Her "wings" look like the glowy version of the Selenic Chronicles glider!
genshinimpact2026-01-13 05:05
Her steps echoed through frostbitten woods and snow-locked palaces, guided only by a fleeting image of home that danced at her fingertips.
Though she escaped the shadows that once pursued her, the threads of fate still hold fast. Still, she lifts her wings, longing for a place to finally belong.
fubukishirou072026-01-13 05:05
Not as cringe as mavuika's demo
Dull_Act_34042026-01-13 05:08
Mauvika hate in the big 2026 is crazy
RevolutionaryFall1022026-01-13 05:09
Cope
OutsideIntropid17642026-01-13 05:10
Twitter is that way 🫱
Fabulous-Bag-39192026-01-13 05:15
Lol some still hasn't gotten over mavuika and she still lives rent free in their heads 😭
yaysyu2026-01-13 05:21
Time to move on.
Gwyn_Michaelis2026-01-13 05:05
O columbula mea...
D7meRusher2026-01-13 05:06
3 years ago, Columbina was revealed as a new character.
and now 3 years later into today, we're getting her as a playable character
Holy crap time flies so fast I can't believe it.
May I get her in my first 10 pull, and so will all of you.
SopmodTew2026-01-13 06:07
>May I get her in my first 10 pull, and so will all of you.
🙏
TWOSimurgh2026-01-13 06:12
Peeps are still waiting on Dain...
MihirPagar102026-01-13 05:06
Absolute Columbinema
focushafnium2026-01-13 05:09
Peak, I am in tears.
Common-Chip-49282026-01-13 05:22
This is just next level holy ✋😐🤚
durz472026-01-13 05:26
I bet you they will perform that dance in next year’s concert
Weaponmaster4702026-01-13 05:26
> The threads of all fate will be yours to re-weave
NicoKudo2026-01-13 05:50
It's just so majestic, so beautiful, not a single word spoken yet so much emotion
Knight_Steve_2026-01-13 05:08
What are those antler figures in the trailer?
MysticDragon00112026-01-13 05:08
Probably her past of being Kuutar to the old Frostmoon Scions
Top-Idea-17862026-01-13 05:09
Representatives of the frostmoon scions
Alpha06Omega092026-01-13 05:17
Frost Moon Sion representative
soaringneutrality2026-01-13 05:08
Really interesting how they framed her story as a ballet/theater performance.
All the world's a stage.
FunBuilding27072026-01-13 05:17
Furina and Columbina really should meet then. Hydro girlies unite.
Ghostly_Gengar2026-01-13 05:36
Coloumbina trailers showing resemblance to both Nahida and Furina, Absolute Cinema
version152026-01-13 08:21
My 3 favorites, coincidentally.
multificionado2026-01-13 05:50
Holy crap, I can imagine them getting together.
In fact, after seeing this, I'd totally imagine seeing Columbina doing ballet performances to Snezhnayan versions of Tchaikovsky (Sleeping Beauty) and Stravinsky (Rite of Spring and Firebird). And Furina would get together with her and they'd be the main duet.
Notosk2026-01-13 06:33
Comlumbina ragebaiting Furina when?
TetraNeuron2026-01-13 07:02
Columbina yapping about how Arlecchino is a great friend
Furina: "I dont feel so good"
TheIJDGuy2026-01-13 05:21
I gotta do it
"Who is the crowd that peers through the cage
As we perform here upon THE STAGE
Tell me a lie in a beautiful way
I believe in answers, but not today"
CupcakeWarlock4502026-01-13 05:22
All the while Arlecchino is at the center of the theatre being the conductor.
parthmestry2026-01-13 05:44
Where did we see that? Was it shown in the trailer?
lux_operon2026-01-13 05:53
They're referring to arlecchino's role in 'the final feast' - https://youtu.be/9SbgmM3mSps?si=3XDjGHgpxJ0tBOmJ
fly25552026-01-13 05:34
And they're all dancing to Dottore's tune.
