Genshin Impact Version 2.8 brings us the first Male Catalyst of the game, the 4 star character Shikanoin Heizou. He has an Anemo Vision, and despite being a Catalyst-wielder, has melee attacks. His attack animations are some of the smoothest in the game, check out the Heizou Gameplay Preview below.

In case you missed it, here are Shikanoin Heizou's Abilities, Talents, Materials, and Constellations. As many Anemo characters, Heizou is meant to be a support character, only taking the field whenever his Skill and Burst is up. However, due to his Talents, Heizou seems like he will also be useful as a battery.

Overall, Shikanoin Heizou's attack animations heavily resemble Soccer Anime (think Inazuma Eleven). Especially his Eleemental Burst, where he literally goes to kick something in a straight line.

But first, let's look at his Normal and Charged Attacks.

While he primarily uses his feet to execute some attacks, Heizou also weaves in some punches here and there. If anything, his animations might remind you of airbending in The Last Airbender. His movements look really fluid and air-y, apt for his Vision. For his Charged Attack, Heizou throws a quick punch before going on to executing a sick backflip kick.

For the Hold version of his Elemental Skill, Heizou winds up for a big punch.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1526649390903218176

The stacks are also visible in Anemo green beside him. As he gains more stacks, the more concentrated the Anemo swirls in his fist. The impact effect is in the shape of a circle, closely resembling the barrier that Anemo Fatui Skirmishers generate.

Time for the highlight: his Elemental Burst.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1526650224462417920

He leaps into the air and kicks a ball of Anemo in front of him. This is the one that looks like it came straight out of Inazuma Eleven, complete with the wind-breaking effects and all.

His idles can also be viewed here and here.

Heizou's fluid animations make him look like he will be extremely satisfying to pilot, but unfortunately we will have to wait a while. There is currently no set release date for Genshin Impact Version 2.8, due to the delays caused by the COVID outbreak.

For more Genshin Impact Leaks, click here.