Zankou Release Date, Best Build, & Teams

Zankou is a character in Neverness to Everness (NTE). The guide includes the release date, esper type, arc, weapon, role, best teams, and more about Zankou!

Zankou - Release Date

Limited Feature in Alluring Shadows

Zankou is expected to be released in NTE on August 19, alongside the anticipated launch of Version 1.3. If you're planning to pull for her, make sure to stock up on Annulith and Fabricated Dice ahead of time.

Zankou Best Build

Best Arc for Zankou

Arc	Detail
Ravenous Blade	Zankou's featured Arc from her Limited Board.

▲ Ravenous Blade is Zankou’s featured Arc, but its effects have not been revealed.

The recommended arc weapon for Zankou is Ravenous Blade as it complements her main DPS playstyle and helps maximize her damage output.

Best Console Is Crimson: Twin Butterflies

Cartridge	Effect
Crimson: Twin Butterflies	Epic: Incantation DMG +10% Legendary: Whenever a nearby enemy takes Incantation DMG from your team, the wearer's ATK increases by 6%. Stacks up to 6 times, with each stack lasting 10s. This effect is always active while equipped.

*▲ Epic: 2-Set Effect, Legendary: 4-Set Effect

Crimson: Twin Butterflies is the recommended Cartridge for Zankou. It increases Incantation DMG while providing stacking ATK buffs whenever enemies take Incantation DMG, making it her best overall choice.

Needed Modules

Type II (Vertical)

Type III (Horizontal)

Type III (┛)

Type IV (S)

Stat Priority

Zankou Best Team

Incantation Team

DPS	Chaos	Incantation	Anima Support
Zankou	Daffodill	Baicang	Linko

This team combines Scorch and Hexed to support Zankou's Incantation and DoT damage. Daffodill and Baicang provide Chaos and Incantation damage to trigger Scorch. Zankou remains the main DPS, staying on the field to apply Heartwrench and deal consistent damage.

Alternative Characters

Character	Notes
Iroi	- Replaces Linko - If you need more survivability - Helps with the Hexed reaction - Has a grouping skill
Sakiri	- Replaces Baicang - If you want a buffer - Enhances the Scorch reaction
Adler	- Replaces Baicang - If you need more survivability - Enhances the Scorch reaction

Free-to-Play Team

DPS	Chaos	Anima	Survival
Zankou	Daffodill	Mint	Adler

This free-to-play-friendly team only needs Zankou as the limited character. Daffodill helps trigger Scorch, while Adler boosts its effectiveness. Mint provides healing and survival support, allowing Zankou to stay on the field and consistently deal damage with Heartwrench.

Zankou Performance

Zankou Basic Combat Strategy

Build up Zankou's Hunt buff in Reality

Start combat in Reality and use Zankou's Basic Attacks to deal damage while building toward her state transition. Use the 4th or 5th Basic Attack, Hold Basic Attack, or Dodge Counter to trigger Sanguine Dash and enter Illusion.

Switch to Illusion With Sanguine Dash

Use Sanguine Dash after the 4th or 5th Basic Attack to instantly switch Zankou from Reality to Illusion. Sanguine Dash applies Heartwrench to the target and triggers Disarray, dealing heavy Break DMG over a wide area.

Apply Heartwrench During Illusion

Use Nightmare Waltz to apply Heartwrench and spread damage to nearby enemies. Zankou’s Delusion buff increases the CRIT DMG of DoT effects, making the Illusion State ideal for maximizing Heartwrench damage.

Use Soulcross to Return to Reality

Activate Soulcross as Illusion ends to trigger Oblivion and activate Bloodfeast Reverie, letting Zankou apply multiple Heartwrench stacks before using an empowered Inferno Flamenco without consuming additional Ultimate energy.

Basic Attack: Wildfire

Basic Attack: Flickering Shadow

While in Reality, Zankou passively carries the Hunt buff which boosts the damage she deals. After a Critical Dodge, press Basic Attack to trigger a Dodge Counter, dealing one instance of Incantation DMG.

