Anime Vanguards Update 9: Release Date, & What to Expect!
With Anime Vanguards Update 8.5 now officially wrapped up, most players are asking the same question — when is Update 9 coming out? The next major patch marks the game’s anniversary update, and excitement is high. However, due to ongoing DMCA issues and a massive list of new content, the wait might be longer than expected. Here’s everything we know so far about the release window, confirmed units, and what’s causing the delay.
The Current Situation After Update 8.5
Update 8.5 brought plenty of new content, but after more than a week since it ended, most players have cleared everything the patch had to offer. Developers are now focusing on the anniversary update, which will serve as a major milestone for Anime Vanguards. Unfortunately, production has slowed because of DMCA-related problems affecting several existing characters.
Characters like Sukuna, Gojo, and others currently have to be remodeled to avoid copyright violations. This alone is taking up a lot of development time — and that’s on top of creating all-new anniversary content.
Anime Vanguards Update 9 Release Date Estimate
Based on developer discussions and community reports, the Anime Vanguards Update 9 (Anniversary Update) is expected to arrive between October 10 and October 30, 2025.
The anniversary of the game itself was on September 10, but the team couldn’t meet that date due to the workload and DMCA issues. Update 9 includes an ambitious 14 new units, the largest batch ever added in one patch. Balancing, testing, and remodeling existing characters all add to the delay.
Realistically, the fastest release window is around three weeks after early October, but a mid- to late-October release seems most accurate given the situation.
Why Update 9 Is Taking So Long
There are two major reasons for the delay:
- DMCA Remodels – Several fan-favorite characters are being redesigned so they no longer resemble copyrighted anime models. This process affects not only appearance but also animations and VFX.
- Scale of the Anniversary Update – The team is adding 14 new playable units, making it the biggest update in the game’s history. This scale of content takes more time to polish and balance properly.
Confirmed Units and Leaks (So Far)
Although fake leaks are spreading around Discord and social media, only a few units have been officially confirmed by the developers.
Confirmed Units:
- Knight of Hollow (Hollow Knight)
- Heavenly Ascension (Dio)
- Ruby (or a Ruby-inspired character)
- Doomslayer
Other rumored characters such as Bulmo CEO, Samu Sniper of God, Psycho Boss, Kurumi, Escanor Conqueror, and Rain Von Austra are not confirmed. These names are part of fake leak lists circulating online.
Developers have clarified that some anniversary units are chosen based on their own preferences, not just community demand. That means we’ll see a mix of both fan-requested and developer-picked characters in Update 9.
What to Expect Before Update 9
While waiting for the anniversary patch, players may see smaller additions or limited events to keep the game active. Some familiar companions such as Gilgamesh Familiar or Gogeta Familiar might appear in temporary events.
It’s also possible that developers will start teasing the new unit models or showing early previews once the remodeling work is near completion.
The DMCA Impact on Anime Vanguards’ Future
The current DMCA issues are not just delaying Update 9 — they’re reshaping how future updates will look. Developers confirmed that all future units will no longer have direct visual similarities to their anime inspirations. Every character moving forward will have unique, redesigned models, protecting the game from takedowns.
While this may disappoint players who loved the direct anime look, it’s a necessary move to keep Anime Vanguards running long-term.
Anime Vanguards Update 9 is shaping up to be the biggest update in the game’s history, with a total of 14 new units, remodels, and an anniversary celebration packed into one release. However, due to DMCA restrictions and the massive workload, expect the update to launch sometime between mid- and late October 2025.
Until then, keep an eye on the game’s official Discord and social channels for confirmed leaks and previews — and be cautious of fake unit lists spreading online. The wait might be longer than usual, but given the size of this anniversary update, it’s likely to be worth it.
Anime Vanguards