KYOTO XANADU -the Blooming Phantom- Episode 4 Story Guide

Episode 4 Calendar Overview (Oct 27–Nov 27)

Episode 4 spans October 27 through November 27 on community story charts updated through the first weeks after launch. This episode transitions from the aerial combat of Twilight Castle in Episode 3 to the water-themed Layer 4 · Submerged Ruins (第四層・水中レギン) — a zone that Dengeki's launch coverage described as the series' most visually distinctive labyrinth thanks to flooded corridors and bioluminescent enemy types.

The episode also introduces Lear Beresford and Eliza Alcott as playable party members, both with ice-element Guardian synergies that align with Layer 4's aquatic theme. November brings the cultural festival (文化祭) as a major mid-episode event, followed by the transition into Episode 5's November 27–December finale arc.

Opening Week (Oct 27–31)

October 27 begins with the Layer 4 unlock after clearing Episode 3's Dark Heaven Spirit Mountain. The water-themed Submerged Ruins immediately demand ice Guardian Cards or high Virtue Aether resistance to survive flooded corridors. Lear joins the active party on October 27 — his rapier Soul Device specializes in piercing combos that excel against aquatic enemies with shell armor.

October 30 brings the first major 3D gate in Submerged Ruins: the Water Blade Palace (水刀宮). Bring Sena or another ranged specialist for the vertical arena design. October 31 is a free day before the November cultural festival buildup — use it for Aether offerings and cursed armor purification at Kijaku Tenjinguu.

Cultural Festival Arc (Nov 1–15)

The cultural festival dominates mid-Episode 4 with multiple bonding scenes, special class sessions, and a Friday the 13th event on November 13 that Falcom promoted as a highlight of the episode. Community footage from November 2026 YouTube guides shows the festival grounds opening up new exploration zones within the academy, including a rooftop venue where Tankasho scenes with Fuka deliver key story revelations about Rei's past.

Nov 8 is the premiere screening of the Class 2-A film — attending grants a temporary Wisdom buff for subsequent class sessions. Nov 11 brings Eliza Alcott into the party with her ice-lance Soul Device. Nov 13 (Friday the 13th) triggers the Blood Moon event at the academy — rare enemies spawn on campus and the Chapel issues emergency rescue requests. Do not skip this day on first playthrough.

• Oct 27 — Layer 4 Submerged Ruins unlock; Lear joins.
• Oct 30 — Water Blade Palace 3D gate.
• Nov 1–15 — Cultural festival; special events and bonding scenes.
• Nov 8 — Class 2-A film premiere; Wisdom buff.
• Nov 11 — Eliza Alcott joins party.
• Nov 13 — Blood Moon event; rare enemy spawns on campus.
• Nov 15 — Festival ends; final Tankasho scenes trigger.

Layer 4 Bosses & 3D Gate Progression

Layer 4 Submerged Ruins features three major 3D gates tied to the water theme. The Water Blade Palace on October 30 tests parry timing against aquatic sword enemies. The second gate on November 7 introduces the Undying Admiral (不死者提督) — a boss that revives once with full HP unless you break its shield during the post-parry stagger window.

The November 20 gate is the Mermaid Harassment (人魚侵擾) encounter that community guides flag as the hardest gate in Episode 4. Ranged characters like Sena and Eliza excel here; melee fighters need strong ice Guardian enchantments to avoid drowning damage in the flooded arena.

November 20–27: Transition to Episode 5

The week of November 20 sets up the Episode 5 finale. November 20 features the final Layer 4 3D gate with the Abyssal Guardian (深淵守護者) — a massive water-element boss whose red telegraph patterns include a multi-hit whirlpool attack that can be parried only on the final rotation. November 22 unlocks the final Otherworld Gate alert for Honmachi before the Episode 5 transition.

November 27 officially opens Episode 5 with the Hell Hands boss fight and the Karasuma-Oji gate. Before saving on November 27, complete any pending Layer 4 farming, offer Aether to the Sacred Tree, and ensure the Guardian Card loadout covers fire and wind attributes — the Episode 5 Scrap Machine Workshop features both elemental themes.