Neverness to Everness 1.3 Update: Zankou, Linko, Expected Release Date and Latest Leaks

Planning your pulls for Neverness to Everness 1.3? Make sure your premium currency is ready. Topuplist sells discounted Riftcrystal packs, the Riftcrystal Mining Permit and value bundles for NTE on its Neverness to Everness top-up page — fast processing, secure transaction channels and 24/7 support, so your Annulith goes further when Zankou and Linko arrive.

Neverness to Everness (NTE) is Hotta Studio's supernatural urban open-world RPG, set in the neon-drenched, anomaly-filled city of Hethereau. The game launched globally on April 29, 2026 across PC, Android, iOS, PlayStation 5 and Mac with full cross-platform progression — and it has been shipping major updates on a tight cadence ever since. Now the community is looking at Version 1.3 "Rising from the Moonlit Fog," which is expected to deliver the most story-heavy patch yet: two new S-Class characters (Zankou and Linko), the conclusion of the Scarlet Letter arc, and a fresh round of banners. Nothing is officially dated beyond the upcoming livestream, so this page collects the expected release window, the confirmed character reveals, the projected banner order, story details and the latest unconfirmed gameplay leaks in one place. Bookmark it — we will keep it updated as official announcements land.

Neverness to Everness 1.3 Quick Overview

When Is NTE 1.3 Coming Out?

Expected 1.3 Release Date

No official launch date has been announced, but the timing is fairly locked down by the banner cycle. NTE runs three-week banner phases, and the current Version 1.2 "999 Nights" second-phase character, Iroi, is available in the gacha from July 29 until August 19, 2026 (UTC+8). That places Version 1.3's release right after maintenance on August 19, with the GameWith NTE wiki currently listing Version 1.3 as expected to go live that day. Applying the same three-week cadence to the 1.3 phases gives Zankou in Phase 1 (from August 19) and Linko in Phase 2 (around September 9), though exact dates remain to be confirmed.

The August 8 Special Program Livestream

Hotta Studio has confirmed that the Version 1.3 "Rising from the Moonlit Fog" Preview Special Program airs on August 8, 2026 at 19:30 (UTC+8), streaming simultaneously on the official NTE YouTube and Twitch channels. Historically, each Special Program has aired roughly 10 to 11 days before the matching update goes live — consistent with the August 19 expectation. Based on previous broadcasts, the livestream will reveal the full skill kits and gameplay animations for Zankou and Linko, the official banner schedule, and the Chapter 6 story trailer. It will also include the traditional three time-limited redemption codes, which reward free Annulith and upgrade materials but typically expire within 24 to 48 hours — so watch it live or claim the codes immediately. The best way to confirm all details as they drop is the official Neverness to Everness website.

Version 1.3 New Characters: Zankou and Linko

Zankou — The Scarlet Letter Enforcer (Phase 1)

Zankou is the expected Phase 1 headliner and a rare case of an antagonist turning playable. Confirmed as an S-Class Incantation character through official drip marketing, she is a senior member of the Scarlet Letter faction — the main antagonistic organization of the story — and appeared as a major boss in Chapter 4 "A Research in Scarlet." Her official reveal art shows a striking design: white hair, red eyes and a dark, kimono-inspired outfit that matches her intimidating role within the organization. She also has established story connections to characters such as Daffodil and Poinsette, which makes her one of the most lore-developed antagonists in the game.

Her weapon type and full kit have not been revealed. Community analysis expects her to fill a main DPS role — a common pattern for major storyline characters in NTE — which would make her the game's first strong Incantation damage dealer. If your roster lacks an Incantation carry, Zankou is shaping up to be the highest-value target of Version 1.3, but wait for the August 8 livestream before committing.

Linko — The ETD-6 Courier (Phase 2)

Linko is the expected Phase 2 character and a very different kind of release. Confirmed as an S-Class Anima character, she belongs to ETD-6, the Bureau of Anomaly Control, and appeared at the end of the story quest "Debt Collector," partnered with a ghost-like anomaly named Xiaozhen. Her reveal art shows a bright, tech-forward design: pink hair, a futuristic headset and a courier-style outfit with a dark-haired spirit companion at her side — a companion-based mechanic that NTE players will immediately recognize from other characters.

