Introduction to Astra-nomical Moment

Overview

Astra-nomical Moment is a special episode in Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), debuting in Version 1.5. This limited-time event celebrates the New Year in New Eridu and spotlights Astra Yao, a renowned singer preparing for a major concert at Starloop Tower. Unlike Agent Stories or Phaethon’s Story Main Commissions, this episode focuses on Astra’s journey, the festive atmosphere, and the unique challenges surrounding the event. For a detailed breakdown, check out our Zenless Zone Zero Astranomical Moment Guide. The update lasts for seven weeks, concluding on March 12, 2025.

Astra Yao’s Role

Astra Yao is a widely celebrated artist in New Eridu, known for her mesmerizing vocals and emotional songwriting. She views music as a way to spread happiness and draws inspiration from the late musician Yuran de Winter. In this episode, Astra takes center stage as she prepares for a performance that could define her career.

Release Date & Unlock Requirements

The Astra-nomical Moment update launches on January 22, 2025. Players can access this special episode after completing the “Leisurely Lull – Goldfinch’s Escape” Main Commission. Once unlocked, Astra-nomical Moment will remain permanently available beyond the Version 1.5 update.

Starloop Tower

This event introduces Starloop Tower, a new landmark in New Eridu. Designed as a state-of-the-art concert venue, Starloop Tower plays a crucial role in Astra Yao’s journey and holds historical significance as the site of past legendary performances. Players will be able to explore this venue as part of the special episode.

This section sets the foundation for the Astra-nomical Moment special episode, highlighting its significance, new content, and how players can experience it. The event offers a deep dive into Astra Yao’s story while adding new gameplay elements tied to her concert.

Key Characters & Relationships

Astra-nomical Moment introduces a cast of influential figures shaping the events surrounding Astra Yao’s highly anticipated concert. Each character plays a vital role in the unfolding story, from Astra’s close allies to the hidden forces working behind the scenes.

Astra Yao is a celebrated singer in New Eridu, known for her mesmerizing voice, genuine personality, and dedication to spreading joy through her music. She deeply admires the late musician Yuran de Winter and aims to honor his legacy with her New Year performance. Despite her talent and fame, Astra remains humble and values her friendships deeply.

Evelyn, Astra’s sharp and highly capable manager, ensures the star’s safety while concealing a secret identity. She is an elite spy known as Shields Green, working for Fugue, an organization at odds with Odium. Evelyn is tasked with uncovering a mole within Odium while managing Astra’s career. Before joining her current company, she was a producer at Redu Lucky Star and an assistant director at Par Factory Films, having been recommended by Monica. Evelyn is fiercely protective of Astra and maintains a watchful eye on those around her.

Bell and Wise, siblings who run a video store on Sixth Street, act as proxies assisting Astra with various tasks. Bell, often called unreliable by her brother, has an energetic and cute personality, while Wise, typically low-energy, undergoes a notable shift in behavior during this event. Wise is also known as the legendary proxy Fathan, renowned for his unique ability to impersonate a Bangboo. Astra considers both Bell and Wise trusted friends, relying on them throughout the story.

Lady deWinter, also known as Tessa, is the widow of Yuran de Winter and a special guest at Astra’s concert. She harbors deep resentment toward both Odium and Fugue, believing their contract disputes drove her husband away from the stage and ultimately led to his demise. Driven by vengeance, she seeks to make those responsible suffer, intent on hearing the “screams of the murderers.”

Mr. Hobson, the Chief Governance Officer of Odium Entertainment Group, is a meticulous and intimidating figure. He does not report to Evelyn but serves Miss Yao directly. Highly observant and skeptical of those around him, he is known as an “old fox” within Odium, particularly wary of Evelyn’s actions.

Fairy is an advanced AI assistant described as the Master’s supreme aide. Highly diligent and humble, Fairy excels in intelligence gathering and operational support, proving to be a valuable resource.

