Update 1 for Anime Expeditions is the Dragon Ball update arriving on August 7 at 5:00 PM UK time, with new units, a Dragon Ball-style map, Shenron-related content, and several prep tasks players should finish now.
Update 1 is the first big target players should be preparing around after Update 0.5: Villain Invasion. The update screen points to a August 7, 5:00 PM UK drop and labels its time and day as unofficial, so use that as your prep deadline.
- Update 1 release timing and Dragon Ball content
- Update 1 reveals and leaks at a glance
- Dragon Ball map and Shenron Expedition Zone tease
- Goku, Gohan, Trunks, Perfect Cell, and the possible Battle Pass unit
- Elf Mage Ghost Mage skin and possible store additions
- Farm these resources before Update 1
- Bounties are the best reroll prep farm
- Update 0.5 systems still matter
- Frequently Asked Questions
Update 1 release timing and Dragon Ball content
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Game | Anime Expeditions |
| Expected update time | August 7 at 5:00 PM UK time |
| Update focus | Dragon Ball map and units |
| Current prep focus | Gems, Trait Crystals, Expedition resources, sprites, bounties, daily and weekly rewards |
The update brings Dragon Ball content, a new map, several Dragon Ball units, and new progression hooks tied to the current event and Expedition systems. The smartest play before launch is to have gems, Trait Crystals, materials, Expedition resources, and bounty/event-shop currency ready.
Update 1 reveals and leaks at a glance
| Reveal | What players should know |
|---|---|
| Dragon Ball map | A public sneak shows a new map built around the Dragon Ball update. |
| Goku | Shown as one of the main Dragon Ball units for Update 1. |
| Gohan | Shown alongside Goku and Trunks in the unit preview. |
| Trunks | Part of the same Dragon Ball unit lineup. |
| Perfect Cell | Shown with the update units; his unlock route is not part of the prep route. |
| Tournament skin | Elf Mage Ghost Mage is listed as a Global Tournament Season 1 reward. |
| Shenron-style cutscene | A low-quality Expedition Zone cutscene shows a dragon and Wish Balls. |
| Possible Battle Pass unit | A Tower of God-looking character is tied to a future Battle Pass reward. |
| Possible bundles | A Battle Pass bundle and cosmetic bundle appear as storefront additions. |
| Possible Expedition upgrades | Resource Drill building level 3 and better Geode rewards are Expedition prep targets. |
KEY!
The important split is simple: the Dragon Ball map, tournament skin, and four Dragon Ball units are the clearest Update 1 items, while the shop additions, Battle Pass unit, Shenron gameplay role, and base upgrades are prep targets. Prepare for them, but spend only when the unlock method is in the game.
Dragon Ball map and Shenron Expedition Zone tease
The public map sneak shows a Dragon Ball-inspired stage with the open, familiar arena-like look players expect from this update’s theme. It is the main environmental preview so far, and it separates Update 1 from the current Villain Invasion flow.
There is also a separate Expedition Zone cutscene leak showing a large dragon and Wish Balls. That means Shenron-related content is part of the update, with the dragon and Wish Balls tied to the Expedition Zone tease.
Because the tease appears inside the Expedition Zone, players should pay attention to base and resource systems before Update 1 lands. The current visible cap around Resource Drill building level 2 is why players are already stacking Geodes for higher building levels, new currency, and stronger Expedition rewards.
Goku, Gohan, Trunks, Perfect Cell, and the possible Battle Pass unit
| Unit | Status |
|---|---|
| Goku | Main Dragon Ball unit shown for Update 1. |
| Gohan | Main Dragon Ball unit shown for Update 1. |
| Trunks | Main Dragon Ball unit shown for Update 1. |
| Perfect Cell | Shown with the Update 1 units; plan your gems and reroll items around him. |
| Tower of God-looking character | Battle Pass unit; exact tier is not part of the current prep route. |
The unit showcase points to Goku, Gohan, and Trunks as the core Dragon Ball additions for Update 1. Since the update brings banner-obtainable units, saving gems now matters more than squeezing one last summon out of the current banner.
Perfect Cell is the unit to watch because his placement can change how players spend. Keep gems, Trait Crystals, and reroll resources ready for him instead of locking all your value into the current banner.
