Genshin Impact update 2.7 character teasers reveal Yelan and Kuki Shinobu

Genshin Impact
(Image credit: Hoyoverse)

Genshin Impact update 2.7 will add new characters Yelan and Kuki Shinobu. 

The game's official Twitter account revealed the first teasers for these two this morning, right on schedule ahead of the pending release of update 2.6. As usual, their rarities and abilities weren't revealed, but these images do tell us a bit about the next batch of characters.

On the rare occasion that developer Hoyoverse releases teasers for two characters at once, it generally leads with a new five-star character, which suggests Yelan will be the premium character of update 2.7 with Kuki Shinobu as a supporting four-star. If Yelan is indeed a five-star, that'll be two new hydro five-stars in as many updates after Kamisato Ayato in update 2.6.

Yelan is a hydro user described as a mysterious phantom who "claims to work for the Ministry of Civil Affairs." Her weapon of choice isn't shown but we can see her elemental vision, which notably uses the Liyue frame. Yelan will arrive alongside the new Chasm region found just west of Liyue, so she'll likely be tied to the city's inner workings. 

Kuki Shinobu, meanwhile, is the "deputy leader of the Arataki Gang" led by Arataki Itto, a five-star geo character from a previous update. She's an electro character who seems to wield a sword based on her stance here, and while we can't see her vision, her connection to Itto confirms that she's from Inazuma. A follow-up tweet on Shinobu also suggests that Kujou Sara, a pillar for Inazuma's military and Raiden Shogun's right-hand woman, knows and trusts her as well. 

Some Genshin Impact players are getting tired of the artifact system, and Hoyoverse says it's aware of the "spike in discussions" in this space. 

Austin Wood
Senior writer

Austin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with 12DOVE since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.

Read more
Genshin Impact screenshot of Citlali looking surprised opening a door
Genshin Impact announces a huge change for update 5.5: your custom-made artifacts can't be absolute trash anymore, so hold onto your Sanctifying Elixirs
Ghost of Tsushima sequel Ghost of Yotei reveal trailer screenshot
Ghost of Yotei: Everything we know so far about Ghost of Tsushima 2
Monster Hunter Wilds Mizutsune in moonlight
Monster Hunter Wilds has already revealed its first free update, and it's adding one of my all-time favorite monsters this spring
Monster Hunter Wilds
As players worry Monster Hunter Wilds is too easy, Capcom is already gassing up "a new level of challenge" coming in the first free update
Marvel Rivals upcoming character Blade tease in Central Park map trailer
All Marvel Rivals upcoming characters, heroes and villains
Genshin Impact codes
All Genshin Impact codes (Mar 2025) and how to redeem them
Latest in RPG
The Legend of Vox Machina
If you're craving more D&D after Baldur's Gate 3, Critical Role is "hard at work" on a video game – and it'll be unveiled "any day" now
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot of a boss turned to gold surrounded by blood
5,000 gold, 2,500 hours, and one priceless scroll: Baldur's Gate 3 player cooks up a "Midas run" by turning the RPG's bosses into solid gold trophies, because "why not"
Stardew Valley Baldur's Gate 3 mod Baldur's Village
Stardew Valley player bringing a bit of Baldur's Gate 3 to ConcernedApe's farming sim, now with Larian's seal of approval, says they've played over 1,500 hours and will improve the mod
Avowed screenshot showing two companions assisting in combat
Avowed director says Xbox and Microsoft are "very happy" with the reception to its new Obsidian RPG
Latest in News
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
I've found my Assassin's Creed Shadows playstyle, thanks to this clip of Yasuke smashing dudes with a huge club instead of sneaking around
World of Warcraft housing
World of Warcraft's new housing system lets you decorate without the floating hacks I've been using in Final Fantasy 14 for 11 years, and I weep
Gemma Chan in Eternals
Eternals star Gemma Chan is hopeful she'll return to the MCU someday: "There's unfinished business there"
two aliens firing miniguns
4 years after shutting down, this dead sci-fi MMO is being brought back to life, but there's no word on its canceled TV show tie-in
Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Netflix wants Daniel Craig to join the cast of Greta Gerwig's Narnia movie – but it's not certain if he'll take it
The Last of Us
The Last of Us season 2 trailer breaks HBO viewing records, becoming the network's most-watched trailer