Who Is Himeko? (Background Lore EXPLAINED + Theory) | Honkai: Star Rail 

What do you think of my Himeko theory? Am I on the something? 2.3 update to theory: I think this honestly supported my theory! Which I was not expecting… The conversation with Jade opened up something really unique about the Astral Express and how they have funds for expeditions. It also seems like Jade and Himeko have known each other. There was no introductions made to each other and Jade just seemingly out of no where just gave the Astral express 5% equity on ALL OF PENACONY. It seems to me that they have some sort of working deal or at the very least a history of business with each other. With how Jade makes deals with people as Bonajade. It could be interesting if part of the reason why Himeko is able to start the Astral express was through Jade. What do you guys think? 🤔

I'm not 100% sold on Himeko being former IPC, or at least an important former member, but she definitely has high up connections somehow. Important to note that The Ten Stonehearts are only from one IPC division and the different divisions do not get along, as we learned with Boothill and Aventurine's conversation. It's possible that Himeko's contact is from a rival division, which is why they so readily gave over that information. We don't know what college she attended or what her homeworld is. It's possible that she is from a main IPC world and her contacts are just people she met at the college. Or they could be a family member, since we know nothing about her family either. If she was brought up with the expectation of being an IPC exec because one or both of her parents where, it would explain the business acumen. The IPC is such a huge organization and very clearly one meant to be more antagonistic in the future, it feels kinda boring to use it as the reason for Himeko's mysteries.

Himeko being Ruby as a stone heart would totally fit... any totally not just because of the hair.

And she is a follow up attacker!

For me both Himeko's background is pretty much similar to the Himeko of HI3rd, there story begins in their college, but the difference is HI3rd Himeko suffers a tragedy her dad's death that leads her to join the Schicksal because her dad is working for Otto Apocalypse(Alien space key manga plot), moreover, she also meets welt as her teacher. both Himekos wants to explore the stars, one set there difference is that the decision they made, HI3 Himeko choose to investigate her father's death that lead her to become a valkyrie, which also saves the world. Meanwhile, HSR Himeko pursue her dream to that leads her to become the navigator of the astral express.

If I remember correctly, Boothill is after Oswaldo, a top dog at a rival IPC branch which is why he and Aventurine are teaming up. That Oswaldo is said to be a former Nameless which could connect him as Himeko's informant; a high level IPC member that had history with the Nameless.

She could just well be a well-connected, eloquent, and erudite diplomat. That's why she knows how to handle the IPC. I wouldn't be surprised if the IPC did try to recruit her as a stoneheart and she chose the path of the trailblaze instead. Who knows until mhy tells us really. It also gets me excited for the next place we'll visit considering they always rotate which people will be traveling with the trailblazer. Meaning it's March's turn to take a backseat. Hopefully we get to see more of Welt and Himeko compared to Penacony. If she was IPC, she could be Ruby or Pearl

Interesting theory… I think it could be a fun twist to see that. Especially since we currently view the IPC as somewhat antagonistic.

There is more context you missed! , the train is the 2nd divine key, Astral express being a name for the Key of Infinity, Cosmic Juggernaught And she is one of the few direct himeko varians to honkai, and there is a manga that she is on, or at least teased on! Later in the manga, welt convinces void archives to go and help this himeko out! After just saving her world from the "Sky people", she may have found the train by then, or not, but having welt WITH* his herecher core, which allows him to recreate anything by knowing how it's made, and Void Archives, the library of information of the previous era, I would see how easy it woukd be for the astral express to be repaired "Alien Space" is the name of the manga, it discuses also the motive that she wants to explore the stars and her drive is his missing father(Honkai 3rd himeko) And it also is a continuation of the APHO story, welt being forced by Void Archives(1st divine key) to be there and see the stars if I recall correctly We know it's cosmic juggernaught because Himeko find the key, and welt helps her a bit(his "friend" void archives literally having the schematics of it thaks to Vill-V being designer of both!, even Eden, the orginal wielder of.. well The star of eden.. now the cane of eden lmao, questioned why it wasnt a weapon, Vill-V answered that it didn't need to be, it just had to bring hope to civilisations, by looking into other universes, being called proyect VALUKA) Also divine keys are well, directly using the powers of herechers, the end key being the one of void/space manipulation, and the one that is able to recall into the imaginary tree, tho is a dead herecher core, so it lacks the infinite energy that a herecher has So it being able to "Gaze", "travel" between a "Branch" of the imaginary tree isnt out of question Also fun fact, there is a big chance Pompom is an "Elf"! Made to guard and take care of the train There is also so much more lore that Honkai Starail refrences Even being the fact that reburn 2 exists, which it SHOWs the literal astral express in, well somewhere with welt and carole(main universe honkai, not himekos) But that one is just plain weird and doesnt make much sense, and problably got reconed because it also shows Marchs beta design And now seeing that while she found the "express" at least it was never shown in manga, I was confusing another impact 3rd manga where cosmic juggernaught apears by the lake Seeing all the honkai conections in starail is fun! Knowing the franchise for a while, especially ggz If you have questions I can answer

