How to Unlock Every Free Character in Zenless Zone Zero 3.1

Every new Zenless Zone Zero account can permanently unlock Anby, Billy and Nicole through the opening story, Ben through Chapter 2 and Soukaku through Shiyu Defense progression. Version 3.1 also has a time-limited second-anniversary selector for one of five S-Rank Agents, while Pyrois is earned from permanent Enigma of the Labyrinth progression. These routes are not the same as pulling a random Agent for free currency.

All permanent and currently claimable free Agents

Permanent story and mode unlocks

Anby, Billy and Nicole

Follow the Prologue and tutorial commissions. The game introduces and adds the three Cunning Hares as part of normal account progression, so you cannot permanently miss them by starting late.

Ben Bigger

Progress through Chapter 2 and complete the Belobog commission that recruits Ben. He gives the free roster a Defense Agent and works naturally with early Belobog teammates you may pull later.

Soukaku

Unlock Shiyu Defense, complete the required early stages and claim her from the relevant progression reward. She is not merely a temporary banner rate-up.

Pyrois

Version 3.1's permanent Enigma of the Labyrinth: Operation Bagel opens after August 5 for Inter-Knot Level 40 accounts. Its store lets you complete commissions and redeem Agent Focus: Pyrois. The mode is permanent; some seasonal rewards inside it may not be.

How the Version 3.1 free S-Rank selector works

During the second-anniversary event, log in and use the event interface to choose one limited S-Rank Agent from Jane, Soldier 0 - Anby, Trigger, Lucia or Hugo. HoYoverse also advertises a corresponding W-Engine choice, but read the two selection screens carefully: choosing an Agent does not justify assuming every weapon is automatically granted.

The official Version 3.1 schedule ends September 9, 2026 at 06:00 (UTC+8). Claim before the interface closes. If your region's server time is shown differently, trust the in-game countdown.

Other ways to obtain Agents without spending money

Stable Channel guaranteed S-Rank and 300-search selector

Master Tapes earned through play can produce a guaranteed S-Rank within the Stable Channel rules, and the permanent 300-search milestone lets you choose a standard S-Rank. These are free-to-play accessible, but they are not immediate “free character” grants because they consume earned searches and the early result is random.

Corin's account mail

Corin originated as a global pre-registration reward. Some qualifying accounts still receive her through Mail; new players should check the mailbox instead of treating her as a guaranteed chapter reward. If she is absent, Support—not a third-party code—is the only safe place to verify eligibility.

Past free Agents are not permanent promises

Asaba Harumasa, Zhao and anniversary selectors from earlier versions were tied to their own claim windows. A guide that says “free” without a version and deadline can be technically true and still useless today. HoYoverse can rerun an Agent later, but an old giveaway does not establish a future schedule.

Use the ZZZ beginner guide for early progression, the beginner Agent shortlist for team choices, and the Ben build guide after unlocking him.

Frequently asked questions

Can you unlock every ZZZ character for free?

No. You can earn premium currency and searches without paying, but most limited S-Rank Agents still depend on Signal Search availability and probability.

Which Version 3.1 S-Rank should you choose?

Choose around an existing team and W-Engine options, not a universal tier label. Trigger supports Aftershock teams, Lucia supports Rupture, Hugo is an Ice Attack carry, Soldier 0 - Anby is an Electric Attack carry, and Jane is a Physical Anomaly carry.

Does the free selector last forever?

No. The second-anniversary selector belongs to Version 3.1. The in-game deadline is the authority.

Sources and update policy

Version dates, anniversary choices and Pyrois acquisition were checked against HoYoverse's official Version 3.1 update and anniversary rewards overview. Permanent starter routes were cross-checked against the live game progression references. This page labels events by deadline and removes them after expiration.