Genshin Impact's latest new boy, Ayato, gets a release date

Genshin Impact Ayato
(Image credit: MiHoYo)

New character Kamisato Ayato, the brother of Ayaka, is finally up for grabs as part of Genshin Impact update 2.6, which drops March 30. You'll be able to play him either through hard-earned Primogems, or via real-world currency microtransactions.

Developer Mihoyo, now named HoYoverse, knows what it's doing when it designed the head of the Kamisato clan. For Hydro class players, fans have had had very few character options since the game's launch, as they are as rare as the core lapis scattered around Liyue. 

Kamisato Ayato was initially leaked, and then officially teased by HoYoverse back in February, much to the clamor of fans. The community felt like he was the hydro version of the Geo ex-Archon Zhongli, a refined gentleman who drinks boba tea. Ayato's elemental skill is reminiscent of Senhe, as he is able to make a double of himself, meanwhile, the burst is similar to Ganyu, as it deals prolonged Hydro damage over a circular field. 

The community is excited for his arrival. Whales of the game and newcomers are excited to see another male character, as the game has recently lent heavily on its waifus, including the likes of Beidou, Rosaria, Senhe, and Nigguang to name a few leading ladies. However, the male characters don't have the same weight. The only one with gravitas and a loyal following has always been Zhongli, and it is only logical to try and recreate his success with Ayato.

For a while HoYoverse has been churning out characters that have received little warmth from long-term players. Newcomers, meanwhile, have preferred the flexibility of older characters who needed less grinding and more common artefacts to be on par with the other five-star Hydro characters.

Genshin Impact 2.6 brings with it so many new things to look forward to from March 30, however the clear headline has been the arrival of the head of the Kamisato clan, Ayato. 

Genshin Impact tips | Genshin Impact Dragonspine Stone Tablets | Best Genshin Impact characters | Genshin Impact fishing spots | Genshin Impact Anemoculus | Genshin Impact Electroculus locations | Genshin Impact wishes and codes | Genshin Impact Serenitea Pot blueprints | Genshin Impact Hangout Events | How to reroll in Genshin Impact | Genshin Impact Crossplay | Genshin Impact Onikabuto location guide 

Elizabeth Fryer
Trainee News Writer

I have some experience writing for local magazines regarding food reviews and art, as well as currently I am writing a novel. I have a BA in History of Art and Design and publishing, and a keen interest to know more and develop my skills. I am an avid player of PS4. I play games that vary across the genres and styles, mostly preferring the RPG games, rich in lore, mystery and fighting.

Read more
Genshin Impact screenshot of Citlali looking surprised opening a door
Genshin Impact announces a huge change for update 5.5: your custom-made artifacts can't be absolute trash anymore, so hold onto your Sanctifying Elixirs
Genshin Impact codes
All Genshin Impact codes (Mar 2025) and how to redeem them
Nagumo in Sakamoto Days
A fan-favorite character just joined hit Netflix anime show Sakamoto Days and fans couldn't be happier
Zenless Zone Zero Jane Doe rat Thiren twirling a knife
Zenless Zone Zero is still aggressively horny, but basically everything else has changed and now it's a much better action RPG with some legit roguelike sauce
Monster Hunter Wilds Mizutsune in moonlight
Monster Hunter Wilds has already revealed its first free update, and it's adding one of my all-time favorite monsters this spring
Girls' Frontline 2 screenshot
I didn’t expect this post-apocalyptic anime RPG to be a cozy game, but a new Girls’ Frontline 2 update is bringing the vibes
Latest in RPG
Posing with a rifle in the Fallout 76 Ghoul update
Fallout 76's art director "had to fight really hard" so Bethesda would make the MMO's map bigger than Skyrim's
A Dragon Age character stares out against a blue background.
BioWare makes a return to Dragon Age: The Veilguard with a surprise PC update, months after layoffs and a seemingly final patch
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
"I believe in experiencing life and art through human expression, not software": Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor calls for proper AI regulation
Yasuke riding through a village looking for Knowledge in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows' prologue is the most gripping in franchise history, but I'm fixated on the tiny details
Naoe perched in front of a castle in Assassin's Creed Shadows
I've spent 20 hours in Assassin's Creed Shadows chasing drip and decor, and it's proving to be my biggest source of motivation in the RPG
Cabernet screenshot showing vampire protagonist Liza sucking someone's blood
Cabernet is the kind of vampire RPG I've been looking for since Masquerade Bloodlines, and I'm already plotting my next run 6 hours in
Latest in News
Adolescence
After it landed 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, Hideo Kojima has also given his verdict on everyone's new Netflix obsession Adolescence
Bayonetta 3 screenshot showing bayonetta looking at a gun
As Assassin's Creed Shadows passes 2 million players, Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya reveals "I felt bad that it was being criticized so much"
Bloodborne
It's Bloodborne's 10th anniversary, and FromSoftware is celebrating with an Elden Ring patch that "does not contain any game related changes"
Four Helldivers lined up on base ship
A year after Malevelon Creek became Helldivers 2's fiercest battleground, it looks like the Automatons are coming back for more
Kurt Russell in The Thing holding a stick of dynamite.
43 years later, John Carpenter has hinted at who turns into The Thing in the horror movie and one eagle-eyed fan has worked it out
Daredevil: Born Again
A new look at Matt Murdock suiting up in Daredevil: Born Again has Marvel fans saying the same thing