AmethystMoon4202026-01-13 05:43
Yes!! I love that bit! Mastermind vibes
Wizifer1232026-01-13 05:38
The title of the Luna IV quest in all the other languages other than EN is "If on a Winter's Night, A Traveler".
It's a 1979 novel which, despite the story being chronological confusing, ultimately tell's the sentiment of what it actually means to be a "Reader" and "Narrator" of a "Story". You can love reading, hate reading, or even find power in reading. People search for a perfect ending but this "perfect ending" is completely subjective.
Columbina's life is a performance and we, the traveler/reader, is there to find the ending for the sake of the truth. Maybe even because we don't like the original ending and want to change it as a reader(someone not from this world).
Just something i thought made sense on why it's setup like a stage or why a ton of characters have "story" motifs.
soaringneutrality2026-01-13 05:50
True. I'd add on that many of the Nod-Krai versions and Archon acts have been titled like music pieces, all to make a Song of the Welkin Moon.
notthatjaded2026-01-13 05:08
Gorgeous video. 🕊️
Fabulous_Ground_19832026-01-13 05:09
Cirque du Soleil vibes are strong
LetMetOucHyOURasS2026-01-13 05:09
Moon ranger ?
The design looks cool, hope they reused it for enemies or npc.
LivingASlothsLife2026-01-13 05:09
The whole sequence before she opens her eyes is peak
The moment she opens her eyes is peak
The Sequence after she opens her eyes is peak
That was a really wonderful dance, one of the best dances Hoyo has done
Frustrella2026-01-13 05:10
Those robots was supposed to dottore, the wild hunt and traveler?
Alpha06Omega092026-01-13 05:18
Dottore is the one playing the piano, first its frost moon sions following her, then it's fatui keeping her blocked, then rerir trying to kill her
Gargooner2026-01-13 05:19
Frostmoon Scions, and Fatui, basically representing a lot of her encounters.
Valours652026-01-13 05:27
Yeah, Frost moon people, Fatui, Dottore and the golden one is probably the traveler.
Sunsettia2026-01-13 05:35
There are 5 types: Frostmoon Scion (from her birth), Fatui (when she joined them), Wild Hunt, Dottore (pianist) and Traveler (dancing partner)
HorribleDat2026-01-13 05:36
Start with the Frostmoon Scions that she stayed with when she first appeared. With the nice touch that by the end some of them have turned their faith elsewhere (look different way)
Then Fatui that try to keep her in line.
Then Dottore playing the piano, so this suggest he was ALSO behind the wild hunt.
Wild Hunt with the red part.
Traveler in the Moon Ranger.
So the scenes after might be hints/spoilers to what's going to happen in AQ?
Scarlerr2026-01-13 05:10
MY BELOVED COLUMBINA WILL COME HOME!!
Stunning_Dealer_92112026-01-13 05:10
This trailer is just ethereal
GONEBUTNOT4GOTTEN2026-01-13 05:12
I cant wait man. just gotta get through an 8 hr shift tomorrow lol
Orangelemonyyyy2026-01-13 05:38
Freaking same lmao.
GONEBUTNOT4GOTTEN2026-01-13 05:39
xD
ComposedOfStardust2026-01-13 06:00
Just gotta get through one more day of classes....
GONEBUTNOT4GOTTEN2026-01-13 06:02
<3 you got this! may we all win our 50/50s.
SigmundFreud1012026-01-13 06:07
This would've been relatable had I not submitted a paid leave request two weeks ago. I'm all in.
GONEBUTNOT4GOTTEN2026-01-13 06:12
hahha goated.
endgame02026-01-13 08:43
I have no idea why but I read "maternity leave" and just thought, "huh, that's great planning"
Realistic_Sound9132026-01-13 05:12
It would be cool if only her burst get those large wings to stay instead of just aura
Background_Froyo36532026-01-13 05:12
I love her theme! I'm glad they didn't give her the Mavuika or Skirk treatment where she just gets some random action-themed anime song...
