Jane Doe and Hoshimi Miyabi—one an undercover specialist moving in the shadows, and the other an esteemed scion shouldering the burden of protection—have each carved an indelible mark upon this chaotic world in their own unique ways.
Jane Doe: The Phantom Dancer in the Shadows
Jane Doe immediately garnered attention upon her debut with her unique character art. Her neat black bob, cropped top, and ripped black stockings perfectly outline her agile and mysterious aura. The humorous dialogue, where she claims to be a Cat Thiren despite being a Rat Thiren, showcases the disguise skills necessary for her undercover role and casts a veil of mystery over her true identity.
In terms of combat design, Jane Doe is a Physical Anomaly Specialization Agent. She accumulates her Passion meter by dodging, parrying, and landing any attack on enemies. Once she enters the Passion state, her efficiency in accumulating Physical Anomaly is increased by 25%, and she converts any Anomaly Proficiency exceeding 120 into Attack Power. This mechanic allows her to act like a phantom in the dark on the battlefield, capable of inflicting massive Physical damage to enemies in a short period.
What’s more, Jane Doe’s Heavy Attack damage has a chance to crit, creating the visual effect of Zenless Zone Zero’s ‘first big damage number.’ This design perfectly echoes her mysterious and unpredictable character.
Such a mysterious character has won the attention of many Proxies right from her debut, causing her popularity to soar. Her merchandise, especially the ZZZ Jane Figure and cosplay outfits, is also extremely hot, maintaining high visibility across various social media platforms.
Hoshimi Miyabi: The Noble Swordswoman of Frost
In stark contrast to Jane Doe’s shadowy style, Hoshimi Miyabi debuts as the Chief of Hollow Special Operations Section 6 and is simultaneously the youngest ‘Void Hunter’ in history. She embodies the elegance of a Japanese beauty, standing tall with her long, cascading hair, exuding a uniquely cold and stunning aesthetic. Furthermore, her fox-ear design breaks convention; the slightly upturned tips add a sense of cunning, creating a subtle contrast with her cool and distant demeanor. Not only that, the Miyabi Nendoroid figure officially released by miHoYo also features a sense of contrast, vividly showcasing Hoshimi Miyabi’s cute side.
As a Frost Anomaly Specialization Agent, Hoshimi Miyabi’s combat style is both elegant and deadly. She possesses a unique Frost Attribute and a dedicated Anomaly Buildup gauge, which allows her to boost the Anomaly Buildup efficiency for herself and her teammates, quickly plunging enemies into an Anomaly state. Her Shimotsuki Stance grants her invulnerability, during which she consumes ‘Fallen Frost’ points to unleash powerful slashes. This design perfectly recreates the demeanor of a traditional swordsman while integrating modern, high-tech arm guards, creating a visual clash between tradition and modernity.
Contrasting Charm : The Essence of Character Shaping
The brilliance of Zenless Zone Zero in character portrayal lies in its skillful application of the “gap moe” design concept, which is vividly embodied in both Jane Doe and Hoshimi Miyabi.
Ostensibly a criminal behavior expert, Jane Doe is efficient and decisive while on undercover missions, yet she inadvertently reveals alluring and captivating expressions. This fascinating contrast between professional coolness and personal charm is striking. Her catchphrase, ‘When you find yourself in a sticky situation, try to find your own way out~,’ stands in sharp opposition to the official Public Security slogan, ‘If you encounter any trouble, please contact New Eridu Public Security,’ showcasing her independent and self-reliant nature.
Hoshimi Miyabi’s contrast is more subtle. While her appearance is dignified and elegant, and her speech refined, she often casually mentions childish phrases like “training by skipping debriefing sessions” or “cultivating willpower through gachapon games.” She can effortlessly state that she doesn’t want to attend meetings, yet remains exceptionally reliable in critical moments. This collision of maturity and childlike innocence shapes a multidimensional and vibrant character.
The Stories and Emotions Behind the Characters
Although their personalities are vastly different, both Jane Doe and Hoshimi Miyabi possess rich inner worlds and emotional depth. As an undercover agent, Jane Doe’s story is filled with secrets and disguises. In the plot, she had confrontations with Seth, even holding Seth hostage at one point; these experiences demonstrate her determination to do whatever it takes to complete a mission. However, when she joins the player’s team as an Agent, the damage she inflicts is also highly impressive, capable of generating visually satisfying large numbers with her Physical Anomaly Heavy Attacks. This sense of exhilaration in combat might be a certain release for her suppressed inner feelings.
Hoshimi Miyabi, on the other hand, bears the weight of family and responsibility. Her father repeatedly emphasizes over the phone, ‘It is Hoshimi Miyabi who is terrifyingly strong, not the power of the Cursed Blade,’ which indirectly reflects her deep connection to her family. Her eventual success in suppressing the Cursed Blade’s rampage using her own strength further proves her inner power. Her official archive states, ‘Our goal is to establish order,’ showcasing her role as the veritable guardian of New Eridu.
