Progression planning

Partially verified

Anime Expeditions Evolution Guide

Review documented evolution materials, evolved forms, kit changes, and editorial investment verdicts for the launch roster.

Updated 2026-07-20 · Verified 2026-07-20 · Game Release Update 0

Editorial team: Anime Expeditions Wiki · Independently reviewed against the sources listed below

Sources: Pro Game Guides evolution recipes (updated July 19, 2026), Pro Game Guides evolved-form ability index

Before evolving a Unit

Check the live evolution panel before spending Gold or limited materials. A quantity is displayed only when the cited recipe provides one.

Recipe details and kit changes are source summaries. Investment verdicts are site analysis and should be weighed against your current roster.

Documented Evolutions

8th Sword evolution

Base Unit: 8th Sword Berserk

Evolved form: 8th Sword (Berserk)

Open material guide

Materials

Gold × 10,000
General currency cost shown in the cited July 27 evolution guide
Red Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Blue Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Green Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Rainbow Sprite × 3
Rainbow Sprite required by the evolution recipe

Documented changes

The evolved form activates the Berserk-focused passive kit after the base 8th Sword is evolved.
Current public guides emphasize aura damage, Stun cleanse, low-health follow-up attacks, and the timed Berserk state as the evolved unit's main value.

Investment verdict

Editorial verdict: a late-game evolution target for players who can reliably clear Spirit City Raid Act 3 and want a durable raid carry.

Verified 2026-07-27

Sources: AllThingsHow 8th Sword raid and evolution guide, Pro Game Guides Secret acquisition guide

Shadow evolution

Base Unit: Shadow

Evolved form: Shadow (Divine)

Open material guide

Materials

Gold × 10,000
General currency cost shown in the cited evolution recipe
Red Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Blue Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Green Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Rainbow Sprite × 3
Rainbow Sprite required by the evolution recipe

Documented changes

The documented evolved kit includes Shadow Realm, which rewinds enemies and buffs Magical allies temporarily.
The evolved kit adds several spirit summons that contribute damage and control.

Investment verdict

Editorial verdict: a top evolution target only after obtaining the rare base Unit; the recipe is expensive but the evolved kit is team-defining.

Verified 2026-07-20

Sources: Pro Game Guides evolution recipe, Pro Game Guides evolved-form ability index, Pro Game Guides editorial tier analysis

Puppet evolution

Base Unit: Puppet

Evolved form: Puppet (Telekinetic)

Open material guide

Materials

Gold × 5,000
General currency cost shown in the cited evolution recipe
Puppet Heart × 1
Earned from the A Puppet's Heart trial in Fairy King Forest Story
Pink Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Purple Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Rainbow Sprite × 1
Rainbow Sprite required by the evolution recipe

Documented changes

The evolved kit documents Puppet Mark, which increases incoming damage to the strongest marked enemy.
Complete Control adds a short enemy rewind, while the equipment passive can create a Doll blocker.

Investment verdict

Editorial verdict: an excellent first support evolution for accounts that need boss amplification and emergency lane control.

Verified 2026-07-20

Sources: Pro Game Guides evolution recipe and item source, Pro Game Guides evolved-form ability index

Cursed Student evolution

Base Unit: Cursed Student

Evolved form: Cursed Student (True Love)

Open material guide

Materials

Gold × 5,000
General currency cost shown in the cited evolution recipe
Student ID × 1
Dropped by the Love & Loss trial in School Grounds Story
Blue Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Purple Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Rainbow Sprite × 1
Rainbow Sprite required by the evolution recipe

Documented changes

The evolved kit documents Cursed Mimicry, which copies a nearby ally's attack on a regular cycle.
Its exclusive equipment passive can create Bat Spirits after enough Bleed stacks are applied nearby.

Investment verdict

Editorial verdict: a high-priority damage evolution when the team can place it beside a strong carry and support the copied-attack loop.

Verified 2026-07-20

Sources: Pro Game Guides evolution recipe and item source, Pro Game Guides evolved-form ability index

Flame Emperor evolution

Base Unit: Flame Emperor

Evolved form: Flame Emperor (Reincarnate)

Open material guide

Materials

Gold × 5,000
General currency cost shown in the cited evolution recipe
Burning Fruit × 1
Unit-specific item required by the cited evolution recipe
Red Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Yellow Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Rainbow Sprite × 1
Rainbow Sprite required by the evolution recipe

Documented changes

Wildfire spreads newly applied Burn to nearby enemies that are not already burning.
Wall of Fire can be placed across a path to apply Burn to enemies that cross it.

Investment verdict

Editorial verdict: one of the safest early Mythic evolutions because it improves wave clear and enables Burn-dependent teammates.

Verified 2026-07-20

Sources: Pro Game Guides evolution recipe, Pro Game Guides evolved-form ability index, Pro Game Guides editorial Burn-team analysis

Elf Mage evolution

Base Unit: Elf Mage

Evolved form: Elf Mage (Unleashed)

Open material guide

Materials

Gold × 5,000
General currency cost shown in the cited evolution recipe
Cosmic Magic × 1
Unit-specific item required by the cited evolution recipe
Blue Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Purple Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Rainbow Sprite × 1
Rainbow Sprite required by the evolution recipe

Documented changes

The evolved Arcane Spell cycle adds line, circle, and full-area follow-up attacks at charge thresholds.
Overcharge improves later Arcane Spell cycles after repeated charge resets during the stage.

Investment verdict

Editorial verdict: a practical AoE evolution for progression teams, particularly when longer stages allow repeated charge cycles.

Verified 2026-07-20

Sources: Pro Game Guides evolution recipe, Pro Game Guides evolved-form ability index

Salmon Sorcerer evolution

Base Unit: Salmon Sorcerer

Evolved form: Salmon Sorcerer (Grade 1)

Open material guide

Materials

Gold × 5,000
General currency cost shown in the cited evolution recipe
Salmon × 1
Unit-specific item required by the cited evolution recipe
Green Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Blue Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Rainbow Sprite × 1
Rainbow Sprite required by the evolution recipe

Documented changes

Crumble Away applies Slow through the upgrade path.
Plummet adds a short Stagger when enemies enter the inner portion of the evolved Unit's range.

Investment verdict

Editorial verdict: a valuable support evolution for Challenges and Raids because its control improves every carry sharing the kill zone.

Verified 2026-07-20

Sources: Pro Game Guides evolution recipe, Pro Game Guides evolved-form ability index

String Demon evolution

Base Unit: String Demon

Evolved form: String Demon (Awakened)

Open material guide

Materials

Gold × 5,000
General currency cost shown in the cited evolution recipe
Joker of the Nonsensical Pirates × 1
Unlocked by the Strings of Captivity trial in Rose Kingdom Story
Yellow Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Pink Sprite × 20
Colored Sprite required by the evolution recipe
Rainbow Sprite × 1
Rainbow Sprite required by the evolution recipe

Documented changes

Cocoon of Carnage periodically traps enemies and can trigger bonus damage if allies break the Cocoon in time.
String Sync links nearby allies and can trigger follow-up attacks from those linked Units.

Investment verdict

Editorial verdict: evolve after assembling a fast, overlapping team; slower squads cannot consistently realize the Cocoon and String Sync ceiling.

Verified 2026-07-20

Sources: Pro Game Guides evolution recipe and item source, Pro Game Guides evolved-form ability index