Anime Expeditions Units Evolution Guide
Evolution is a targeted upgrade for eligible units, not a general level-up button. It changes the unit into a named form, improves its combat value, and can unlock a new passive or equipment access. Choose the unit first, then farm what its live preview requests.
Where to Find Evolution
From the main lobby courtyard, enter the Upgrades room and interact with the Evolve portal. Select an eligible unit to open its preview. The screen should show the evolved form and missing requirements; use that checklist as the final authority because release guides disagree on some quantities.
Evolution Process
- Select the exact unit you intend to keep.
- Read the evolved form's ability or passive preview.
- Record the required Gold, colored Sprites, Rainbow Sprites, and any named item.
- Farm or craft only those missing pieces.
- Return to the portal, recheck the preview after any patch, and confirm Evolution.
Evolution consumes limited materials, so compare the target with the tier list and your actual missing role first.
Sprites Explained
Colored Sprites are shared evolution resources. Blue, Green, Pink, Purple, Red, and Yellow Sprites are reported from Challenges or crafting, while Rainbow Sprites appear through Daily and Weekly Challenges and crafting. Other release coverage also lists Story, Mastery, Expeditions, and Raids as Sprite sources. Use each activity's reward preview instead of assuming every color is always available.
Grey Sprites may feed the crafting path in the current build. Avoid converting a whole stockpile until the recipe and target color are visible; crafting the wrong color delays the unit you actually want.
Unit-Specific Materials and Sources
Most eligible units also need a named item tied to a Story Trial or crafting recipe. Reported examples include Puppet Heart from A Puppet's Heart, Student ID from Love & Loss, Burning Fruit from The Fire That Spread, Cosmic Magic from Last Great Elvan Mage, Salmon from Tuna Tuna, and the String Demon item from Strings of Captivity. Trial names and access can change, so navigate from the Evolution requirement or current Story interface.
| Source type | What to check before farming |
|---|---|
| Story Trial | Correct world, trial name, and listed reward |
| Daily/Weekly Challenge | Current Sprite color and attempt/reset rules |
| Crafting Station | Recipe inputs, Gold cost, and output quantity |
| Raid or Expedition | Unlock requirement and visible reward pool |
| AFK systems | Current reward list; do not assume a specific item |
Evolvable Units at Release
The release guides agree on these nine evolution pairs. Material quantities are intentionally omitted here because published lists conflict in places; confirm them in the portal preview.
| Base unit | Evolved form | Named requirement reported at release |
|---|---|---|
| Puppet | Puppet (Telekinetic) | Puppet Heart |
| True Saint | True Saint (Holy) | Holy Pendant crafting recipe |
| Shadow | Shadow (Divine) | Sprites; higher reported resource burden |
| String Demon | String Demon (Awakened) | Joker of the Nonsensical Pirates |
| Cursed Student | Cursed Student (True Love) | Student ID |
| Flame Emperor | Flame Emperor (Reincarnate) | Burning Fruit |
| Crimson | Crimson (Brother) | No separate named item reported |
| Elf Mage | Elf Mage (Unleashed) | Cosmic Magic |
| Salmon Sorcerer | Salmon Sorcerer (Grade One) | Salmon |
Which Evolution to Prioritize
Prioritize a unit already carrying Story that also remains useful in Challenges, Raids, or Expeditions. Crimson and Flame Emperor are reported as approachable early choices; Shadow carries a substantially heavier release requirement and is better treated as a planned long-term project. Support evolutions can outrank a second DPS when their new ability fixes a team-wide limitation.
Use a simple decision order: permanent team slot, meaningful new ability, available trial, then shared Sprite cost. Do not evolve purely because one material happens to be complete. New players should first establish the squad described in the beginner guide.
Ability Changes
Evolution previews matter because the upgrade can add mechanics rather than just stats. Release descriptions report persistent Burn coverage for Flame Emperor (Reincarnate), a summon-focused passive for Shadow (Divine), stacking spell follow-ups for Elf Mage (Unleashed), and a targeted damage zone for Crimson (Brother). These mechanics affect placement and team synergy, so read the current ability text instead of relying on an old damage number.
Evolution and Equipment Slots
Release system coverage says evolved units gain access to general equipment and can use unit-specific exclusive equipment where available. Check the evolved unit's Equipment panel for the current slot state and compatible items. Evolution does not mean any item fits any unit, and equipment reroll resources are separate from Trait Crystals.
Common Evolution Mistakes
- Farming a third-party material count without checking the live preview.
- Converting shared Sprites before selecting a target.
- Evolving a bench unit while the Story carry remains unfinished.
- Ignoring a new passive's placement or team requirements.
- Selling duplicates before checking Ascension and other unit uses.
- Assuming an evolved unit automatically has ideal Traits or equipment.
Verification Notes
Evolution pairs, portal flow, Trials, and Sprite sources were cross-checked against MrGuider's release Evolution guide, GAMES.GG's Evolution overview, and Pro Game Guides' progression overview. The in-game preview overrides published quantities.