Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is preparing to celebrate its sixth anniversary in September 2026, and this year's celebration is shaping up to be one of the most significant anniversary events the game has seen. Six years after the open-world RPG originally launched on September 28, 2020, HoYoverse is tying the anniversary period closely to Version 7.1, "A Rekviem for the Underworld," which is scheduled to launch on September 23, 2026.

The biggest attraction is not simply another package of Primogems and login rewards. For the first time, players who meet the required conditions will be able to select an event-exclusive 5-star character for free from a designated lineup. That reward comes in addition to a free standard 5-star character, 1,600 Primogems, 10 Intertwined Fates, and other anniversary rewards.

At the same time, the anniversary arrives during a major turning point for Genshin Impact's story. Version 7.1 will push the Snezhnaya storyline forward with the Tsaritsa, Ronova and Rhinedottir taking important roles, while two new playable 5-star characters, Vesna and Vodyanitsa, join the roster.

With free 5-star characters, anniversary rewards, and new Version 7.1 banners all arriving around the same period, Travelers may want to plan their resources before deciding where to spend their Wishes. Players looking to prepare additional currency for upcoming banners can also buy Genshin Impact Genesis Crystals through Z2U, while keeping the anniversary's free Primogems and Intertwined Fates in mind.

Genshin Impact 6th Anniversary Overview

Here are the most important details confirmed for the anniversary period so far:

The timing is worth noting. Version 7.1 arrives on September 23, five days before Genshin Impact reaches the sixth anniversary of its September 28, 2020 launch. This means players will enter the anniversary period with the new update already underway. 

A Free Event-Exclusive 5-Star Is the Biggest Anniversary Upgrade

The headline anniversary reward is undoubtedly the free event-exclusive 5-star character.

According to the Version 7.1 information released by HoYoverse, players who complete the latest Archon Quest will be able to choose one event-exclusive 5-star character from a select lineup for free during Version 7.1.

This is especially notable because Genshin Impact's recent anniversaries have offered free standard 5-star selections. The sixth anniversary expands that idea by adding an event-exclusive character selection alongside the standard 5-star reward.

There are several important conditions to keep in mind:

• Players need to complete the latest Archon Quest to qualify for the event-exclusive 5-star selection. 

• The character must be selected from the lineup designated for the anniversary event. 

• The selection can be made during Version 7.1. 

• This reward is separate from the free standard 5-star character selection. 

That final distinction is particularly important. Players are not simply choosing between a limited character and a standard character. The announced anniversary package provides both an eligible event-exclusive 5-star selection and a standard 5-star selection. 

For long-time players, the event-exclusive selection could help fill a missing position in an established roster or provide access to a character they previously skipped. For newer players, receiving two 5-star characters during the anniversary period could provide a substantial boost when building early teams.

Another Free Standard 5-Star Character

The event-exclusive character does not replace the familiar standard 5-star anniversary reward.

HoYoverse has also confirmed that players can select one standard 5-star character for free as part of the sixth-anniversary celebration. 

This continues a reward format used in recent anniversaries. During Genshin Impact's fifth anniversary, for example, players could select a free 5-star character from the Standard Wish pool, alongside 10 Intertwined Fates and 1,600 Primogems. 

The sixth anniversary therefore builds on that established structure rather than abandoning it.

In simple terms, the major character rewards are:

• One free event-exclusive 5-star character from a select lineup, subject to the Archon Quest requirement. 

• One free standard 5-star character. 

That combination makes character acquisition one of the central themes of the 2026 anniversary celebration.

1,600 Primogems and 10 Intertwined Fates

Character selectors are not the only rewards. The sixth-anniversary package also includes two familiar forms of wishing currency:

• Primogems ×1,600 

• Intertwined Fate ×10 

Since one Wish normally costs 160 Primogems, 1,600 Primogems is enough for 10 Wishes. Combined with the 10 Intertwined Fates, these two confirmed rewards represent the equivalent of 20 Wishes before counting other rewards or Primogems players may earn from Version 7.1 content. 

The structure is familiar to veteran Travelers. The fifth anniversary similarly included 1,600 Primogems through in-game mail and 10 Intertwined Fates through a login event. 

However, the sixth anniversary becomes more substantial when those resources are considered alongside the two 5-star character selections.

Version 7.1 Makes the Anniversary Bigger Than a Reward Campaign

The sixth anniversary is arriving alongside a major story update rather than functioning only as a login-and-rewards celebration.

Version 7.1, officially titled "A Rekviem for the Underworld," launches on September 23. The Archon Quest will continue the worsening crisis in Snezhnaya and finally bring the Traveler face-to-face with the Tsaritsa. Players will also learn more about the strategy behind her long-running effort to collect the Gnoses. 

Ronova, the Ruler of Death, becomes another major focus. Her interference with Snezhnaya ultimately leads toward a direct confrontation, while the arrival of Rhinedottir, the Ruler of Life, introduces another powerful figure into the conflict.

