New Champion Yunara Revealed for Spirit Blossom Season – Is the Darkin Glaive Delayed?

Well, it looks like we were wrong. The long-teased Darkin glaive champion may not be arriving just yet. Instead, Riot has just revealed Yunara as the new champion for the upcoming Spirit Blossom: Beyond season.

This reveal came through the Ionian-themed Spirit Blossom cinematic released today. While it brings plenty of gorgeous visuals and exciting skin reveals, it also raises a few questions—especially for fans following the Leblanc and Vladimir lore threads about the missing Darkin weapon.

Let’s break down what we learned, and what might still be coming next.

🧝 Meet Yunara – Spirit Blossom’s New Champion

Yunara appears to be the new champion entering the Rift with the Spirit Blossom: Beyond event. Based on early speculation and leaks, she may be the long-rumored “Rose Knight” support champion teased earlier this year.

Her aesthetic fits perfectly into the Spirit Blossom universe, and while her abilities and role haven’t been confirmed yet, she gives off elegant, magical support vibes—potentially rooted in Ionia.

❓What About the Darkin Weapon Teasers?

This reveal raises a lot of questions, especially considering:

LeBlanc and Vladimir have been hunting for a host for a new Darkin glaive in past cinematics and comics
Riot heavily teased this arc in The Demon’s Hand and even dropped Death Realm/Darkin symbols in earlier seasonal lore

So where is that champion?

Three Possible Explanations:

Yunara is the host of the glaive—but this is before her possession
We’re getting two champions, with the Darkin glaive host coming in Season 3
The Darkin glaive arc will continue, but Riot is staggering the champion releases over multiple acts

🎥 New Spirit Blossom Cinematic: More of a Skin Showcase Than Lore

This latest cinematic has a very different tone than the Noxus/Leblanc ones or the Arcane shorts. Instead of focusing deeply on narrative, this one feels more like:

A stylized anime-style trailer
Designed to show off new skins
With brief appearances from multiple champions, not just narrative leads

This means it’s less of a story trailer and more of a thematic teaser for the upcoming Spirit Blossom cosmetics.

✨ Confirmed Spirit Blossom Champions in the Cinematic

Riot included tags in the official video, confirming skins for the following champions:

Ashe (Legendary)
Irelia (Legendary)
Lux (Prestige)
Morgana (Exalted / Gacha)
Ivern
Nidalee
Zyra
Varus
Bard

This list includes non-Ionian champions, which is a noticeable shift from the previous Noxian-themed season where only regional champions received skins.

🤔 Strange Omissions & Surprises

Akali, one of the most popular Ionian champions, is notably absent
Syndra, who was expected to receive a VU or be a major figure this season, is nowhere to be seen
Instead, Riot is leaning into visual flair, diverse skin choices, and seasonal cosmetics across multiple acts

📚 New Comics for Xin Zhao?

Two new comics starring Xin Zhao are coming at the end of the month. While he doesn’t appear in the cinematic, this could indicate:

A visual update or gameplay rework might be on the way for him
He may play a background or narrative role in this seasonal arc

🗺️ The Map Is Getting a Spirit Blossom Makeover

While not shown in full detail, teasers suggest that the map will:

Receive Spirit Blossom-themed visuals
Possibly resemble Nexus Blitz’s lush, enchanted terrain
Feature cherry blossom overlays, soft lighting, and themed bases

Some fans are even comparing it to the fanmade “Spirited Blossoms” map, which gained popularity for its vibrant style.

🧠 Final Thoughts

While the absence of the Darkin glaive host is surprising, the Spirit Blossom: Beyond season still promises:

A stunning new champion (Yunara)
Multiple skin releases across all tiers
A cinematic-style event format with two acts
Gorgeous Ionian visuals and themed gameplay

For more breakdowns of the Spirit Blossom season, champion leaks, and patch reveals, follow LoLNOW.gg — we host the lore before the glaive finds one.