Since a reputable Apex Legends data-miner posted some leaked cosmetics to the r/ApexUncovered subreddit, dedicated exclusively to game leaks, the fans have been abuzz waiting for a potential anime-themed event, literally labeled the “Hero Anime Thematic Event” when the files were mined. Today, the official Apex Twitter account finally released confirmation, giving fans their first look at an obviously One Piece-themed Octane skin, a new Bangalore Prestige skin, and several other cosmetic additions. 

Get ready for something electrifying ⚡ the Gaiden Event is coming to Apex Legends on July 19th.

👉 https://t.co/2sQVxW8e3R pic.twitter.com/Z6V0bnjDOB

— Apex Legends (@PlayApex) July 14, 2022

Officially titled the Gaiden Event, four of the game’s existing Legends receive new anime-based cosmetics; however, due to trademark law, none of the Legends actually explicitly indicate their source material, but it is very clear where each of their inspirations come from. Arguably the most anticipated, Octane receives a skin inspired by One Piece’s Luffy, complete with the pirate captain’s iconic straw hat. Wattson is next with a Naruto-inspired orange jacket and whisker-like markings, followed by Revenant with a yellow EVA-like appearance that seems to reference Rei Ayanami’s iconic EVA-00 unit from Neon Genesis Evangelion. Finally, the least obvious reference arrives with Mirage, whose blue hair and mask suggest he’s supposed to be the titular protagonist of My Hero Academia, Deku. However, many fans on the Apex subreddits find this comparison a little indirect, believing that Wattson’s Naruto skin would be a better fit for the clone-generating Legend. Regardless, fans are excited to begin collecting these cosmetics during the event, as there are additional collectible banners and weapon skins for the Charge Rifle, EVA-8, Flatline, and Wingman, each corresponding to a different Legend. 

Though the Gaiden Event is not officially labeled a specific “Collection Event,” where obtaining all premium cosmetics would reward an exclusive Heirloom weapon, managing to collect every premium cosmetic will reward players with a new Bangalore Prestige skin, entitled “Apex Commander.” The Apex Commander skin will be a Mythic-tier cosmetic that evolves as players battle and complete challenges, changing Bangalore’s appearance across three different tiers. Once complete, the final tier allows Bangalore to access a flashy new execution, named the Close Quarters Combat finisher. If players don’t like the appearance of a certain tier, however, they are able to choose which of the Prestige skin’s appearances to run with once the challenge is complete. 

Finally, the Gaiden Event will bring back Apex Legend’s original limited-time-mode (LTM), Armed and Dangerous, narrowing the weapon pool down to shotguns and sniper rifles only. Starting on July 19, players will have plenty of time to practice their sniping (and shotgun-ing) in the LTM on the Olympus, World’s Edge, and Storm Point maps. Additionally, a free two-week Flash Event will be available to fans choosing not to purge their pocketbooks, giving players access to an Epic-tier Fuse skin, a Gaiden Event pack, and many other rewards. 

While the Gaiden Event is an LTM itself, any fans hesitant to drop obscene amounts of money on anime skins may breathe a sigh of relief: the Gaiden skins will remain accessible after the event with both Crafting Metals and normal Apex Packs, enabling anyone to play Apex Legends as their favorite anime protagonists.