Meet Belle and Wise: The Sibling Duo Running New Eridu's Random Play

It’s 2026, and Zenless Zone Zero has cemented its place as HoYoverse’s quirkiest urban fantasy. But long before Proxy networks hummed with activity, two faces anchored the entire chaotic charm of New Eridu’s last video store. Who exactly are the co-owners of Random Play, and why do they look suspiciously like the protagonist you didn't pick? In the grand tradition of letting you choose a twin or a gender-swapped alter ego, Zenless Zone Zero hands players the keys to a sibling-run shop—and then promptly shoves the unchosen one into the background as your eternally helpful assistant. That’s right, Belle and Wise aren’t just decorative NPCs; they’re the beating heart of a post-apocalyptic retail venture that also moonlights as an underground adventure hub.

Choosing between the two is the first delicious headache the game serves up. Do you want to stride through hollows as the gentle, reserved young man who probably alphabetizes vintage game cartridges while you’re away? That’s Wise, the brother who co-runs Random Play with a quiet competence that screams “support main” even before combat begins. Flipping the coin, Belle is the cheerful, easy-going sister whose snack stash rivals the store’s actual inventory. She’s the type to hum to herself during enemy encounters and then ask if the terrifying Ethereal they just defeated is at least a collector’s edition. What’s baffling—and also brilliant—is that whichever sibling you don’t choose doesn’t vanish. They become your voice in your ear, your quest-giver, your one-person helpdesk who somehow still finds time to manage the shop while you’re out risking your limbs. Talk about a work-life balance that puts all of us to shame.

But who breathes life into these pixel siblings? The Japanese voice cast alone deserves a standing ovation. Belle is voiced by Sayaka Sembongi, a name anime fans will recognize the moment they hear that faintly mischievous lilt. Sembongi has lent her talents to Mumei in Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, the ever-practical Shuna in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and the layered beast-girl Haru in Beastars. Listening to her Belle is like hearing a friend who’s always one beat away from a terrible pun—comforting yet dangerous. On the other side of the sibling dialogue wheel, Wise is brought to life by Atsushi Abe, a veteran who has shouted his way through A Certain Magical Index as Touma Kamijou and balanced artistic earnestness in Bakuman’s Mashiro Moritaka. How does Abe pivot from screaming “Fukou da!” to counseling players with the serenity of a late-night radio host? That’s the magic of professional voice acting. And if that weren’t enough, HoYoverse has since unveiled equally stellar English and Korean voice casts, ensuring that no matter which language you boot up, the sibling chemistry remains utterly believable.

Now, why should you care about two video store clerks in a game that’s overflowing with slick agents and explosive combat? Precisely because they’re not just clerks—they’re the anchor of the whole Proxy fantasy. Zenless Zone Zero flings you into a post-apocalyptic metropolis where the last bastion of urban civilization, New Eridu, hums with mystery and neon. Players take on the role of a Proxy, a guide who navigates dangerous distorted zones called Hollows. Guess who actually taught you the ropes? The sibling you left behind. They coordinate intel, crack jokes, and occasionally panic over your injuries on comms while you hammer enemies with quick-time combos and character-swapping ballet. The game’s dynamic cinematic combat system practically begs you to swap fighters mid-strike, chaining elemental disco balls of damage, and all the while Belle or Wise murmur strategic hints in your ear like a backseat driver who actually knows the road.

The beauty of having dual protagonists in a roguelike-infused action game is that it turns every dungeon crawl into a buddy comedy. Imagine slogging through a particularly nasty Hollow, low on health, and your unchosen sibling chirps over the radio: “I found an old vending machine that still works. Want a soda?” That’s the Random Play spirit. The store itself acts as your hub—a cozy, cluttered sanctuary where you decompress between missions, taunt your sibling for missing that one enemy in the last fight, and stock up on buffs. It’s remarkably mundane and wonderfully refreshing. After years of silent, stoic protagonists who hoard dialogue like dragons hoard gold, here come Belle and Wise, bickering siblings who actually talk, worry, and snark at each other’s life choices.

So, who should you pick at the start screen? The question has sparked endless forum debates since the game’s launch, and even in 2026, the answer remains deliciously subjective. Do you prefer the quiet boy-next-door who probably has an encyclopedic knowledge of obscure retro games and never raises his voice? Take Wise. Do you gravitate toward the bubbly girl who might try to befriend a hostile Ethereal if given half a chance? Belle is your gal. The genius design is that neither choice locks you out of content; it merely reshapes the dialogue around your chosen perspective. In many ways, the protagonists feel like two halves of the same chaotic, video-store-owning soul—and that’s exactly how HoYoverse has always handled its twin leads. From the silent travelers of Genshin Impact to the Star Rail twins, there’s a familiar comfort in being handed a sibling and told “go save the world, but don’t forget to restock the shelves.”

At the end of the day, Belle and Wise aren’t just main characters; they’re the reason New Eridu feels alive. They remind players that even in a world ravaged by interdimensional disasters, someone still has to pay the electricity bill and argue over which snack flavor to buy. If you haven’t met them yet, maybe it’s time to wander into Random Play, rent a tape, and discover why these two are the most entertaining shopkeepers in any HoYoverse catalog. Just don’t ask Wise for a discount—he’s still recovering from the last time Belle tried to “negotiate” with a customer.