diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 502b161..9430aa8 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -15,5 +15,4 @@ icy_metadata_radios.md
 __pycache__/
 ssh_update.py
 ssh_*.py
-blue_archive/assets/
 blue_archive/ba_students.json
diff --git a/blue_archive/assets/Arona_Blue_Gacha_Animation.gif b/blue_archive/assets/Arona_Blue_Gacha_Animation.gif
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9876fe1
Binary files /dev/null and b/blue_archive/assets/Arona_Blue_Gacha_Animation.gif differ
diff --git a/blue_archive/constants.py b/blue_archive/constants.py
index b5ce8f0..16546d1 100644
--- a/blue_archive/constants.py
+++ b/blue_archive/constants.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ BANNER_FILE = Path("data/ba_banner_state.json")
 ASSETS_DIR = Path(__file__).parent / "assets"
 BG_PATH = ASSETS_DIR / "gacha_bg.png"
 GACHA_ANIM_PATH = ASSETS_DIR / "Arona_Blue_Gacha_Animation.gif"
-GACHA_ANIM_DURATION = 19.5  # total seconds — 195 frames × 100 ms
 
 # ── APIs ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 BANNER_API = "https://api.ennead.cc/buruaka/banner"
diff --git a/blue_archive/gacha.py b/blue_archive/gacha.py
index 6c574b8..e8bc717 100644
--- a/blue_archive/gacha.py
+++ b/blue_archive/gacha.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from .data import (
     get_rates_for_banner,
 )
 from .gacha_renderer import render_pull
-from .constants import SPARK_TARGET, BANNER_FILE, DEFAULT_RATES, PULL10_RATES, GACHA_ANIM_PATH, GACHA_ANIM_DURATION
+from .constants import SPARK_TARGET, BANNER_FILE, DEFAULT_RATES, PULL10_RATES, GACHA_ANIM_PATH
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -258,9 +258,11 @@ class BlueArchiveGacha(commands.Cog):
                 banner_name = f"{gtype} — {rateups}"
                 rates = get_rates_for_banner(banner)
 
-        # "Opening envelope" teaser — send animation GIF (plays once, auto-deleted by timer)
-        teaser = await ctx.reply(file=discord.File(str(GACHA_ANIM_PATH)))
-        anim_start = asyncio.get_running_loop().time()
+        # "Opening envelope" teaser — animation GIF, or text fallback
+        if GACHA_ANIM_PATH.exists():
+            teaser = await ctx.reply(file=discord.File(str(GACHA_ANIM_PATH)))
+        else:
+            teaser = await ctx.reply("Opening recruitment envelope" + ("s..." if count > 1 else "..."))
 
         # Build the banner-specific character pool
         if banner_id and banner_id != "regular" and banner:
@@ -312,19 +314,13 @@ class BlueArchiveGacha(commands.Cog):
             await ctx.reply(f"Render failed: {e}")
             return
 
-        # Wait for the animation to finish playing, then replace with result
-        elapsed = asyncio.get_running_loop().time() - anim_start
-        remaining = GACHA_ANIM_DURATION - elapsed
-        if remaining > 0:
-            await asyncio.sleep(remaining)
-
-        try:
-            await teaser.delete()
-        except (discord.NotFound, discord.Forbidden):
-            pass
-
+        # Send image with spark+eligma caption
         try:
             file = discord.File(img_bytes, filename="gacha_result.png")
+            try:
+                await teaser.delete()
+            except (discord.NotFound, discord.Forbidden):
+                pass
             await ctx.reply(
                 f"Recruitment Points: {spark}/{SPARK_TARGET}{dupe_msg}",
                 file=file,