Anime Vanguards Update 12 brings a mix of summonable units, grindable drops, and one hidden evolution-style unlock that many players overlook at first. If your goal is to collect every new unit efficiently, you’ll need to approach each method differently instead of relying only on summons.
This guide breaks everything down clearly so you don’t waste time or resources.
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Here’s a quick overview of what’s been added:
- K Shinobi (Banner)
- Mato (Banner)
- Pain (Legend Stage Drop)
- Naruto (New Version) (Secret Unlock)
- 2 Battle Pass Units
Each of these has a completely different unlock method, so understanding the system matters more than raw grinding.
How To Get K Shinobi and Mato (Banner Units)
Both K Shinobi and Mato are available through the summon system.
You’ll find them in the banner section, and unlocking them comes down to:
- Spending gems
- Rolling the banner
- Getting lucky
There’s no shortcut or hidden mechanic here. However, if you’re low on gems, it’s smarter to prioritize grindable units first before committing to summons.
How To Get Pain (Legend Stage Drop)
Pain is tied to the new Legend Stage, and he has a 4% drop rate.
That sounds low — but the stage itself is surprisingly easy if you play it correctly.
Efficient Farming Strategy
You don’t need a stacked team. A simple setup works best:
- 1 Farm unit
- 2 Strong DPS units
Focus on:
- Covering both lanes
- Placing units near teleport points
- Upgrading early for faster clears
Once your setup is stable:
- Rush upgrades
- Skip waves when possible
- Use transformation abilities if available
Runs are quick, which balances out the low drop rate. Instead of struggling, you’ll be farming consistently.
How To Unlock the New Naruto Unit
This is the most important (and most missed) part of the update.
The new Naruto is not a drop and not a summon.
Unlock Requirements
You must have:
- Naruto (Six Tails) in your inventory
Step-by-Step Unlock Method
- Go to the new story area
- Head to the Hokage building
- Climb to the top
- Interact with Naruto
Important detail:
You do not equip the unit. Just having Six Tails Naruto in your inventory is enough.
After interaction:
- Your Six Tails Naruto is used
- You receive the new Naruto unit
This works like an evolution system rather than a standard unlock.
How To Get Battle Pass Units
Update 12 includes two Battle Pass units.
Unlocking them is straightforward:
- Play matches
- Earn EXP
- Progress through tiers
No special requirements, no hidden tricks. Just consistent gameplay.
Memoirs Explained (Extra Boosts)
Memoirs are new items that drop from Legend Stages.
Some examples include:
- Shall No Pain
- Trust of Others
They act as passive enhancements that improve your units or overall performance.
While they’re not required, they become very useful in:
- Longer runs
- Higher difficulty stages
- Efficient farming setups
Best Order To Unlock Everything
If you want to progress efficiently, don’t do everything randomly.
A smarter approach looks like this:
Step 1: Grind Legend Stage
- Farm Pain
- Collect Memoirs
Step 2: Unlock Naruto
- Do this early if you already have Six Tails
Step 3: Progress Battle Pass
- Happens naturally while playing
Step 4: Use Gems on Banner
- Go for K Shinobi or Mato last
Update 12 is less about luck and more about efficiency. While the banner units are appealing, most of the real value comes from:
- Farming Legend Stages properly
- Unlocking Naruto early
- Building a simple but effective team
If you focus on those first, you’ll end up with most of the new content without burning through your resources.
If you want to take it further, the next step is optimizing your team specifically for faster Legend Stage clears — that’s where the real grind speed comes from.