Monica is referenced as the individual who initially recommended Evelyn for her current role, linking her to the unfolding events behind the scenes.

This section highlights the core characters involved in Astra-nomical Moment, detailing their relationships, motivations, and roles within the special episode. Each plays a crucial part in shaping the story, from Astra’s closest allies to the hidden conflicts between Fugue, Odium, and those seeking revenge.

Story & Plot Points

The Astra-nomical Moment special episode revolves around Astra Yao’s New Year concert at Starloop Tower, a landmark event celebrating music, unity, and personal aspirations. More than just a performance, this concert serves as a tribute to the late Yuran de Winter, Astra’s musical inspiration. The theme of the concert, “astronomical moment,” reflects Astra’s hope that everyone can seize their own moment of happiness. However, behind the dazzling stage lies a web of conflicts and hidden agendas.

In the days leading up to the concert, Astra faces numerous challenges in finalizing her setlist, struggling to complete the last song before production deadlines. Ticket distribution issues also arise, but Astra remains composed, mentioning that she has prepared multiple fallback deadlines. Amid these preparations, her manager, Evelyn, secretly operates under a different mission. While working to ensure the success of Astra’s performance, she is also conducting an undercover investigation to expose a mole within Odium, all while maintaining her cover as Shields Green, an elite spy for Fugue, Odium’s rival organization.

As the concert nears, Fugue initiates a sabotage attempt, planting a bomb at Starloop Tower to disrupt the event. The scheme is linked to Lady deWinter (Tessa), widow of Yuran de Winter, who seeks vengeance against Odium and Fugue, believing their corporate conflicts and contract disputes ultimately drove her husband to his demise. Consumed by grief and anger, she directs her resentment not only at the organizations but also at the audience, whom she blames for scrutinizing Yuran to the point of despair. She declares that she wants to hear the “screams of the murderers.”

The central control room of Starloop Tower emerges as a critical battleground, responsible for maintaining the venue’s navigation, balance, and overall stability. Any compromise to this system could lead to catastrophic consequences, similar to a spaceship losing its bridge. As the crisis escalates, Astra makes an unexpected move, seamlessly integrating the chaos of the attack into her performance choreography. Utilizing specialized stage effects, costume changes, a light stick, and microphone, she turns the battle into an electrifying spectacle, proving that she is far more than just a “talentless company puppet.”

Despite the layers of deception and conflicting interests, Astra, Evelyn, Bell, and Wise unite to stop the attack and protect the audience. Their teamwork is driven by genuine trust and camaraderie, described as a “true and pure friendship.” Their collective efforts are crucial in ensuring the concert’s safety, demonstrating the strength of their bond in the face of adversity.

A key revelation in the episode is the existence of the Harmonic Core, a container for sound-sensitive etheric matter that reacts to Astra’s voice. As she sings, she instinctively tunes sound waves to match specific frequencies, unintentionally activating the etheric matter present within the stadium. This unexpected phenomenon plays a crucial role in the unfolding events, adding another layer to Astra’s abilities and the significance of her music.

As the climax unfolds, Lady deWinter’s full motives come to light. She firmly believes that Odium and Fugue stripped Yuran of his love for the stage and ultimately led to his death. Her vendetta extends to the audience, whom she sees as complicit in his suffering. Her grief and rage culminate in her repeated declaration that she wants to hear the “screams of the murderers.”

This section outlines the core story beats of Astra-nomical Moment, highlighting the buildup to the concert, the internal and external conflicts surrounding Astra and Evelyn, the sabotage attempt, the importance of the central control room, and the emotional motives behind Lady deWinter’s actions. The special episode weaves together music, espionage, and revenge, creating a high-stakes narrative that unfolds in the heart of New Eridu’s entertainment scene.

Gameplay Elements

Agent Trust Events and Quality Time Events

Version 1.5 introduces new Agent Trust Events and Quality Time Events for Astra Yao and Evelyn. These events are permanently available after the update and require players to obtain the respective Agents and complete specific story content.

