Asaba Harumasa Character Demo - "When the Crows Perch" | Zenless Zone Zero

[@Doppelganger612]

So that's basically why he's always "lazy"/sleeping he constantly have nightmares and barely can't sleep properly, these twists are amazing

[@omniwolf1877]

Not only that, but the Virtual Revenge episode has him trying to skip work by faking an illness. Going by this demo, there might actually be some partial truths to those claims.

[@askaliu2943]

how do you know it's only a nightmare?

[@res6148]

@@omniwolf1877 Yeah I don't think hes faking an illness at all. He probably avoids talking about whatever his condition is. It's likely that the rest of sec6 might not even know about it, thought I think Miyabi does.

[@BanishedSilentShadow3318]

​@askaliu2943 Usually with these trailers it shows each agents background, their hopes, dreams, their up bringing, and tragedy. Going off the trailer its likely he was a victim of a ethereal injection, similarly the one that was used on Pompey during the end of Sons of Calydon story. While yes these are just nightmares but we don't really know what side effects ether can do to the human body. So its likely that these nightmares are his biggest fears that one day he'll succumb to the ethereal creature that's lurking in the back of his mind, you can say he's fighting his own demon.

[@pitioti]

@@BanishedSilentShadow3318 FUTHERMORE, he show interest in a movie where someone is turned into an Ethereal and our avatar note how concentrated he was on the movie, that even more show his worry to one day maybe turn into an Ethereal (First trust event with him)

[@stormwindsakuro8678]

they said that Harumasa's choker plays a part of his character, when he first wake up we can see some marks on his neck, plus the chemical injection showed, so maybe he uses it to hide those marks also it may play a more psychological role to make him feel more safe and sane because etherians have no head just a round sphere, so the choker helps him to "fix his head on his body"

[@imikokodama3054]

Yes, or perhaps something akin to Shenhe’s “ropes”?

[@antisocialized123]

They did say in the special program that his choker means a lot to him, I bet your on to something

[@Uzarran]

It kind of reminds me of Kabaneri, as well. Using a choker to prevent an infection from reaching the brain, thereby preserving the humanity of the person in-question. Though, it might be more metaphorical in this case.

[@guarana-suquinho]

“Ethereals have no head” Pompey would like to disagree.

[@Skullgryn]

dude I'm ngl I was planning on only grinding for pulls for Miyabi but after seeing this absolutely SICK TRAILER I AM 100% PULLING FOR HARUMASA'S EIDOLONS

[@AuraChannelerChris]

Asaba onscreen: I became a Bangboo, eh-na?! Asaba offscreen: _gasps himself awake from nightmares_

[@gwakkkroniicler.6400]

AS A PDF, I CAN SEEYOU ARE A PDF!!!

[@Kiipp_U]

​@@gwakkkroniicler.6400 Huh ?!

[@ZhouYuxi-vz2nh]

Haruboo is the CUTEST !!!!!!!

[@Yenrei]

He remarks how much easier it is to pilot a Bangboo than his own body. Let that sink in.

[@caramelcwossont]

@@Yenrei…The rest of section 6 needs to send him some help by the end of the year.

[@akurle5270]

I just realized his picture disappears from the medical record at 3:31... I wasn't expecting such an ominous and dark trailer for Harumasa, whose usually so laid back and even goofy at times

[@raydin9485]

Another detail is that the first image shows his silhouette in his adult form and the second shows a silhouette of himself as a child

[@mushroomfern7260]

@@raydin9485 and if you look at the window the time of day also changes every time

[@Amnionic]

Always the silliest ones with the most darkest backstories

[@sdoesexist6094]

0:59 studio bones got competition for the fisheye

[@antisocialized123]

BSD MENTIONED🔥🔥🔥🔥🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@arrivederci_sanya]

my thoughts exactly

[@hollysummerss]

hi bsd fans

[@caramelcwossont]

MY FIRST THOUGHT THOUGH 😭

[@Justabitaurtistic]

Bro it’s giving me the chuuya fisheye flashbacks 😭

[@kuronaive]

the close up on bare chest is surely crucial as the part of his cinematic and dark lore

[@GustavoJua15]

They did it Dan Heng too

[@pallingtontheshrike6374]

it's him being disheveled and worn down by trauma, fr fr

[@Finalvent2002]

yummy

[@Luttii]

Same as the Calydon shower scene was crutial to Caesar's

[@pipaliveshere]

woof

[@mapletea3855]

I swear these demos give the craziest lore drops!!

[@Hollowmankirdy]

Fr

[@Shadow82311]

Is Asaba a good person?

[@탄창-t5v]

So next pick up HARUMASA??

[@claytonsmith9084]

Yes the burnice trailer and EP gave good lore drops

[@ProxyZZZ]

yeah all the important lore summary is in the PVs

[@wolfcouldcareless2743]

Was not expecting this dark of a story for Haru but here we are

[@NotH111]

bro, this is a Hoyoverse game, what were you expecting?

[@D.E.C77]

Earlier, I saw what happened to Asuka Langley while she was getting mind-r4ped. Now this?

[@D.E.C77]

Earlier I saw what happened to Asuka Langley while her mind got "violated". And now this?