A separate Tower of God-looking character is also circulating as a Battle Pass addition. The Battle Pass has been present since release, so save your broad prep resources and avoid planning around a specific tier until the reward track is live.
Elf Mage Ghost Mage skin and possible store additions
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Elf Mage Ghost Mage | Global Tournament Season 1 reward skin. |
| Battle Pass bundle | Store bundle connected to Battle Pass progression. |
| Cosmetic bundle | Store bundle for cosmetics. |
| New game passes | Paid additions, with exact effects not shown. |
The Elf Mage Ghost Mage skin is tied to Global Tournament Season 1, making it a competitive reward rather than a banner unit. Tournament players should keep their focus on leaderboard performance instead of expecting this skin from normal summons.
The storefront side includes a Battle Pass bundle, cosmetic bundle, and several new game passes as possible additions. Save spending decisions for the live shop and keep your gameplay prep focused on resources.
Farm these resources before Update 1
Stack Geodes
Save Geodes for Resource Drill building level 3, new Expedition rewards, and new update currency.
Save cursed timber
Keep cursed timber ready for Expedition and base-related upgrades.
Farm fuel
Build a fuel reserve so you can keep Expedition systems moving after the update.
Collect aqua shards
Add aqua shards to your prep pile instead of entering Update 1 with a thin stock.
Save gems
Hold gems for the Update 1 banner because multiple new units are summonable.
Farm Trait Crystals
Convert event-shop value into Trait Crystals wherever possible so new units can be rerolled quickly.
Buy equipment rolls
Pick up equipment rolls from shops when available.
Buy stat locks
Stock stat locks before you start building Update 1 units.
Clear material purchases
Use the gold shop for useful materials before the reset window catches you.
Build sprite stocks
Buy and farm sprites, especially through the Villain Invasion shop where 100 tokens can buy five sprites.
Finish bounty rewards
Clear daily bounties for event coins, then turn that value into Trait Crystals through the event shop.
Complete daily challenges
Take the daily challenge rewards now instead of leaving easy resources unclaimed.
Complete weekly challenges
Finish weekly challenge rewards before Update 1 shifts your priorities.
Claim achievements
Check Quests and Achievements for unfinished resource payouts such as unit collection milestones.
Spend event-shop currency cleanly
Buy useful event-shop rewards before Update 1 changes the value of your current event grind.
Reroll weak bounties for 1,000 gold until you land high-value tasks, then use the event coins on Trait Crystals before Update 1.
Bounties are the best reroll prep farm
| Farm action | Reward |
|---|---|
| Complete a mythic bounty | 70 event coins |
| Refresh unwanted bounty | Costs 1,000 gold |
| Clear bounties daily | New bounty set every 24 hours |
| Spend event coins in the event shop | Trait Crystals |
Bounties deserve priority because they refresh every 24 hours, can be rerolled with 1,000 gold, and can pay out strong event-coin rewards. A mythic bounty gives 70 event coins, and event coins then become Trait Crystals through the event shop.
The best use of gold here is selective rerolling. Skip low-value or awkward bounty tasks when your gold allows it, chase overlapping objectives, and stack rewards that can be completed in the same run.
Update 0.5 systems still matter
The current major patch before Update 1 is Update 0.5: Villain Invasion, released on July 24, 2026. It added the limited Villain Invasion event, villain units, event currency, Bounty Board, Villain Hunt, Banner Blitz, and the event shop loop players are still using to prepare.
That is why Update 1 prep is not just about saving gems. The best accounts going into the Dragon Ball update will also have event-shop value, bounty income, sprites, materials, and reroll items ready the moment the new units arrive.
Related Anime Expeditions guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perfect Cell a Secret unit in Anime Expeditions?
Perfect Cell has been shown with the Update 1 unit lineup. Keep resources ready for him, then spend once his unlock method appears in-game.
Should I spend gems now or save them for Update 1?
Save gems for Update 1 unless you have a specific current-banner target you are already committed to chasing. The Dragon Ball lineup includes multiple new units, so entering the update with a bigger gem stack gives you more room to summon immediately.
Does the Shenron cutscene mean Update 1 has a raid or new boss mode?
No, the cutscene alone does not make it a raid or new boss mode. The dragon and Wish Balls point to Shenron-related content tied to the Expedition Zone.
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