As a dedicated Proxy, I can barely contain my excitement! We've just started to explore the mysteries of the Waifei Peninsula in Season 2, and the developers at HoYoverse are already giving us a tantalizing glimpse into the future with Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.1. It feels like the action never stops in New Eridu, and these new character teases promise to shake up our team compositions in exciting ways. Let's dive into what we know so far about the intriguing new faces joining the fray.

🦝 Ukinami Yuzuha: The Mysterious Tanuki Support

The first character stepping into the spotlight is Ukinami Yuzuha, an upcoming Physical Support agent. Her introductory line, “Feeling down on your luck? Why not… ask the tanuki for some advice?”, perfectly captures her enigmatic and playful nature. From the information we have, Yuzuha seems to be deeply connected to the world of collectibles, understanding that their true value lies not just in their material quality but in the stories and memories they hold.

Her reputation among the locals is a fascinating mix of reverence and wariness. On one hand, she's known for her genuine kindness. Komano Manato shared that she would secretly swap his cola for vegetable juice because she knew he couldn't afford proper nutrition—a gesture that was purely altruistic. Reliable individuals like Uncle Baorong know they can count on her help in a tight spot. On the other hand, her command over Tanuki spirits instills a healthy dose of fear in local street vendors, and she's not above playing the occasional mischievous prank on her friends, scaring them half to death for a laugh!

As a Proxy, I'm already theorizing about her potential role. With the powerhouse Pan Yinhu currently dominating the support meta for Yixuan-centric teams, could Yuzuha be the limited Support character destined to offer a new, competitive alternative? Her connection to Tanuki and the mystical suggests she might bring unique buffs, debuffs, or even crowd-control mechanics to the table. The community is buzzing with anticipation, and if past releases like Astra Yao are any indication, saving Polychromes for her banner seems like a wise investment.

🐇 Alice Thymefield: The Noble Yet Timid Anomaly

Hailing from the same faction as Yuzuha, we have Alice Thymefield, the newest limited S-rank Anomaly character of the Physical element. The teaser trailer gave us a hilarious first impression: a scaredy-bunny literally jumping out of her skin after being pranked by Yuzuha's mischievous Tanuki companion. This contrast between her noble background and her timid personality is instantly captivating.

Alice comes from the affluent and prestigious Thymefield family and even has connections to Lucy from the Sons of Calydon. Despite her privileged upbringing, she has managed to retain a heart of gold and a sense of innocent wonder. It's said her family is bemused by the fact that she can master complex Ether science with ease yet struggles with something as simple as reading a price tag. This endearing flaw makes her feel incredibly relatable.

However, not everyone looks kindly upon her. The notorious Damian Blackwood, who already revealed his unpleasant demeanor during the 2.0 storyline, has been heard sneering at Alice, her family, and their wealth. This sets up some potentially tense and dramatic interactions in future story chapters.

The big question on every strategist's mind is: how will Alice differentiate herself from the established Physical Anomaly queens, Jane Doe and Piper? Will she function as a persistent, off-field damage dealer like Burnice or Vivian, applying continuous debuffs? Or perhaps she will introduce a全新的 and specialized Disorder mechanic, similar to how Yanagi operates, that changes how we approach combat sequencing? Her S-rank status suggests her kit will be impactful and meta-defining. The prospect of a new top-tier Anomaly character is always thrilling, as it opens up new avenues for team synergy and challenge-clearing strategies.

🔮 Speculations & Meta Implications for 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, the introduction of these two characters could significantly alter the Zenless Zone Zero landscape. Here’s a quick breakdown of potential impacts:

Character	Role	Element	Potential Team Impact
Ukinami Yuzuha	Support (Likely Limited)	Physical	Could rival or replace Pan Yinhu; may enable new Physical core teams.
Alice Thymefield	Anomaly (S-Rank Limited)	Physical	May challenge Jane/Piper's dominance; could introduce new Disorder playstyles.

For Yuzuha, the key will be her support capabilities. Does she provide:

• Massive damage amplification like some existing supports?

• Unprecedented defensive utility or healing?

• Unique energy regeneration or Ultimate-cooldown manipulation?

Her Tanuki theme might translate into abilities that create decoys, inflict confusion on enemies, or provide evasion-based buffs to the team.

For Alice, her design space is vast:

• Off-Field Specialist: Dealing consistent Physical damage and applying debuffs while other agents are on the field.

• Disorder Architect: Creating a new type of Disorder state that, when triggered, has devastating effects different from Shock or Burn.

• High-Investment Nuker: A character whose damage scales immensely with proper setup, rewarding skilled team rotation play.

One thing is for certain: the developers continue to expand the game's lore and combat depth in compelling ways. The dynamic between the seemingly wise yet playful Yuzuha and the brilliant yet socially awkward Alice promises not only great gameplay but also engaging story moments. As we await more official details, I'll be farming my resources and hoping my luck holds out for when these two inevitably arrive in New Eridu. The future of Zenless Zone Zero has never looked more intriguing!