3 Upcoming NTE Characters: Meet Akane, Blackbird, and Linko Before They Drop

If you’ve been grinding Neverness to Everness and eyeing your Annulith stash, you’re gonna want to sit down for this one. Hotta Studio isn’t slowing down the character train anytime soon, and three names have been dominating every NTE Discord and leak thread lately: Akane, Blackbird, and Linko.

One of them is already locked in and coming to your banner in a matter of days. The other two are still riding the leak train, but they’re the kind of leaks that come from credible sources with a solid track record.

So let’s break down what we actually know about these 3 upcoming NTE characters, what their kits might look like, and whether they’re worth saving your pulls for.

Why Everyone’s Talking About These 3 Upcoming NTE Characters

NTE has built its whole identity around turning background NPCs into fan-favorite playable units, and that trend is about to hit its peak. Two of the three characters on this list have literally been walking around Hethereau since launch, just waiting for their glow-up.

That’s part of what makes this wave so exciting — you’ve probably already talked to them without realizing they’d end up on your team roster someday.

Here’s the quick rundown before we dig into each one:

• Linko – Confirmed S-rank Anima character, releasing September 9, 2026
• Blackbird – Leaked for Version 1.4, rumored Psyche typing
• Akane (Akane Rin) – Leaked for Version 1.4, rumored Lakshana typing

Let’s get into the details.

Note: Character information can change before release. Linko is confirmed for Version 1.3 Phase 2, while Akane Rin and Blackbird are currently tracked as Version 1.4 characters by NTE community databases. Some details about their kits may still change before official release. ([ntebuild.com][2])

Linko – The Next Confirmed 1 of 3 Upcoming NTE Character

Out of this trio, Linko is the only one that’s 100% official, so let’s start here. Hotta Studio confirmed her during the Version 1.3 Special Preview Program, and she’s set to land on September 9, 2026. Riding her own limited banner called “Surfing All Channels!” That banner sticks around until September 30, right before Version 1.4 takes over.

Linko rolls with the Bureau of Anomaly Control’s ETD-6 squad, working alongside Chaos, Elyms, and squad captain Exe. If her name sounds familiar, that’s because she already popped up briefly at the end of “The Debt Collector” chapter and made an earlier cameo in the NTE Co-Ex Test Trailer.

She’s also got serious visual rizz: lilac hair, a sleek tech-courier uniform, and a signature headset that screams “I run comms for this whole operation.”

Her real gimmick, though, is her Anomaly partner Xiaozhen — a ghost-like doll that lives inside a TV Linko literally straps to her back like a backpack. It’s equal parts creepy and adorable, which is basically peak NTE character design.

Linko’s Kit: What Makes Her an S-Rank Anima Pick

Confirmed as an S-Class Anima Esper with an AoE quickswap role, Linko’s whole combat loop revolves around a resource called the Modulation Gauge. Here’s how it flows:

• Basic Attacks and Critical Ripostes fill up her Modulation Gauge
• A full gauge powers up her Redirect Skill, which slams nearby enemies and can trigger a Synced Strike
• You choose whether Xiaozhen or a teammate executes the Synced Strike, and the follow-up damage matches whichever Attribute they’re carrying
• Even while she’s off-field, she tags enemies with a “Hit ’em Here” mark, and hitting that mark keeps her Modulation and Cycle Energy climbing

Basically, Linko is built to be a Burst DPS who spends a lot of time off the field quietly setting up damage, then comes in for a flashy payoff. If you’re already running Zankou, community chatter suggests the Incantation-Anima combo could trigger some solid Hexed synergy, though nobody’s calling it a locked-in meta pairing just yet.

Her voice actress, Yui Ogura, already has a fanbase from other gacha and anime roles, so expect her drip marketing lines to blow up your timeline regardless of whether you plan to pull.

The biggest advantage of Linko right now is simple: we know she’s coming soon.

Players don’t have to rely entirely on speculation. Her Version 1.3 Phase 2 placement has already been reported across multiple NTE character and banner trackers. ([ntebuild.com][2])

For newer players, this is especially important. Instead of blindly pulling every shiny S-Rank character, you can start thinking about what your account actually needs.

Need another damage dealer?

Linko could be worth watching.

Already have several strong DPS characters?

Then saving for a future support or specialized unit might make more sense.

Either way, Linko is the easiest character on this list to plan around because her banner timing is already known.

2. Akane Rin – A Highly Anticipated 2 of 3 Upcoming NTE Character

Akane: The Underground Rocker Ready for the Spotlight

Rounding out our 3 upcoming NTE characters is Akane, sometimes referred to by her fuller name Akane Rin. She’s a former member of the band LINES, and lore-wise she comes from the underground rock scene on the opposite end of the city from Blackbird’s territory. Players first ran into her during Haniel’s character story, tagging along as she helped local musicians around town.

A special voice actress message video dropped on NTE’s official YouTube channel not long ago, and that’s usually a strong tell that a character’s playable debut is close. Combine that with the Version 1.4 leaks, and it’s looking like Akane’s banner will land in the second half of the update, right after Blackbird’s.

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Players have already had a chance to recognize her character, which means the hype isn’t coming out of nowhere. Turning a familiar NPC into a playable character is also a great way for Hotta Studio to expand the roster without introducing an entirely unknown face.

