Ever wondered what happens when a shark-themed warrior tries to balance monster-slaying with high school friendship drama? Welcome to 'The Troubles of Ellen The Shark' in Zenless Zone Zero's 1.5 update! This delightfully awkward Agent Story and its combat challenges serve up a refreshing slice of anime-flavored chaos. Forget grim backstories or dystopian despair—Ellen’s tale is all about cringe-worthy secrets, clumsy bonding moments, and the eternal struggle of choosing the right movie for a sleepover. Honestly, who knew saving New Eridu could involve more emotional landmines than Ethereal battles? Players can breeze through the story in under an hour, but those special combat stages? They’ll test your reflexes like a pop quiz on calculus after pulling an all-nighter. And let’s be real—nothing beats the sheer absurdity of watching Ellen’s friends bumble into a Hollow zone wearing what looks like pajamas. The rewards? A tidy pile of Polychromes that’ll make any free-to-play enthusiast grin wider than a Bangboo spotting a discount on energy drinks.

It's Me... Leave A Message Story Walkthrough

Ellen’s Agent Story unfolds like a sitcom episode directed by a caffeine-addicted anime fan. Split into three parts, it swaps between Hollow skirmishes and painfully relatable teen interactions. The whole thing kicks off at Random Play video store, where Ellen casually mentions a Hollow commission while her friends gossip like hyperactive squirrels. Cue the first combat section in the Ballet Twins Hollow—a place that’s less "tutu paradise" and more "monster mosh pit." Players must navigate left from the start, smash two waves of Ethereals, and grab a quest item near a suspiciously pristine window. Then comes the pièce de résistance: Ruby, Lynn, and Monna calling mid-fight to discuss... well, everything except the life-threatening monsters nearby. Skipping their chatter feels like a mercy, but where’s the fun in that? The awkwardness crescendos as you cross a bridge, battle more Ethereals plus a miniboss, and endure dialogue so cringey it could fossilize on the spot. Seriously, could these teens be any worse at communication?

Part Two: Awkwardness Overload

No combat here—just pure, unfiltered social torture in Lumina Square. Ellen’s squad hovers near a Teamilk store, radiating enough awkward energy to power Sixth Street for a week. Players must chat with them, endure vending-machine small talk, and help pick videos back at Random Play. The "choices" in video selection? Utterly meaningless! Pick horror, romance, or a documentary about sentient toasters—Ellen’s pals react with identical levels of chaotic enthusiasm before exiting stage left. The whole segment wraps in five minutes, leaving you equal parts amused and desperate for brain bleach. Pro tip: lean into the absurdity. Imagining Monna trying to wrestle a popcorn machine somehow makes it better.

Part Three: Lycaon to the Rescue

Just when you thought the drama peaked, Lycaon swoops in like a frosty-haired guardian angel requesting another Hollow dive. This 10-minute finale features the most intense combat yet. Head right into a cavernous chamber, obliterate Ethereal waves, then stumble upon Ellen’s friends trapped near a ramp. Spoiler: they’re being menaced by an Armored Hati boss, looking about as prepared as kittens at a dog show. Defeat the beast, listen to the girls fess up their secrets, and enjoy a comic-strip cutscene that wraps everything with a neat, if slightly soggy, bow. Personal take? Watching Ruby try to justify her Hollow "field trip" was comedy gold—almost worth the miniboss stress.

Best Teams for Ellen's Combat Sections

Worried about the Hollow fights? Don’t sweat it. The enemies here crumple like cheap origami against Ice or Ether damage. You can use trial Ellen or bring your own squad. Here’s the lowdown on dream teams, from whale-worthy setups to budget builds:

Premium Ellen Story Team

This ice-cold wrecking crew turns battles into a walk in a (very frozen) park:

Character	Rank	Role
Miyabi	S-Rank	Main DPS
Yanagi	S-Rank	Secondary DPS
Astra Yao	S-Rank	Support
Agent Gulliver	S-Rank	Bangboo

Miyabi’s damage output is so obscene, it should come with a parental advisory. Pair her with Yanagi for Disorder-triggering chaos, while Astra Yao’s attack buffs and Chain Attack synergy make rotations smoother than a jazz saxophonist. Honestly, seeing Miyabi’s Fallen Frost stacks max out feels like unlocking cheat codes.

Ellen Joe Team

No Miyabi? No problem. This faction-synergy squad packs a punch:

Character	Rank	Role
Ellen Joe	S-Rank	Main DPS
Lycaon	S-Rank	Stun
Soukaku	A-Rank	Support
Butler	S-Rank	Bangboo

Ellen’s trial version is surprisingly robust—dodge, counter, and watch Flash Freeze stacks pile up like unpaid homework. Lycaon’s stun game is legendary, shredding Ice defense like a bargain-bin shredder, while Soukaku’s 1,000-attack buff turns Ellen into a blender on skates. Using them feels like directing a perfectly choreographed action movie.

Free-to-Play Ellen Team

Budget warriors, rejoice! This setup slaps:

Character	Rank	Role
Trial Ellen Joe	S-Rank	Main DPS
Anby	A-Rank	Stun
Soukaku	A-Rank	Support
Sharkboo	S-Rank	Bangboo

Anby might lack Lycaon’s flair, but her mobility and stun buildup are shockingly effective. Paired with Soukaku’s attack steroids and Ellen’s straightforward DPS, this trio handles story combat like pros. Sharkboo’s just the icing on the cake—or maybe the shark fin in the soup?

Conquering The Troubles Of Ellen The Shark Challenges

Ready for the real meat of the event? Four special combat stages await, each forcing you to protect the perpetually endangered Astra Yao while playing as Ellen. S-Rank requires keeping Astra’s HP above 70%—a task trickier than explaining memes to a Victorian ghost. Enemies target her relentlessly, but clever baiting and buffs save the day. Stages introduce wild power-ups like Icy Blades and energy regen, turning Ellen into a frosty goddess of war. Here’s how to ace them:

• Fragrant Gift: Three waves of tiny Ethereals. Group them with dash attacks, then unleash Astra’s Ally Skill (grants invincibility + 50% damage boost) at wave starts. Feels like herding chaotic ice kittens!

• What to Get?: Rebel thugs—ice-resistant jerks. Spam Ellen’s EX Skill and Basic Attacks to trigger Icy Blades. Clear weaklings first in wave three; the elite’s a pushover alone. Pro tip: their fashion sense is almost as bad as their combat skills.

• The Thought That Counts: More ice-resistant foes. Time Astra’s skill to block energy balls—miss one, and it’s restart city. Freeze the boss after clearing minions. Stress level? Comparable to finals week.

• Familiar Scent: A four-wave, three-minute gauntlet. Perfect Assists are mandatory! Save Ellen’s Ultimate for elites, and remember: restarting costs only a minute, not your sanity.

So, why endure this mix of heartwarming chaos and controller-chucking challenges? Simple: few things in gaming rival the joy of watching Ellen’s friend group implode over poorly kept secrets while you punt Ethereals into next Tuesday. Plus, those Polychromes aren’t gonna farm themselves! Ready to dive into the most entertainingly awkward adventure in New Eridu? Grab your controller, embrace the cringe, and show those Hollows who’s boss—Ellen’s high school drama awaits!

Industry analysis is available through GamesRadar+, which consistently delivers expert reviews and event breakdowns for major titles. Their recent features on Zenless Zone Zero highlight how character-driven story events, like Ellen’s high school escapades, inject humor and relatability into the game’s combat-heavy formula, making updates more engaging for both new and veteran players.