The first Attack node in Anime Zero's Skill Tree costs 1 Skill Token and adds +15% attack damage. It's also a 1-token node, the cheapest price on the tree, and Attack is the branch most players should start with.
There's one catch. Every weapon has its own tree, so an upgrade only applies to the weapon you spent the tokens on.
How to Open the Anime Zero Skill Tree
You don't need a quest or an NPC to get started. The tree opens at Level 1, so you can spend tokens as soon as you have them. If you're still learning the basics, the Anime Zero beginner guide is a good place to start.
- Open the menu on the left side of the screen and select Skill Tree. Some menus call it Skills.
- Pick a branch: Attack, Critical, Defense, or Speed.
- Look at each node's token price and bonus, and compare them with your balance.
- Press Buy. The token counter drops by that node's price, and the bonus applies to the weapon in that tree.
Before you press Buy, make sure you're upgrading the weapon you use most. Each weapon has its own tree, so a purchase only helps that weapon.
Anime Zero Skill Tree Costs and Bonuses
Each branch starts with a starter node that gives no bonus. The four paid nodes after it cost 1, 5, 9, and 11 tokens, and the bonus grows with each one. The menu below shows all four branches with the Attack branch completed and 14 tokens left.
| Node | ATK | CRIT | DEF | SPD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter node | No bonus | No bonus | No bonus | No bonus |
| First paid node (1 token) | +15% attack damage | +3% critical hit chance | 5% less damage taken | 5% faster movement |
| Second paid node (5 tokens) | +25% attack damage | +6% critical hit chance | 10% less damage taken | 10% faster movement |
| Third paid node (9 tokens) | +40% attack damage | +10% critical hit chance | 15% less damage taken | 15% faster movement |
| Fourth paid node (11 tokens) | +60% attack damage | +15% critical hit chance | 25% less damage taken | 25% faster movement |
The bonus in each row is the branch's total at that node, and it doesn't stack on the row above. The top Attack node gives +60% attack damage, not +140%. Maxing one branch takes 26 tokens (1 + 5 + 9 + 11), so a full branch is a real spend. Pick the branch that fits your problem first.
Where Skill Tokens Come From
Skill Tokens come from leveling up and from using a weapon in runs. The weapon you use earns tokens for its own progression, so take the weapon you want to upgrade into runs.
There's no reliable number of tokens per level or per run to plan around, so check your balance in the menu after a session. Some codes may also grant Skill Tokens. The Anime Zero codes page is the place to check for them.
Best Anime Zero Skill Tree Upgrades for Each Build
Your best pick depends on what's slowing your runs: damage, crits, survival, or movement.
Faster Clears: Attack First
Attack is the strongest first pick when the goal is faster clears. Keep climbing it while damage is still what's slowing your clears.
Crit Builds: Add Critical
Add Critical after Attack if your build relies on crits. Its bonus is critical hit chance, so it pays off most on a build that already lands crits. A max-damage build takes Attack and then Critical to the top, which comes to 52 tokens in total.
Surviving Tougher Enemies: Defense
If bosses or tougher enemies keep ending your runs, put some tokens into Defense before you chase more damage. More damage doesn't help if you're down before you can use it. The first Defense node costs 1 token, so you can start small.
Movement Problems: Speed
Speed is the situational pick. Choose it when movement and positioning are what's slowing your runs, not damage or survival. Its nodes range from 5% to 25% faster movement.
If you're still choosing a weapon, the weapon and accessory tier list is a good place to compare.