WingsDT2026-01-13 06:19
Action-themed perfectly matches what Mavuika is; Skirk, may be not so much, but still passable. Would have absolutely ruined it for Columbina though so glad they knew what to do for her.
Zealotuss2026-01-13 05:14
Somehow Hoyo always one-ups itself on every trailer they release because holy hell this is amazing. They managed to make Columbina, who's already a beautiful lady, even more beautiful!
fly25552026-01-13 05:14
I have no idea about the art behind this, but I assume something related to Commedia dell'arte.
notthatjaded2026-01-13 05:16
It's ballet, not really much of the Commedia. It's basically retelling Columbina's story with the different robot/mannequin figures representing Frostmoon Scions, Fatui, Wild Hunt, and Dottore and Traveler. Pretty sure one of the Wild Hunt figures was supposed to symbolize Rerir too but I'll have to go back and see it again to check.
herminihildo2026-01-13 05:21
Rerir is the one with one eye.
Animators are flexing in this one.
SimbaSeekingSleep2026-01-13 05:14
I think this is my new favorite trailer
Theonlyoneclyde2026-01-13 05:14
As someone that used to do ballet, this entire trailer was beautiful. From the choreography to the symbolism, Hoyoverse did an incredible job.
May you all win your 50/50s!
SinkingContinent2026-01-13 05:15
What a cool stage play choreo style.
Release the model for the back up dancers, they looks so cool with their masks.
goodmqn_222026-01-13 05:15
has anyone remember the love story of the first Angel (Koitar) and the Voyager (Seutervoinen)? yeah. that trailer makes me think about them 😭🪽✨
Budget-Return2026-01-13 05:16
Dang it, a production!
Icy_Lettuce_71862026-01-13 05:33
Peak genshin is back
AmethystMoon4202026-01-13 05:17
I LOVE the opposite portrayals of a play for the Hydro "Archons".
In Furina's demo trailer, she's happily singing and dancing and orchestrating everyone in her performance.
While Columbina's demo trailer is a play where she was forced to participate in. She's just being led around by everyone around her. The side characters in her play aren't even actual characters, but faceless entities just playing a role bc that's how much she felt detached from the world who never welcomed her. Tied to the whims of fate, until she breaks free at the end.
TheCapybara92026-01-13 05:30
She also only opens her eyes once the dancer representing the Traveler shows up. And for the rest of that act, she's the one leading the dance.
AmethystMoon4202026-01-13 05:40
Yes!! Great point!
TetraNeuron2026-01-13 07:01
Just noticed the Dottore actor begins playing the piano BEFORE the Rerir actors show up
That suggests Dottore indeed was what caused Rerir & the Wild Hunt to flare up
AKAFallow2026-01-13 07:05
I think that's also mentioned at the end of the last chapter lol
ComposedOfStardust2026-01-13 05:59
The Leading Lady!
Namiko-Yuki2026-01-13 06:23
I also love how they went with an amalgamation of Lumine and Aether new skins for the traveler dancer.
Lumpy_Space_Ninja2026-01-13 05:32
Wow well said 👏
Sunsettia2026-01-13 05:34
I think it's more so that the three types + traveler are all faceless because she closed her eyes quite early on. I don't think she feels detached from the Traveler who obviously helped her a lot during and after the Wild Hunt.
multificionado2026-01-13 05:51
Ah yeah...strings...but it'll be clear of the implications she' will soon be free. Free of responsibilities, free of the Fatui.
markcan_killua2026-01-13 06:06
I like how it’s a beautiful contrast and portrayal of different genres between their theatrical performances, but ultimately both the same ‘actors’ being forced to play a role on stage.
primepsycho2026-01-13 08:40
Whims of fate eh
So we roll the dice~~
Fabulous-Bag-39192026-01-13 05:17
Animation in this trailer is so smooth I can't get ineffa of it
Chikiehime2026-01-13 05:17
I like that those dancers in the beginning are suppose to represent the Frostmoon Scions and then later on they show Rerir/The Wild Hunt, Traveler, and then Dottore playing the piano.