Her gameplay role is also unconfirmed, but the prevailing speculation positions her as a support or sub-DPS rather than a carry, based on her faction identity and potential synergy with existing Anima teams. If she brings buffs, healing or strong elemental pairing, she could be a long-term investment for players who already have their damage core built.

Zankou or Linko — Who to Pull?

If you are missing a reliable Incantation main DPS, Zankou is the priority. If your damage dealers are already built and you want team utility and Anima synergy, Linko is the safer long-term pick — and unconfirmed reports suggest the two may share a "Hexed" reaction synergy that makes running both worthwhile.

Expected 1.3 Banner Schedule

NTE's banner history shows a consistent rhythm of one limited S-Class per phase, alternating elements:

Version 1.2 launched on July 8, 2026, and its current Phase 2 character Iroi (an Anima support who shines in Charge and Blossom compositions, providing heals, buffs and temporary revives through her Esper Cycle) runs until August 19. That makes 1.3's Phase 1 the natural home for Zankou's banner, with Linko following roughly three weeks later. As usual, each limited banner will run alongside its Arc (weapon) banner, and a permanent Standard Board remains available with Fabricated Dice.

Chapter 6: Fogden Game and the Story Ahead

Version 1.3 is expected to advance the main story with Chapter 6: Fogden Game, which serves as the conclusion of the Scarlet Letter arc — fitting, given that the faction's enforcer Zankou becomes playable in the same patch. The chapter was previously teased following the "Fighting with a Dragon" chapter, and players expect it to close out the organization's central conflict while opening new threads for later updates. For story-focused players, 1.3 is shaping up to be the most narrative-heavy patch since launch, with Zankou's playable debut acting as the bridge between antagonist and ally.

Latest Leaks and Unconfirmed Gameplay Rumors

Kit Leaks and the "Hexed" Synergy

The livestream has not aired yet, so everything below kit-level is community speculation. The most circulated claims: Zankou leans toward a burst-heavy main DPS with a kit built around her Incantation element, and Linko functions as a crucial support that enhances existing team setups. Leak channels have also floated the idea of a "Hexed" reaction synergy between Zankou and Linko — pairing an Incantation carry with an Anima support that amplifies her damage. None of these kit details are confirmed, and early leaks frequently change by launch, so treat them as planning context, not fact.

What's Confirmed vs Speculation

The line is actually quite clean. Confirmed: both characters exist, are S-Class, and their elements (Zankou = Incantation, Linko = Anima) and designs come from official drip marketing; the Version 1.3 name and livestream date are official; Chapter 6: Fogden Game closes the Scarlet Letter arc. Speculation: the August 19 launch date, the Phase 1/Phase 2 split, both characters' kits, weapons and exact roles, and the "Hexed" synergy are all community predictions that the Special Program will confirm or correct.

How the Gacha Works: Pity, Board and Costs

Scarborough Fair and the Board System

NTE's gacha is called the Scarborough Fair, and it works nothing like a standard pull screen. Instead of a simple animation, you roll dice and move a game piece (a Chuppa) across a board, and the tile you land on determines your reward. Dice rolls move you 1–6 spaces. There are two boards: the Limited Board (time-limited characters, uses Solid Dice) and the Standard Board (permanent, uses Fabricated Dice). Every pull costs 160 Annulith (a 10-pull is 1,600), and a 10-pull actually grants 11 prizes with a guaranteed A-Class item.

Pity and Carryover — NTE's Generous Edge

• No 50/50: any S-Class character pulled from the Limited Board is guaranteed to be the featured character — a major departure from Genshin-style systems.

• Hard pity at 90 pulls guarantees the featured S-Class. Board Modification triggers at 70 pulls without an S-Class, jumping the rate from 1.87% to 19.59% and converting board tiles into character tiles; most players land the character between pulls 70 and 90.

• Pity carries over between all Limited Boards (character), the Standard Board counter never resets, and the Arc banner pity carries over between rotations — so pulls you make on Zankou's board roll directly into Linko's.

