4.5 Years of Blue Archive Japan: New Swimsuits, Events, and Massive Free Pulls!

If you're even remotely part of the Blue Archive community, you already know that anniversaries hit differently in this game—and Japan’s 4.5-year celebration is no exception. This isn't just a minor seasonal patch. It's a full-on, swimsuit-clad, fireworks-blazing festival packed with new units, juicy login bonuses, insane banners, and more quality-of-life tweaks than you can shake your credit card at.

Whether you're a veteran player juggling five accounts or a returning Sensei pulled in by the promise of free rolls (no shame), here’s the full breakdown of what’s happening, what’s worth your time, and why this might just be the best Blue Archive event yet.

A Quick Look Back: Why 4.5 Even Matters

Let’s be honest—half-anniversaries are usually filler in most gacha games. But Blue Archive doesn't play by those rules. If anything, these half-year marks have become a tradition of pulling out the big guns—literally and figuratively.

And this year? It’s all about the summer vibes. Think sandy beaches, high-energy event tracks, and some of the most stunning swimsuit designs we’ve seen yet (yes, they really outdid themselves this time).

4.5 Years of Blue Archive PV1:

Swimsuit Mayhem: Who’s New and Why You Should Care

So, what’s a summer event without some fresh limited units to break your pity stash?

First Banner: Hoshino’s Crew Takes the Stage (July 22 – July 30)

Hasumi (Swimsuit) – Finally, the fan-favorite sniper gets her beach moment, and she’s packing AoE firepower that wrecks armor types. Her EX skill? Brutal.

Seia (Swimsuit) – Support with a twist—her toolkit lets her buff and shield in style, giving you strong utility in both PvE and PvP.

You also get access to Ichika (Swimsuit) as a free ★1 unit through the main story event. Don’t sleep on her—free units in Blue Archive can absolutely carry early content.

Second Banner: The Bomb Drops (July 30 – August 6)

Nagisa (Swimsuit)– She’s not just the face of this update; she’s a game-changer. Think raw ST burst damage with scaling utility. A top-tier DPS option.

Mika (Swimsuit) – One of the most anticipated units this year. She’s limited, she’s flashy, and she absolutely deletes bosses when built right.

Bonus: Hina (Formal Dress) returns for a rerun. If you missed her the first time around, now’s your chance—she’s still cracked in raids.

These are all limited-time banners. Once they’re gone, who knows when (or if) they’ll return. Time to decide what “saving for 5th anniversary” really means to you.

4.5 Years of Blue Archive PV2:

The Free Stuff: 100 Pulls, Double Drops, and More

Alright, let’s talk free. Because let’s be real, nothing hypes a gacha event quite like the promise of 100 free pulls.

Here’s what you’re getting:

100 Free Summons across the first phase of the event

- 10 pulls per day, from July 22–July 30

- Works on the Hasumi & Seia banner

- Includes ★3 pity counter and spark progression

Daily Login Bonuses (July 22 – August 20)

- Pyroxenes, furniture, skip tickets, and more

Triple Drop Campaigns on campaign stages, commissions, and lessons

Double EXP for students

Extra event currency from story missions

If you're low on stamina refreshes, now’s the time to spend. There’s honestly no better time to grind.

New Event: “The Promise Under the Summer Sky”

What sets Blue Archive apart is how its events feel... well, lived-in. The new summer story arc is no exception.

The event follows characters from Justice Task Force and Tea Party, now on a summer mission that (predictably) spirals into chaos.

You’ll get original cutscenes, voice acting, and brand-new event mechanics—this time featuring a lightweight card-battle minigame tucked into the campaign.

Ichika (Swimsuit) is rewarded through event progression, and her gear and Elephs are fully farmable if you go all-in.

System Updates & QoL Improvements

NEXON didn’t stop at banners. They pushed out several quality-of-life changes that longtime players have been begging for:

- New Tier 10 Equipment blueprints introduced

- ★4 Unique Weapon Upgrades added

- Batch Recruit Tickets for multi-use pulls

- Revamped UI for SPECIAL student categorization

- Blue Gem Store added with rare items

- New Battle Pass with unlockable cosmetics

Even the tutorial and loading screen tips got a fresh update. The entire experience now feels smoother and faster.

New Boss Challenge: Tiphereth (Raid, July 23 – August 20)

Ready for a new high-end challenge? The 4.5 anniversary also introduces:

Tiphereth: High-Armor Raid Boss

- This boss will test your comp-building, and you’ll need STRIKER units with solid AoE.

- Drops high-tier gear and blueprints for the new equipment level cap.

This raid will likely define the next PvE meta. If you’re prepping for future content, start here.

Merchandise & Real-World Promotions (Japan-Only)

As always, Japan gets the wild collabs. This time, they’ve launched:

- Limited-time Blue Archive vending machines across cities

- Anniversary-themed merchandise like acrylic stands and wall scrolls

- Official summer soundtrack CDs and drink tie-ins

No global shipping (yet), but fans are already coordinating proxies across forums and Discord. FOMO is real.

What Should You Prioritize? A Quick Checklist

Casual Players:

- Log in daily for free 100 pulls

- Play the event story and grab Ichika

- Use double EXP and triple drops

Mid/Hardcore Players:

- Pull Hasumi and Seia early

- Farm for Ichika’s Elephs and gear

- Prepare for the Tiphereth raid

- Decide between Nagisa/Mika or saving

Collectors/Meta Chasers:

- Mika is almost guaranteed to be meta

- Nagisa fills a high-DPS niche

- Upgrade your ★4 weapons if possible

Final Thoughts: Why This Might Be the Best Update Yet

Blue Archive’s JP 4.5-year anniversary isn’t just fanservice. It’s a content-rich, polished, and downright generous update that reminds us why this game stands out in a sea of mobile gacha titles.

From the visual polish to the event pacing, everything here feels designed to reward players who’ve stuck with the game—and to welcome back anyone who's taken a break. It's got that rare mix of spectacle and substance, with enough banner bait to make even the most disciplined players sweat.

If this is the halfway point to Year 5… we can’t wait to see what they’re saving for the big one.

4.5 Years of Blue Archive Full Live Stream: