Junji Ito Crossover History
This partnership brought legendary horror mangaka Junji Ito's disturbing artistry into Identity V's asymmetrical survival gameplay, starting with 2018's Eversleeping Town map and the late 2019 Junji Ito Collection event.
The April 3-May 5, 2025 rerun (following 240-minute maintenance at 08:00 UTC+8) featured complete previous collections via Exchange Fragments and Exchange Echoes. For time-sensitive purchases, identity v echoes recharge through BitTopup ensures instant delivery.
Phase 1-3 Content
Phase 1 Core Items:
- Dream Witch - Kawakami Tomie (S-tier): Flagship skin, 12,888-15,888 Echoes
- Lucky Guy - Souichi (A-tier): Announced April 4, 2025, 5,888-8,888 Echoes
- Wu Chang - Intersection Bishounen (A-tier): 5,888-8,888 Echoes
- Jean Pierre (A-tier pet)
- Voodoo Doll, Straw Eyeball, Eyeball Grass (B-tier accessories): 1,000-3,000 Echoes each
- Tomie portrait, Blood Tree portrait frame
All items returned during April-May 2025, available through dual exchange systems and the Junji Ito Collection Crossover Package.
Why This Collaboration Dominates
Visual Authenticity: NetEase meticulously recreated Ito's distinctive art style—Tomie's unsettling beauty, Souichi's malicious expressions, every characteristic detail.
Perfect Character Matching: Wu Chang's dual nature mirrors Intersection Bishounen; Lucky Guy's everyman status suits Souichi's deceptively ordinary appearance.
Smart Rarity Distribution: S-tier premium exclusivity balanced with accessible A-tier and B-tier entry points.
Licensing Patterns
The April 2025 rerun confirms active licensing through 2025, suggesting extended agreements or successful renewals. NetEase's Persona 5 and Death Note crossovers show similar cyclical patterns—typically 12-18 month gaps between major reruns.
Phase 4 Rumors: 2026 Status
No official Phase 4 confirmation exists. Here's what separates credible speculation from wishful thinking:
Data-Mined Evidence: Server updates occasionally contain placeholder files—most reliable advance warning, though NetEase improved encryption.
Pattern-Based Predictions: April 2025 rerun occurred ~4-5 years after late 2019 collection, suggesting potential 2026-2027 timing if patterns continue.
Official Announcement Patterns: NetEase announces 7-14 days before launch via verified social media, in-game notifications, and official website simultaneously. April 3, 2025 announcement followed this exactly.
Current Data Mining Status: No verified Phase 4 evidence exists as of early 2026. Watch for texture files, character model references, shop interface updates, or event timer code.
Predicted Phase 4 Content
Likely Character Adaptations
High-Probability Hunters:
- Geisha: Fashion Model or beauty-horror stories
- Photographer: The Enigma of Amigara Fault or photography-themed works
- Violinist: The Hanging Balloons with floating grotesque elements
Survivor Candidates:
- Forward: Gyo adaptations with mechanical fish-leg apparatus
- Coordinator: Army of One military-themed stories
- Mechanic: Science-horror narratives
Potential Manga Stories
Gyo (The Fish): Mechanical legs on sea creatures—unique visual spectacle perfect for hunter skins.
The Enigma of Amigara Fault: Human-shaped mountain holes creating psychological horror for survivor skins.
Uzumaki (Spiral): Spiral obsession manifesting in accessories, graffiti, environmental effects.
Hanging Balloons: Giant balloons with human faces—striking floating effects or pet designs.
Expected Distribution
S-Tier (2-3 skins): One flagship hunter, one premium survivor, possibly one additional for complete collection finale.
A-Tier (3-5 skins): Multiple hunter/survivor options balancing popularity with thematic fit.
B-Tier Accessories: Pets, accessories, portrait frames, graffiti featuring iconic Ito imagery.
Pricing: S-tier 12,888-15,888 Echoes; A-tier 5,888-8,888 Echoes; B-tier 1,000-3,000 Echoes.
Complete Skin Catalog Review
Phase 1 Highlights
Dream Witch - Tomie (S-Tier): Flagship skin capturing supernatural beauty and regenerative horror. Custom animations, unique sound effects, detailed textures. Followers represent fragmented selves.
Lucky Guy - Souichi (A-Tier): Curse-wielding troublemaker with messy hair, mischievous expression, signature nails. Includes voodoo-themed accessories.
Wu Chang - Intersection Bishounen (A-Tier): Dual Black/White Guards mirror transformation narrative. Elegant-yet-unsettling design.
April 2025 Rerun Structure
Duration: 32 days (April 3 post-maintenance through May 5, 23:59:59)
Acquisition: Dual systems—Fragment exchange (rewards long-term players) and Echo exchange (immediate access)
Packages: Bundled items offering better value than individual purchases
Community Response: Massive engagement, collectors completing sets, sustained interest years after original release
Crossover Rerun Mechanics
Original vs Rerun Differences
Content Availability: April 2025 made ALL crossover items available—comprehensive return vs partial rerun.
Pricing Consistency: Echo costs remain stable across reruns. Tomie costs same in 2025 as original event.
Event Duration: 32-day April-May 2025 period represents substantial window.
Gacha Rate Consistency
Standard Rates:
- S-Tier: 1-2% per pull
- A-Tier: 5-8% per pull
- B-Tier: 15-25% per pull
- Pity: S-tier guaranteed within 60-250 pulls
Rates remain identical between original events and reruns. All probabilities disclosed in-game.
Shop Availability
Direct Purchase: S-tier skins available for fixed Echo cost, bypassing gacha.
Fragment Exchange: Accumulated Fragments exchangeable for crossover items.
Time-Limited: Items disappear after event. May 5, 23:59:59 deadline absolute—no post-event acquisition until future reruns.
Budget Planning
Complete Collection Costs
Direct Purchase (Worst-Case):
- S-Tier (2-3): 25,776-47,664 Echoes
- A-Tier (3-5): 17,664-44,440 Echoes
- B-Tier (5-8): 5,000-24,000 Echoes
- Portraits/frames: 2,000-8,000 Echoes
- Total: 50,440-124,104 Echoes
Gacha-Optimized (Average-Case):
- Essence pulls with pity: 30,000-60,000 Echoes
- Direct purchase non-gacha items: 10,000-20,000 Echoes
- Total: 40,000-80,000 Echoes
Minimum Viable (Priority Only):
- One S-Tier flagship: 12,888-15,888 Echoes
- One A-Tier favorite: 5,888-8,888 Echoes
- Essential accessories: 3,000-6,000 Echoes
- Total: 21,776-30,776 Echoes
Optimal Pull Strategy
- Calculate pulls needed for S-Tier pity guarantee
- Compare gacha cost vs direct purchase
- Choose better value method
- Reserve Echoes for direct purchase of remaining items
Hybrid Approach (Recommended):
- Allocate 60-70% budget to essence pulls
- Pull until acquiring most desired items
- Use remaining budget for direct purchase of specific missing items
- Leverage Fragment exchange for lower-tier accessories
Preparation Strategies
Echo Farming
Daily/Weekly Missions: 10-30 Echoes daily, 50-100 weekly, 200-500 monthly
Ranked Rewards: 500-3,000 Echoes per season depending on rank
Logic Path: 200-400 Echoes free track, 800-1,500 premium track
Realistic Timeline: Dedicated F2P players accumulate 3,000-5,000 Echoes monthly. Six-month prep yields 18,000-30,000 Echoes—sufficient for priorities but not complete collections without purchases.
For guaranteed readiness, top up idv echoes via BitTopup's secure platform.
Notification Setup
- Follow official Identity V social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)
- Enable post notifications
- Join official Discord servers
- Subscribe to newsletters
- Monitor Chinese server announcements (sometimes precede global by days)
Wishlist Prioritization
Priority Tier 1 (Must-Have):
- Your main character's crossover skin
- Flagship S-Tier signature piece
- Limited accessories complementing owned skins
- Exclusive portraits
Priority Tier 2 (High-Value):
- Secondary character skins
- Strong visual-value A-Tier skins
- Complete accessory sets
- Portrait frames
Priority Tier 3 (Completion):
- Rarely-played character skins
- Lower-tier accessories
- Graffiti and minor cosmetics
Decision Framework:
- Identify top 3 most-played characters
- Determine matching crossover skins
- Allocate 60-70% budget to priority skins
- Distribute remaining budget to secondary interests
- Accept complete collection may require multiple reruns
Common Misconceptions
Myth: All Content Always Returns
Reality: No guarantee exists. Licensing agreements expire. While April 2025 rerun confirms active licensing, future renewals depend on negotiations between NetEase and rights holders.