Absolutely stunning, this might be one of my favorite demos now since I'm a sucker for ballet/theatrical performances 🥹
Tatatatatakane2026-01-13 05:18
Omg they did Elysia move at the end again with the dying light. Very beautiful trailer
scrayla2026-01-13 05:18
Is that one golden robot the traveller? :O
Also dottore on the piano, the wild hunt and the scions(?)
daydreamfairybeam2026-01-13 05:19
Stunning ✨
Dark_Magicion2026-01-13 05:19
I love how uniquely different this is to every other trailer. We've not had such a soft trailer like this before I think.
And is this the first use of a Physical Piano in Genshin??
wholemealbread692026-01-13 05:19
Columbina featuring the Fatui, Wild Hunt, Dottore, and The Traveller!!!
Nathanii_5932026-01-13 05:19
The animation for this was absolutely stunning. Can’t wait to get her and her cons
LieBusy51022026-01-13 05:19
Wow 🤩
RaidenXYae2026-01-13 05:19
she's dancing with traveler, I can't lmao
tempoltone2026-01-13 05:20
Didn't expect a ballet dance
Adventurous-Fan-17772026-01-13 05:20
Mine
thienphucn12026-01-13 05:21
The best character trailer in this game so far and it's not even close
EphemeralScribe2026-01-13 05:21
The 3 year wait will finally be over!!! 😭😭😭😭😭
Axlzz2026-01-13 05:21
Multiple zoom in to her feet are really important to the plot...
Anyway nice trailer, remind me of Sunday trailer from HSR, with Piano and multiple doll things.
notthatjaded2026-01-13 05:25
I thought of Sunday too (I'm a fan though so it's not hard to remind me of him lol...especially with birds and piano...).
Funnily enough the thing I thought was weird about her feet is they had her actually walking flatfooted instead of with those little hydro ball "heels".
Worldly_Jicama_28932026-01-13 05:22
Why no one talking about the 3 balloons are kinda like Moon sisters 😭
Gayeren2026-01-13 06:22
And after you see all 3 baloons in 1 frame, the screen turns black and you hear 2 baloon popping sounds, which represents 2 of them dying!!
Lumpy-Manager85802026-01-13 05:23
I thinks this is the first character trailer in Genshin in that there's not a single word spoken, yet the actions feel all the more impactful because of that. And in less than 24 hours, the Moon Maiden will arrive to us all, right on her birthday (hope we get that birthday art).
lux_operon2026-01-13 05:55
ei's trailer/teaser had no words in it either! I think both are better for it
WingsDT2026-01-13 06:16
Yep, Ei's teaser. Absolutely incredible how much it could convey without a single word. Still holds up strong to this day.
Unevener2026-01-13 09:42
No, Ei’s teaser had the traveler speaking at least, but you’re right that Ei didn’t say anything
northernoverture2026-01-13 07:25
It's also the first character trailer uploaded above 1080p due to being ultrawide
LunaAncunin2026-01-13 05:23
Absolutely magnificent, this presentation will definitely be one of my favorites
koko5032026-01-13 05:24
Love how they make Dottore playing the piano while the enemies is dancing around Columbina. Just shows you he was the mastermind behind all these issues. Even Rerir got into his plan.
Also, gotta love how they symbolize the Traveler here too.
saltrxn2026-01-13 05:25
Very pretty trailer. Though, I kind of wish Genshin started making them like HSR’s and involve more dialogue and story.
I wonder, if not Colombina, which character are they going to go full out for like they did with Cyrene. I guess Tsaritsa?
Elinim2026-01-13 05:26
That's definitely Da Wei dancing in a mocap suit.
