Genshin Impact version 2.7 feels like a lifetime ago, but I can still vividly recall the excitement and skepticism swirling around the leaked banners by Uncle Y. In April 2022, a juicy dip into the beta files gave us a tantalizing preview of what was to come. Now, in 2026, that leak has become a piece of history worth revisiting, and seeing how those characters have shaped the meta is a fascinating retrospective.

According to the leak, the first half banner would feature the Hydro archer Yelan, with a Xiao rerun running alongside her. The four-star lineup was listed as Noelle, Barbara, and Yanfei—a mix that raised a few eyebrows at the time. Uncle Y himself cautioned that these were just guesses, but the community immediately began theorycrafting team comps and resource planning. Honestly, I remember thinking that a Xiao rerun so soon after his previous banner was a bold prediction, but in the end, miHoYo proved it right.

Then there was the second half: the long-awaited Arataki Itto rerun accompanied by the brand-new Electro healer, Kuki Shinobu. The leaker mentioned that all 4-stars were possible in this banner, so exactly which ones would appear was a blur, but Shinobu’s debut was the main attraction. The weapon banner was slated to include signature weapons and the Memory of Dust catalyst, which let’s be honest, left a few summoning fingers itching in both good and bad ways. Many of us had been begging for a Jade Cutter or a newer catalyst to return, so Memory of Dust felt like a gentle nudge toward the bench.

When miHoYo finally dropped the patch, the banners matched the leaks almost perfectly. Yelan and Xiao did arrive in the first half, and Itto brought Shinobu in the second. The four-star selections for the first half turned out to be exactly Noelle, Barbara, and Yanfei, proving Uncle Y’s guesses remarkably accurate. The weapon banner, as predicted, featured Aqua Simulacra and Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, with Memory of Dust as a shared rate-up. I still recall the collective sigh when that golden catalyst appeared instead of a more desirable choice—some things never change.

Since then, Yelan has cemented herself as a top-tier sub-DPS and support. Her off-field Hydro application and ramping damage bonus are still highly valued in the Spiral Abyss even in 2026, especially for Hu Tao double Hydro and Alhaitham Quickbloom teams. Her C6 potential turns her into an on-field monster, and her low-investment performance makes her one of the most recommended pulls for any account. It’s not hyperbole to say Yelan defined an era of fast-paced, reaction-heavy combat that still resonates today.

Kuki Shinobu, despite a lukewarm initial reception, found her niche in Hyperbloom compositions. Once Dendro arrived, her consistent Electro application and healing turned her from an afterthought into a core unit. In 2026, she’s a staple in many budget-friendly teams, and her constellations are still chased on banners where she appears. Yanfei, the scarlet-faced legal advisor, remains a solid on-field Pyro DPS for players who lack Klee or prefer a catalyst playstyle, and the addition of the Echoes of an Offering set gave her charged attacks new life. Noelle continues to be the comfort shield-maiden, while Barbara… well, she’s Barbara, forever the clutch healer and occasional meme queen.

On the Geo side, Arataki Itto has aged like fine Unagi Chazuke. With Gorou’s constant relevance and occasional new Geo support releases, his Ushi-powered smashes still clear content with flair. In 2026, Itto remains the face of mono-Geo, and his loyal fanbase has never wavered. Memory of Dust, however, has stayed largely a collector’s item—a pretty paperweight that reminds us all to temper our gacha expectations.

Looking back, the 2.7 leak feels almost quaint compared to today’s data-mined deep dives and official drip marketing that sometimes reveals characters months in advance. Back then, a single Uncle Y post could set the community ablaze for weeks. The thrill of speculation hasn’t faded; it’s just evolved into a more polished machine. Still, I fondly remember refreshing those early leak threads, wondering if my Primogems were safe. And now, with Yelan and Shinobu firmly embedded in the game’s DNA, that leak stands as a prophetic snapshot of a turning point in Genshin’s history.