Don't Miss This in "Animated Short: Rondo Across Countless Kalpas" (Honkai Star Rail Lore) 

'Deep Conversation' she says after traumataizing Black Swan.

TLDR: An Emanator is DANGEROUS person to have near you, no matter how hot they are.

Not so fun fact: BlackSwan don't have a physical body. So if Acheron were to "End" her in Penacony dreamscape there is a 90% chance she might die fr . During their dance there is a snake killing a swan in the background.

Makes an entire epic video for ever flaming mansion, only to be one tapped off screen.

Everytime she touches her with those glowing hands, she reads more memories. She digs too deep and finds HER

As one meme on twitter put it: "I can fix her." "Holy shit nevermind."

If it weren't for people like you, I'm pretty sure many players wouldn't realize the incredible amount of details that this game has, especially during this act, or chapter of Penacony. As always, great video. 💜

Terryfing cutscenee where someone gets traumatising memory whipflash:♬ ♫Pa!Pa ba pa! Pa ba pa!♫♩

I love star rail for this. Combining metaphorical and philosophical concepts with humanistic properties to create aeons (or gods) is nothing new but it's done very beautifully here. IX is the final boss and everyone is just playing in their field.

The description of the video actually goes over history of what is likely Acheron's actual past: a planet (with Japanese names) where the inhabitants fought back against invading "demons" and made them into powerful weapons. We know that in a flashback, Acheron is shown with demon horns, and the colour-swapped version of her is almost definitely a "Red Oni". We also know that this planet was consumed by IX, destroying it's potential future, so I personally would like the theorize that either Acheron is two people, or she has a "self" stored within the blade.

hey blue hat not sure if u noticed but black swan already mentioned that acheron is here seeking the watchmakers legacy its after the dance started.

I believe Acheron has a past, she simply doesn't remember. Black Swan was able to enter and see bits of it before entering too deep and nihility takes place, which is like a metaphor of a black hole like what IX looks like. To an actual real life black hole, you can get close, but get too close then you get into the event horizon where escape becomes incredibly difficult to impossible. Black Swan slightly got herself on this horizon and nearly lost herself. My thoughts only :v I probably wouldn't remember commenting this.

Awesome video as always. Here's something that might be worth considering about Acheron: she's most likely not (just) a Self-Annihilator, but a "Doctor of Chaos". It's not exactly a legitimate faction or organization, but rather a status that people attain when they resist the extreme effects of IX's shadow. Her actions definitely imply her to align with the mission of that faction. Plus, Acheron does not at all act like a simple, ordinary Self Annihilator, nor is she that weak. The description of Along the Passing Shore, Acheron's signature light cone, tells us the following about her. "...In this place, the drowned ask for help, lament with songs, find their happiness, enjoy sweet moments, and suffer great agony... All these are reflected in the water. She cannot experience these, but she can feel them - There are still many roads to walk, many sounds to listen to, and many things to change before she arrives at the end. She reaches out and saves the drowning from the temptations of Nihility, and one mirage after another bursts apart behind her figure. She keeps walking in this boundless world, all for an end that does not exist." We pretty much know for sure that Acheron has inadvertently been affected by IX in some way that is likely related to her travels with Frebass, and now there's a good reason to believe that she's become a Self-Annihilator. Frebass likely became a Self-Annihilator in her final moments too, and there's cause to believe that Acheron liberated her by ending her misery at that moment. My point: Doctors of Chaos are essentially Self Annihilators who, instead of becoming dejected and hollow upon having IX's shadow or gaze cast over them, became fascinated with it and turned into "Doctors" that want to cure or liberate other Self-Annihilators and even IX itself from Nihility before they meet their own ultimate end in the process. In a way, they're the anti-thesis to Nihility while being Emanators of it at the same time. "Doctors of Chaos uphold a creed of saving the world: If they are able to prove to IX that existence is more than nothing, they could free that large and lonely soul from the depths of the void. What they try to prove is a paradox, and it cannot be done by mortals, yet the Doctors of Chaos seem to enjoy trying - Because the moment they perceived the worthlessness of life, that glance from the distant cosmos inspired within them a futile desire to revolt against meaningless destiny."

My pet theory is Misha/Mikhail/The Watchmaker invited her to either end them or Penacony's false dream, or some aspect of the Family.