There was already other theory that Himeko might be Polka Kakamond and Kafka recognizes her during start of the game

i feel like himeko may have a connection with oswaldo schneider since he is a former nameless and apparently has a strong will of trailblaze even after joining the ipc

Given that Himeko has a home planet, we know that Izumo isn't the only Japan inspired region in Star Rail, and therefore will probably have a story arc on at least one Japan inspired area.

Interesting point but i do had counter argument. 1. About astral express reputation, Astral express already well repute for a lot of reason. First of all, almost every navigational chart used by other faction (Even IPC trade route and whole Xienzhou fleets chart) refering to the express silvef rail route. Second astral express already linked to many faction and even tied to the creation to said faction due to how active they are during crucial momment like swarm dissaster and machine empire uprising. Even IPC forced to relinquished penacony after the express got involved. As for it happened long time ago, remmember that faction higher up often has unatural lifespan or suspended in odd condition (penacony branch family member and watchmaker already losing their body thousand years ago). 2. As for money. Himeko doing errands involving curio for herta. Curio is not cheap and herta pocket is very deep with extra buff of asta beside her. Remember herta station exist only to host herta curio and simulated universe. Her relation with genius society also can answer the source of express broken part. 3. As for probably stoneheart theory, its too early to say anything yet, But unless himeko lost something in the past that left void in her, daimond wont recruit her. We know what kind of ppl daimond recruit as well as his recruitment pitch (whìch is similar to elio) explained by jade.

this theory got even more possible with her just casually knowing jade in the new quest 🫢 amazing vid btw keep up the good work!

I remember seeing a theory that Himeko is Polka Kakamond, and now this theory & that one are fighting in my head lol

this is such a well made video and theory! im surprised you dont have more views. I'd love more theory content.

Himeko's planet may have been under the IPC. In addition, her family may have been part of the high echelons of the planet that supported the IPC. Her weapons (the sawblade suitcase and the mobile orbital laser cannon) was made by her. I had a suspicion ever since the Topaz side story at Bellobog that Himeko had some connection to the IPC. Either she herself was once a member or that a family member or 'friend' is part of the IPC.

Idrila, successor of Akivili, former IPC, Polka, Black hole bag for storing her ultimate, if it is associated with hunters = associated with the spread eon. I did not forget anything?

Nice video you got a subscriber here I didn't know Asta or topaz was that rich hope you'll do a video on them as well

I don't know if someone mentioned it, but the head od the ipc (oswald shneider) is a nameless, so there is maybe something going on there

I don't know that much about hsr lore but this sounds like a good theory. :3

I think you might have missed one big part, we don't know the developmental status of Himeko's planet but it seems to not have reached space travel at least not public one, meaning the technology inside the express probably was worth a fortune alone. And the express does have a database and seems to function based on her visions. About her experience in politics, welp she is smart and as we see in penacony just the name of the nameless carries a lot of power behind it, mainly because of the previous ones, which is opening a lot of doors for us so it's not surprising, especially combined with the gigs they ran previously before we join, that we have a lot of valuable connections (also we don't know how much the stellaron hunters already pulled the strings in the background. I also think just repairing the express got her a lot of experience in negotiating

I think you maybe cooking with that himeko theory.