[@Soundwave1900]

@@NotH111 rainbows and pony, as they usually do. Or do you give them credit for actually k*lling off Himeko that one time almost a decade ago? No other playable character has died ever since.

[@_Bleh_83]

He’s name is Haru?!

[@lekk3452]

Being honest, Im glad theyre tackling this issue cause if hollows and ethereals were actually real, human experiments are bound to happen

[@stormyliz9722]

Not sure if anyone has pointed this out yet, but by the calendar above his bed all these sequence of events seem to be happening in a single night on July 18th. And each time harumasa wakes up the window slightly changes, first the blinds are closed and it seems to be raining 0:26, then the blinds are open and it's stopped raining 2:23, then finally the window is open and harumasa is nowhere to be seen 3:30. Dunno if this really adds to anything but I just found it interesting lmao.

[@theremnants6807]

Someone mentioned how the final clip is him potentially trying to take his own life which is why the phone is never answered.

[@stormyliz9722]

​@theremnants6807 ooooh that does make sense, plus with the message of "congrats on making it this far" does add to that.

[@emily_36]

the way harumasa's birthday is on jul 19...so it happened a day before his birthday

[@spinelesswhinybitch8259]

Nope. He just went rampage

[@azensura]

My guess is that it's the same day, just a year apart. Each one of these is his previous birthdays.

[@felipepio]

When I woke up, I was riding in a flower carriage

[@chezzy_cat]

Yamerooooo

[@EggFlippin_]

😂 ayy Happy Birthday Harumasa

[@artemisghost1088]

When he woke up he was an ethereal?

[@nover607]

@@artemisghost1088 he supposedly "dies" in the 1.4 story

[@eevettachan6247]

When I saw that happy birthday message, I went 'NO, NOT A NAHIDA 2.0! '

[@divinemusa7544]

I LITERALLY was thinking "man wouldnt it be cool if there was a partial corrupted character" and to think ZZZ already made one is SO AWESOME!!!

[@abdullahalhaddad2435]

Same I had the exact same thought as well

[@DorkBoo]

Dude me too.... I was even cooking up ideas for fun

[@NY-Buddy]

I'm pretty sure it hints that Ms Sarah the villain is a controlled Ethereal. Remember the scene where her eyes went green and pulsed.

[@urdeadnotbigsuprise7439]

​@@NY-Buddywhich scene, can you tell me?

[@MrMarti-i7f]

Could be a possible direction the 2.0 story goes.

[@trickytrouble6679]

No wonders zzz won visual spectacula of the year in the mobile game awards category. This was BEAUTIFUL!

[@aylamao7895]

those awards were done by a bunch of idiots from a no-name website who made numerous errors like getting robin's VA wrong. but I do agree they deserve it.

[@FilipRanogajec]

Don't forget it's not only "mobile".

[@Shadow82311]

Is Asaba bad person?

[@HimeLunaMoon]

They're also up Player's Voice (they made it to the finals, but competition is Wukong, Genshin, and WuWa), which 100% fan votes. I'm hoping for the best for them.

[@FilipRanogajec]

@@Shadow82311, I don't think so. I mean, we've seen him fighting with the good guys, and being a Special Agent at H.A.N.D. - no easy feat.

[@Ikirri]

2:15 those eyes... He really is like Void Drifter Kiana, huh. Struggling to not turn into a monster, haunted by guilt, dealing with a possibly terminal medical condition, and still trying to fight to protect the world.

[@ChronoEclipse]

A...Asaba? "Congrats on making it this far" WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO ASABA!?

[@kurohanamaiki5344]

It's wether from other people, or it's some kind of reminder made by him for himself Like "You received a new message" just there if someone texted him, and not shown the full text of what they've been sending him So that sentences "Happy Birthday" and "Congrats on making it this far" are probably written by him Just like a calendar or something, when you put something in there, it'll give you notification, so that's probably what it is But that's my theory, sorry if it was confusing, my English is bad

[@ChronoEclipse]

@@kurohanamaiki5344 Lol, no you are fine, but that would be interesting if he sent a birthday message to himself... it's also sad too x.x

[@CatWithBlueHat]

This is Absolute Cinema

[@Muradarer]

we need a 10 things you missed on this trailer oh boy what a doosie.

[@blustar5438]

Fancy meeting you here.

[@akari5141]

THIS IS ABSOLUTE CINEMA

[@ToadAteYourSoul]

Yeah! I agree. You should make a theory video about him. I got worried on him.

[@FusionOC]

12 years old

[@dawesomemage6126]

(Happy Birthday) (Congrats on making it this far) Wow that is a chilling line!

[@srlopez875]

The horrifying implication that the first thing he should be happy for in his birthday is that he gets to live another day I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to off himself, or at least the thought of doing It crossed his mind.

[@aienjell]

@@srlopez875 That's the vibe I got. Not that he wants to but that they are painting his condition as so hopeless that the idea becomes reasonable to the viewer. Maybe exerting energy is what speeds up his condition resulting in him basically bedrotting just to stay alive (as human) longer.

[@_Nyxus_]

@@srlopez875 I wouldn't be surprised if they put something like that in his voice lines. Lighter already has some pretty dark lines going in that direction during his hangouts. Kinda just want to hug all these guys, everyone's so traumatized. But then again, it's realistic considering the absolute disaster of their world.