To unlock Astra’s Trust encounters, players must complete Main Story – “Leisurely Lull: Goldfinch’s Escape” and the Special Episode – “Astra-Nomical Moment”. Progressing through these events increases the player’s trust level with Astra or Evelyn.

Invitation Events, such as “Escape Memento,” “New Product Showcase,” and “Sprouting in the Silence,” trigger automatically when meeting Astra at designated locations. While dialogue choices vary, all result in a Significant Trust increase.

“Escape Memento” occurs at Reverb Arena.

“New Product Showcase” and “Sprouting in the Silence” take place at Sixth Street.

Quality Time – Wish Events offer additional Trust increases when visiting specific spots:

Lumina Square: Statue in front of Lumina Galleria, Gravity Cinema, SREC advertisement.

Port Elpis: Bicycle parking station, Sea God statue, last sailboat near the docks.

Reverb Arena: Sitting area.

Sixth Street: Coffee shop, music store, video store.

Random Events unlock at higher trust levels, such as the “Playground” event in Lumina Square.

New Area: Starloop

A new location, Starloop, is accessible after completing “Astra-Nomical Moment”. This area serves as the setting for the concert event.

New Gameplay Mode: Battle Trial – The Last Stand

This new combat challenge introduces an endless tower format, where players battle through phases of 10 floors. Before each challenge, players choose from three modifiers that alter combat effects.

Clearing each floor grants buffs that persist through subsequent battles.

Newer enemies, along with mechanics like Demonized Enemies and Stat Enhancements, add strategic depth.

Players earn different Badge of Honor tiers based on their performance.

New Gameplay Mode: Hollow Zero – Cleanse Calamity

In this mode, players use pre-determined Agents, exclusive Gear, and Resonia to defeat powerful foes. Featured playable characters include Ellen, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Hoshimi Miyabi, and Billy.

New Arcade Games at Godfinger

Two new arcade games are added:

Mach 25: A high-speed parkour racing game with vehicle-based challenges.

Bizarre Brigade: Shared Dream: A two-player PvE mode featuring seven Dream Seekers, including Wise, Belle, and members of the Cunning Hares. This mode also integrates Agents from Quality Time Mode.

Click Click Hollow Reporter Event

A unique event where players use a special camera during combat to capture dynamic action shots. Completing photo challenges grants buffs that enhance gameplay.

Agent Skill and Combat Mechanics: Evelyn

Evelyn’s combat style revolves around Binding Seal, Burning Embers, and Garrote Attacks:

Burning Embers accumulate when dealing damage. At maximum Embers, Evelyn can unleash up to two Garrote attacks while under Binding Seal.

Burning Tether Points are gained with each Garrote attack. At three points, Evelyn can unleash a chain attack causing an explosive fire-based effect.

Switching Evelyn off-field while under Binding Seal triggers an extra Special Attack – Binding Sunder: First Form.

Well-timed dodges generate additional Burning Embers.

Evelyn’s Ultimate – Dance of Awakened Fire grants one Burning Tether Point and ensures at least one remains active for the rest of the battle.

Other Events in Version 1.5

Several time-limited events offer unique challenges and rewards, including:

Brilliant Overture, Harmonic Pact, The Troubles of Ellen the Shark, The Day of Brilliant Wishes, A Dream Come True at Last, Godfinger Ultimate Showdown, New Year Gift, Click Click Hollow Reporter, Advanced Bounty: Routine Cleanup, “En-Nah” Into Your Lap, Elpis Ultimate Angler Championship, Hollow Zero: Cleanse Calamity, Today’s Recommended Film, 141 Going Green For Everyone, and Data Bounty: Combat Simulation.

Rewards include Polychromes, Encrypted Master Tapes, Boopons, and more.

