Anime Vanguards recently unveiled Update 9.0, which also happens to be centered around its anniversary event. During this time, numerous separate anniversary events can be completed to unlock incredible rewards. If you’re looking for a walkthrough of these events and their rewards, you’ve come to the right place.
Anniversary Trials Guide - Anime Vanguards Update 9.0
This can be accessed using the Events button on the right side of your screen. Click on it, and choose the first option, labeled ‘Anniversary Trials’. The event is pretty simple and has you complete a series of trials (each trial representing a few of the newly added characters in the game).
How Anniversary Trials Work
These trials feature standard tower defense gameplay where you test-drive newly added characters. Each trial focuses on a specific new unit, allowing you to experience their abilities before committing resources to summon them.
All 7 Anniversary Trials List
Each trial represents one of the new characters:
- Cat Trial - Test the Cat unit's abilities
- Dot Trial - Experience Dot's gameplay
- God Trial - Try the legendary God (Dio Over Heaven)
- Lizard Trial - Master Lizard's mechanics
- Rummie Trial - Learn Rummie's playstyle
- Traitless Trial - Understand Traitless strategies
- Callsuba Trial - Practice with Callsuba
Each trial plays out the same and has your usual tower defense gameplay. In short, place units at strategic places to take down enemies and clear the round. Each completed trial awards 3x EventCoins (21 total EventCoins possible), which can then be exchanged for items in the Shop tab of the same event.
You can buy a copy of each item for 1x EventCoin. To grab multiple copies, you will need multiple EventCoins. The trials are also a good way to familiarize yourself with the new characters, which can help you decide on which unit actually to summon.
Related: Anime Vanguards Tier List
How to Complete the Anniversary Evolution Event
There’s also another, related event for the Anime Vanguards anniversary. This event runs parallel to Anniversary Trials and provides additional EventCoins (180 total). To progress through it, evolve all heroes listed on the missions page for the following rewards:
| Mission (Evolve character) | EventCoin Reward |
|---|---|
| God | 30 - Priority! |
| Callasuba | 15 |
| Cat | 15 |
| Dot | 15 |
| Hellkiller | 15 |
| Hollowseph | 15 |
| Lizard | 15 |
| Rummie | 15 |
| Shero | 15 |
| Thunder | 15 |
| Traitless | 15 |
All Items in the Anniversary Event Shop
Both the Anniversary Trials and the 1st Anniversary limited-time events have their own shops, which contain the following items for exchange:
| Item | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Shard | x1 EventCoin | Evolution material |
| Stat Chip | x1 EventCoin | Increases unit stats |
| Elemental Shard | x1 EventCoin | Element upgrade |
| Trair Rerolls | x1 EventCoin | Rerolls unit's traits |
| Super Stat Chip | x1 EventCoin | Stat boost |
| Corruption Crystal | x1 EventCoin | Evolution item |
Recommended Spending Order:
- Super Stat Chips (Priority 1) - Buy as many as possible; these are premium items
- Trait Rerolls (Priority 2) - Essential for optimizing your best units
- Stat Chips (Priority 3) - Always valuable for unit progression
- Phoenix Shards (Priority 4) - Needed for evolutions
- Corruption Crystals (Priority 5) - Rare but situational
- Elemental Shards (Priority 6) - Buy only for elements you use
How to Get All New Units From Update 9
A total of 13 units have been introduced with Update 9 of Anime Vanguards. Not all units can be obtained in the same way, though. For starters, three units are locked to Season 8 of the Battle Pass. These include characters based on Senator Armstrong, Raiden, and Jetstream Sam from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
You’ll have to progress through the battle pass and hit specific milestones in order to unlock them. Most of the other units are locked behind summon, though (on the Anniversary Limited banner), and include the following:
| Unit | Drop Rate | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Dot | 0.5% | Legendary |
| Callasuba | 0.5% | Legendary |
| Lizard | 0.5% | Legendary |
| Rummie | 0.5% | Legendary |
| Traitless | 0.5% | Legendary |
| Cat | 0.5% | Legendary |
| DIO Over Heaven (God) | 0.02% | Secret |
This is locked behind the Secret Pity system. There are a handful of free units to collect, though. These can be accessed by simply completing a series of missions in the Events tab of the game.
The Battle Pass Season 8 units list includes Shero, Hollowseph, Thunder, and The Hellkiller. All four units are free to obtain and require you to complete their listed missions simply.
What Is the Best New Unit from Anime Vanguards Update 9?
Of all the introduced units in Update 9, God (Dio Over Heaven) remains the most powerful pick. He deals a ton of damage and can stop time, making him excellent for any situation. However, his drop rate is 0.02%, making him hard to get.