Basic Attack: Moonfall

Basic Attack: Nightmare Waltz

Critical Riposte: Void Step

Redirect Skill: Sanguine Dash

Redirect Skill: Soulcross

Ultimate: Bloodfeast Reverie

Ultimate: Inferno Flamenco

Zankou Upgrade Materials

Prioritize Farming Upgrade Materials

If you're planning to get Zankou, start farming her upgrade materials in advance. Prioritize Nestguard Fragment for her level ascension, then farm Eternal Memory to upgrade her skills.

Upgrade Skill with Eternal Memory

Item	Details
Eternal Memory	If life can be measured, what value does it still hold?

Eternal Memory is one of the key materials needed to upgrade Zankou's skills. You can obtain this material by completing Anomaly Pilgrimage: Debt Collector, so make sure to farm this regularly if you plan to fully upgrade Zankou.

Get Nest Guard Fragment for Ascension

Item	Details
Nest Guard Fragment	A mask fragment from the Nestbound Bird, commonly used as Character Ascension Material.

Nest Guard Fragment is required for Zankou's ascension and can be obtained from Anomaly Hunt: Call of the Lost. Stockpile them early to level up Zankou quickly.

Zankou Outfit

Red Nightshade

If you're planning to recruit Zankou, you can also unlock this outfit look through her Limited Board.

Twilight Noir

Twilight Noir is one of Zankou's available outfits and can be purchased directly from the Mall's outfit section.

Autumn Vignette

Autumn Vignette can be obtained by accumulating rolls in Zankou's Skin Perks. Keep making rolls in the event to work toward unlocking this outfit.

Moonlit Courtyard

Moonlit Courtyard is unlocked by reaching Bond Level 10 with Zankou. Increase your bond with her through the available Bond features to unlock this outfit.

Who is Zankou?

First Playable Villain in NTE

Zankou is set to become the first villain to become a playable character in NTE. She played a major role in Chapter 4 and is expected to return in the upcoming Chapter 6: The Fogden Game.

Daffodil's Younger Sister

Zankou is Daffodil's younger sister. Their separation due to The Scarlet Letter played a major role in Chapter 4, which we expect to see more in Version 1.3 Chapter 6.

Main Antagonist in Chapter 4

Zankou was introduced as an antagonist in Chapter 4 and serves as one of the game's main enemies. True to her ominous personality, she uses fast-paced spectral blade combos that can quickly overwhelm players during the boss fight.

Zankou's battle footage has been shared on the official channel, so it's worth checking out if you want a preview of her combat style.

EN Voice Actor Is Stephanie Wong

The EN voice actor for Zankou is Stephanie Wong. Her notable works include Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Kiwi) and Silent Hill f (Junko Kinuta).

JP Voice Actor Is Kikuko Inoue

Zankou's JP voice actor is Kikuko Inoue. Her notable roles include Sanae Furukawa in Clannad and Miya Shiba in The Irregular at Magic High School: Reminiscence Arc.

Profile

	Rarity	S
	Esper Type	Incantation
	Arc	TBA
	Role	TBA

Zankou's Official Character Design

Hethereau Special Bulletin丨Zankou

"You can think of me as a secret. A phantom. A nightmare that's yours alone..."

Ver.1.2 "999 Nights" is now live! Meet the new exclusive S-class character, Shinku! Download Now >> https://t.co/vTlT0Z6ASy#NTE #NevernesstoEverness #Zankou pic.twitter.com/trNOWJkH1p

— NTE Global (@NTE_GL) July 9, 2026

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Interactive Map	Best In-Game Purchases	How to Change Outfits
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Database

All Items List	All Furniture List	Fish List
Vehicles List	Hidden Achievements	Voice Actor Cast
Outfits and Skins	Arcs Weapon List	All Cartridges List
Gacha Machine Locations	Achievements List	Common Enemy List

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A Rank Characters

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