I have been waiting to meet Zhao in Zenless Zone Zero ever since the 2.0 teaser introduced her, Manato, and Pan Yinhu. Now that update 2.5 has arrived, I can finally say she is a real playable agent. She launched on December 30, 2025, and I received a free copy of her just for logging in. That alone made the update feel generous.
Zhao is an S-rank ice defense agent from the Krampus Compliance Authority. She works alongside Dialyn and Banyue. The faction investigates TOPS, which stands for The Outstanding Paragons Alliance. Their job in New Eridu is to make sure corporations follow the rules. But I have noticed something strange: some people call Zhao a disaster. That tiny body, those big rabbit ears, and that massive sword make the label feel almost comical. She is a full rabbit thiren, so her bushy tail and large ears are not just accessories. I met her in the main quest, and she fits the Krampus group perfectly. I first thought she would be a pure attacker because of that blade. Learning she is a defense unit changed how I view her kit.
The Krampus angle
I have been curious about the Krampus Compliance Authority since the faction first appeared. The name Krampus comes from old winter folklore, but this group is not exactly festive. They act like corporate inspectors. New Eridu is full of powerful companies, and TOPS is at the center of that world. Zhao, Dialyn, and Banyue are the agents sent in when something feels off. That setup makes Zhao feel different from standard fighters. She is not just a soldier; she is an investigator. The fact that she is a rabbit thiren only adds to her charm. I expected a small, quick character, but her massive sword flips that idea on its head.
Release and availability
Here is the quick breakdown of when Zhao arrived and how to get her.
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🗓️ Update: 2.5
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✅ Live date: December 30, 2025
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🎁 Availability: Free copy for players
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🎯 Banners: Still available for mindscapes and W-Engine
I still recommend pulling on her banner if you want extra copies. Mindscapes can change how an agent feels, and her W-Engine will likely be important for peak performance. I also used the latest Zenless Zone Zero codes before spending anything. Free polychromes help, especially when a new S-rank drops.
What role does Zhao fill?
She is an Ice Defense agent. That means I expect her to bring survivability and control to a squad. She should be able to anchor teams that need a defensive presence while still applying Ice pressure. Her giant sword also suggests heavy swings and strong interrupts. I plan to test her in fights where I need a sturdy frontliner who can slow or disrupt enemies. Because she is S-rank, I am expecting her numbers to be competitive. I will check the tier list again once the community settles on her best builds. For now, I am focusing on Ice anomaly teams. Zhao could pair well with agents who want an enemy to stay locked down while the rest of the squad stacks damage.
Voice actors
At the time of writing, the English voice actor has not been officially confirmed. I am keeping an eye out for that update. Here are the confirmed voices for Zhao.
| Language | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Chinese | Nuoya |
| Japanese | Ozora Naomi |
| Korean | Miso |
The voice actor connections are fun. Zhao shares her Chinese voice actor with Genshin Impact’s Diona and Honkai Star Rail’s March 7th. Her Korean voice actor also voices Cipher in Honkai Star Rail. That makes her feel connected to two other HoYoverse games. I like that kind of cross-game casting. It gives me another reason to pay attention to her battle lines.
Should you build her?
Yes, I think she is worth a try. The free copy lowers the barrier. If you need an Ice Defense unit, she is an obvious pickup. Even if you do not need defense, her design and story presence are strong. I would focus on her W-Engine only if you plan to main her. Otherwise, enjoy the free agent and save your tapes. I am still farming her materials, so I will have more specific build advice after testing.
Final thoughts
Zhao is one of the most interesting additions to Zenless Zone Zero. She brings a mix of cute design, serious compliance work, and heavy weaponry. The free copy makes her easy to try, and her S-rank status gives me a reason to invest. I am still learning how she fits into my best teams. For now, I am enjoying the huge sword, the rabbit energy, and the Krampus mystery. Update 2.5 gave us a lot to explore, but Zhao is the part I am most excited about. I will keep testing her through the rest of the patch.