I'm not sure if anyone else noticed this, but when Acheron is trying to recall who the annihilation gang is, her eyes were red instead of her usual purple Side note: I wonder if this explains the red text; maybe that's just the developers way of showing Acheron's "true self" since I'm guessing her "true self" is the version that records her memories, as well as true intentions

when an introvert had enough of the extrovert invading her personal space

I'm surprised you didn't include the lore bombs included in the description of this animation. It explained some parts of Acheron's planet. It's a great read to anyone curious to where Acheron came from. Edit: The dark sun mentioned in there could also be IX. Therefore, connecting Acheron again to Nihility.

The whole imagery of Acheron … Prey and Predator Hunting thing, reminds me of Acheron telling us, “In a world of Monochrome, there will be a flash of red.” Also, there’s a possibility that she is a dual Pathstrider, just like Phantylia. Acheron is an Emanator of Nihility, and also strides on the Path of The Hunt. This is reflected by Black Swans images of Acheron’s Memories (Remembrance) turning into Acheron’s image of a Snake killing a Swan (The Hunt). She is without a question a self-proclaimed Galaxy Hunter, but she may be a legitimate follower of The Hunt.

I think it's symbolic that at the end of the dance, Acheron is holding Black Swan up off the floor, having "caught" her at the end of a highly dynamic dance move. I feel like this represents Acheron arresting her plunge into Nihility and - very literally - bringing her back to herself. I absolutely agree there is no malice present whatsoever. Another great lore video, your thought processes are very parallel to my own but more in depth. Love to see it. Easy sub.

I wonder what would happen if they used the matrix of prescience* from the loufu on Acheron, maybe she'd break it completely.

great video, its hard to find content creators that actually use their eyes to look for details regarding the lore and hidden meaning in trailer videos and express it like you did. Keep up the good work👍👍

Tbh I find it so funny though because Acheron seemed to enjoy the dance/didn’t fully know about what Black swan had seen in her memories.

Acheron not even remembering the group she just genocided is so funny to me

but for real tho, the last bit with Acheron, her long shdow, the crimson background, music and bodies slowly fallng down give off so much liminal horror vibe

This just proved how tuff the doctors of chaos are

the story telling in this game is crazy like how many little details they put into everything and how everything comes together in the end especially with those animated shorts PEAK GAME🗣🗣

As someone who doesn’t play Honkai star rail and only saw the dance video tysm for this analysis cuz I rlly wanted to understand them more without having to go thru the entire game’s lore ❤

Every aeon have it's respective opposite right? That's the work of the equilibrium

Thanks for your hard work❤ His detailed analysis is so complete that it literally overturns these theory channels.

Thank you so much for this video, its great to find someone who is just analysing and giving info on the lore. Everyone else is simping or both which isnt a bad thing but just having straight lore info is fantastic. Subbed

I rlly gotta play the story man I'm so confused at everything that's happening rn

At this point i wouldn't be surprised if Acheron just randomly stumbled into the hotel and just said "fuck it let's book a room"

I’ve watched countless reaction videos and was waiting for this one to finally come out

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO THANK YOU!! Your explanation makes so much sense.

It's fun how Black Swan Remembrance path worker, and still Nihillity character.

another juicy theory from the one and only catwithbluehat 😌

Worth to mention that Acheron's world (Izumo) was in a bring of destruction (by the Kamis). But then suddenly everything disappear, their world, their history, probably they got sucked into the Black Sun (IX). Maybe it has something to do with the story of Frebass and Acheron? I believe the Red Acheron is one of the Kami form (sport of herrscher). While acheron's memories almost wiped out, the Kami still has it. Maybe she can remind acheron of things, hence why some of her text is in red

Just in time when I finish watching that short reel.

Acheron: “The day you gazed into my memories was the worst day of your life. For me, it was Tuesday…or was it Thursday…?”

3:31 It's also said in the Self-Annihilator article that the few who can withstand the enroachment of Nihility in their existences will have their journey of self-annihilation extend to infinity, and the road they walk is "like a shadow cast by IX" Remember that Emanators make "large waves" of their path, and the aforementioned few are doing something similar to IX themselves - in other words, those few are Emanators of Nihility

From what I understand and think of, Acheron is the emanator of Voracity. However, Acheron was eaten by IX but she tried to fight back and tried eating the nihility. As a result, Acheron's power was trapped by Nihility. Thus she has seemingly Voracity power that just kills and eats everyone but also trapped inside her. Afterall, both these Aeons are blackholes. Also this supports the crazy character of her alter just going on a killing spree and also the requirement of power of nihility to unlock and free the true Acheron

This is just my theory and i have no recollection when did i heard this: Acheron memories is not fully gone to the void. She said it by herself that whenever she opens her sheathe, some memories will just rush in to her brain. Instead of a fraction of IX, I think Black Swan saw her locked past. I can agree with the part "Acheron can break or torn Black Swan apart due to her being an emanator". For her reason to go to penacony, I think she is wandering around, being a galaxy ranger or targeting the watchmaker legacy though im not sure about it. Also from what i noticed from her ultimate, its either she can control her other personality or the sheathe actually conceals the other personality.