If you’re looking for something easier to obtain, try the Hellkiller. The Hellkiller is a fantastic DPS unit that can clear the field of enemies with relative ease and is free. However, his high-risk, high-reward playstyle might not appeal to everyone.
God Unit (Dio Over Heaven) Complete Guide
The God (Dio Over Heaven) unit is the crown jewel of Update 9.0 - the rarest and most powerful unit in the anniversary event.
God Unit Statistics
- Drop Rate: 0.02% (1 in 5,000 pulls)
- Duplication: No dupes system
- Pity System: Secret Pity (guaranteed after specific pull count)
- Tier Ranking: SS-Tier (Best unit in Update 9.0)
- Banner: Anniversary Limited only
Abilities & Strengths
| Primary Ability: Time Stop | Why You Should Get Dio |
|---|---|
| * Can stop time, freezing all enemies * Massive AoE damage capabilities * Excellent for both the early and late game * Dominates in all game modes | * Highest damage output in the current meta * Time stop is a game-breaking mechanic * Future-proof investment * No duplicates needed (one-and-done) |
How to Complete The Hellkiller Event (Update 9)
The Hellkiller is a new event introduced with Update 9, and has you travel to Hell for the challenges. You’ll have to use the Falcon’s ‘I, Sacrifice’ ability to reach here first, and then subsequently unlock the Hellkiller. You’ll then want to clear the following three missions:
| Mission Objective | Reward |
|---|---|
| Trigger I, Sacrifice once | Hellwalker |
| KIll at least 1,000 Demons while I, Sacrifice is active | Bunny |
| Kill 66,666 Demons inside an active I, Sacrifice, with an active Hellwalker | Hellkiller (Shiny) |
1. How to Complete Trigger "I, Sacrifice" Mission
- Equip the Falcon unit in your loadout
- Enter any mission/stage
- Deploy Falcon during gameplay
- Activate "I, Sacrifice" ability
- Complete the mission
- Reward: Hellwalker unit unlocked
2. Best Way To Complete "Kill 1,000+ Demons" Mission
- Equip Falcon and activate "I, Sacrifice"
- Choose stages with high demon spawn rates
- Use AoE units to maximize kill efficiency
- Track kill counter in mission UI
3. Kill 66,666 Demons (Final Challenge)
- Active "I, Sacrifice" ability
- Hellwalker unit active (from Mission 2)
- Choose stages with a lot of demons, prioritize infinite modes, and be prepared for a serious grind.
EventCoin Farming Guide
If you're focused on free-to-play, you can get around 120 EventCoins during the Anime Vanguards anniversary event. To do this, focus on completing Anniversary Trials and evolving all new units. While that's maybe too much to ask, if you're successful, you can earn around 200 EventCoins! Your priority for spending hard-earned coins should be buying as many Super Stat Chips as possible.
What's New in Update 9.0
Anime Vanguards Update 9.0 marks the game's first anniversary celebration, introducing a massive content drop that has brought many players back to the game. This limited-time event brings 13 new units, multiple event challenges, and exclusive anniversary rewards that won't return after the update ends.
Key Update 9.0 Features:
- Anniversary Trials - 7 character trial challenges
- Anniversary Evolution Event - Evolve specific heroes for EventCoins
- Anniversary Limited Banner - 8 new summonable units, including the ultra-rare God (Dio Over Heaven)
- Battle Pass Season 8 - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance themed with 3 exclusive units
- The Hellkiller Event - New free DPS unit with unique unlock requirements
- 4 Free Event Units - Shero, Hollowseph, Thunder, and The Hellkiller
- Anniversary Shop - Exchange EventCoins for premium items
Anime Vanguards Anniversary Event FAQs
The anniversary events will run until the end of version 9.0, after which they will be removed entirely.
Farm more currency to get more pulls. Complete the events, and go ham on the grind to get more Cake Slices.
To trade, you have to click on the Trade icon on the right side of the UI and select the player you wish to trade with. Trading is currently disabled, so it might be a while before it's unlocked.
For more on Anime Vanguards, check out our How to get and evolve Boo in Anime Vanguards on Pro Game Guides.
Dipan is a writer for Pro Gamer Guides, having completed his Masters in Zoology from Vidyasagar College, Calcutta University. His favorite genres include horror and action (more specifically, hack-and-slash), with favorites including the Devil May Cry series, Prince of Persia and Alien: Isolation.
His other interests include anything related to technology, with bleeding edge hardware (when he's not inadvertently bricking his devices).