• Standard Board perks: the first five 10-pulls cost 8 Fabricated Dice instead of 10, and after 50 pulls you can claim a free Standard S-Class selector that never expires.

• Cosmetic milestones (glider at 50 pulls, vehicle at 120, outfit at 200) are tracked separately and save for that banner's rerun — optional for F2P.

Arc (Weapon) Banner

NTE's weapons are called Arcs, and they come from a separate gacha using Tri-Keys — available from the Lost Exchange (up to 30 per month), events, or purchased at 160 Annulith each. Only 10-pulls are available (10 keys each). S-Rank weapons have a 3% base rate with the pickup at 25% of S-Rank drops; an S-Rank weapon is guaranteed by pull 60 and the featured Arc by pull 80, with no 50/50-style loss. Pity carries over between Arc banner rotations.

How to Prepare for Version 1.3

Save Annulith and Solid Dice

The math for Version 1.3 is straightforward: a full guarantee for Zankou or Linko costs 90 pulls = 14,400 Annulith (nine 10-pulls), and thanks to the 70-pull Board Modification, most players will land their target cheaper. Because pity carries over between Limited Boards, every Solid Dice you save now is progress toward whichever 1.3 character you choose — and even a partial pity bank (e.g., 40–60 pulls) makes the 90-pull guarantee much easier to reach. Solid Dice come from events, Warp Exchange, and converting Annulith, while free Annulith flows from dailies, commissions and the livestream redemption codes.

What to Do Before the Livestream

• Watch the Special Program on August 8 at 19:30 (UTC+8) and grab the three redemption codes within 24–48 hours.

• Finish Version 1.2's remaining content — Iroi's banner ends August 19, and any expiring event rewards should be claimed first.

• Check your current pity counter before pulling anything; with full carryover, your existing progress counts toward Zankou or Linko.

• Decide your priority now: Incantation carry (Zankou) vs Anima support (Linko) — then commit instead of splitting resources across both banners.

• Fund your savings at the best rate: Riftcrystal packs, the Riftcrystal Mining Permit (a monthly pass-style deal) and the "90 Draws Character Guaranteed" bundle are available on Topuplist's Neverness to Everness top-up page, so your Annulith budget buys more pulls than in-game pricing.

FAQ

When does Neverness to Everness 1.3 release?

No official date is announced yet, but Version 1.3 is expected to launch on August 19, 2026 (UTC+8), right after Iroi's banner ends, following the usual three-week phase cadence.

Who are the new characters in NTE 1.3?

Zankou (S-Class Incantation, Scarlet Letter antagonist, Phase 1) and Linko (S-Class Anima, ETD-6 agent with ghost companion Xiaozhen, Phase 2). Their identities and elements are officially confirmed; their kits are not.

When is the 1.3 livestream?

The Version 1.3 "Rising from the Moonlit Fog" Preview Special Program airs August 8, 2026 at 19:30 (UTC+8) on the official YouTube and Twitch channels, with three limited-time redemption codes expected.

How many pulls do I need to guarantee Zankou or Linko?

90 pulls (14,400 Annulith) hard pity, with Board Modification starting at 70 pulls and no 50/50 — any S-Class on the Limited Board is the featured character. Pity carries over between limited banners.

Is the "Hexed" synergy between Zankou and Linko real?

Unconfirmed. Leak channels describe a possible reaction synergy between the Incantation carry and the Anima support, but no official kit information has been revealed — the August 8 livestream should settle it.

What story content comes in 1.3?

The main story continues with Chapter 6: Fogden Game, the conclusion of the Scarlet Letter arc, fitting Zankou's transition from antagonist boss to playable Operator.

Are there leaks about 1.3 gameplay?

Yes, but all unverified: Zankou is expected to be a burst-heavy main DPS, and Linko a support/sub-DPS. Early leaks often change before launch, so treat them as planning context only.

Where can I top up Riftcrystals cheaply for 1.3?

On Topuplist — the Neverness to Everness top-up page offers discounted Riftcrystal packs, the Riftcrystal Mining Permit and bundles with fast, secure delivery.