Genshin Impact just added another layer to its growing mythos with the release of a new animated short. Clocking in under a minute, the video gives players a first look at Skirk — a mysterious figure long mentioned in passing — and subtly teases the next major region, Natlan.
Instead of giving direct answers, the teaser leans into Genshin’s usual style of cryptic storytelling. It’s brief, atmospheric, and designed more to stir curiosity than explain anything outright. Still, there are a few key takeaways that point toward where the game is headed next.
Who is Skirk and Why Now?
Skirk has been part of Genshin’s lore for a while, mostly through Tartaglia’s backstory. She’s the mentor who trained him in the Abyss, shaping his fighting style and worldview. Until now, she existed more as a name than a character. The short doesn’t show much — just Skirk in a volcanic-looking environment — but that alone suggests she’s about to become relevant to the main story. Given how tied she is to Tartaglia and the Abyss, her arrival could signal a return to darker narrative themes.
What’s less clear is whether she’ll show up as a playable character or remain a narrative figure. Genshin has introduced major characters before only to keep them out of the gacha pool, at least for a while.
Natlan’s Environment Gets a Visual Tease
The short doesn’t name the location outright, but everything points to Natlan. Flames, lava, and a fiery red atmosphere line up with what players expect from the Pyro nation, especially after in-game NPCs and previous events hinted at its volcanic geography.
Compared to previous regions, Natlan seems more chaotic and wild. That fits with HoYoverse’s earlier descriptions of the nation as one where warriors and elemental beasts coexist. If that tone carries over into gameplay, Natlan could introduce new mechanics tied to environmental hazards or aggressive local fauna.
Visuals in the teaser are more cinematic than in-engine, so there’s still a question mark around how this aesthetic translates into live content. But the mood is set: Natlan won’t be serene like Fontaine or Liyue.
A Shift Toward Short-Form Animated Lore
This isn’t the first time HoYoverse has used short videos to build out its world, but it does mark a shift toward more stylized, standalone lore pieces. Rather than trailers packed with exposition or patch details, this kind of teaser builds atmosphere first and fills in the details later. It’s a method that feels more sustainable for a long-running live service. It keeps the community speculating between updates and opens the door for deeper storytelling without relying on quest dialogue or long cutscenes.
What’s still uncertain is how often these shorts will drop or whether they’ll become a consistent storytelling tool. If they are, it could mean a gradual shift in how Genshin rolls out its narrative beats going forward.
What This Means for Genshin’s Roadmap
Genshin players are already speculating that Natlan is next in the release pipeline, likely following the pattern of new regions launching with major updates. Based on previous timelines, that could mean a debut in Q3 or Q4 of this year.
Skirk’s inclusion could also hint at an expanded role for Abyss-related storylines, possibly tying in with future events or limited-time domains. Tartaglia’s story has always been one of the more complex arcs in the game, and bringing his mentor into the mix suggests more character-focused drama ahead. At this stage, the short leaves more questions than answers. But that’s the point. Genshin’s strength has always been its slow-burn worldbuilding, and this teaser plays directly into that.
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