Neverness to Everness Version 1.4 could bring two of Hethereau's most recognizable NPCs into the playable roster. The latest banner leaks point to Black Bird in Phase 1 with the Psyche Esper type, followed by Akane Rin in Phase 2 as Lakshana. Neither character, their release order, nor their Esper types have been officially confirmed yet, so the current schedule should be treated as early information rather than a final announcement. Players tracking the wider rotation can also check the Neverness to Everness banner schedule for the current and upcoming Limited Boards.
Version 1.4 Banner Schedule Overview
The exact NTE 1.4 release date has not been announced. Version 1.3 currently ends on September 30, 2026, however, and its two banner phases each last 21 days. If Hotta Studio keeps that schedule, the next update should begin around September 30, with its second half arriving three weeks later.
| Banner Phase | Estimated Date | Featured Character | Esper Type | Signature Arc | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | September 30 – October 21, 2026 | Black Bird / Merula | Psyche | Currently unknown | Leaked / Unconfirmed |
| Phase 2 | October 21 – November 11, 2026 | Akane Rin | Lakshana | Currently unknown | Leaked / Unconfirmed |
These dates are estimates based on the current three-week banner rhythm rather than official Version 1.4 dates. Earlier roadmap leaks have also disagreed over which characters belong to this update, so the safest approach is to wait for the Version 1.4 preview or official character marketing before treating the lineup as locked.
Which New Characters Are Debuting in Version 1.4?
Phase 1: Black Bird
Black Bird, also associated with the name Merula and known as the Witch, is currently expected to take the first banner slot. Players already know her from the Witch's House, where she is tied to Oracle Stones, fortune-telling, Lost Tales, and the more occult side of Hethereau. The latest leak lists her as a Psyche Esper, but her combat role, Arc type, skills, passives, and final rarity have not been officially revealed.
There has been plenty of community speculation about summons, curses, debuffs, and other witch-themed mechanics. None of those ideas should be treated as confirmed kit information yet. For pull planning, the Psyche typing is currently the only meaningful combat detail attached to her, and even that remains subject to change before the official reveal.
Phase 2: Akane Rin
Akane Rin is currently linked to the second half of the patch with a leaked Lakshana Esper type. Unlike a completely new character, she already has a clear presence in Hethereau's music scene. Players encounter her through the StarSign storyline, where her history as a musician, vocalist, and guitarist connects her closely with the city's bands and live performances.
Her playable role is still currently unknown. Music-themed support abilities, rhythm mechanics, team buffs, and guitar-based attacks have all been discussed online, but there is not enough reliable information to present any of those ideas as part of her actual kit. Until gameplay or official character details appear, Lakshana is the main piece of early combat information worth tracking.
If the leaked typings survive to release, there is one especially interesting team-building angle. Psyche and Lakshana can activate Stain, an Esper Cycle reaction that makes affected enemies more vulnerable to damage from those two types. That gives Black Bird and Akane a natural elemental connection on paper, although their actual synergy will depend heavily on their roles, Esper Cycle passives, field time, and rotations.
What New Weapons Are Releasing in Version 1.4?
Black Bird Signature Arc
Black Bird's signature Arc has not been revealed. Its name, Arc type, base stats, passive effect, and accompanying Arc Research Program are all currently unknown. Any weapon or Arc currently being presented online as her confirmed best option should therefore be treated carefully until official Version 1.4 information becomes available.
Akane Rin Signature Arc
Akane Rin's signature Arc is also currently unknown. Her connection to music has naturally led to guesses about a guitar-themed weapon or combat animation, but no confirmed Arc name, stats, passive, or weapon type is available yet. This section will need to be updated once her official playable kit is shown.
Which Characters Are Rerunning in Version 1.4?
No Version 1.4 rerun characters have been confirmed. Version 1.3 brought Nanally back during Zankou's half and Hotori alongside Linko, showing that NTE is already pairing new characters with returning Limited Boards. That makes additional reruns likely in the next update, but there is not enough reliable information to name the returning S-Class characters yet.
Players should be especially careful with older roadmap posts here. Several early predictions were created before the final Version 1.3 lineup was known, and some of them now conflict with newer information. The Version 1.4 rerun schedule is therefore best marked as currently unknown rather than filled with speculative names.
Are the Version 1.4 Characters Worth Pulling?
It is still too early for a real meta verdict. Element alone cannot tell us whether a character needs long field time, functions as an off-field enabler, replaces an existing support, or depends heavily on a signature Arc. With two completely unrevealed kits, spending plans should be based on saving flexibility rather than assuming either character will become the next top-tier unit.
- Black Bird — Wait / Save: Psyche gives her access to Nova with Chaos and Stain with Lakshana, so she could open useful team-building options. Her actual role and pull value are still unknown, making a final Pull or Skip verdict unavailable.
- Akane Rin — Wait / Save: Lakshana already works with both Psyche and Cosmos reaction paths. That gives her interesting elemental potential, but there is no confirmed evidence yet that she will replace Hathor, Skia, or any existing unit.
- Pulling Both — Potentially Interesting: If Black Bird remains Psyche and Akane remains Lakshana, the pair can naturally access Stain. That is worth watching, but players should wait for their Esper Cycle passives and full rotations before planning a two-character investment.
- Rerun Characters — To Be Updated: There is currently no confirmed 1.4 rerun lineup, so comparing new characters against returning Limited Boards is not possible yet.
For F2P and low-spending accounts, the safest move is to avoid pre-committing resources based only on leaks. Save enough currency to react after the official kits appear, then judge whether either character actually solves a problem on your account. If you decide to secure one or both banners after the final details are announced, the Neverness to Everness top-up page is available for players who need additional in-game currency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When will Neverness to Everness Version 1.4 release?
There is no official Version 1.4 release date yet. Version 1.3 ends on September 30, 2026, so if the current update cycle continues without a delay, Version 1.4 is expected to begin around September 30, 2026. Phase 2 would then start around October 21, 2026.
Are Black Bird and Akane Rin confirmed for the NTE 1.4 banners?
No. The latest leaks place Black Bird in Phase 1 and Akane Rin in Phase 2, but Hotta Studio has not officially announced the Version 1.4 banner lineup. Earlier roadmap leaks listed different characters, so the current order remains subject to change.
What elements are Black Bird and Akane Rin in NTE?
Current leaked information lists Black Bird as Psyche and Akane Rin as Lakshana. If those typings are correct at release, the two can contribute to the Stain Esper Cycle when used in the same elemental setup. Their final playable attributes still need official confirmation.
Does pity carry over to the Version 1.4 banners?
Yes. Pity progress on NTE Limited Boards carries between limited character banners, so stopping before an S-Class pull does not reset the accumulated count when the next eligible Limited Board arrives. This makes saving through the end of Version 1.3 much less punishing if Black Bird or Akane Rin is your main target.