TheCapybara92026-01-13 05:27
Man brought a whole ballet company with him.
LunarLoom212026-01-13 06:55
Once again, Hoyo is a music company masquerading as a gaming corp.
Ezmankong2026-01-13 08:44
Any expert piano players here? Are the piano keys being played accurate to the song that is being played?
AltairZero2026-01-13 10:44
Yes it does. (Played piano for 20 years)
bun-y2026-01-13 05:26
Probably the coolest trailer yet. Which studio animated this, and can they do future cutscenes from now on?
MycologistOk46842026-01-13 05:27
I haven't been this in love with a character's aesthetic in a long time.
Kal_Talos2026-01-13 05:27
Chills
cheddarchops2026-01-13 05:28
Damn, this is gorgeous. Stuff like this always reminds me how much I enjoy watching ballet, even though I don't actually get around to it much. Maybe I'll change that this year.
Also, the Dottore puppet gave me big Jhin vibes from League lol
Personal-Mess45022026-01-13 05:29
Gosh she is so beautiful
gameboy2242026-01-13 05:29
Let me just say thank god they didn't make this a campy music video, concert nor AMV style.
I really like the ballet presentation.
Mael89Strom2026-01-13 05:30
I dunno why. Columbina is not marketed as a hot waifu but a cute waifu, yet I wanna clap those moon cheeks.
Random_Piece-of-shit2026-01-13 05:30
Sorry ineffa ill see you next rerun 😞
Linha-do-Sol2026-01-13 05:30
GOLDEN THREADS! The golden threads of fate!
Is everything that happened with Columbina so far somehow predicted/planned by the fate established by the Primordial One?? They could have used any color for those strings, but they chose specifically golden ones...
SnooGadgets57712026-01-13 06:29
There's also quick shot of the hammers of the piano, played by Dottore here, hitting her golden strings
Joshuashen20012026-01-13 10:26
Cancel Aglaea! /j
BlackTemplarKNB2026-01-13 05:33
i still have no idea what is the connection between moon goddess and her feathers and wings. Her priestess is a deer. There are a lot of deers in nod krai, but not that many doves..
notthatjaded2026-01-13 05:48
"Columbina" means "little dove" in Italian.
Napoleonex2026-01-13 05:35
who are the backup dancers supposed to be?
No-Western-48282026-01-13 05:35
The scene where she is trapped with her wings in a net-like thing with birds around her. So peak.
Shoukinokami12026-01-13 05:37
So the golden knight was actually Aether because of the ear piece he has and the symbols on the cape
Orangelemonyyyy2026-01-13 05:37
Hands down this is my all-time favorite character trailer. The dancing, the music, the quiet storytelling???? OMFG
crysis24242026-01-13 05:37
This was amazing! Columbina, the music, the whole trailer was just so beautiful and perfect!
Airader2026-01-13 05:39
The most unique and beautiful character trailer so far, just a beautiful melody and columbina being elegant
MartinToilet2026-01-13 05:40
Hoyo cooked too much
M3talK_H3ronaru2026-01-13 05:40
Absolute Peakinema
PailHorse2026-01-13 05:41
Once Columbina finds her power, every dancer that opposed her floats up into the air. Just like a real moon, she manipulates gravity.
mushimushicake2026-01-13 05:41
Since Genshin eng didn't post anything about it (at least jp genshin xwitter did a retweet lol), Hoyofair dropped like 1 hour before this a 2D music animated vid for Columbina too, music by Keiichi Okabe and sang by Lynn (Columbina jp va)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlrkOIePC_I
LeftClickIsBroken2026-01-13 07:49
Wait Keiichi Okabe? The composer for Nier?
That's something I did not know I needed. Crazy crossover.
mushimushicake2026-01-13 08:22
Yep, he did the tweet about it https://x.com/MONACA_okabe/status/2010913458930495675
Valerie_Ohara2026-01-13 05:42
The Welkin Moon shall rise, free from the threads of fate that held her back, and illuminate the path for us Travelers.