[@writerducky2589]

True. "You have a new message." "Happy birthday." Really? After all that, REALLY!!?😂😭

[@antisocialized123]

Personally I got a double meaning out of the message. This could take place not long after he got put in section 6, so the person could be congratulating him on that. But the idea that they are also congratulating him for making it this far in his life is terrifying.

[@elijah8194]

He either turned into an ethereal during an experiment and they managed to turn him back into a human and has to keep taking medicines to stop him from turning again or he's slowly turning into an ethereal and the medicine slows down the process.

[@krislmao]

It could mean that turning into an ethereal is a reversible process, so theoretically we can get boss fights with corrupted characters (not just mimics)

[@GunpowderCoffee]

@@krislmao Playable Pompey?

[@texossd]

Nah, he fell in lava, his corpse doesn't exist anymore (unfortunally)​@@GunpowderCoffee

[@Alastor8-ee3lf]

I lowkey thought he had insomnia

[@krislmao]

@texossd But he fell exactly where Caesar did so... may be he just got teleported to somewhere else?

[@Karan-pn7xs]

The thought of a wholesome Guy who jokes and complains about work half the time would be reliving nightmares everyday while on medication. Great job by the animation staff and other people behind the video to bring out the backstory to life in a beautiful yet bizarre way.

[@urdeadnotbigsuprise7439]

Sans Undertale but on medication.

[@princkleminckle1159]

It's always the happy ones 💀

[@Skarathorn]

The way they captured the feeling of not being able to wake up from a nightmare, then waking up still in the dream... flawless

[@jeronimoroldan2677]

3:26 I never thought about it, they attack the same, they shoot from afar with a bow and use their bow as a blade

[@zellrang]

Yeah... Probably just like those dancer ethereal bosses, the archer ethereal is based on him

[@cyberneko4913]

Meaning that Thanatos could be him from another universe / time, which suggests that the Hollow may be able to create a time shenanigans. Which means the past Void Hunters can become a playable agents, which means...LADY SUNBRINGER HERE I COME.

[@marrlethefirst]

@@cyberneko4913 I really don't think we're bringing alternate timelines into this, not this soon in the story anyway. (And I hope to god we just do not in general, time travel is death of any good story unless it was made with it in mind from the start, which ZZZ does not give me the vibes of)

[@ywami]

Wait that is GIGABRAIN

[@Road_to_Dawn]

@@cyberneko4913 That's quite the leap in logic there lol

[@trickytrouble6679]

This was honestly next level cinematography and animation. Well done zzz!

[@supportpossum5672]

The animation was great, but I definitely don’t think the cinematography was “next level” It was pretty average if anything.

[@Karma-pq9fi]

They always one up themselves every demo.

[@EmanatorOfRemembrance]

​​@@supportpossum5672 This, people be overhyping everything these days

[@탄창-t5v]

So next pick up HARUMASA??

[@ian3523]

@@supportpossum5672ohmygodddd just appreciate the art for gods sake

[@simplysquibbly]

Something interesting to note about the symbolism in this demo: Many have speculated that the members of H.S.O.6 are based off the four horsemen of the apocalypse, with Harumasa representing pestilence, the white horse. From the original greek in the untranslated Bible, the word "death" (θᾰ́νᾰτος, thánatos) is used rather than "plague" or "pestilence". We see harumasa as Thanatos, the enemy, at 3:26. Additionally, in the 1916 novel, "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Vicente describes the white rider, Pestilence, with a "brass quiver swung on his back, filled with poisoned arrows (2:01), containing the germs of all diseases." Harumasa is the white rider.

[@wdeltag]

Also the crows in this trailer are white. Another connection

[@snappieboi5026]

@@wdeltagwhat would be the rest of section 6?

[@wdeltag]

​@@snappieboi5026 Miyabi - Death (she's a voidhunter yadayada), Yanagi - War (she participated in a war against Oni), Harumasa - Pestilence (he's affected with some kind of terminal illness), Soukaku - Famine (she's always hungry)

[@youraveragesub]

@@snappieboi5026 yanagi - conquest (story trailer depicts her infiltrating the rebels) miyabi - war (idk about this) soukaku - famine (always hungry)

[@freakingexcited]

@@snappieboi5026Soukaku - Famine Yanagi - Conquest Harumasa - Death Miyabi - War At least that’s my guess

[@Celest1n3]

literally the last frame of 0:39 shows us the scars he hides with his choker 😭

[@shinyyordle9233]

No, those are drops of sweat, later in 0:47 you can see he has nothing on his neck

[@nekonochesire6023]

@@shinyyordle9233 lmfao you're blind, there are the same seringue scars/spot here too.

[@HS-ui2vl]

nice catch! he also covers his neck when he's being accused by the crowd at 1:34

[@kennibal666]

Wow those 4 dots. Thanks! I didn't notice it at first.

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

​@@shinyyordle9233. Try to looks closer, the dots is still there

[@sneakretster]

I think this is the first time I've ever watched a demo/teaser/trailer from Hoyoverse in the last 4 years since I started playing Genshin.. where I've been left kinda speechless. Genuinely don't know what to say other than I had chills and this is FAR from what I could've expected, even when it was clear he probably has a dark history. Wow.

[@eightyeight2379]

What trailer made you speechless 4 years ago?