Key Themes

The Power of Music

Music serves as a central theme in the Astra-nomical Moment special episode, depicted as a force capable of inspiring, uniting, and even empowering individuals. Astra Yao’s music resonates deeply, creating a sensation of collective harmony that connects people beyond words. Her performance at Starloop Tower is more than a concert—it is a tribute to Yuran de Winter, a legendary figure whose music continues to influence the present.

The Harmonic Core, a technology utilizing sound-sensitive aetheric matter, reinforces the literal power of music in this world and plays a crucial role in Astra’s performance. Music is also portrayed as a source of solace and hope, with Yuran’s compositions having provided comfort to many, proving that melodies can transcend time and personal struggles.

Trust and Betrayal

The narrative explores the fragile nature of trust and the impact of betrayal. Evelyn, Astra’s manager, initially appears as a loyal and dependable figure but is later revealed to be working for Fugue, a rival organization. This revelation forces Astra to confront the pain of misplaced trust, leading to Evelyn’s confession to Bell and Wise about her true allegiance.

Despite this betrayal, the story emphasizes forgiveness, as Astra ultimately chooses to accept Evelyn rather than cast her aside. The theme of trust is also explored in the context of personal growth, highlighting the importance of trusting one’s own judgment. This extends into gameplay, where building trust with Agents unlocks additional content and rewards, reinforcing trust as both a narrative and mechanical element.

The Past and the Present

The special episode delves into the complex relationship between past events and their lasting effects on the present. Lady de Winter’s actions are fueled by grief and a desire for vengeance over her husband’s death, illustrating how unresolved emotions can shape future conflicts.

The story features a recording of Yuran de Winter’s final performance, symbolizing the lasting impact of past legacies and how they continue to influence those who come after. At the same time, the episode emphasizes the importance of moving forward—Evelyn’s journey is one of breaking free from her past affiliations and forging her own future, demonstrating that while the past may shape individuals, it does not have to define them.

Identity and Self-Discovery

The story explores themes of identity and self-discovery, as characters struggle to define who they truly are beyond the roles imposed upon them. Evelyn, once a spy manipulated by external forces, begins to question whether she was merely a “pawn in the hands of fate.” Through her experiences, she gains the strength to take control of her own destiny. Astra also faces an internal struggle, questioning whether she is simply a “puppet controlled by Dennies.”

However, she learns to reconcile her dual roles, seamlessly integrating her combat skills into her performance, proving that she can be both a fighter and an artist. The concept of “proxies” plays a key role in shaping identity, as characters grapple with the idea of being representations of something greater while striving to maintain their individuality. Ultimately, the story reinforces the importance of staying true to oneself.

Hope and Resilience

A strong theme of hope and resilience runs throughout the story, as characters persist despite obstacles and setbacks. Even in the face of sabotage attempts and looming dangers, Astra and her allies refuse to give up. Their unwavering determination ensures that the concert goes on, proving that perseverance can overcome adversity. Astra’s final song, combined with the united efforts of Evelyn, Bell, and Wise, serves as a testament to the power of collective strength and shared dreams. The story conveys that even in the face of “inevitable destruction,” the characters will meet it with “the most beautiful melody,” embodying the idea that hope can shine brightest in the darkest moments.

Version 1.5 Content and Compensation

The Version 1.5 “Astra-nomical Moment” update launched on January 22, 2025, at 06:00:00 (UTC+8) and required approximately five hours of maintenance. Players who had reached Inter-Knot Lv. 4 before the update received Polychrome ×300 as compensation, which remained claimable until the end of Version 1.5 on March 12, 2025, at 06:00 (UTC+8).

New Agents and W-Engines

Version 1.5 introduced Astra Yao and Evelyn, two new S-Rank Agents, along with their signature S-Rank W-Engines:

Astra Yao and Elegant Vanity were available in the first phase through the Exclusive Channel Thousand Melodies and W-Engine Channel Dissonant Sonata.

