Holy moly, buckle up, folks, because HoYoverse just dropped the motherlode of all updates with Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.1: The Impending Crash of Waves, and let me tell you, it's not just a splash—it's a full-blown tsunami of content! As a self-proclaimed gacha gremlin, my jaw was on the floor watching the latest special broadcast. Forget a simple beach episode; we're getting a whole cinematic universe packed into our PCs and phones, launching on July 16, 2025. But behind the vibrant holiday vibes, something sinister is brewing in the shadows. The Exaltists are back, and after Yixuan foiled their last plan, they're cooking up something even more diabolical. The Porcelumex is on high alert, and honestly, so am I—this is about to be lit!

Before we dive headfirst into the gacha abyss, let's talk about the real MVP: free stuff. During the broadcast, they dropped promo codes like it's raining Polychromes! You gotta redeem these bad boys ASAP via the official site or in-game because they expire faster than my motivation on a Monday. Here's the sacred list—don't say I never gave you anything:

• SPOOKSHACK

• ZZZTHANK

• ZZZFOR

• ZZZYOU

• ZZZSTAYING

• ZZZWITHUS

Seriously, use them now, or you'll be crying over lost pulls later. Trust me, I've been there.

Now, onto the main event: the banners. Oh boy, Version 2.1 is bringing the heat with two brand-new characters and reruns that will make your wallet weep. If you're into Anomaly-focused gameplay, you're in for a treat... or a nightmare, depending on your bank account balance. Let me break it down for you, phase by phase.

Phase I: The Tanuki Takeover & Frosty Fury

This phase is all about Ukinami Yuzuha and Hoshimi Miyabi. Yuzuha is the star of the show—an S-rank Physical Support Agent who's about to become your new bestie. She's got this adorable tanuki companion named Kama who chucks candy bombs at enemies. Sounds cute, right? Wrong! This is next-level strategy. She empowers your on-field attackers to stack Anomaly Buildup like nobody's business. Her signature move, Sweet Scare, is pure genius. It adapts to your active agent's attribute through Flavor Match, skyrocketing Anomaly efficiency while triggering Aftershock attacks. It's so OP, it's almost criminal.

Here’s the full Phase I lineup—get your pulling fingers ready:

Phase II: Noble Swords & Electric Dreams

Just when you thought it was safe to save your Polychromes, Phase II hits with Alice Thymefield and Tsukishiro Yanagi. Alice is the newest member of the Spook Shack, and she's an S-Rank Physical Anomaly Agent. As a noble heiress, she brings refined swordsmanship to the battlefield, building up Blade Etiquette with every graceful move. Consume that Etiquette, and she unleashes devastating strikes that amplify Assault and Disorder damage. She's basically elegance personified, but with a deadly edge. Plus, she's joined by Miss Esme, a graceful S-Rank Bangboo who flies around, handing out Energy and HP like candy. Talk about a power couple!

Check out the Phase II roster—it's a doozy:

• S-rank Agents: Alice Thymefield (Physical Anomaly) & Tsukishiro Yanagi (Electric Anomaly)

• A-rank Agents: Soukaku (Ice Support), Seth (Electric Defense)

• S-rank W-Engines: Practiced Perfection (Anomaly), Timeweaver (Anomaly)

• A-rank W-Engines: Bashful Demon (Support), Peacekeeper – Specialized (Defense)

But wait, there's more! The developers teased upcoming demos and character EPs, so stay tuned for those. My hype meter is already off the charts.

Now, let's talk about everything else this update throws at us. The new main story chapter, The Impending Crash of Waves, promises to unravel dark plots and keep us on the edge of our seats. And the cosmetics? Chef's kiss. We're getting fresh outfits for Yuzuha, Alice, Wise, and Belle. New zones, enemies, W-Engines, and an S-rank Bangboo are also part of the package. It's like Christmas in July!

The events list is longer than my wishlist for gacha pulls. Here’s a quick rundown of what's coming:

1. Daily Check-in Event: Log in for 10x Encrypted Master Tapes. Free pulls? Yes, please! 🙌

2. “Eh-nah” Into Your Lap: Another check-in for 10x Boopon. More freebies!

3. Tales of Midsummer Dreams: The flagship version event. Expect story, rewards, and summer vibes.

4. “En-nah” Chess Legend: A strategic event. Time to big-brain my way through.

5. Ghost Ship Adventure: Spooky seaside fun? Count me in.

6. Jojo’s Space Mystery: Sounds intriguing—mystery-solving in space!

7. Failume Summer Puzzle: Puzzles and summer? A perfect combo.

8. Legend of the Marvelous: Probably another epic tale.

9. Endless Tower: Glory: A battle event for the competitive souls.

10. Data Bounty: Combat Simulation: Double drops! Farm those resources.

11. Advanced Bounty: Routine Cleanup: More double drops. My inventory is ready.

12. Deadly Assault Ranking Display: Flex your skills on the leaderboards.

And let's not forget the quality-of-life updates! The devs are optimizing everything:

• Outfit Preview Optimization: No more buyer's remorse on skins.

• Controller Button Optimization: For my console homies.

• World Map & 3D Navigation System Optimization: Getting lost? Not anymore.

• Suibian Temple Management Optimization: Smoother management.

• Notorious Hunt Simplification: Less grind, more fun.

Phew! That's a lot to take in. As of 2026, looking back at this update, it truly set a new standard for live-service games. The blend of story, characters, and events was absolutely insane. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.1 and ride the wave—just don't blame me if you end up spending all your savings on gacha! This update is, without a doubt, a game-changer. Let's get this bread, agents! 🚀