5 Best Units in Anime Vanguards Update 5

Anime Vanguards Update 5 brought in a ton of changes to the meta, introducing powerful new units and rebalancing how older characters perform in different game modes. This time around, the update leans heavily into powerful transformation mechanics, high DPS passives, and smart synergy among units—especially those from Dragon Ball and Devil May Cry. Here’s a breakdown of the 5 best units in Update 5, based on performance, utility, and overall strength in the current meta. Also check out our current Anime Vanguards Tier List for update 5!

1. Dante – King of Free-to-Play Meta Damage

Dante is easily one of the strongest free-to-play-friendly units in the current meta. His strength revolves around critical hits, and when you give him the Dead Eye trait, things get out of hand fast. Each crit triggers multiple attacks, leading to insane DPS output. Stack three of these on the field with Dead Eye and you’re pumping out thousands of damage per second. While he’s battle pass-exclusive, he doesn’t require an overly complex setup. Just equip the right passive and watch him carry through events effortlessly.

2. Virgil – DPS Monster with Doppelganger Clone Mechanic

Virgil brings a different type of utility compared to Dante. Instead of crits, Virgil excels against enemies affected by crowd control—slows, stuns, or freezes. Each attack on a CC’d enemy triggers an extra hit, which charges his DT gauge. Once full, he spawns a doppelganger, which mimics his attacks from anywhere on the map. With the right conditions (Asdeath, Gojo alt, or Dio alt applying status), Virgil turns into a high-DPS unit capable of taking out clusters fast. He’s also a battle pass character, so grab him while you can.

3. Buu – The Evolutionary Powerhouse

Buu is the most unique unit in Update 5 due to his multi-phase transformation. As he stacks Candy from kills, he evolves through different forms—each with new passives. Here’s a quick overview:

• First Form: Stacking passive to increase damage
• Second Form: Spawns ghosts that deal 70% of his damage
• Third Form (Bu Piccolo): Becomes a support unit with buffs to Dragon Ball allies
• Final Form (Kid Buu): Gains AoE explosion on kill (50% of his damage)

This makes Buu incredibly versatile. He adapts to different roles during a match and ends up with strong single-target damage and team utility. If you’re after flexibility and raw power, Buu is a must-have.

4. Super Vogito – Versatile DPS with Spirit Bomb Nuke Option

Super Vogito starts as a Goku and Vegeta switch unit, and after 13 switches, they fuse into Super Vogito. Alternatively, you can charge up a Spirit Bomb with Goku’s active for a map-wide nuke after 3 minutes. Once fused, Super Vogito deals high damage early and gains range and attack buffs. He’s also a great rupture unit and can negate bleed, which gives him strong value in Infinite and Tournament modes. While the fusion mechanic takes time, his output and utility make the wait worth it.

5. Hercule – Buffing Support for Dragon Ball Teams

If you’re looking for support rather than raw damage, Hercule is your guy. With Dead Eye equipped, every critical hit buffs allies in range by 10%, and 20% if they’re Dragon Ball units. He doesn’t deal the most damage himself, but his passive makes him vital in DB-themed team comps. His synergy with other top-tier units like Buu and Super Vogito makes him an essential pick for support roles. Consider him your Dragon Ball team’s secret weapon for big boosts.

Update 5 of Anime Vanguards has redefined the meta with a stronger focus on synergy, multi-stage transformations, and tactical crowd control exploitation. Whether you’re running Infinite, Events, or Tournaments, these five units—Dante, Virgil, Buu, Super Vogito, and Hercule—are easily among the best you can use. Keep an eye out for event banners and battle passes if you want to secure these top-tier picks, especially since many are limited-time only. Start building your team around these heavy-hitters, and you’ll breeze through content with ease.