4:10 ez she probably was on the student council body in uni

7:07 that one person that can possibly divulge this information to her was, in fact, already mentioned in the game: Oswaldo Schneider. He's the head of the Marketing Development Department and a former Nameless. He's right now in direct competition with Diamond for a seat in the board of directors, so while yall should take my words with a massive grain of salt, it's very likely that Himeko got that information from Schneider

The only person with ties to the nameless that would also be privy to the ipc's succes rate and would wanna see the strategic investment department fail that i can think of is Oswaldo Schneider. Maybe he is related to Himiko in some way, or even a pseudonym for void archives

That informant on Belobog could be Oswaldo Schneider. A former nameless, current head of the marketing department and someone who doesn't get along with the stonehearts and Diamond.

I have a feeling Himeko have a tie to the IPC, it was gut feeling, but she alwerse on the scene when IPC is invole I sure hoyo il uno reverse in some way

I love that theory, never thought about it that way! Your content inspired me to start doing some lore crafting myself for my channel^^ Something, however, I find to be pretty odd is how familiar she is with Kafka, or the Stellaron Hunters in general. Call it a stupid yuri headcanon or me interpreting things too much, but isn't it strange how extremely hostile she seems to be when Kafka boards their ship? Now, I guess everyone who runs and navigates a legendary train in the form of the Express, traveling through the galaxy, would be pissed if someone just suddenly infilitrated your space, but I was never able to shake the feeling that they know each other from their shared past, which got me thinking: Are Kafka and Himeko perhaps old friends? Anyways, great vids! Looking forward to seeing more in the future, keep it up!

I think that himeko could a) be from the same planet as sparkle as they're both japanese and sparkle's planet is shown to be very scientific or b) polka kakamond (would be insane if it was true)

Love himeko❤ she is so kind to caelus (me)

I'd like to add... she does own a weapons satellite because she can call on it wherever she is ij the universe. So definitely Universe rich lol

Yeah that person is kiana keslana

I mean she doesn't even need to be an ex stoneheart or something like that she could be like asta and just have loaded parents

if shes a former stoneheart my bet would be on cinnabar (aka the red stone or magnum opus/ Philosophers stone

To some, she is Major To others, she is Navigator But to all, she is Auntie Himeko 😢

I don’t know if this happens in other languages, but in French, after the quest in version 2.3 when Himeko tells us about the 5% share of Penacony, she uses the expression “revenons à nos Brutocollinus.” The usual phrase in French is “revenons à nos moutons” (let’s return to our sheep), which means “let’s get back to the point.” I was surprised to hear her mention Brutocollinus, as they are exclusive to Genshin Impact. This phrase is frequently used in Genshin (at least in French), but it’s the first time I’ve seen it in Star Rail. I was stuck on that message for quite a while. So, either the Brutocollinus also exist in Honkai Star Rail, or she has already visited Teyvat, or she is originally from Teyvat (though I would find the latter hypothesis strange). Could it be a simple translation error? I’m not sure, but I wanted to let you know.

