HoYoverse, the developer behind Honkai: Star Rail, is facing accusations of copyright infringement linked to its latest character trailer for “Sunday,” released Dec. 3, 2024. On the same day, NetEase, the parent company of Onmyoji and Identity V, posted on its Weibo account, implying that HoYoverse plagiarized elements from its character trailers. The allegations focus on striking similarities between the visual sequences in Honkai: Star Rail’s “Sunday” trailer and Onmyoji’s trailer for the character Jinkougyou.
One notable resemblance is the mirrored composition of glowing lights—a signature visual in both trailers. Further criticism points to the piano scene in Sunday’s trailer, which bears similarities to a COA 7 trailer from Identity V, another game under NetEase. A side-by-side comparison shared online has fueled public debate, with fans highlighting the resemblance of certain visual aesthetics and themes.
This isn’t HoYoverse’s first encounter with such claims. Earlier this year, the studio was criticized for alleged similarities between Honkai: Star Rail’s “Sparkle” trailer and the music video “Marenol.” Although NetEase has not directly addressed HoYoverse in their post, their cryptic language and use of Honkai: Star Rail’s Chinese title hint strongly at their target. Legal action may follow, with NetEase expected to escalate the matter.
The allegations have ignited discussion among gaming communities, with opinions divided. Some argue that overlapping creative concepts are inevitable in the highly competitive gaming industry, while others call for greater originality and stricter adherence to copyright laws. Both HoYoverse and NetEase have refrained from issuing further statements as fans await clarity on the matter.
The ongoing dispute underscores growing concerns about intellectual property issues within the gaming sector, where creative boundaries often blur. Whether the accusations will culminate in a legal resolution or public apologies remains to be seen.
