Recent leaks and the official Version 3.3 patch notes for Honkai: Star Rail have confirmed a significant change: the English voice actors for the beloved Trailblazer protagonists, Stelle and Caelus, have been replaced.¹ This development has sparked a widespread discussion within the community, with many fans expressing their feelings about the departure of the original voice talents.

For many players, Rachael Chau (Stelle) and Caleb Yen (Caelus) have been the iconic voices of the main characters since the game’s global launch in April 2023. Their performances brought depth and personality to the otherwise silent protagonists, making their journey through the cosmos all the more engaging.

The decision to recast seems to be linked to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which has seen several US-based voice actors withholding their services from HoYoverse titles like Honkai: Star Rail, Genshin Impact, and Zenless Zone Zero. Reports suggest that Yen and Chau, in solidarity with the strike, were unable to participate in recent recording sessions. This absence led to a noticeable lack of voice lines for the Trailblazers in recent updates, fueling speculation about potential recasts.

The Version 3.3 update, which officially dropped on May 21, 2025, explicitly states: “When the voice language is set to English, the voice actors for the characters ‘Trailblazer (Male)’ and ‘Trailblazer (Female)’ have been adjusted.”²³ These new voices are already present in the Trailblazer’s Remembrance form combat lines and in new story missions introduced in Version 3.3.⁴ HoYoverse has also indicated that older voice lines for the characters will be updated in future patches, suggesting a complete transition to the new voices.⁵

While HoYoverse has yet to formally announce the new voice actors, the community reaction has been a mix of understanding and sadness. Many fans took to social media to mourn the departure of Chau and Yen, praising their past performances and lamenting the loss of familiar voices. Phrases like “Dark day for Trailblazer” have circulated online, highlighting the emotional impact of this change.⁶

It’s important to remember that the new voice actors are simply stepping into these roles and should not be subjected to harassment. As the Honkai: Star Rail journey continues, players will undoubtedly adapt to the fresh voices of Stelle and Caelus, but the legacy of the original VAs will certainly be remembered by the community.