I see a lot of really good comments, so I'll try not to repeat the same thing. Being a huge HI3rd (and especailly HI3rd Himeko, still the best female character in entertaining media ever) fan, I've searched everything possible about her in game and here are some findings. First of all, don't believe people who say it's HI3rd's artifact "Cosmic Juggernaut" or "2nd Divine Key", there are no evidences. It MIGHT be but most likely The Express is just a HSR counterpart of HI3rd 2nd Divine Key, most likely with same abilities (Juggernaut was able to travel between worlds, and The Express said to be able to do so IF there's no mistake in translation which is, sadly, a frequent thing. There are several Chinese words HoYo uses to separate "words", "universe" and stuff so in English both Jarilo and HSR are "worlds" but with different meaning). I think if The IPC was behind The Express being repaired, it would've take a lot less time and effort since there are a lot of people who can be involved in that. Also I don't think The IPC would ever miss the opportunity to claim The Express for themselves or at least to tell the whole universe that their people found the legendary Express and helped to restore it, it'd give them a huge credit in people's minds since The Express is (or they are, there were porbably other Expresses but that's just a theory) in fact is a legendary thing. So I firmly believe she made it herself. She always was an exeptional woman. The whole thing about The Express being repaired looks a magical mystery. First of all, a random space train SPOKE to her. There are variants of how it could be interpreted, especially given how in HI3rd there is a concept of "Will" which is a sentient embodiment of... probably energy and "Will" was documented to be able to speak. There was a Will of Honkai - and Honkai is, briefly speaking without spoilers, a form of destructive energy that plagues the Earth - and now there is a Will of Shadow in HI3rd Part 2, and Shadow is akin to Honkai, probably another variant or form of energy, and both of them communicate with people, even if briefly. So Will, being in a full control of certain form of energy, might to a certain extent be called a god. Maybe Aeons are on the same level, gods of their forms of energy, so most likely it was Akivili himself or "Will" of Trailblaze (if there is "Will" at all of course and if said "Will" is higher that even Aeons if we imply Akivili is dead) who "spoke" to Himeko through The Express, who knows. Also her character story IV when she peaks to somebody with a blurred name... isn't that strange? Their dialogue seems like they're old friends but she left her previous life behind and never looked back. It shouldn't be Pom-Pom since they're outside of The Express and Pom-Pom probably can't step outside (though when we pull for characters, Pom-Pom is definitely outside, yeah) but then she says "Let's go back. They're waiting for ME," which implies they're coming back together but that second entity is... invisible to other passengers? And this entity (who, by the way, has views so unique they call meteors' burning in the atmosphere a "beginning" of those meteors journey) asks "Has the journey SO FAR made you happy?" I have a strongest feeling it's the same entity that "spoke" to her when she found The Express. In the end, she kinda made a promise to bring The Express back to its starting point while The Express "promised" to show her stars right? Again, this entity might be Akivili since Himeko compares her experiences with entity's. Or it might be some sort of "Will of the Trailblaze". Then... what about Pom-Pom? Everyone says they "always were on The Express" or just can't remember when they appeared. Everyone says that except Himeko (correct me if I'm wrong, she only says she remembers their awkward first dialogues when she only started her journey). From two people who's always in parlor car, she's the one we can't ask about Pom-Pom directly. Though we know Pom-Pom was around when Falkon was a Navigator and relatively shorly after when The Express went to Penacony for the first time with Legwork, Tiernan and Razalina. So WHERE was Pom-Pom all this time? Did they just appear? At what moment? When The Express was found or when it was fuly repaired? Himeko's definitely... holds something to herself. And this "something" should be very huge lore-wise. I support people who say she's just super talented since... it's Himeko, she always has been. That's why she a brilliant mechanic, a good diplomat and so on. I think there's nothing hidden here. And The Nameless are known so wide (and it's said since The Express' revival a number of people already boarded it and then stepped out) it's no wonder Himeko has connections. In Belobog case, yeah, it most probably was Oswaldo. I really don't know why we still count him as "friend" given what his Department done to Boothill's planet and how it f*cked up on Sigonia. But most probably Himeko just doesn't know all the facts about Oswaldo, we, players, have a big andvantage with meta knowledge here. But our... deepening ties with The IPC really concern me. I have a constant feeling we've being used by them. On Belobog, on Penacony... and we're deepening connections with those who wants an absolute power and gives no guarantees, that's so not Trailbaze if you ask me. It's so strange idk. But, again, I don't think it's because Himeko was a part of The IPC, she's most probably doing what is safer for The Express (let's be honest, we'd die a miserable death have we confronted them on Belobog but we were ready to. Also nothing stops The IPC from hiring "an identified military force" to strike down The Express in some quiet place if we constantly mess their plans)... but again, without any guarantees? My take is she has some form of guarantees from The IPC, most probably it's because of Oswaldo believing himself being on the Path of the Trailblaze and so securing our positions. It's profittable for The IPC to be "friends" to The Express (though The IPS's actions usually should make us mad). And the final and the best part, those who played HI3 will find an unreasonable amount of references (even Falkon Amudsen's story in Clockie Memorial event HIGHLY resembles a part of HI3rd Himeko story), yeah, but the one thing looks completely out of place. In 2.2 she says she's having recurring dreams about "some people", their struggles and victories, ups and downs and about them constantly pushing forward. It's super cracked by itself but I don't believe it's just a reference. It's something much more lore-connected. She basically says she sees some parts of HI3rd's events in her dreams through the eyes of HI3rd Himeko. That's unnatural and oh-so suspicious (I have my theories though but they're mostly copium). And yeah, as it was mentioned somewhere in the comments, she was briefly teasered in "Alien Space" manga and, according to "Alien Space", is the main reason Welt ended up in HSR world (no wonder though, they had a long story in HI3's world). I can't wait to see what HoYo's cooking for these two. So yeah, only time will tell, but in general I think her past will be a huge lore bomb not just some simple "a former IPC employee". And her future... let's not talk about that. It have to be a grand one.

