February is going to be a huge month for Genshin Impact simps, as Xiao (the edgelord) will finally be released after the 500 leaks of him previously. So mark your calendars for February 3, since he will only be available for two weeks unfortunately.
But Keqing’s banner will be right after Xiao’s, so maybe it isn’t so bad (because it gives us hope that Mihoyo will hopefully give already released characters a chance of the spotlight too)
Updated Character Roadmap
Xiao February 3 [1.3 update]
Keqing *first ever standard character on featured banner* February 17
** of course any of dates are subject to change or delayed **
Hu Tao *new five star* release March 3 [1.3 update]
(rumored because of April’s Fools Day and Hu Tao is known to be a prankster and ALSO The Qingming festival, also known as “Tomb-Sweeping Day” in English, is a traditional Chinese festival observed by the Han Chinese of mainland China celebrated on April 4)
Venti *Rerun Banner* March 16 [1.4 update]
Childe/Tartaglia Rerun Banner Late March 28
With the new four star on Childe’s banner: Rosaria
type: cryo spear
Yanfei Banner Early April *new four star* on the Zhongli rerun banner [1.5 update]
type: pryo catalyst
Eula Banner * new five star * release May 19
type: cryo claymore
Klee Rerun Banner [1.6 update] June 10
Kazuha Banner *new five star* release June 29
type: anemo sword
Ayaka + Inazuma release July 21 [2.0 update]
type: cryo sword
Yoimiya Banner *new five star* [July 2.0 update] release August 11
type: pyro bow
Sayu *four star* (featured on Yoimiya’s banner) release August 11
type: anemo claymore
Aloy *new FREE five star* check your mail! on the [2.1 Update] release October 13 for playStation players only for now. Mobile and PC players will receive in the 2.2 update!
type: cryo bow
With Genshin collaborating with Horizon Zero Dawn, I really hope to see them implement their robot dinosaur mobs into the game!
Baal *new five star* most likely released September 1
type: electro spear (dual sword)
Sara *new four star* might be featured on Baal’s banner since they are kind of a duo and would be weird if she was on Kokomi’s banner… (edit: confirmed on Baal’s banner)
type: electro bow
Kokomi Banner *new five star* most likely released September 21
type: hydro catalyst
Thoma *new four star* he might be featured on the new five star’s banner in the 2.2 update. The quote “protector from afar” confirms that he is actually from Mondstadt but lives in Inazuma.
Also, because he is the only character leaked for the 2.2 update so far, this might be Mihoyo hinting at some possible re-reuns.
type: pyro spear
> rumored to be Ayaka’s finance and/or servant based on her English lines from the game [EDIT: Genshin has changed the voice lines, and they are no longer engaged… but “friends”]
@Yai_Sea_Ball 
>> Check out @Yai_Sea_Ball on twt! Her art perfectly showcases their relationship!
Leaked Characters
After finishing off the Liyue Story Quest, we’ve already met various characters from our journey and many already released as playable characters.
Also some characters were leaked and some were already established characters from the manga, so I will just organize these characters by region. (If you don’t already know about the seven different kingdoms of Teyvat, I highly recommend checking out my other blog where I kind of went over it: https://madmeaning.com/entertainment/genshin-impact-inazuma-theories-and-updates-2021-1-2-beyond-roadmap/ )
Mondstadt
Kate (Electro / Sword) *DISCONTINUED*
Most likely from Mondstadt but there is little to no information about her, but her outfit design does look European, so I have to assume she is from Mondstadt.
Liyue
Baizhu (Dendro / Catalyst) *should be released whenever the dendro element is finalized*
>> supposedly he has a cameo in the 2.2 MoonChase Festival in Liyue
Shenli (Cryo / Claymore) *DISCONTINUED*
**rumored to be the human form of the Cloud Retainer **
Yunjin (Geo / Spear) [rumored to be released sometime after 2.0]
>> supposedly she has a cameo in the 2.2 MoonChase Festival in Liyue
Yao Yao (Dendro / Catalyst) rumored to be a FREE four star dendro character!
Inazuma
Scaramouche *possible five star* (Electro / Catalyst?)
art credit: @tsu_k41
Yae Miko *possible five star* (Electro / Catalyst)
Gorou *new four star* (Geo / Bow)
Sumeru
Cyno (Polearm)
Collei (Dendro)
Fontaine
Lyney & Lynette (rumored to be a two-in-one character)
Natlan
Iansan (Pryo)
Snezhnaya
Signora (Cryo) *may be released sometime during the Inazuma Questline*
Dottore
Khaenri’ah
Dainsleif
Thank you so much for reading! Remember all of these are rumors and theories (nothing set in stone) But I will try to update as new and more information comes out! Comment down below which character you are most excited for!