Nihility - Xi is an interesting Aeon I dare say. But that saying _'if you gaze long enough into the abyss, it will stare right back at you'_ describes this situation - encounter quite well. 🕳 P.s. Man, that was an intimate dance. I love women. 🤤

It’s weird because (at least in Japanese) it seems like the thing inside her addresses Swan differently from Acheron. Almost as if she has something inside of her that Swan fears. We know from skill previews that this is her ultimate so it’s possible there are two Acherons. The Self Annihilator that doesn’t remember anything and the Emanator that carries out the will of Nihility.

Thanks for explaining that 4:08 is Black Swan gazing into Nihility instead of saying that Acheron "attacked" Black Swan literally. I was trying to explain it like you did in 5:43 but some laughed it off because I was apparently defending "domestic abuse" 😂

Your videos are SO COOL! i am always amazed and happy when a new one comes out with new theories! its all just so mastermind thinking and actually very likely to become canon

All i know is 4 boings boings in one "ufotable unlimited moneywork" dance scene is just marvelous.

Thankyouuuuu for these in-depth analysis videos. My smol brain can not put these puzzles together. But wow, that's crazy

Thanks man for detailed videos i was so curious about acheron and black swan that interaction 🙌🏻

Oh, very interesting. Thank you very much ! I love learning new things about Nihility, it's my favorite Aeon. Poor thing, in eternal depression...

WHAT IF THE REASON ACHERON IS IN PENACONY IS BECAUSE THE WATCHMAKER'S LEGACY CAN STAND UP TO THE NIHILITY'S DESTRUCTION OF MEMORIES? (Or vice versa, she wants to destroy the legacy so nobody can cause havoc)

i think when acheron says "oh its those guys" it can be that in 2.1 the children of ifrit come into penacony and acheron saw them

This explain why Black Swan work with Aventurine. It seems she can see the pattern and suspect her behind it all. Same as Aventurine. Black Swan proceed to asked her while dancing and seems to be scare. Meanwhile, Aventurine encounter Acheron (who pretend to enter her room only because she saw aventurine sneak into someone else room) and immidiately get PTSD. It seems he want ask help to Dr Ratio but not enough time. Sort after, he asked Sparkle but she refuse to be his "friend". Then, he ask Black Swan to help. Perhaps Aventurine past got some comnection with Acheron. I like that video. It explain even more why Aventurine and Black Swan work together. 🤔The pattern is like memory bubble. Just like Firefly sneak into the the dreamscape. It turns out she is not alone.

This explanation really clarified everything and properly solidified at least what Acheron is

Ik this is a stretch, but I feel that because Black Swan has so many memories, she must be very susceptible to mara. It would be very interesting if a Memokeeper was ever corrupted by the Abundance.

Regarding the question at the end: Since Acheron seems to be the type of person to hunt down things, that also makes her be the type of person that makes something "come to an end" which also means that something stops creating new memories, since that can only happen for things that keep going on. And maybe through someone or some kind of meaning or sense, she wants to get rid of things that should no longer continue to create memories by existing. And Black Swan says in the animation that everyone is drawn to the Watchmakers Legacy, which could be a big deal, maybe something so big it could either be very bad in the wrong hands, or maybe its just "forbidden knowledge" to have to begin with. And that could be something of a magnitude that a person like Acheron gets involved through whatever tells her to go where and when. Thats my theory.

Black Swan being a pathstrider on the path of Nihility makes sense because of her seemingly chill and uncaring attitude where her only reason to live is to collect memories which is definitely somewhat of a wasteful way to live your life. But then according to this theory, her being close to the Aeon of Remembrance and her powers being the opposite of the Aeon of Nihility, she should want to stay from Nihility as much as possible. I don't know if this makes any sense lol.