[@sneakretster]

@@eightyeight2379 oh, no, the point I was making is that this is the first time I've been left speechless in my entire time spent keeping up with Hoyoverse games in the last 4 years. I can't recall a single time where words wouldn't come to me because even with depressing trailers that could make me cry or hype ones that could make me overloaded with excitement I ALWAYS ended up having some kind of thought by the end. But after this? I didn't have anything to say because it caught me so off guard and I could only express that I *couldn't* express anything.

[@eightyeight2379]

@@sneakretster ah I see 👌

[@silversix6ailver649]

@@sneakretster if you know miHoYo since ggz and honkai Impact 3rd you wont be suprise about how dark, sad and depressing the story that miHoYo can write! They have been doing this dark, sad and depression story in ggz and honkai impact 3rd!

[@deltaxvs]

Bro finna have the best agent story yet hands down

[@Soundwave1900]

Lets hope they actually follow up on that unlike what they've done with Yanagi and the onis.

[@vulcaniel9348]

Dont know if its topping Rina's story, but this will be great

[@vulcaniel9348]

​@@Soundwave1900Bro, they just didn't developed the story in game, not everything from the demos go to the game, Yanagi's demo is still canon

[@m-Pill]

⁠@@Soundwave1900​​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠The art from his agent story and his pillbox w-engine has a similar theme to this video so I’m very excited.

[@Crow_III]

Mmm, maybe. Agent stories have been 50/50 so far in terms of what kind of STORY content we get. Some have been straight up side-quest type of content, like winning the lottery with Burnice and reuniting with Grace's old roommate. Then some have been great like Rina and the Nurse, or Lycaon and Mockingbird.

[@Christian_Kim]

Was not expecting Haramasa to have such a dark history and his medical condition for wanting days off to be real. Excited to see how this event unfolds and to play as him!

[@D.E.C77]

No wonder he uses up almost all of his sick days. Surprised he hasn't called in 'dead' yet.

[@primawowiling6207]

It's mihoyo of course they can write this type of story! 😂😂😂 Just see how dark and depression honkai impact 3rd can be!

[@hello.9958]

​@@primawowiling6207 the more people say this the less i can take hi3rd seriously

[@CrimsonVyper]

As a HI3rd player I agree with you man!​@@primawowiling6207

[@gimmeyourrights8292]

Miyabi: Haru, you've exhausted your sick days, if you request one more than that's grounds for termina--- Haru: B̶̥̦͍̣̌͆Ḗ̷̯͔̺̓̐ ̴̯̬̫̞̳̓Ň̸̢͕̫̮Ȯ̷̙͐̍T̴̡̥̟̝͆ ̵̥̯̬̪̺̊̅̓͆Ȧ̸̬̮͙F̴̹̍̕R̶͉̙̥̣̍͝Ȃ̴̧̱͑I̵̤͚̙̖̔D̶̻̄͐̍. Miyabi: I see your point, here's 10 more sick days.

[@nishikifobiastream3111]

My man wasn't lazy. He has depression. Didn't expect him to have such a dark past. Oh, a trauma. Someone pointed it out. This guy was traumatized and probably finds a little peace by sleeping.

[@NoName-sh5xe]

This will hit home with a lot of people.

[@jasonfanclub4267]

Just Depression 😔

[@sethyoder7996]

Idk about depression this looks like PTSD type mental trauma. Either way yeah no wonder he likes to sleep (assuming he doesn't have constant nightmares)

[@nishikifobiastream3111]

@@sethyoder7996 oh, that's right! Thank you for pointing that out. I commented way too fast after watching his trailer. I hope buddy finds some peace and tranquility while sleeping. ☹️

[@nishikifobiastream3111]

@@jasonfanclub4267 i shouldn't have said "just" omg it ain't a small thing to begin with. 😞🙏🏻

[@soph6008]

... And I thought Lycaon and Lighter had a dark past. I mean they *do* but this is on a whole different level. I never thought I'd see pills and needle wounds in a hoyoverse trailer. This actually changed my view on him quite a lot. Wow. Dear lord, that man is traumatized.

[@sidnairain]

Multi-layered nightmares is my favorite theme. Harumasa is my favorite character in ZZZ. See that as an absolute win.

[@joshthehollow5254]

Other character demos: Cool fights and silly times. Harumasa's demo: ALL THESE THOUGHTS RUNNIN THROUGH MY HEAD

[@pallingtontheshrike6374]

lighter's demo is him having war flashbacks to his time in the arena so it's not really silly even if it is cool Jane demo is just terror

[@snappieboi5026]

@@pallingtontheshrike6374that’s his ep

[@alanhouk1427]

ARMS ON FIRE, VEINS BURNIN RED! FRUSTRATION GETTIN BIGGER!

[@princkleminckle1159]

Meanwhile Burnice: MOCKTAILS, MIXERS, ICE 🗣🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@pallingtontheshrike6374]

@@princkleminckle1159 THE SNACKS ARE REAL NICE ok but seriously

[@adandyguyinspace5783]

It suggests that he was “turned” into an ethereal at one point. Or at least had the prescience of one. The transition of the arrow into an injection into what seems to be him as a kid seems to be saying that he was under some kind of procedure or maybe an experiment. Ethereals can’t exist outside a hollow much like a vampire can’t be in the sun. However there are half vampires that can be active during the day, therefore someone who is artificially half ethereal (they can’t breed) can exist outside of a hollow. Edit: he doesn’t need to look like an ethereal, he could have been injected with whatever the ethereal equivalent of DNA is. Therefore his actions and mannerisms can reflect those of an ethereal but learned to keep that from happening.