Current NTE banner trackers list Akane Rin for Version 1.4, with a reported banner window of September 30 to October 21, 2026. ([Beebom][4])

However, players should treat the exact timing as subject to change until Hotta Studio officially confirms it.

What Makes Akane Interesting?

Akane’s biggest selling point right now is her character identity and the anticipation surrounding her eventual playable version.

She has been connected with the LINES group, and her previous appearance gives players more context about who she is beyond simply being another banner unit. ([Neverness.gg][1])

For collectors, she’s an obvious character to keep on the radar.

For meta players, though, it’s better to wait for official information about her skills, role, attribute, and team synergy before deciding whether she’s an instant pull.

That’s especially important because NTE’s combat system revolves around character synergy, Esper attributes, and team composition. A character can look incredible on paper but become much more valuable when paired with the right teammates.

Akane’s Rumored Esper Typing

The same leak wave that named Blackbird also tagged Akane with a Lakshana typing. Given her musician background, it wouldn’t be surprising if her kit leans into rhythm-based mechanics, buffs, or some kind of performance gimmick tied to her band history. Again, none of this is locked in, so keep your Annulith flexible until the official preview drops.

3. Blackbird – The Mysterious Future DPS 3 of 3 Upcoming NTE Character

Finally, we have Blackbird, another character generating plenty of buzz among NTE players.

Blackbird is currently listed as an upcoming S-Rank Psyche character by Prydwen, although detailed official skill information is not yet available there. ([Prydwen Institute][5])

Other NTE character trackers list Blackbird as a Version 1.4 character, following Akane Rin. One current banner tracker reports a potential banner period of October 21 to November 10, 2026. ([Beebom][4])

That would put Blackbird directly after Akane in the currently reported Version 1.4 schedule.

And yes, that could make Version 1.4 a pretty brutal update for players trying to save resources.

Why Players Are Watching Blackbird

Blackbird has been described by some community databases as an attack-oriented character with strong mobility potential. However, detailed kit information remains incomplete, so players shouldn’t treat unofficial skill descriptions as final. ([Prydwen Institute][5])

That’s actually one of the most interesting things about Blackbird.

There’s still plenty we don’t know.

Instead of having her entire kit figured out months in advance, players are still waiting for more concrete information about her abilities, Arc options, team synergy, and actual performance.

If Blackbird does arrive as a high-impact DPS, she could become one of the most desirable characters for players who enjoy aggressive, fast-paced combat.

Blackbird: The Witch Everyone’s Been Handing Oracle Stones To

Now we’re moving into leak territory, and this one’s got the community buzzing hard. Blackbird is the mysterious witch who runs the Witch’s House near Bridge’s Crossing and the Wertheimer Tower in Hethereau. If you’ve been collecting Oracle Stones around the open world, congrats — you’ve already met your future playable unit. She’s the NPC who takes those collectibles off your hands and pays out rewards for them.

Leaks point to Blackbird headlining the first half of Version 1.4, and the leaker behind this info, known in the community as Seele, has a reputation for calling playable character reveals early across multiple gacha titles. That doesn’t make it official, but it does explain why the rumor spread like wildfire instead of getting laughed off.

What Her Kit Might Look Like

Nothing’s confirmed on her actual abilities yet, but the leaks suggest a Psyche Esper typing, which tracks pretty well with her character. Blackbird’s whole vibe leans into fortune-telling, occult lore, and the “Lost Tales” side of Hethereau’s story, so a Psyche kit built around debuffs, illusions, or fate-manipulation mechanics wouldn’t be a shocker. Until Hotta Studio actually runs the Version 1.4 preview program, though, treat all of this as speculation, not gospel.

For now, though, it’s better to keep expectations realistic and wait for official details.

Which of the 3 Upcoming NTE Character Should You Save For?

So, which character deserves your hard-earned resources?

It depends on what your account needs.

Linko is the easiest recommendation for players who want a new character soon because her Version 1.3 Phase 2 release is confirmed. Current trackers list her banner from September 9 to September 30, 2026. ([ntebuild.com][2])

Akane Rin is the character to watch if you’re a fan of NTE’s story and existing characters. She’s already part of the game’s world, making her potential playable debut especially exciting.

Blackbird is the wild card. Her potential role and kit have generated plenty of interest, but players should wait for more official information before committing their resources.

And honestly, there’s another factor to consider: future power creep.

NTE is still expanding its roster, so today’s top-tier character may not stay on top forever. Rather than pulling every new S-Rank, focus on characters that actually improve your account and fit the teams you enjoy playing.

Final Verdict

The upcoming NTE character lineup is looking seriously stacked.

Linko, Akane Rin, and Blackbird each bring something different to the table, whether you’re interested in new DPS options, character collection, story connections, or simply building the coolest team possible.

Linko is the safest character to plan around because her Version 1.3 Phase 2 release is confirmed. The focus keyphrase 3 Upcoming NTE Character should be considered in planning, while Akane Rin and Blackbird are currently being tracked for Version 1.4, but their exact details should be treated as subject to change until officially confirmed. ([ntebuild.com][2])

If you’re saving resources right now, this is a good time to start planning.

Because once these banners start rolling out, your Annulith stash can disappear real fast.

Source: Official Forum NTE Neverness to Everness