
Will of the Herrscher
Animation
Note: The animation CGs are available in the game (Japanese only).
Youtube versions are linked below. Don’t check them out until you’re certain you’ve reached these points in the story.
Chapter 9: Journey Continues
Under the Falling Sky
Now play this chapter. This is the final main story chapter of this phase.
Final Lesson
Animation
Note: The animation CGs are available in the game (Japanese only).
Youtube versions are linked below. Don’t check them out until you’re certain you’ve reached these points in the story.
Welcome to Honkai Impact 3rd, Captain.
AI-chan Origins
Manga
This is another manga that was fan translated. You can read it on Mangadex.
The current version was moved to be listed as chapter 1.5 of the Gratitude Arc for some odd reason. This may change again, which will break this link. In that case, we will fix it as soon as we notice.
Schicksal HQ
Open World
You can play Schicksal Open World now at any pace you like. You don’t need to look to the rest of the guide for this mode. There will be some lore connections, but the order in which you get those doesn’t matter much.
Note: This is considered an alternate or expanded take on the battle of Schicksal HQ. It has little plot relevance.
Captainverse Events
Captainverse events take place in an alternate timeline. They are events designed to bridge the gap between updates. They are not permanent, so the only way to experience old events is through recordings. This is completely optional.
Big tip: If you want to watch all of Captainverse, consider these mentions in the guide more of ‘unlock’ moments to add these to your list. Don’t wait until you’ve completed them to continue the main story. Choose your own pace instead.