Licensing Factors:
- Expiration dates on usage rights
- Financial performance determines renewal interest
- Brand alignment between both parties
- Competing opportunities for rights holders
- Legal considerations and IP ownership changes
Junji Ito Case: 2018-2025 span demonstrates sustained relationship, increasing Phase 4 probability vs one-time collaborations.
Exclusive vs Rerunnable Items
Typically Rerunnable:
- Main character skins (S-Tier, A-Tier)
- Standard accessories in essence pools
- Portrait frames and graffiti
- Bundle packages (composition may change)
Potentially Exclusive:
- First-purchase bonus rewards
- Pre-registration gifts
- Limited-quantity packages
- Special login rewards
- Anniversary commemoratives
April 2025 made all crossover items available, suggesting comprehensive returns for this collaboration.
Expert Tips
Purchase Timing
First Day Advantages:
- Immediate access, maximum usage duration
- Avoid last-minute server congestion
- Time to earn event currencies
Last Day Advantages:
- Complete information on all items
- Community consensus on best value
- Informed decisions after observing gameplay
Recommended Hybrid:
- Purchase highest-priority items day 1-2
- Observe community feedback mid-event
- Make secondary purchases after evaluation
- Complete all purchases 24 hours before deadline
Long-Term Value
Prestige Hierarchy:
- Dream Witch - Tomie: Signature S-Tier
- Wu Chang - Intersection Bishounen: Exceptional character-story match
- Lucky Guy - Souichi: Iconic character adaptation
- Limited accessories with thematic significance
- Exclusive portrait frames
Visual quality and thematic significance don't depreciate—Tomie commands equal prestige whether acquired 2019 or 2025.
Avoiding FOMO
Healthy Spending Framework:
- Set hard budget limits before event
- Prioritize ruthlessly
- Evaluate actual usage vs mere ownership
- Remember rerun possibilities
- Compare against other entertainment value
Questions Before Purchasing:
- Will I actually use this regularly?
- Does this character fit my playstyle?
- Can I afford without financial stress?
- Would I regret this in six months?
- Am I buying because I want it or because others have it?
FAQ
Will Identity V bring back Junji Ito in 2026?
No official confirmation exists. However, the April 3-May 5, 2025 return demonstrates NetEase's willingness to rerun this popular crossover. The 2018-2025 licensing span suggests continued relationship, making future reruns plausible though not guaranteed. Monitor official channels—NetEase provides 7-14 days advance notice.
How much do skins cost?
S-Tier: 12,888-15,888 Echoes. A-Tier: 5,888-8,888 Echoes. B-Tier accessories: 1,000-3,000 Echoes. Complete collection via direct purchase: 50,000-124,000 Echoes. Gacha and Fragment exchange reduce costs.
What skins were in previous phases?
Dream Witch's Tomie (S-Tier), Lucky Guy's Souichi (A-Tier), Wu Chang's Intersection Bishounen (A-Tier), Jean Pierre pet (A-Tier), Voodoo Doll (B-Tier), Straw Eyeball and Eyeball Grass (B-Tier), Tomie portrait, Blood Tree frame. April 2025 made all available.
How to verify official announcements?
Check verified Identity V social media (blue checkmarks), in-game notifications, official website simultaneously. Announcements include specific dates, items, acquisition methods. Avoid unverified leaks or third-party claims.
Do items return after events end?
Items become unavailable until potential reruns. Junji Ito demonstrates rerun willingness, but no guarantee—licensing expires, renewal depends on negotiations. No legitimate acquisition exists outside official event periods.
Which characters might get Phase 4 skins?
Logical candidates: Geisha (Fashion Model), Photographer (Amigara Fault), Forward (Gyo), Coordinator (military stories). Available stories: Gyo,Uzumaki,Hanging Balloons,Layers of Fear.
Secure your Echoes now through BitTopup for instant delivery and competitive pricing. Be ready when NetEase announces the crossover return!
