Himeko

Discovering the Astral Express as a child and repairing it with help to guide its crew through major conflicts across the universe.

Murata Himeko is a central figure in the Honkai series, originating in Guns Girl Z before appearing as distinct iterations in Honkai Impact 3rd and Honkai: Star Rail. In the latter game, she serves as the navigator and leader of the Astral Express, having discovered the train as a child when it crashed on her homeworld and later repairing it with the help of others. Her homeworld is not specified in the game's lore. Voiced by Tao Dian in Chinese for Honkai Impact 3rd, and by Lin Su in Chinese for Honkai: Star Rail, with Rie Tanaka providing the Japanese voice across all iterations, she also has English and Korean voice actors in Honkai: Star Rail. While generally well-received for her lore connections to other games, her gameplay in Honkai: Star Rail faced criticism regarding poor damage output.

Quick Facts

Series

Honkai

First game

Guns Girl Z (2015)

Voice

EN: Cia Court
ZH: Lin Su
JA: Rie Tanaka
KO: Kim Bo-na

Full name

Murata Himeko

Weapon

Greatsword

Relatives

Ryusuke (father; deceased)

Origin

Far East (GGZ and HI3), Planarcadia (HSR)

Lore & Background

In Honkai: Star Rail, Himeko is defined by her role as the leader who discovered the Astral Express as a child when it crashed on her homeworld, and later repaired it with the help of others. She assumed the position of the train's navigator, tasked with guiding its crew through major conflicts across the universe. This iteration of the character was first officially revealed in the game's announcement trailer on October 5, 2021, which showcased her design and role. No alternative playable version titled Himeko • Nova has been announced or released as of the current canon. While the narratives of her Honkai Impact 3rd and Honkai: Star Rail versions are often compared by fans, this specific iteration focuses on her leadership role after repairing the Express.

Reader's Guide

As the leader and navigator of the Astral Express in Honkai: Star Rail, Himeko provides strategic direction for the crew. Her gameplay implementation has been noted by players for specific characteristics; while she is generally praised within the broader lore context connecting her to other titles, her combat performance in this specific game received criticism for poor damage output. An alternative version of the character, Himeko • Nova, was released in July 2026, offering a new playable iteration. Fans comparing the two games' storylines often highlight these distinct narrative paths: one ending in sacrifice and the other continuing as an active leader guiding the train across the cosmos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Himeko?

She serves as the Navigator of the Astral Express and originates from the planet Planarcadia. After rebuilding the train following a crash, she now leads her crew through various galaxies.

What are Himeko's powers or combat role?

In gameplay terms, she acts as a Fire-type character focused on dealing single-target damage to enemies. Her kit utilizes fire-based attacks that can inflict burn status effects over time.

Is Himeko connected to other games in the Honkai series?

Yes, she is a recurring figure who also appears prominently in Honkai Impact 3rd with a similar personality. Although her backstory varies between titles, she remains a central protagonist across the franchise.