No_Bus_66802026-01-13 05:42
Such a majestic and angelic trailer for lovely Columbina 😊😊🙏🙏
Wyrdain2026-01-13 05:44
I like that the teaser title is "Where She Dwells", and now the trailer title is "To Where She Flies"
HeavenBeach7772026-01-13 05:46
about 24 hours until the patch goes live. i will be there to end Dottore
ShadowAgent412026-01-13 05:46
No dialog. Just pure performance
IlliasTallin2026-01-13 05:46
Part 1: Columbina is born, she meets the animals. She's seeking something she wants but can never know or reach it, the feather.
Part 2: Frostmoon Scions worship and uplift her as a Goddess, but do nothing to help her catch the feather
Part 3: She's found by the Fatui who hinder her from catching the feather.
Part 4: The Wild Hunt, manipulated by Dottore(piano), attack her, she still cannot reach the feather.
Part 5: The Traveler helps her spread her wings. As she starts leading the dance the Wild Hunt and Rerir are defeated.
Part 6: The Feather, now a Dove, appears before her, she knows what she wants, but Dottore(piano) binds her, what she wants is right in front of her, but she cannot reach it.
Part 7: Columbina disappears, leaving everyone, but escaping Dottore and her Fate.
Razorhead2026-01-13 15:59
> Part 2: Frostmoon Scions worship and uplift her as a Goddess, but do nothing to help her catch the feather
Interesting here is that the Frostmoon Scions follow her dance, but do not participate it in.
> Part 3: She's found by the Fatui who hinder her from catching the feather.
> Part 4: The Wild Hunt, manipulated by Dottore(piano), attack her, she still cannot reach the feather.
Neat difference here is that the Fatui are preventing her from reaching the feather by boxing her in and trying to guide her dance by force, while the Wild Hunt is actively trying to trip her up and trying to stop her dance (representing how the Fatui wanted to control her while the Wild Hunt wanted to kill her).
> Part 5: The Traveler helps her spread her wings. As she starts leading the dance the Wild Hunt and Rerir are defeated.
The Traveler also being the only one who participates in her dance by being her dance partner, rather than just follow or obstruct her. Furthermore she Columbina finally opens her eyes and takes off the eyemask she put on herself when starting her journey.
I think there might also be some more symbolism with the feather/dove. Throughout this entire dance she's been chasing the feather/dove, but in the end all it leads her is right into the strings of Dottore, whereafter the dove starts to glitch/shimmer as though it was an illusion the entire time. Meanwhile while at the start she scoops up sand between her hands before willingly letting it fall, while at the end she holds the sand in her hand rather than the feather she's been chasing the entire time before escaping from the golden strings.
If the feather/dove represents her striving for the moon as a place to belong, maybe the sand might represent Nod-Krai, and her willingly letting go at the start migh symbolise Columbina giving up on Nod-Krai as a home before her clasping it at the end of the dance her realizing that her home might have been with her all alone rather than chasing a mirage.
multificionado2026-01-13 05:47
Holy crap. The Snezhnayan ballet caught me off-guard.
After seeing this, it makes me imagine how Snezhnayan Ballet can do their versions of famous Russian Ballets, like Sleeping Beauty (the one with the "Once Upon A Dream" music) and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Firebird.
Rite of Spring I think would especially fitting in an instance to use music to narrate Columbina's story, with the many ups and downs in life she experienced.
TheAmazingHat2026-01-13 07:53
Columbina's motif is the dove, as her name means "small dove" in Italian.
She represents the recurring Hoyoverse theme of a caged bird longing for flight, first started in HI3rd with Kevin asking the question: "Why do birds fly?".
Followed by HSR with Sunday and Robin's argument over whether a bird should be kept in a cage for safety or be let loose for freedom.
