NEXON has released a major new update for Blue Archive, bringing new students, fresh story content, and a limited-time event to the anime-style RPG on Steam and mobile devices. The update marks the beginning of Main Story Act 2 while also expanding the world of Kivotos with the new chapters “A Spring Day Full of Almond Blossoms” and “High Noon Haze.”
The update adds two new ★3 students, Niko and Kurumi, through a new Pick-up Recruitment event. Both characters are members of the FOX Squad from SRT Special Academy and arrive alongside the new event story, “Special Mission: Lore Pursuit.” The event also gives players a chance to recruit another FOX Squad member, Otogi (★1), by completing the Aburacho Central Road Quest.
As Sensei continues investigating the many incidents affecting Kivotos, the latest Blue Archive update pushes the game’s story into a new phase while adding more strategic options for players building their combat teams.
Niko and Kurumi Join the FOX Squad Recruitment
Niko (★3) joins Blue Archive as an Explosive-type Support and serves as the deputy leader of FOX Squad. Her EX Skill can remove harmful effects from an ally while increasing EX Skill damage for allies positioned within her area of effect. Niko is also the game’s first student designed to provide an area-of-effect EX Skill damage buff.
Kurumi (★3), another FOX Squad member known as “FOX3,” is an Explosive-type Tank. Her EX Skill grants her a Tactical Shield that regenerates when attacked, while additional shields can restore its capacity. When the effect expires, part of the remaining shield is converted into HP, giving Kurumi a self-sustaining defensive ability.
Main Story Act 2 Opens With New Mysteries
The Main Story Act 2 Prologue begins with a mysterious black-and-white photograph hidden within the General Student Council’s records. Even Council President Rin cannot identify the people connected to it, prompting Sensei to investigate further.
The mystery soon takes a stranger turn when Sensei awakens to find Kivotos completely drained of color and every student missing. An enigmatic girl then appears inside the empty General Student Council President’s office before the day resets again.
The new General Student Council chapter, “A Spring Day Full of Almond Blossoms,” follows Rin as she is finally persuaded to take a rare day off. What begins as a quiet outing with Sensei, including an arcade rematch around D.U., eventually takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious figure claiming to be the General Student Council President appears.
Meanwhile, “High Noon Haze” follows FOX Squad members Niko and Kurumi as they investigate clues connected to local urban legends. The story directly ties into the “Special Mission: Lore Pursuit” event and expands the mystery surrounding the latest incident.
Lore Pursuit Event Brings Otogi and New Rewards
The “Special Mission: Lore Pursuit” event includes battles, story episodes, quests, challenges, tasks, a shop, and a clue hunt. Players can earn Artifacts and General Blueprint Raffle Boxes, while completing the Aburacho Central Road Quest rewards them with Otogi (★1).
The event runs from August 18 after maintenance until August 31 at 6:59 PM PDT. Players worldwide can download and play Blue Archive for free on Android, iOS, and Steam.