[@Helldragon789]

He's turning ethereal Dude has ether cancer

[@kotaunknown]

So that’s why he takes pills??? Omg

[@TayTayWarrior]

imagine turning to an ethereal and back or having something related to it; then, taking medication for the and suffer from some PTSD and nightmares from it. that has to be rough.

[@pallingtontheshrike6374]

...why did he show up the first time along with the thanatos? hoyo, how long have you been preparing for this...???

[@adandyguyinspace5783]

@@Helldragon789But remember, he’s outside the hollow, anything to do with ether is bupkis outside of it. I would think being corrupted would cease outside of a hollow, especially a lingering corruption like a sickness as you said. That’s just what we know based off of the lore so far

[@zephyrus2569]

"Congrats on making it this far." Ouch. I wonder how much time he has.

[@justlllama]

prog gonna live till zzz finishes

[@RULERZRE4CHF4N]

you guys know the song insomnia?? by eve?? the meds on the nightstand, text from someone, a scene in the city with a confused or scared character. even the close up on the legs to show he’s dizzy. the mirror scene, waking up, mentally turning into your kid self. the confusion between two versions of you, the solidarity and arguments between what you once thought was the same person.

[@PIZZABOXXER]

I WAS REMINDED OF THAT

[@lana-ana-ana]

omg hi eve fan

[@AMeme-k8g]

I love how Harumasa's character demo includes a whole animation as well like?? And so seemless as well, it doesn't feel out of place like other media when they mix models with 2d animation 😭😭 I think hoyo needs to do this more for their character demos instead of leaving 2d animation to just trailers

[@galonski64]

It amazing how we see him as such a silly, guy, lazy like how must of us feel, to something this extreme as we learn more about him. Can't wait for more in game with him too.

[@JohnPeacekeeper]

The funniest people are often also the saddest.

[@D.E.C77]

​@@JohnPeacekeeperComedy often derives from trauma. (Speaking from personal experience)

[@sais0919]

​​@@JohnPeacekeeperBro harumasa is sans from undertale

[@galonski64]

@JohnPeacekeeper true, laugh through the pain

[@boltcat]

​@sais0919megalomania intensified

[@didjargo]

Haru in the game thus far: such a goofy guy, always trying to slack off at work. Haru now: Evengelion levels of mental anguish!

[@adilindeitygaming]

In case no one noticed, his birthday looks to be July 18th. In the last scene, you can see marks on the calendar in his room and ofc the text message says "happy birthday". (as someone who has a birthday 3 days away from my fav ZZZ character, I'm happy) - anyway MY POOR BABY I HOPE HE'S OK

[@pallingtontheshrike6374]

HE'S JUST LIKE ME FR FR PLEASE BE OK

[@hello_idk0]

His birthday is also 3 days before mine

[@svnstra5571]

“Happy birthday, congrats on making it this far” HIT HARD AS HELL. TOO HARD.

[@ilanklein1067]

Ok can we all agree to say that this is the best trailer they ever put out?

[@wesleyc5713]

Harumasa in virtual revenge : 😴😉😏🤯✨ Harumasa in his demo: 🥱😨😷👹☠️👽😱

[@pallingtontheshrike6374]

ZZZ classic, take a pick to the floor and find the world open up beneath your feet

[@Tyler-gg6xt]

Exactly

[@Ybnar]

Bro got the peak agent story. That is absolute cinema

[@AsherKane-y9r]

A great trailer for new character and well done zzz for making this trailer

[@antisocialized123]

If his story ends up being some silly go lucky side quest I’m gonna throw hands

[@imagiNarin]

Holy anime main protagonist moment. The feels, the chills! I didn't expect an animation omg. I really love how ZZZ does their character demos. Harumasa turned from just a slacker guy to one of the most interesting characters. Super excited to do his story quest!

[@Blue_Bite]

I wish more people will watch this video. Such cool combination of animation styles, how Xarumasa emotions are shown, atmosphere in general... This work should be aprishiated. P.s. The way he turns into ephirial in the end is so stunning

[@socialreveluv5428]

Male characters are always a refreshing sight. Not like it hasn't been said enough already but we need more of those. It would help to create a way more polished and unique cast of characters.

[@hellfoxwolf14]

I...I did not expect the dark tone for Harumasa of all people.

[@pallingtontheshrike6374]

We were overdue, given how burnice was uber lighthearted and lighter didn't lay it on too thick yet.

[@Shadzx___23]

Like that saying where the brightest smile holds the darkest past🫠... Hope ma boi gets the therapy he deserves

[@lana-ana-ana]

@@pallingtontheshrike6374 lighter was just the start 😭

[@DisasterÜ]

Always the goofy one who has one of the most traumatizing past 😢

[@fatum8573]

Such cliche

[@signer0001]

meanwhile Burnice

[@caramelcwossont]

Except Burnice.

[@Linkgens]

Now we know why he's always so tired.. He doesn't get enough sleep, 'cause he gets haunted by the nightmares of his past.. 😭

[@Karomix3]

My boy has such a dark backstory and trauma, I love him even more for it and wish that he gets cured, poor guy. Gotta hand it to him though, despite his condition he still goes out to save people in Hollows and fight in one of the most prestigious Hollow teams, respect.

[@BigManStan34]

Idk if it's just me but 3:46 kinda suggests that haru had attempted suicide before. Considering how he views himself as an ethereal and how he thinks people in his dream saw him as a monster, I wouldn't be surprised if he did something along those lines.

[@ghostbait1419]

I am so relieved I wasn't the only one who immediately thought that cause that is the exact vibe I was getting from the end.

[@BigManStan34]

@ghostbait1419 yeah it makes me pretty sad I thought he was a silly goober :(

[@pallingtontheshrike6374]

Yup and it's almost certainly why nagi is like "no you don't get days off bozo you coming with us," she knows he's gonna try something "funny" if he's alone for too long

[@emberthecatgirl8796]

I got more of a “neat your body didn’t shut down on itself yet” vibe, but your interpretation makes so much sense

[@pixel_ated]

I think its moreso that he wasn't expected to live as long as he has, terminal illness and all

[@zell8957]

1. Soukaku - Oni 2. Yanagi - Human with Oni blood 3. Harumasa - Human with ethereal blood? 4. Miyabi - ?? Section 6 squad is kinda special in all cases 🤔

[@bltzcstrnx]

Based on the pattern, she should be Etherial.

[@wolfyfluff7585]

Miyabi is a fox :)

[@TheLastQuazar]

Miyabi is fox demon from Dante's Inferno Hell

[@vercelfs7719]

well with how grim their backstory my speculation was miyabi is just one of the imperfect clones of first swordmaster void hunter. how come miyabi is a fox thiren while she doesn't have a tail just like her ancestor.

[@catinapan4956]

​@@vercelfs7719 I saw someone posted that Miyabi is from Helios academy too so she must be some kinda experiment. And the kid picture of her in 1.4 special looks like a lab kid walking with professor.

[@Zero_Li24]

This no longer a demo, this is outright an anime 👀

[@29_firdausayanuar88]

Though seeing this makes me think that Harumasa is such a lucky person if despite his illness, everyone in section 6 still accepted him without any discrimination.

[@ichigokage]

It lines up with my theory of everyone in section 6 being inhuman(not insulting) we have a prodigious Thiren with wicked sword skills, a young oni girl with super strength, a genius and monstrously strong woman with oni blood running through her veins and now whatever is going on with Asaba. Perhaps experimented on given the art we saw in the recent livestream and the fact his W-Engine is a pill case.

[@deputysoso]

Maybe they just don't know

[@KikyoKl]

this hits so much different after experiencing his agent story ...

[@Ken-qw5jr]

ZZZ stays killing it with these demos! If they keep on doing this quality ZZZ surely will be one of the best on-going games out there

[@xbgsheikiii3593]

Unlimited budget cinematics holy peak 😭🙏

[@xlcyruslx]

The hell is happening??? Harumasa is a ethereal Medicated user?? I love it!!

[@BanishedSilentShadow3318]

Thats what i was thinking. I assume that since this was before, it could've been the same injection that was used on Pompey. Thats my guess anyway

[@dergrive88]

You shouldn't lmao this is sad as f

[@Ddoukii]

0:15 they make animation graphics almost like MAPPA, i love it!

[@Nexxuseditzz]

Do you know how they did it? Or any specific software?

[@princkleminckle1159]

imagine if it turns out to be MAPPA lmao

[@shinyyordle9233]

I genuinely forgot I was watching a Demo, it felt like a movie intro. Now I want more.

[@Marinerthekod]

We went from Yanagi who on the surface, looked like a busy office mom, but she actually carried the blood of the oni leader and ended the oni war, as well as adopting Soukaku in the process. Then to Lighter who just looked like some guy in sunglasses who acts cool all the time, but has a dark past involving losing his loved ones to a hollow and being forced to participate in an endless amount of boxing matches to pay off this debt. And finally Asaba who looks like he fakes being sick just to skip work, but is actually part Ethereal trying to contain himself and keep his sanity. How did we get from teenage shark girl who has a part time job as a battle maid to this 😭 (Not complaining I still love this)

[@KickUpHammyDude]

Wow... this is phenomenal. Makes sense to push from Live2D animation to full blown anime quality. 1.4 and ZZZ being on the Player's Voice nomination, this all feels like a huge deal and I'm happy they're pushing that hype! Just one more week before the Storm guys!

[@softae6767]

What the hell, his lore is so interesting, i need to know more! The animation was fire

[@wdeltag]

Miyabi - Death. Can't really substantiate this one but it's the only relevant pick. We don't know much about her yet. Yanagi - War. She participated in a war against Oni. Harumasa - Pestilence. He's affected with a terminal disease. Soukaku - Famine. She's always hungry. Section 6 members are The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

[@HazZzel-]

Miyabi has extremely deadly abilities, maybe that's it. She also has some kind of spirit? I believe her orb spirit thing has mythological roots

[@kevin-uz7mo]

Maybe it's because of her mother's death? Just a guess

[@pallingtontheshrike6374]

If we try reading the lost footage and the question in the 1.4 trailer, miyabi may not have had perfect control over her sword skills when she was younger. And she might've murked some people she didn't mean to.

