New Manga Adventure from a Gaming Icon

A new comic series, Azuki, created by former Overwatch artist Arnold Tsang, is slated to launch at Anime Expo in Los Angeles from July 2–5. Fans will have the chance to read the opening chapter at Azuki Labs’ stand and watch Tsang sketch live. After Expo, the series will be available free each month on Azuki.com, a platform optimized for mobile readers.

Plot Overview

• Protagonist: Shao, a young woman from the rough neighborhood known as the Alley.
• Inciting Incident: Her sister, Rei, disappears during a relic‑smuggling job in the protected area called the Garden, which can only be accessed with special red beans.
• Conflict: With no help, Shao makes a risky pact with crime boss Zero and becomes a relic hunter.
• Weapons & Allies: She wields an old water blade, confronting mercenaries, zealots, and warriors.
• Twist: Rei has been transformed into something else, and powerful forces aim to sever the link between their worlds forever.

Creator’s Insight

Arnold Tsang, whose first love was manga, returned to the medium after a career in game design. He believes Azuki’s world and characters are best expressed through comics, blending his experience in game design with storytelling. This marks his first comic work since collaborating on a Street Fighter series for Udon Entertainment.

Expanding the Universe

• Trading Card Game: The Azuki universe already boasts a trading card game that sold over $1 million in direct‑to‑player preorders before its retail launch, underscoring a strong fan base.