Former Overwatch Character Art Director Arnold Tsang launches original manga AZUKI. Sep 08, 2026, 12:00 ET The free monthly series begins September 17 on Azuki.com alongside a cinematic launch trailer. LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Azuki Labs today announced the launch of an all-new original manga AZUKI, created by acclaimed artist Arnold Tsang, former Character Art Director for Overwatch. The series premieres September 17 at 9:00 AM PDT and will be available to read free exclusively on Azuki.com, with new chapters releasing on the third Thursday of every month. Launching alongside the first chapter is a cinematic trailer introducing readers to the world of AZUKI - a story of two sisters, ancient Gates, and a bond tested across worlds. When Shao's sister Rei disappears beyond the mysterious Gates, her search pulls her into a conflict that threatens both worlds. As long-buried secrets emerge, Shao must confront impossible choices that will test family bonds, trust, and destiny. "Azuki was always meant to grow beyond any one format," said Alex Q. Xu, CEO of Azuki Labs. "The manga is where the characters and world come together as a story. Arnold has spent years building toward this, and making it free means anyone can start with Chapter 1." Known for his work helping define the visual identity of Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch, Tsang brings his signature character-driven storytelling and dynamic artwork to his first original serialized manga. "I'm incredibly excited to finally share this world with readers everywhere," said Arnold Tsang. "AZUKI is a story I've wanted to tell for years, and as a life-long manga fan, manga was the medium I envisioned to bring these characters and this universe to life." The series marks another step in Azuki's expansion into original entertainment, following the successful launch of its trading card game earlier this year. The company continues to build an interconnected universe across manga, games, collectibles, and future storytelling experiences. The series made its world premiere at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles, where attendees had the exclusive opportunity to read the first chapter ahead of its public launch on Azuki.com in September 2026. Tsang also appeared throughout the event for live drawing sessions and opportunities to meet fans. Readers can begin the journey on September 17 at 9:00 AM PST by visiting Azuki.com, where every chapter will be available to read for free. ABOUT THE CREATOR Arnold Tsang is a celebrated figure in the world of visual storytelling and AZUKI is his first return to the comic medium since working on Udon's Street Fighter series. As former Character Art Director at Blizzard Entertainment, Tsang was a foundational creative force behind Overwatch, shaping the design of its iconic hero roster and helping craft the rich world and lore surrounding them. With AZUKI, Tsang brings his signature mastery of character and world-building to manga for the first time, crafting an original universe of extraordinary depth and visual ambition. ABOUT AZUKI Azuki is an original anime-inspired storytelling universe built around an interconnected tapestry of characters, factions, and mysteries. Through manga, the Azuki TCG, collectibles, and future entertainment experiences, the world of Azuki unfolds across multiple mediums, each connecting new audiences to the stories within its expanding universe. Designed for a global digital-first generation of fans, Azuki is building an enduring franchise defined by rich mythology, memorable characters, and expansive world-building.

Former Overwatch Character Art Director Arnold Tsang unveils AZUKI, A new original manga series. Jun 17, 2026, 10:30 ET First Chapter to Debut Exclusively at Anime Expo 2026 Ahead of Free Global Launch on Azuki.com LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Azuki Labs today announced AZUKI, an original manga series written and illustrated by Arnold Tsang (aka steamboy33), the original Character Art Director at Blizzard Entertainment and acclaimed artist behind the character design and visual identity of Overwatch. The series will make its world premiere at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles, where attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to read the first chapter ahead of its public launch on Azuki.com in September 2026. Azuki Labs will showcase the series at Booth WH-424 during Anime Expo (July 2-5), with Tsang appearing throughout the event for live drawing sessions. Beginning in September, AZUKI will be available free on Azuki.com, with new chapters released monthly through a mobile-first reading experience designed for manga fans across all devices. "Manga has always been my first love. I was very fortunate to work on comics early in my career, but my path eventually led me on a long journey through the games industry," said Arnold Tsang. "Working on games like Overwatch taught me how to build captivating worlds filled with characters that people genuinely care about. Now I've come full circle, returning to the place that first inspired me, while bringing everything I've learned along the way. The more time I spent with Shao and the world of AZUKI, the more I realized manga was the medium her story was always meant for." AZUKI follows Shao, a sharp, guarded girl from the Alley whose world shatters when her sister Rei disappears during a relic-smuggling run in the Garden, a sacred realm separated from the Alley by gates accessible only through elusive red beans. Desperate and out of options, Shao is forced into a pact with crime boss Zero and becomes a reluctant relic hunter, wielding an ancient water blade that resists her as she fights mercenaries, zealots, and warriors across a land she was never meant to enter. Trust doesn't come easy. But surviving alone will be impossible. The deeper she goes, the darker the truth: her sister Rei has been transformed into something else entirely, and the people behind it are preparing to sever the bond between two worlds forever. If they succeed, everyone Shao has ever known, on both sides, loses everything. Now she's in a brutal race to find her sister, terrified that when she finally arrives, she may have to fight her too. The world of AZUKI - its characters, factions, and lore - also serves as the creative foundation for Azuki TCG, Azuki Labs' trading card game, which crossed $1 million in direct-to-player presales ahead of its retail launch. ABOUT THE CREATOR Arnold Tsang is a celebrated figure in the world of visual storytelling and AZUKI is his first return to the comic medium since working on Udon's Street Fighter series. As former Character Art Director at Blizzard Entertainment, Tsang was a foundational creative force behind Overwatch, shaping the design of its iconic hero roster and helping craft the rich world and lore surrounding them. With AZUKI, Tsang brings his signature mastery of character and world-building to manga for the first time, crafting an original universe of extraordinary depth and visual ambition. ABOUT AZUKI Azuki is an original anime-inspired storytelling universe built around a rich mythology of interconnected characters, factions, and mysteries. Through manga, the Azuki TCG, collectibles, and future entertainment experiences, the world of Azuki unfolds across multiple mediums, each connecting new audiences to the stories within its expanding universe. Designed for a global digital-first generation of fans, Azuki is building an enduring franchise defined by rich mythology, memorable characters, and expansive world-building.

Azuki Labs has raised over $1 million in presale revenue for Gates Awakened, its debut trading card game set, driven entirely by direct-to-player sales through its own storefront. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the anime-inspired IP's expansion into physical gameplay. Gates Awakened launches this summer with booster packs, collector bundles and starter decks, featuring hand-drawn illustrations developed by Azuki's creative team. The set will be available through major hobby distribution partners. The project is led by Arnold Tsang, former Overwatch concept artist, alongside game director Jon and creative director Tim. Azuki has committed $100,000 to tournament prize pools to support competitive play from launch. The company aims to establish itself as a presence in the global trading card game market.