Zankou is the next upcoming character in Neverness to Everness, arriving in the first half of Version 1.3.
Neverness to Everness (NTE) has revealed its upcoming playable character, and it's a face that's all too familiar to Appraisers. Zankou will join the roster in Version 1.3, sporting a fresh new look.
Zankou will headline the limited banner during the first half of Version 1.3, while her second-half counterpart has yet to be revealed. She is an S-Class Incantation Esper, making her the second Incantation Esper after Baicang, and currently the only limited character of that type.
Zankou is expected to arrive around 19 August, assuming NTE continues to follow its regular three-week update cycle. The game is currently in Version 1.2, which introduced Shinku, while Iroi is set to follow in the latter half of the update.
Neverness to Everness (NTE)
Release date: 29 April, 2026
Platforms: PC (via official launcher, Steam, and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and mobile platforms (iOS and Android)
Developer: Hotta Studio
Who is Zankou in NTE?
Zankou is a member of the villainous Scarlet Letter faction, which also includes her family members–her mother Inanna and younger sister Poinsette, both of whom are currently unplayable characters.
Players first encountered Zankou in Chapter 4 of the main story, A Research in Scarlet. During the chapter, players investigate the mystery surrounding Renee before confronting the cunning Zankou as the final boss. The end of the chapter saw her obtain a powerful anomalous artefact known as the Final Gift, ultimately escaping with it. She later returned, together with the rest of Scarlet Letter, at the end of Version 1.1's Chapter 5, called the Dreamwalk Corridor.
It is somewhat surprising to see a major antagonist become the next playable character in NTE. However, many fans speculate that Zankou–or perhaps the Scarlet Letter faction as a whole–could be headed for a redemption arc, especially as Version 1.3 will conclude the Scarlet Letter storyline.
When is Zankou coming to NTE?
Zankou is expected to be released in NTE on or around 19 August, 2026.
Assuming the game maintains its standard three-week banner schedule, Zankou should arrive on 19 August, three weeks after Iroi's limited banner ends. Like other limited characters, she is also expected to debut alongside her signature Arc.