As for Kevin's answer to his question: "Why do birds fly?" Some characters think birds fly because they like freedom, some think because they have a dream to fly, some think they fly because they can, all these answers assume that birds have the choice and desire to fly.
Kevin says, no, birds fly because they have to, if they don't fly, they will die. They evolved wings so that they can escape predators, not because they have the desire to fly, it's because they have the desire to survive.
Sunday refused to allow the bird to fly for its safety, but Robin believed in the bird's ability to fly and survive.
We will find out Columbina's answer to this recurring theme, is Teyvat her cage or her home, what will she be flying for?
monji_cat2026-01-13 07:55
Wing Zero EW vibes
Kushop192026-01-13 08:11
Dies of Peak Fiction
hraberuka2026-01-13 10:48
Very beautiful trailer
T1keSenpai2026-01-13 11:14
Very beautiful trailer!
BlxeCinna2026-01-13 14:55
Her trailer was absolutely stunning and amazing, another w
kuzunoha132026-01-13 15:00
These character trailers are just breathtaking.
I am so glad I started Genshin. The artists and musicians involved in this are amazing.
Commentaires
Her "wings" look like the glowy version of the Selenic Chronicles glider!
Though she escaped the shadows that once pursued her, the threads of fate still hold fast. Still, she lifts her wings, longing for a place to finally belong.
and now 3 years later into today, we're getting her as a playable character
Holy crap time flies so fast I can't believe it.
May I get her in my first 10 pull, and so will all of you.
🙏
All the world's a stage.
In fact, after seeing this, I'd totally imagine seeing Columbina doing ballet performances to Snezhnayan versions of Tchaikovsky (Sleeping Beauty) and Stravinsky (Rite of Spring and Firebird). And Furina would get together with her and they'd be the main duet.
Furina: "I dont feel so good"
"Who is the crowd that peers through the cage
As we perform here upon THE STAGE
Tell me a lie in a beautiful way
I believe in answers, but not today"
It's a 1979 novel which, despite the story being chronological confusing, ultimately tell's the sentiment of what it actually means to be a "Reader" and "Narrator" of a "Story". You can love reading, hate reading, or even find power in reading. People search for a perfect ending but this "perfect ending" is completely subjective.
Columbina's life is a performance and we, the traveler/reader, is there to find the ending for the sake of the truth. Maybe even because we don't like the original ending and want to change it as a reader(someone not from this world).
Just something i thought made sense on why it's setup like a stage or why a ton of characters have "story" motifs.
The design looks cool, hope they reused it for enemies or npc.
The moment she opens her eyes is peak
The Sequence after she opens her eyes is peak
That was a really wonderful dance, one of the best dances Hoyo has done
Then Fatui that try to keep her in line.
Then Dottore playing the piano, so this suggest he was ALSO behind the wild hunt.
Wild Hunt with the red part.
Traveler in the Moon Ranger.
So the scenes after might be hints/spoilers to what's going to happen in AQ?
Animators are flexing in this one.
May you all win your 50/50s!
Release the model for the back up dancers, they looks so cool with their masks.
In Furina's demo trailer, she's happily singing and dancing and orchestrating everyone in her performance.
While Columbina's demo trailer is a play where she was forced to participate in. She's just being led around by everyone around her. The side characters in her play aren't even actual characters, but faceless entities just playing a role bc that's how much she felt detached from the world who never welcomed her. Tied to the whims of fate, until she breaks free at the end.
That suggests Dottore indeed was what caused Rerir & the Wild Hunt to flare up
So we roll the dice~~
Absolutely stunning, this might be one of my favorite demos now since I'm a sucker for ballet/theatrical performances 🥹
Also dottore on the piano, the wild hunt and the scions(?)
And is this the first use of a Physical Piano in Genshin??
Anyway nice trailer, remind me of Sunday trailer from HSR, with Piano and multiple doll things.
Funnily enough the thing I thought was weird about her feet is they had her actually walking flatfooted instead of with those little hydro ball "heels".