Swan was very confident to start the dance. She never expected it to turn terrible for her.

this is just my theory but... i think by the end of penacony, black swan may not be around anymore... what i mean by that is that, judging from the foolish mistake black swan did by looking into acheron's past, there might be a slight chance where the white-haired version of acheron may just target black swan for some unknown reasons this would definitely traumatize the players even more after firefly's and robin's deaths

at 6:25, she got lost 😂 Also, if i remember correctly, memokeepers dont necessarily need to have no body. And that memokeepers can still have a physical body (as a messenger, she has no body is what the MoC girl said, i remember). 1:34 But they can choose to give up their bodies , set the physical form aside (what black swan did in her character story), and travel through memories (what MoC girl said). This then goes to Welt saying that he heard a rumor that Emanators of remembrance dont have a physical body, and that they can only be seen by people who they want to see them. (thats how Black Swan, and possibly the MoC girl, is thought to be Emanators of Fuli) Theory: Blackswan is a memosnatcher, and not a memokeeper. ->MoC Girl Dialogues from the game: --Messenger: But you don't have to worry about me peeping, stealing, or controlling your memories. Memokeepers have undergone rigorous training. Anything we do that goes against the rules will result in the immediate termination of our existence. --Messenger: Although some Memosnatchers can bypass the restrictions... Um, I'm not one of them! (1. not only she peeped at acheron's, she outright read them-- 2. She manipulated the memoria in the dreamscape [saying she has no choice but to use unelegant methods (and that she's not supposed to) or whatnot because firefly is seemingly in danger]) also at 2:51, when did this happen? Isnt it supposed to be manipulating emotions? (this is in one of the quest in penacony regarding the fix the clock minigame and it sometimes has red texts in which resulted to trailblazer's emotions getting influenced by it and becoming angry) Which is why, i think, that acheron's lines during the prologue, "...what matters is your spontaneous reaction", makes sense if she knows she can unconsciously manipulate emotions and that she's trying to take care of us. And I remember that she says that we use emotions to decide, to feel, to move, and whatnot. P.S. at 5:40 Black Swan did this without prior consent which resulted to no warnings or idea about the dangers, so she got what she deserved. But now that she got PTSD from Acheron, I think she'll ask first now 😂 edits: timestamps

I still want to know why Acheron turn Duke Inferno into relic, what's the reason? is it for the invitation to Penacony

6:23 Maybe she's looking for the watchmaker? Because what if Frebass personally knew the watchmaker too Because both the watchmaker and frebass are nameless, and maybe acheron knows the watchmaker too, She might be looking for him and asked him what was her past like in order for acheron to remember her own past again, maybe that's the reason why she's in penacony

Thank you for the explanation.

A very well done breakdown of events! Thanks. Well done. Liked and Subscribed

I really enjoy your videos. Even though I try to pay attention to what's going on in the game, often times, there are too many details I overlook and end up paying attention to the wrong information or forgetting important facts.

(SPOILER WARNING FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T DONE CERTAIN QUESTS) I also don't remember much as I got these info a long time ago and my memories are hazy If Acheron lost her memories because she's an emanator of Nihility and Black Swan almost disappeared for gazing into IX because of her connection to memories then I wonder, Did March also gaze into IX? Her situation is the same as Acheron where they don't remember anything from their past but I have a feeling she has a connection or at least some interaction with the Aeon of Remembrance and/or Aeon of Nihility. I have a feeling that she has something to do with the Aeon of Remembrance as she has a memokeeper? or just a follower of Fuli in her brain protecting her from gazing into her past? (During her companion quest with Fu Xuan) , so she must have some connection to the Aeon of Remembrance . The logo, gem, or whatever that is below Black Swan's chest has a similar pallet color to March's entire existence of pink and blue too so more evidence that she might have a connecton to the Aeon of Remembrance . But it wouldn't make sense why the Aeon of Remembrance would take away her memories wouldn't it? Unless some outside source did, hence why I think she gazed into the Aeon of Nihility and that's why she doesn't remember anything from her past. I do think I remember the Aeon of Remembrance using 6 phased ice too and March was also trapped in 6 phased ice, floating in space I believe when the express found her. Another evidence of her connection with the Aeon of Remembrance. As to why she was trapped in it? I suggest that a series of events happened where she gazed into the abyss hence her memories slowly fading away and with how possibly important she is to the remembrance (Pink and blue seems to be their choice of color for the followers of remembrance as evident from the gem below Black Swan's chest), it might have been that the Remembrance freezed her to save her from losing herself . But it might also be that she's a shard of the Remembrance too as she is the only known person to be able to weild 6 phased ice . Her skill effects when she fights and her ability icons also have a similar shape to the gem below Black Swan's chest so she might have more connections to the Remembrance than we think

i like this very muhc, make me understand all this story and lore more for my small brain. immediately subbed. keep it coming boissss no wonder acheron alwasy get lost.... she has no memory of place she visited... must be tiring to be strip of ur own memories.. what a tragedy

I think you nailed one of the most important facts that people miss from the short: Acheron didn’t turn the tables, counter Black Swan, or do *anything*. Her sheer existence, when gotten close enough to inspect, is the starless sea, the black hole: you get too close and you fall in and meet your destruction. The more you spend time with her, the more you get sucked in, the more you’re doomed. I can’t wait to see what Aventurine has planned for her.