[@kennibal666]

HAHAHHAHA Soukaku = famine made me rofl.

[@res6148]

I think this fits the bill

[@Gihellcy]

Got a call form Mr. Reca a minute ago, he told me this was absolute cinema o/

[@INNAMORAT1]

WARNING : Yap fest alert 🤤 Honestly don’t know if anyone’s pointed it out, but there’s like, what, two instances of white crows showing up. White crows are obviously pretty rare, but in some cultures it symbolizes things like transformation, spiritual awakening, or just an omen / sign of change. Pretty sure all factions are usually based on different places and such but Section 6 is pretty heavily based more around Japanese culture or whatever. White crows hold a similar meaning with it being an auspicious sign, or signifying a positive message of transformation, spiritual awakening, or divine intervention. While he’s certainly shown some good luck with those white crows, the breaking of the mirror itself is usually a sign of bad luck, but also can also represent tons of other things that fit perfectly with how he’s portrayed in the trailer. ( Tbfh idk whether he was dreaming or having straight up illusions / hallucinations and a full blown crash out. But anyways, dreams usually reflect our anxieties and fears too, same with mirrors being that they are symbolic of one’s self and can reveal who they are on a deeper level ) Broken glass can represent shattered illusions or hopes. It could signify disappointment or deception with someone or something in your life, feeling unable to make sense of things, a situation has shifted with a deep emotional or sentimental change, feeling emotionally vulnerable, feeling stressed, or close to breaking point. Now broken mirrors can mean : Self- reflection, questioning how you see yourself or how others perceive you - A desire for change, like you might be ready for something to change, especially if you break the mirror in your dream like he did - Feeling a loss of identity or sense of self, or have a distorted image of yourself. On a lighter note, it can mean evolving as a person by saying goodbye to bad habits or negative thoughts about yourself ( But that seems pretty unrealistic with how he is right now ). Anyways, yapping done ( For now ). Just a cool detail I totally 100% did not research and use half of google to look up all the meanings.

[@LeBornMajes]

There is no white crow, the color is just inverted

[@mehi2324]

Peak trailer. All the section 6 trailers so far has such a horror movie aesthetic, can’t wait for Miyabi!

[@Eenkin]

I wouldn’t say Yanagi’s trailers have horror aesthetics. She has one that’s traumatic, but not quite horror. Plus her demo and and EP are rather lighthearted.

[@AncientBeast65]

@@Eenkin It's more like how war is bad kind of theme.

[@ichigokage]

@@Eenkin the very real horrors of war and I guess racism between humans and oni? But war for sure.

[@doorsareforopening]

Both his and yanagi's demos have a theme of societal prejudice. Onis vs Humans in Yanagi's and violent fear towards Harumasa for being some kind of ethereal experiment

[@shadowclaw7210]

I think a more appropriate term thriller

[@AlexGOD08]

this game deserves to win as the best Mobile game for the game awards 2024. Zenless Zone Zero had a good success and experience!

[@FilipRanogajec]

Not only as "mobile" - it's on PC and PS5 too.

[@freshlymemed5680]

@@FilipRanogajec Console and PC is too much competition, ZZZ def deserves best mobile game though.

[@wdeltag]

​@@FilipRanogajec it's called a mobile game (and can participate in mobile game awards) because it's fully supported on mobile Yes, it's also supported on other platforms but it's still mobile

[@RoshanSingh-u6s]

Nah bro Wuwa is next level 💀

[@qk4m4]

@@RoshanSingh-u6swuwa has mid animation ngl otherwise its rlly good

[@Markeveli237]

I wasn't expecting Harumasa's backstory to be a horror movie. zzz is easily my favourite gacha game

[@AyeeeeImTheHotDogMan]

Hoyoverse you've got me so interested he might be my favourite zenless character

[@Iamwhatyouseek]

This character for some reason gives me bungo stray dogs vibes, especially 0:59

[@So_Flower]

Same. Reminded me of Akuta and atsushi

[@yippieyippie85]

the fisheye 😭

[@catsulucy]

YOU DID NOT

[@thaitoan4760]

The vibe of this demo compare to others previously is crazy.

[@Azel7777]

No way, did hoyo just gave our boi harumasa the nahida treatment 😢 depression pv on his birthday (next week)

[@elizabethsolorio9837]

Oh shoot

[@Camillakittycat55]

Yup they did which poor sweet boi he's need a hug 😢🫂

[@brandonmurillo705]

Is he half ethereal, and if that is true, then we could see more people like him in the future.

[@nover607]

the 1.4 story trailer shows him dyeing as a kid so i think they are trying to suppress his transformation till it can no longer be contained

[@zephyrus2569]

By the looks of it, he partially transformed into an Ethereal, but was saved before the transformation was complete. The Ether is still in his body, and he has to undergo regular treatment to keep the corruption at bay. The treatment takes a physical toll on him, which is why he's always tired and asking for sick days, and, worse, it also appears that its effectiveness is only temporary, so he will eventually transform. From what we've seen so far, with Pompey for example, Ethereal transformation happens pretty rapidly once the necessary corruption threshold is reached, so I'd say people like Harumasa are probably very rare.

