Colonel Sanders Gets Bamboo Makeover in Zenless Zone Zero's KFC Collaboration

HoYoverse's action game Zenless Zone Zero is partnering with KFC in a crossover event that reimagines Colonel Sanders as a bamboo character. The collaboration, announced through promotional materials and an animated trailer, introduces a stylized version of the fast-food brand's founder into the game's universe. The event reflects the growing trend of major gaming studios integrating real-world brand partnerships into their titles.

The partnership, titled "Taste Hunt 2026," was unveiled through an official promotional video showcasing several Zenless Zone Zero characters alongside the distinctive bamboo interpretation of Colonel Sanders. HoYoverse published the announcement across its fan community channels, signaling the collaboration's importance to the studio's marketing strategy. The branding suggests thematic integration rather than a simple cosmetic overlay, with the bamboo aesthetic representing a stylized fusion of the game's visual identity and KFC's iconic mascot.

HoYoverse has indicated that the KFC collaboration will also reach Russian players, though the developer has not yet disclosed specific details about regional variations. The company's announcement banner confirmed Russia's inclusion in the promotional campaign, suggesting localized elements may differ from the global version. The studio is simultaneously preparing update 3.1, which will introduce new cosmetic content and additional characters to the game, running parallel development of both the KFC partnership and regular content updates.

Beyond the KFC crossover, HoYoverse is developing additional collaborations for Zenless Zone Zero. The studio confirmed plans for internal crossover content featuring characters from its other major title, Honkai Star Rail. According to insider reports, the partnership will extend bidirectionally, with Zenless Zone Zero characters eventually being added to Honkai Star Rail's roster. This approach strengthens the interconnected universe across HoYoverse's portfolio and provides players with incentive to engage with multiple titles in the studio's library.