You've probably sprinted past it a dozen times while chasing down HIA coins or trying to find that one elusive Bangboo in Lumina Square. It’s that sleek, black building tucked away near the parking lot. Most people just call it the "model shop," but the official name is Sān-Z STUDIO ZZZ. Honestly, for a long time, players just assumed it was set dressing—another cool-looking storefront in Zenless Zone Zero that you couldn't actually enter.
Then Version 1.3 dropped, and suddenly, Yi’s shop became the obsession of every Proxy who actually cares about their in-game bedroom aesthetics.
Basically, Sān-Z STUDIO is where you go when you're tired of looking at those empty shelves in the Random Play backroom. It’s not just a shop; it’s a Point of Interest (POI) that turns your accomplishments into physical (well, digital-physical) trophies. But if you think you can just walk in and start buying stuff with Dennies, you're in for a rude awakening.
How to Actually Unlock Sān-Z STUDIO ZZZ
Getting into the studio isn't as simple as reaching a certain Inter-Knot level. You’ve gotta put in the legwork. There’s a specific chain of events that triggers the opening, and it starts with a side-quest that doesn't even look like it's related to a shop.
First, keep an eye on your Inter-Knot schedule for a blue side quest called "Greta's Choice." You’ll end up chatting with Grace Howard over at the Video Store on Sixth Street. She’s her usual gear-obsessed self and hands you a model. Once you take that model and actually place it on the Display Stand in your bedroom, a second quest pops up: "The Store That Doesn't Charge Dennies." That’s your golden ticket. Complete that, and Yi finally opens the doors of Sān-Z STUDIO ZZZ to the public. Or at least, to you.
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The "Currency" Problem: Inspiration and Ridu Weekly
Here is the thing that trips everyone up: Yi doesn't want your money. You could have ten million Dennies, and he wouldn't care. Sān-Z STUDIO ZZZ operates entirely on a currency called Inspiration Small Packs.
How do you get them?
- Ridu Weekly tasks.
- Specific event rewards.
- The "Inspiration" grind.
It’s a slow burn. You can't whale your way through this shop. It’s designed to reward players who consistently engage with the weekly gameplay loops in New Eridu. If you’ve been ignoring those Ridu Weekly checklists, you’re basically locking yourself out of the coolest room decorations in the game.
What’s Actually for Sale at Sān-Z STUDIO?
If you were expecting high-end combat gear or W-Engines, you’re in the wrong place. This is purely for the collectors. The shop specializes in "Gadgets"—small, highly detailed models that you can display on the shelves in your room at Random Play.
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The current inventory is heavily focused on the "San-Z Beats" and "4WD" series. For example, the San-Z Beats: Stretto costs about 60 Inspiration, while the more "premium" models like the 4WD - Wasteland Knight or the 0WD - Frostedge will set you back 180.
Current Highlights in the San-Z Inventory:
- San-Z Beats Series: These are stylized, musical-themed statues (Stretto, Drumbeat, Hum).
- Waiting to Weather Series: Kinda moody, atmospheric pieces like Waiting to Melt.
- 4WD Series: Miniature vehicles that look like they belong in a futuristic street racer’s collection.
The total cost to clear out the shop right now is somewhere around 1,620 Inspiration Small Packs. Given the weekly caps, you’re looking at a multi-month commitment if you want to be a completionist.
The Confusion Between In-Game and Real-Life Studios
Search for Sān-Z STUDIO ZZZ online, and you might get confused. There’s a bit of a "lost in translation" issue. In the game, "Sān" (三) is Chinese for "3," making it literally "3-Z Studio." It’s a meta-nod to the game’s title.
However, the collecting community often mixes this up with real-world resin statue creators like YOLO Studio or Apex Innovation, who produce those $200+ Ellen Joe and Nicole Demara figures you see on eBay and AmiAmi.
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Let’s be clear: the Sān-Z Studio in Lumina Square is a fictional entity run by an NPC named Yi. While the real-world APEX 1/7 scale figures of the Cunning Hares are incredible, they aren't what we’re talking about when we discuss the "San-Z" shop mechanics. One costs Inspiration; the other costs your actual rent money.
Why You Should Care About Your Room Display
You might think, "It’s just a shelf in a virtual room, why bother?"
Honestly, ZZZ is as much about the "vibe" as it is about parrying bosses. The bedroom in Random Play serves as your main hub between missions. As the game progresses through Version 1.3, 1.4, and beyond, the developers are clearly leaning into the "lifestyle" aspect of being a Proxy. Being able to look at a shelf and see the Crimson Comet or the City Hunter model is a small but satisfying way to show off your progress.
It turns the game from a repetitive combat loop into something that feels a bit more like "home."
Actionable Tips for Sān-Z STUDIO Success
If you want to maximize your collection without losing your mind, follow this blueprint:
- Prioritize the 4WD models first. They have the highest visual impact on the shelf and are generally considered the "status" items of the current shop rotation.
- Don't skip the "Blue" side quests. If you see a quest marker in Sixth Street or Lumina Square that feels like a chore, do it anyway. It’s likely the trigger for a new shop unlock or a currency drop.
- Check the inventory after every major patch. HoYoverse has a habit of stealth-adding items to these POIs without putting them in the patch notes.
- Set a weekly "Inspiration" goal. Since you can't farm this currency indefinitely, treat it like your "Dailies." Hit the Ridu Weekly cap, buy one item, and repeat.
Sān-Z STUDIO ZZZ might be a small part of the massive New Eridu map, but for the players who want their Proxy to have the coolest room in the city, it’s the most important building in Lumina Square. Stop running past it and go talk to Yi; he’s waiting for your Inspiration.