Evelyn and Heartstring Nocturne were featured in the second phase through the Exclusive Channel Web of Light and Shadow and W-Engine Channel Dissonant Sonata.

Additionally, reruns of Ellen and Qingyi were available:

Ellen and her W-Engine Deep Sea Visitor were featured in the first phase.

Qingyi and her W-Engine Ice-Jade Teapot were available in the second phase.

New Agent Stories

Astra Yao’s Agent Story was part of the Astra-nomical Moment Special Episode, accessible after completing Main Story Chapter 5, “Leisurely Lull: Goldfinch’s Escape.”

Ellen’s Agent Story, “It’s Me… Leave a Message,” was also added, unlocked after completing Main Story Chapter 3, “The Midnight Pursuit.”

New Outfits

Several new outfits were introduced:

Astra Yao’s outfit, “Chandelier,” was available in Today’s Outfit at a discounted price of Monochrome ×1350 during a limited-time offer before reverting to Monochrome ×1680.

Ellen’s outfit, “On Campus,” was available in the store.

Nicole’s outfit, “Cunning Cutie,” was offered for free through the limited-time event “The Day of Brilliant Wishes” and later added to the store.

Agents equipped with their new outfits would wear them during Quality Time events.

New Area

A new area, Starloop, was introduced as a modern, multi-functional venue designed to host concerts and large-scale events. It was unlocked after completing the Astra-nomical Moment Special Episode.

New Events

Version 1.5 featured several limited-time events:

Brilliant Overture – Log in for 7 days to receive Encrypted Master Tape ×10.

Harmonic Pact.

The Troubles of Ellen the Shark.

The Day of Brilliant Wishes – Available from January 23, 2025, this event also offered Nicole’s outfit.

Click Click Hollow Reporter.

Advanced Bounty: Routine Cleanup – Routine Cleanup rewards were doubled.

Data Bounty: Combat Simulation – Combat Simulation rewards were doubled.

These events had different participation requirements, such as reaching specific Inter-Knot Levels or completing Agent Stories.

New Gameplay Features

Version 1.5 introduced several gameplay expansions:

Battle Trial: The Last Stand – An endless challenge mode where players fought to earn different tiers of the Badge of Honor.

Bizarre Brigade: Shared Dream – A new multiplayer mode added to Godfinger Arcade.

Perpetrator Battle – A new Hollow Zero: Lost Void event where Proxies used designated Agents, Gear, and Resonia to defeat enemies strategically.

New Enemies

New enemies were introduced, including:

Notorious – Dead End Butcher

Terror Raptor

Lumberjack

Security Operative

Additional Content & Optimizations

New collectibles, “Eous” and “Nicole Demara,” were added for PS5™ and PS5™ Pro, available through the PS App.

New teleport locations:

Coastal Reef (Port Elpis).

Sān-Z STUDIO (Lumina Square).

Festive environmental changes were applied to Sixth Street.

Quality-of-life improvements, such as:

Backup Battery system optimization for automatic charge restoration.

Crafting and dismantling improvements for upgrade materials.

Improved UI elements for W-Engine display, Drive Disc sorting, and badge management.

New toggle feature for quick switching between mouse/keyboard and controller.

Optimized Notorious Hunt stages, allowing players to skip the first wave of enemies and proceed directly to boss fights.

Expanded customization options in Special Training Plan.

New sharing feature for display stands and Memory Boards.

Shiyu Defense Updates

Critical Node buff effects were revised.

Deadly Assault enemy lineups were updated.

Other Adjustments

Terminology adjustments for some Agent skill descriptions to improve clarity.

New leaderboard added for Bizarre Brigade (Solo Mode).

Previous Bizarre Brigade scoring method was retired due to balance adjustments affecting Dream Seekers, Companions, and Relics.

This update brought substantial new content, including new Agents, gameplay mechanics, events, and optimizations, ensuring a fresh experience for players.