Why does Acheron seem to remember the Annihilation Gang upon looking at the opera building in the Golden Hour? Or is it just a coincidence?

I didn't even think about it before, but the nihility is ended the opposite of the remembrance.... Thanks a lot 🥰

"I love you in every universe" -message from moon tuna

3:24 I believe she can annihilate not just memory but also time as well. In 2.1 trailer, in the scene where we fight Aventurine, when Archeron step her foot, time starting to slow down as you can see from the raindrop slowing down which means that Nihility power is a black hole that destroy pretty much all the concepts of universe.

"ah...her? How is this possible" after seeing the trailer, I can sense the trauma in her in that sentence

I can't help but feel that Acheron is connected to Sparkle. In the short there was a lore dump about Izumo it was a city of neon lights or something. In Sparkle's PV you see a city of neon lights. Can't help but feel that Sparkle left Izumo before it was destroyed and baited Acheron into Penacony.

And thus why she didnt remember how to get in and get out of the mazes.

Wow, peak theory crafting

Just imagine Acheron is just a lost child, wandering around penacony. ... 😅

I love the lore and how it was presented in this vid ❤

I’m sure that, it have things to do with MC, something awaits and pulling her in without herself realizing

Black Swan receiving the craziest backshots known to man

I have always skipped through the Star Rail Story and really have no idea whats going on with the Eons and everything. But this seems so interesting, I might try taking a deeper dive into the subject.

The last scene before they get back at the dance floor.. I just realised that black swan is literally "swallowed" mercilessly

Great video, thank you for the insights!

Duke Inferno getting reduced into a 4 piece relic set is stll funny to me XD

i just realized acheron sounds like the va of beidou...

All I can say is, “same here Acheron, same here. Let’s be un-fixable together!”

"Pom-Pom's intel" just combines all the public alaivable data from Data Bank AFAIK, so there's no real "revelations", info on Self-Annihilators is in the game.

I know why Acheron is in penacony. Shes here to get our STELLAR JADES 😂

Imo, memories are like dreams. Some dreams are related to the past or future and some are just random. I think the reason why she’s in penacony is to try and dream some parts of her past since penacony is the land of dreams. You dream to enter the place. Maybe that’s why? She just wants to dream or in this case, “remember” her past

Dude that mean blsvk swan sould have just disappeared in the dance floor because she stared into the abyss damn

Hold on, what confused me is why did Acheron have different red dialogues as if the phrases happened at same time on different dimensions? What’s the relation to being Nihility’s emanator?

so ... she's basically canonically a Mommy

small correction: - 3:02 it was not reveal coz the info about self annihilator and doctor of chaos or other info in that post were already in game so that pom pom intel post just compile info that already in game but u might have miss into a post for player that not fan of lore digging and reading - I kinda sad you didn't mention this but in the description of animated short have some big lore drop on a planet or twin planet which r likely Acheron home planet.

Oh god. Looking at it from retrospect, their conversation in the dream world with us, it is pretty clear BS has learned to be weary of her.

Even if Acheron bears the characteristics of a self-annihilator, the imagery of the short made me think of the aeon of Voracity: Oroboros, because of the black and white part where it shows the predatory chases but also because of the info about Oroboros in the SU "They are reserved and uncommunicative, occasionally resulting in unintended consequences when attempting to speak,such as inadvertently consuming their conversation partner." which is literally what was about to happen to Black Swan were she not saved by a miracle... Just thought I'd put this here

There is one important question that still need to answered: "Can she cook.."

If I'm right. The reason why they had Black Swan dance with Acheron was a 1 sided Danse Macabre. (Otherwise known as the Dance of Death). With that being said are we certain about where ever Acheron goes Something Unto Death always follows.

I got the impression that she's an Emanator of Finality, it fits with what Aventurine said about her(And so far everything Aventurine said seems to be true). It's also an interesting contrast with the Raiden from Genshin who's the god of eternity. Her memory issues could be because of The Finality too, maybe she forgets events after they conclude.

The animated short debunks misconceptions so far. First is Black Swan being an Emanator as people say. No she is not, if she is an Emanator she won't get overwhelmed by Acheron unconsciously, she's VERY lucky she got out alive. Second, Acheron being an Emanator of Nihility, not Finality.

If Acheron have no memories how does she remember how to make her hair like that every day !? What about her swordskills !? So strange