Zenless Zone Zero, a world where chaos meets creativity. ZZZ is the latest action-packed adventure from the masterminds at HoYoverse, the creators of Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail.

This time, we are transported to a futuristic, urban fantasy world where we can enjoy some free-to-play action RPG goodness. In ZZZ we explore a city where the remnants of a mysterious disaster, known as the Hollows, have created a chaotic yet fascinating environment. The city we call home called New Eridu, is the last bastion of civilization, filled with a colorful cast of characters, from powerful tycoons to street gangs.

The game has some great visuals with detailed environments and fluid animations. ZZZ features fast-paced, button smashing action in small, easy to consume bursts. It is similar to Genshin and Honkai in some aspects but tweaks the formula enough to provide a unique play experience. Whether you have tried other HoYoverse games or not, given its free-to-play nature, it might be worth giving it a shot.

As a HoYoverse game, you would be correct to assume a fair bit of gacha is included. ZZZ follows the likes of its predecessors with various different banners for characters and upgrades. While gacha systems are tremendously annoying, you have to give it to HoYoverse when it comes to character designs.

ZZZ boasts a vibrant cast of characters and having been released around 3 months since the time of writing, the roster has quickly grown. The character designs are top-notch, blending futuristic aesthetics with a touch of fantasy. Having played all the way through to the endgame, the characters really are the games biggest appeal. For me, the gameplay gets repetitive, the grind to max level is tiresome with little payoff and endgame content just isn't that interesting. Getting stronger basically requires good luck in the gacha and using the right combination of characters depending on the fight.

My review for the game is far from glowing but again, the characters are great. In order to get you to pay for more gacha, they kinda have to be. Their interactions are fun, with very diverse personalities. They each play very different from each other and have clear strengths that set them apart. Even though it's only been a few months since the game's release, the characters are so great, we are getting figures of two fan favorites!

Meet Anby: Electrifyingly Cute

Anby Demara is one of the first characters you will meet when you embark on your journey in ZZZ. Players can obtain Anby early in the game, for free which makes her a popular choice. In the game, Anby has the electric attribute and specializes in stunning enemies.

Wielding a sleek electromagnetic blade and using her acrobatic skills, she is fun to watch dance across a battlefield. The electric attribute allows her to deal significant damage and being a stunner, Anby excels at incapacitating enemies and controlling the flow of combat.

Outside of combat, she is a bit of an oddity. One of the most intriguing aspects of Anby is her silence. She rarely speaks, and when she does, her blunt and serious personality leads to some funny interactions. She is very matter of fact with her views and how she conducts herself.

Despite the chaos of the ZZZ world, Anby remains a pillar of calm and composure. Her serene demeanor is almost unnerving, especially when contrasted with the high-stakes situations she often finds herself in.

Anby never talks about her past, how she acquired her extraordinary combat skills or where she is from. The level headed presence on the battlefield and fluid combat performance may suggest she has had military training. Either that or she might be an isekai protagonist, transported by truck-kun, appearing out of thin air, fully equipped and ready for battle.

Another quirky and adorable part of Anby is her great interest in movies. In stark contrast to her usual blunt and seemingly emotionless responses, Anby is easily engrossed by movie storylines to the point she takes them as reality.

Anby’s outfit portrays a futuristic, punk aesthetic still grounded in reality. Her sword and battery backpack have a cyberpunk vibe that is equal parts menacing and gnarly. Incorporating a touch of sci-fi military flair with a stylish twist, she is dressed to kill.

Her outfit, featuring a cropped jacket, pleated mini skirt, and thigh-high stockings are embellished with intricate designs. The vibrant green accents on Anby’s gear and boots add a pop of color, enhancing her aesthetic creating a coherent, interesting visual.

Anby’s silver hair contrasts sharply with her intense, amber eyes, ready to join the fray at any moment. She has a fierce and commanding presence on the battlefield that shouldn't be underestimated.

Anby’s figure shows her standing with unwavering confidence, blade at the ready, emanating an aura that blends elegance with a hint of danger. She is standing atop an oh so appropriate themed base. The movie reel fits with her favorite obsession but it also represents the gacha currency used in the game. If you try ZZZ, you will quickly understand that movies are integral to the story.

Meet Nicole: Financially Desperate

We may not know a whole lot about Anby but we do know she was taken in by Nicole, leader of the Cunning Hares, an odd-job agency. The two have become best friends over time and with Anby’s past being unknown, she was adopted and took Nicole's last name, Demara.

Nicole is a support character who has the ether attribute and is another starter character new players will meet. Nicole specializes in debuffing enemies, lowering their defense and grouping them up together so they can be quickly AOEd down. Like Anby, Nicole’s personality helps players become quickly endeared with her. However, she is basically the polar opposite.

Nicole is known for her agility, strategic prowess, and fiery personality. Having lived on the streets for years, she is exceedingly cunning and more than used to getting down and dirty to make a quick buck. The central theme surrounding Nicole is simple, getting that cheddar. She has an interesting love and hate relationship with money. She loves money but just can't seem to hold on to it for very long, resulting in her constantly fleeing from debt collectors.

Beneath her tough exterior, Nicole has a heart of gold and an infectious amount of enthusiasm. Nicole thrives on adventure, constantly seeking the next thrill or challenge to conquer. Her ability to turn dire situations into exciting challenges, lifts the spirits of those around her, making her a very flawed character who is easy to love.

Nicole's character design reflects her background and upbringing. As a street hoodlum, her outfit is a stylish, punk inspired, modern ensemble with an edgy look. The mix of black and white with long locks of pink hair is a color palette which complements Anby and is equally as visually captivating.

Nicole's outfit has the same elements of sleek streetwear as Anby, but with a little more spunk. Her jacket is much shorter and revealing, which matches the booty jean shorts.

Nicole's accessories, like the bangboo (support characters) plushie on her belt, oversized cuffs, hair ornaments and mismatched legwear captures the essence of a street-smart, resourceful leader who is always ready for action. Nicole is a femme fatale, attractive and stunning but she will just as quickly kick your butt.

Nicole’s figure strikes a bold pose, exuding confidence with her playful smirk that showcases her spirited personality. The briefcase she sits atop is actually her combat weapon. The briefcase somehow doubles as a cannon but that's not important. Her seated position gives off very appropriate hime-sama vibes.

The base is identical to Anby’s and I would guess future figures will include the same. Both are currently available for pre-order and being produced by Apex Innovation.

Anby is slated for release at the end of July, 2025 with Nicole following close by, expected to release at the end of September.

Have you tried Zenless Zone Zero? Who is your favorite character? Leave a comment and let us know!

Thank you for reading!