The new Archon Quest will include several major developments:

• The Traveler finally encounters the Tsaritsa directly. 

• More information about the Tsaritsa's collection of the Gnoses will be revealed. 

• Ronova becomes central to the Snezhnaya conflict. 

• Rhinedottir enters the unfolding situation. 

• Players fight alongside Snezhnaya against Ronova. 

• Ronova becomes a new Weekly Boss. 

• Completing the new Archon Quest grants 620 Primogems. 

• Special assignments from the Tsaritsa's Confidential Secretary will become available beginning in Version 7.1. 

That Archon Quest is also directly relevant to the anniversary because completing it is the stated requirement for obtaining the free event-exclusive 5-star selection.

Vesna and Vodyanitsa Join the Playable Roster

Version 7.1 will also introduce two new 5-star characters: Vesna and Vodyanitsa.

Vesna is a 5-star Anemo Sword character and the youngest Commander in Druzhna history. Her combat mechanics focus on Stellar Swirl, including the ability to convert Cryo Swirl reactions into Stellar Swirl reactions. She can summon Spirit Blades, accumulate "Sword Essence," and consume that resource to command the blades to attack. Her exploration ability also allows her to take flight as a Vila. 

Vodyanitsa is a 5-star Hydro Catalyst character associated with Snezhnograd's Korolevskiy Troupe. She can transform into her Water Imp form, heal the active character, reduce enemy Hydro and Cryo RES, increase the active character's ATK, and strengthen Stellar Swirl-related effects. Her Water Imp form also provides special movement capabilities during exploration. 

Version 7.1's Event Wishes are currently structured around:

• Phase 1: Vesna and Vodyanitsa 

• Phase 2: Skirk and Escoffier reruns 

This gives players another reason to pay close attention to the anniversary Primogems and Intertwined Fates, especially if they plan to wish during the new version.

Moonchase Festival Returns to Liyue

The anniversary update is not limited to Snezhnaya. Version 7.1 will also bring players back to Liyue for the long-awaited return of the Moonchase Festival, which HoYoverse describes as returning after five years. 

Yilong Wharf will receive a festival makeover, but the celebrations will also involve a mystery connected to the past, with Zhongli and Zibai involved in the storyline.

Players can expect:

• A new Moonchase Festival story. 

• Three mini-games inspired by Liyue thaumaturges. 

• Festival activities around Yilong Wharf. 

• Multiple event rewards. 

• A new 4-star Sword available among the rewards. 

Additional Version 7.1 activities are planned elsewhere. Snezhnaya will feature a seasonal snowball event, while Natlan will host a tournament prediction event involving 16 competing teams.

Six Years of Genshin Impact

HoYoverse has already begun marking the milestone outside the game as well. On September 12, the official Genshin Impact website published Teyvat Talks: "Six Years of Wonder," featuring sixth-anniversary messages from members of the game's voice cast.

It reinforces that Version 7.1 is not simply another content patch. It is being positioned as part of a broader celebration of six years of Genshin Impact.

Since its worldwide launch on September 28, 2020, the game has steadily expanded beyond its original regions and storylines. The sixth anniversary now arrives with the main narrative deep inside Snezhnaya's conflict and with several of Teyvat's most important figures moving closer to the center of the story.

What Players Should Prepare for Before the Anniversary

With Version 7.1 arriving on September 23 and the anniversary following on September 28, players have several things worth keeping in mind:

• Catch up on the Archon Quest if you want access to the event-exclusive 5-star selection as soon as you meet the necessary requirements. 

• Consider your free 5-star choices carefully, especially if your account already owns several standard or eligible event-exclusive characters. 

• Plan your Wishes around the Version 7.1 banners, particularly if Vesna, Vodyanitsa, Skirk or Escoffier are priorities. 

• Check official in-game notices for exact reward distribution and event windows as Version 7.1 approaches. 

• Do not rely on older anniversary leaks or predictions, since HoYoverse has now officially announced the core sixth-anniversary package. 

A Major Anniversary for Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact's sixth anniversary looks set to go beyond the familiar annual package of login rewards and Primogems. The combination of one selectable event-exclusive 5-star character, one selectable standard 5-star character, 1,600 Primogems and 10 Intertwined Fates gives players several meaningful rewards, while Version 7.1 provides the celebration with a major new story chapter. 

More importantly, the anniversary arrives at a pivotal moment for Teyvat. The Traveler is moving closer to the Tsaritsa, Ronova is emerging as a direct threat, two new 5-star characters are joining the roster, and the Moonchase Festival is returning to Liyue.

With Version 7.1 launching on September 23 and Genshin Impact reaching its sixth anniversary on September 28, 2026, late September is shaping up to be one of the game's biggest periods of the year. Whether you are returning to Teyvat for the anniversary or starting a new journey, players who want another way to get started can explore a cheap Genshin Impact account on Z2U. Just remember to check HoYoverse's official announcements and in-game notices for the final timing and distribution details of all anniversary rewards.