[Bro, what's this daily broadcast thing?]
[It means one episode a day, no 42-day gap.]
[Holy crap, that's generous?]
[Generous my foot. Once they go this route, it's just endless filler plot.]
[True. Honkai web series used to drop a season every 42 days, with enough time to ensure quality. Look at other web series, like Detective Conan—one episode a day, and it's watered down to nothing.]
[Or like One Piece, either rushing the pace like crazy or cramming a two-year story into a month.]
[So, Honkai Impact 3rd is going the cash-grab route too?]
[Isn't that obvious? I thought we finally had a decent production company, but this? Sigh!]
[Hope it's not meaningless filler. I don't need big shocks, just something passable.]
[Come on, you guys are already dooming it before it starts? At least give it a look.]
[Here's to the future! If it's good, I'll hype it up full force!]
— —
With that, the Honkai Impact 3rd web series officially begins, airing nonstop all year.
This was the result of Su Chen's careful deliberation. Following the 42-day cycle again would mean who-knows-how-long for filming.
Anyway, he's rounded up most of the people needed, and the filming tasks have all been handed to Old Yang.
No need to worry himself.
Su Chen looks at the countdown on the screen, a slight smirk curling his lips.
Thirty seconds until Honkai 3rd starts airing, with 20 episodes dropping at once!
Because he's got a conscience!
He's determined to give his lovely audience one final lesson!
Su Chen's grin is harder to suppress than an AK.
[00:00:05]
[00:00:04]
[00:00:03]
[00:00:02]
[00:00:01]
— —
It opens with a grand scene, budget-heavy with lavish special effects.
Unknown monsters, fighter jets swarming the sky.
A white-haired girl stands atop a building, then delivers a swift kick, a massive cat's paw appearing before her, swatting down a jet.
[What kind of power is this?]
[Bayonetta vibes.]
[Got it!]
Subtitles then reveal the white-haired girl's name—Kiana Kaslana.
The sequence is all action, nothing but fighting.
And then Himeko appears.
[Himeko???]
[Isn't that coffee-drinking Himeko?]
[What's going on?]
[Parallel world, though it's not quite like a typical parallel universe.]
The current plot is simple: hook the audience with big action scenes, then push the story forward.
Kiana meets up with Mei.
"With Mei here, it's like having the strength of a hundred people!"
The subtitles emphasize these lines, as if afraid the audience will miss the foreshadowing.
[Holy crap, Acheron!]
[No, Acheron was originally called Mei. This Mei must be Acheron's alternate-world counterpart. Remember Penacony's end, where they showed Acheron's past self?]
[What's her name?]
[Raiden Mei!]
Then comes a flood of terms: Valkyries, Schicksal, Armor, Honkai Beasts, Honkai Energy…
As Kiana and Mei head to the warship, Honkai Beasts attack again.
Mei seems to unlock some incredible power, defeating them successfully.
The third key character appears—Bronya.
[Isn't that Silver Wolf?]
[Sorry, couldn't hold it together.]
[How's she still a hacker in a different setting?]
[You can tell she's a pro at computers.]
[Why's her name Bronya? The Supreme Guardian?]
[Counterpart, counterpart!]
— —
The trio successfully reunites and fights their way into the warship's interior.
However, Bronya receives a shocking message.
"Dear Kiana, hello! This warship, the Moonlight Throne, is finally returned to you after fourteen years. You will ascend the throne and shape a new world, but before that, you must find four keys.
The Lightning of Conquest, the Flame of Plague, the Storm of Desire, the Death of Serenity. Oh, and the navigation system password is your birthday~"
Everything feels strange—Kiana doesn't recall any friends who'd gift her a warship.
[Asta: Funny coincidence, huh?]
[A star-destroying ship's no big deal.]
[Asta (confident)!]
— —
In the end, the trio tries and actually succeeds!
But then, for some reason, Bronya is controlled and activates annihilation mode.
Thankfully, Mei and Kiana's skills are top-notch, and they manage to subdue Bronya in time.
Back at St. Freya Academy, Bronya is sent for a full checkup and repairs.
Meanwhile, the annual Valkyrie exam is fast approaching.
Everyone's busy beyond belief.
The atmosphere brims with youth and harmony, carrying a strong slice-of-life vibe.
The audience is immersed in the campus setting.
Kiana, true to her established airheaded persona, skips class as usual and runs into a girl just like her—white hair, blue eyes, and short in stature.
This is Kiana's aunt—no, the principal of St. Freya Academy—Theresa.
[Is this Fu Xuan?]
[Doesn't look like her.]
[That height's on par with Fu Xuan, though.]
[Gotta say, Theresa looks pretty cute.]
[World's cutest?]
— —
Kiana's airheaded persona, set up from the start, naturally lands her in remedial classes.
Theresa entrusts Himeko, who entrusts the class monitor—Fu Hua.
Fu Hua appears in a simple blue school uniform, wearing black-rimmed glasses.
[It's Fu Hua?]
[Yeah, she showed up during the Thirteen Flame-Chasers arc. Similar outfit, probably a multithreaded reality. Later, Fu Hua must've been chosen by the Flame-Chasers.]
[Are the Thirteen Flame-Chasers that impressive?]
[No idea, but back then, Elysia was just gathering teammates without fighting anyone.]
[Kiana said Fu Hua's really strong, so her combat ability's probably solid.]
[I wanna see Elysia's plot. When do we get that?]
[Soon, Elysia's probably somewhere else. There'll definitely be a crossover later.]
— —
Fu Hua tests Kiana: Attack A, Reflexes A, Intelligence E.
Overall grade: E!
What follows is a heartwarming classroom scene.
Kiana's drooling in her sleep, not hearing a single word.
When the bell rings, Himeko slowly approaches Kiana's desk and taps it.
"Hey, Kiana, wake up. Class is over."
"Ahh! Teacher Himeko!" Kiana hurriedly wipes the drool from her mouth.
Himeko sighs helplessly.
"Sigh, the thought of you becoming a Valkyrie to fight Honkai makes me worry for the world."
But the audience didn't expect this line to be a resounding boomerang.