Also, gotta love how they symbolize the Traveler here too.
I wonder, if not Colombina, which character are they going to go full out for like they did with Cyrene. I guess Tsaritsa?
Also, the Dottore puppet gave me big Jhin vibes from League lol
I really like the ballet presentation.
Is everything that happened with Columbina so far somehow predicted/planned by the fate established by the Primordial One?? They could have used any color for those strings, but they chose specifically golden ones...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlrkOIePC_I
That's something I did not know I needed. Crazy crossover.
Part 2: Frostmoon Scions worship and uplift her as a Goddess, but do nothing to help her catch the feather
Part 3: She's found by the Fatui who hinder her from catching the feather.
Part 4: The Wild Hunt, manipulated by Dottore(piano), attack her, she still cannot reach the feather.
Part 5: The Traveler helps her spread her wings. As she starts leading the dance the Wild Hunt and Rerir are defeated.
Part 6: The Feather, now a Dove, appears before her, she knows what she wants, but Dottore(piano) binds her, what she wants is right in front of her, but she cannot reach it.
Part 7: Columbina disappears, leaving everyone, but escaping Dottore and her Fate.
Interesting here is that the Frostmoon Scions follow her dance, but do not participate it in.
> Part 3: She's found by the Fatui who hinder her from catching the feather.
> Part 4: The Wild Hunt, manipulated by Dottore(piano), attack her, she still cannot reach the feather.
Neat difference here is that the Fatui are preventing her from reaching the feather by boxing her in and trying to guide her dance by force, while the Wild Hunt is actively trying to trip her up and trying to stop her dance (representing how the Fatui wanted to control her while the Wild Hunt wanted to kill her).
> Part 5: The Traveler helps her spread her wings. As she starts leading the dance the Wild Hunt and Rerir are defeated.
The Traveler also being the only one who participates in her dance by being her dance partner, rather than just follow or obstruct her. Furthermore she Columbina finally opens her eyes and takes off the eyemask she put on herself when starting her journey.
I think there might also be some more symbolism with the feather/dove. Throughout this entire dance she's been chasing the feather/dove, but in the end all it leads her is right into the strings of Dottore, whereafter the dove starts to glitch/shimmer as though it was an illusion the entire time. Meanwhile while at the start she scoops up sand between her hands before willingly letting it fall, while at the end she holds the sand in her hand rather than the feather she's been chasing the entire time before escaping from the golden strings.
If the feather/dove represents her striving for the moon as a place to belong, maybe the sand might represent Nod-Krai, and her willingly letting go at the start migh symbolise Columbina giving up on Nod-Krai as a home before her clasping it at the end of the dance her realizing that her home might have been with her all alone rather than chasing a mirage.
After seeing this, it makes me imagine how Snezhnayan Ballet can do their versions of famous Russian Ballets, like Sleeping Beauty (the one with the "Once Upon A Dream" music) and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Firebird.
Rite of Spring I think would especially fitting in an instance to use music to narrate Columbina's story, with the many ups and downs in life she experienced.
She represents the recurring Hoyoverse theme of a caged bird longing for flight, first started in HI3rd with Kevin asking the question: "Why do birds fly?".
Followed by HSR with Sunday and Robin's argument over whether a bird should be kept in a cage for safety or be let loose for freedom.
As for Kevin's answer to his question: "Why do birds fly?" Some characters think birds fly because they like freedom, some think because they have a dream to fly, some think they fly because they can, all these answers assume that birds have the choice and desire to fly.
Kevin says, no, birds fly because they have to, if they don't fly, they will die. They evolved wings so that they can escape predators, not because they have the desire to fly, it's because they have the desire to survive.
Sunday refused to allow the bird to fly for its safety, but Robin believed in the bird's ability to fly and survive.
We will find out Columbina's answer to this recurring theme, is Teyvat her cage or her home, what will she be flying for?
I am so glad I started Genshin. The artists and musicians involved in this are amazing.