I do not remembering well but I think Topaz told us that, Himeko is famous in IPC Ranks somehow and was a honor for Topaz met her.

Finally, someone else thinks that Himeko is from the IPC! I had no proof, but i was 100% sure!

Another crack theory: Her friend is Diamond. What is he a head of? The Strategic Investment Department. He must’ve saw all the technology that Himeko was creating on her planet and helped funded it. It must’ve proved a success, considering her strong relations to the IPC now. This also helps proves it’s him because it shows his ability to invest in the right people, in this case someone so successful that they are even popular to people in the IPC like Topaz. It also explains how she knows Jade, seeing as how her job is to give out credit, Diamond probably introduced her to Jade personally, Stoneheart to Stoneheart. (Also great vid, and sorry for the yapping.)

Wasn't one of the Ipc directors or board members a nameless?

Stand proud, you can cook

How did Pompom survive in a broken Express??

I feel like most people glossing over the fact that Himeko FIXED the Astral Express, a train built by an Aeon, how in the world would you know how to fix it?! Did Akivili or someone else left an instruction?!

For HSR , you need to play honkai impact 3 to know who is himeko :| not a meh theory make up like this xD

I disagree with this theory. mainly due to meta narrative ever since HI3 and her scientist background in HSR. First thing first about meta narrative, Himeko has always been a smart person. so smart that one of the main scientist in HI3 begrudgingly imply that she admit Himeko is a smart person. next she always has been interested in astrology and space stuff, plus on top of that her father in HI3 is a rather accomplished scientist. with her JP VA interview mentioned "i've voice Himeko since HI3rd, this seems like a younger version of her"(i'm paraphrasing with my limited japanese knowledge). with that in mind she probably has the exact same background as HI3rd counterpart but without Honkai to ruin her life she just grow up to be genius normal person. she is intelligent enough that Herta at least remember something about her. next is her scientist background. i don't think her pursuit knowledge of the star would necessarily grant her a chance with higher ups especially the stonehearts. since those guys are after profit and material for qlipoth wall. about the train while i think what you said hold some truth to it, but in the 2.3 epilogue it confirms that the train convert trailblaze energy into fuel, i don't think something so conceptual as that would interest IPC, but furniture and miscellaneous material like nuts and bolt, steel plate for the train and so on is probably went through IPC. as for why she seems to be so trusted and earn everyone in the setting's respect. she singlehandedly resurrect one of if not the most well known faction in the setting, by herself after the express is out of commission for thousands of years. it is repeatedly mentioned/imply that she repaired the train alone if we went by a tidbits about her "weapon" as it's not even meant to be a weapon, it's a toolbox and she improvise it as a weapon, that feat credibility went up a lot. the nameless has a reputation akin to a travelling hero, if she is the one who brought that said hero faction back(and being its current leader) as long as she don't commit some heinous war crime on a planetary scale that fact alone will make anyone who meet her trust and relived in her presence. how did she get all the info about terraforming success rate is still in a realm of possibility, that friend might actually be someone inside stonehearts like Jade or that friend might be Void Archive travelling through galaxy encounter the planet that IPC try to terraform. having her be just a genius person that one day found the train and do everything in her power to fix it, get it run and become the current owner/faction leader make her seems like a bigger than life with a lot of potential that could affect the setting figure for me and consider what happened to her HI3rd counterpart, this is a no brainer that i'd prefer my head canon.