[@xanmoas]

@@zephyrus2569 Because his sick days are normally seen as a excuse, Its possible Section 6 has no idea about it. Otherwise Yanagi might of been more thoughtful. He also creates excuses for his sick days that don't mention his illness so that dosen't help.

[@wdeltag]

We'll get at least one more character that is affected by ether. Trigger. Soldier 11's sniper teammate. Her eyes are corrupted.

[@zellrang]

​​@@zephyrus2569him being in section 6 is probably part of him being under surveillance to make sure he is under control at all times, that's probably also why he can't quit or be fired despite being lazy working there...

[@BioMatic2]

I really love how the gameplay part were integrated in this trailer, the composition looks different from a normal gameplay teaser and works very well.

[@monstiesrider1748]

He seen such a happy person. I hope one day he gets better and his past trauma will be healed 😭

[@bizarrelygreen5177]

Really interested to learning more about Harumasa and Section 6

[@phuct4980]

Out of all the four, he always the most mysterious. The happy lazy attitude of his hide a lot of things.

[@shimsho896]

These trailers just keep on getting better

[@tactical_tea]

Thank you, Zenless team, for treating him so well! This animation was incredible! 😭💛

[@cyco7229]

So, this is why he's always tired, it isn't lazyness but his mental health is falling apart (due to ethereal contamination?). A surprisingly dark turn for a character that seemed so goofy at first, good work ZZZ.

[@REDTOPROBLOX]

"Congrats on making it this far" Don't worry Zenless I won't be quitting anytime soon with this Sick updates....

[@nivek4321]

"The brighter the story, the darker the backstory." - idk Sun Tzu

[@kaitotatsuya]

Zzz should won this year...Every banner is legitimately amazing.

[@HimeLunaMoon]

I'm wishing them the best, they've got some really good competition this year. Last Cyberpunk winning was a shock...

[@fajaraditya1950]

If all of the section 6 really have a rough past. Then i can't imagine how much pain or that turbulence of emotion that Yanagi witness from her team member. The fact that she herself also have a past with Soukaku and she herself is a perceptive person makes me think that, she can understand everyone in the team. Thats why in the description of this video she is the first to notice a change in Harumasa, even if he act like usual.

[@autumndark]

this demo is so good. i love the transitions between 2D and 3D, the subtle horror aspects, and the lore!! MIXED MEDIA HELL YEAH

[@HaloGoated]

This is officially my favorite zzz demo the music the visuals and the story I liked his character before was even out i saw leaks and Taught this guy was Badass now you expose more from him and he might be my new favorite character i cannot wait for more of Haru

[@redrovaeden5143]

Dang this went way more into depth on his character than I expected it to

[@minatoarisato7652]

Very impressive. Really enjoying the more serious side to ZZZ in section 6

[@corruptirisanimation]

I love how much effort zzz puts into the story and animations KEEP IT UP THEYRE GORGEOUS

[@crimsoncrown]

Uploaded the same day as my birthday, and the ending part which say "Happy Birthday" "Congrats on making it this far" it resonates with me man...

[@IshimurA99]

This is really a good demo of Harumasa's past and left a mark on many people's hearts, especially since he is a free character

[@lomoyas592]

I love how ZZZ drops the craziest lore on normal looking characters

[@r.a.r.c5669]

I can't wait to play the Harumasa's history mission, I think that he's the typical funny guy but hides a dark past, maybe I'm wrong here but, could it be that Harumasa is related in certain way to the Thanatos ethereals? they're the only archers and also they attack like with swords... we just have to wait and see!

[@BinaryPLUR]

Man, that transition was insane from 2D to 3D. They ALWAYS nail those. Bravo.

[@petitcornichonespagnol]

It hits harder after his story quest..

[@thegreensabre6878]

I was looking for that comment

[@natikagott1323]

Me before seeing this: "I don't blame ya, bro. I don't wanna be at my job either. Why take so many sick days, though?" Me after seeing this: "O...oo...oooh..." I think I've watched this demo at least 10 times now. I just love everything about it, from the overall atmosphere to the music. Chef's kiss~

[@starbuk10]

Yo this agent story is actually peak 🔥

[@peachybloom206]

Oh harumasa the fandom could never make me hate you honey, POOR THING PLZ Y’ALL IM OVER HERE SOBBING 😭protecc him plzzzzzz 😭😭😭😭😭

[@ugu1273]

go to therapy pls

[@excellent_potato]

Hands down the best demo so far. Everything was perfect. Down to the last minute details.

[@itzpurple_queen9711]

This solidified him as my favourite character! Can’t wait to get him!

[@RedBaron1609]

2:11 I have a Theory. The athereal human Thing that fought against belobog industries. It's still unclear what that Thing is, but maybe it's relate to him

[@BaptisteMartin-tg8tm]

Is it the ethereal that absorbed a machine from belobog industries? Isn't it supposed to be dead or smth?

[@RedBaron1609]

@BaptisteMartin-tg8tm Yes it's the machine Thing, but I still believe It could be that more of These things exists

[@BaptisteMartin-tg8tm]

@RedBaron1609 ok, I mean I guess he and arumasa might be the same... Which means, we might discover more about what they are Definitely looking forward to his story anyways !