Anime Vanguards Best Starter Units: Top Picks for New Players (2026)

Introduction

Jumping into Anime Vanguards for the first time can feel overwhelming. With dozens of units to collect and endless waves of enemies to defeat, your first few hours determine how fast you climb the ranks. That’s why knowing the anime vanguards best starter units is crucial. In this guide, we’ll break down which beginning choices give you the biggest advantage and which units you should prioritize summoning in the early game. Whether you prefer area damage or single-target burst, these picks will carry you through the first story arcs.

When you start your adventure, the game offers three starter units: Luffo, Noruto, and Ichiga. Each brings a unique playstyle, but not all are equal for efficient progression. Additionally, the units you summon soon after can make or break your early success. We’ll cover everything from the initial choice to the must-have early summons, based on community feedback and game mechanics analysis.

The Three Starter Units: Which One Should You Choose?

Your first decision in Anime Vanguards is picking between Luffo, Noruto, and Ichiga. Each one is a reference to a famous anime protagonist, and their abilities mirror those characters. Below is a direct comparison to help you decide.

• Luffo is a solid bruiser. His attacks hit hard on a single enemy, making him great for taking down early bosses or high-health foes. However, his short range means he can get surrounded quickly.
• Noruto stands out as the best starter for new players. His ranged AoE attacks wipe out groups efficiently, allowing you to clear waves faster and earn more resources early on. Community reports heavily favor Noruto for speedrunning the first few maps.
• Ichiga offers a middle ground. He works well both as a crowd controller and as a boss killer, but he doesn’t excel in either role until later evolutions.

Verdict: If you want the smoothest start, pick Noruto. His wave-clear ability reduces pressure and lets you focus on learning game mechanics. Once you’ve settled on your starter, the next step is to summon the right units to complement your team.

Best Early Summon Targets for a Strong Foundation

After your starter, you’ll pull more units from the gacha system. Not every unit is worth the investment for new players. Based on the Anime Vanguards tier list and player experience, these are the top early units to aim for.

Tip: Don’t waste resources on every unit you summon. Focus on building a balanced team: one AoE wave clearer (like Noruto or Goku), one healer (Sakura), and one boss killer (Eren or Todoroki). This trio can carry you through the first two story acts.

How to Progress Efficiently as a New Player

Now that you know which units to aim for, let’s talk strategy. Efficient progression in Anime Vanguards comes down to three pillars: resource management, evolution priorities, and team composition.

Resource Management

• Gold and Essence Stones – Always spend these on upgrading your main carry (Noruto or your best AoE unit) first. Secondary units can wait.
• Skip common units – If you pull a duplicate of a low-tier unit, use it for fusion material rather than leveling it up.
• Shop purchases – Buy the daily free tickets and save gems for guaranteed epic summons.

Evolution Priorities

Evolving units boosts their stats and unlocks new abilities. Prioritize the following order:

1. Your starter (especially Noruto) – Evolve him as soon as you can; his second form dominates early maps.
2. Your healer – A better healer means fewer restarts.
3. Your boss killer – Evolve when you reach stages with mini-bosses.

Team Composition

Pro tip: Use the first few waves to build up your AoE unit’s level before deploying support. This maximizes kill speed and minimizes damage taken.

Community Insights and Pro Tips

The Anime Vanguards community has spoken: the best starter units are not just the ones you choose at the beginning, but also the ones you summon in the first 10 pulls. We parsed content from popular guides and TikTok clips to bring you these takeaways.

• Rerolling is worth it. Several players suggest rerolling your account if you don’t get Noruto as a starter and an epic unit in your first five summons. The time investment pays off in the long run.
• Don't underestimate tier lists. Websites like the official Fandom wiki maintain a rankable tier list based on overall effectiveness across all game modes. Refer to it before spending evolution materials.
• Essence Stones are premium. “I wasted my early Essence Stones on a mediocre unit and regretted it,” one Reddit user reported. Use them exclusively on units you plan to keep for Act 3 and beyond.
• Speed over power early on. Many veteran players emphasize that clearing waves fast earns more gold per minute, so AoE units are king in the first few hours.

External resource: For a continuously updated unit database, check the Anime Vanguards official Fandom wiki’s Tier List page. It ranks units from S to C tier and includes evolution paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the best starter units in Anime Vanguards for new players?
A: The best starter units are Noruto (for AoE wave clear), followed by Luffo (tank/boss killer) and Ichiga (hybrid). For early summons, aim for Sakura (healer) and Goku (AoE). These form the core of the anime vanguards best starter units lineup.

Q: Should I reroll my account to get a specific unit?
A: Many community members recommend rerolling if you don’t pull an epic unit within your first 10 summons. However, it’s not mandatory—you can beat the early game with any starter if you play smart.

Q: How do I get Essence Stones quickly?
A: Complete daily missions, clear story mode chapters, and participate in limited-time events. Also, sell duplicate units you don’t need for extra stones.

Q: Is Ichiga worth keeping as a main unit?
A: Yes, Ichiga evolves into a powerful hybrid that can handle both crowds and bosses. He’s a solid choice if you prefer a balanced playstyle, but he requires more investment than Noruto to shine early.