“Our Goal Is to Stay True to the Humor, Heart, and Sincerity”: AHAVERSE on Expanding the Scissor Seven Universe Through Film, Anime, Games, Publishing, and Live Events (Exclusive)

Scissor Seven has evolved from a cult-favorite animated series into one of the most recognizable Chinese animation franchises worldwide. After becoming the first Chinese original animation to debut as a Netflix Original, the series has continued to build an international following through its unique blend of absurd comedy, heartfelt storytelling, and memorable characters.

Now, AHAVERSE is taking the franchise into its most ambitious phase yet. During BilibiliWorld, the company unveiled an interconnected slate of new projects, including a theatrical feature film, the HEIBAI animated spin-off, a mobile game, AHABOOKS publishing initiative, Cheap-Life Hua, and the annual Chicken Island Party music event.

“Our goal is to stay true to the humor, heart, and sincerity,” AHAVERSE told OtakuKart in a written interview provided ahead of the announcement, explaining that preserving the spirit of Scissor Seven remains the priority as the franchise expands across film, anime, games, publishing, and live events. In the exclusive interview below, AHAVERSE discusses the vision behind the series’ ambitious new chapter, how each project contributes to a connected universe, and why staying true to the heart of Scissor Seven matters just as much as exploring new creative mediums.

Interview With AHAVERSE

OtakuKart: Scissor Seven began in 2018 and went on to become the first Chinese original animation to become a Netflix Original, with over 40 million fans and 30 billion views worldwide. Standing at BilibiliWorld announcing an entire universe of projects, what does this moment mean to you personally, and to the team?

AHAVERSE: This moment is incredibly meaningful for our entire team because it reflects just how far Scissor Seven has come since the very beginning. What started as one original animated series has grown into a global community, with audiences around the world embracing these characters and making them part of their own lives. Seeing that journey unfold has been both humbling and inspiring for everyone at AHAVERSE.

Today’s announcement isn’t just about introducing a lineup of new projects. It’s about reaching a point where the world of Scissor Seven has become big enough to tell many different kinds of stories and connect with audiences in new ways.

Whether it’s the feature film, HEIBAI, the mobile game, AHABOOKS, Cheap-Life Hua, or Chicken Island Party, each project offers fans another way to experience the same universe from a different perspective. Even as we explore new formats, our goal has always been to stay true to the humor, heart, and sincerity that made people fall in love with Scissor Seven in the first place.

This is also the future we hope to build at AHAVERSE. We believe great original IP should evolve across different creative mediums without losing the qualities that made people connect with it. Most importantly, none of this would be possible without our fans.

OtakuKart: The feature film takes Seven into the martial arts kingdom of Xuanwu and forces him to question what truly gives life meaning. Scissor Seven has always balanced absurd comedy with emotional storytelling. How does the movie preserve that balance, and would you call this the most ambitious story yet?

AHAVERSE: One of the things that has always defined Scissor Seven is its ability to make audiences laugh one moment and genuinely move them the next. That balance remains at the heart of the feature film.

Although Seven returns to Xuanwu, a world filled with political rivalries and centuries of history, he remains the same kind-hearted and awkward character fans have always loved. His humor continues to ground the story even as he confronts larger conflicts and deeper questions about his past and what gives life meaning.

The biggest challenge wasn’t simply creating larger action sequences or more cinematic animation. It was expanding the scale of the story while preserving the emotional depth and character-driven storytelling that audiences expect from Scissor Seven.

OtakuKart: What does the big-screen format allow the team to accomplish that wasn’t possible in the series? Is there one moment you’re especially excited for fans to experience in theaters?

AHAVERSE: A feature film allows audiences to immerse themselves in the world of Scissor Seven in an entirely new way.

The larger cinematic format gives us the opportunity to expand the scale of the action, explore Xuanwu in greater detail, introduce new allies and enemies, and follow Seven through one of the most important journeys of his life.

As for a specific scene we’d like to tease, we’d rather keep that as a surprise.

OtakuKart: HEIBAI introduces Mo Lang and Bai Qi in a story set roughly 25 years before Scissor Seven. How does this series connect with the universe fans already know?

AHAVERSE: Although HEIBAI takes place decades before the main series, we’ve always approached it as a story in its own right rather than a traditional prequel.

Mo Lang and Bai Qi bring a completely different dynamic to the franchise through their contrasting personalities and views on justice. While longtime fans will notice familiar locations and subtle connections to the wider universe, the series also introduces its own heroes, conflicts, and unforgettable adventures.

Whether you’re discovering this world for the first time or returning as a longtime fan, we hope audiences will be drawn into their story from the very first episode.

OtakuKart: The upcoming mobile game looks very different from the animated series. What was most important when adapting Scissor Seven into an interactive experience?

AHAVERSE: We wanted players to genuinely feel like they were living inside the world of Scissor Seven.

Alongside fast-paced side-scrolling combat, players can spend time on Chicken Island, interact with beloved characters, manage their own business, and experience original canon stories created specifically for the game.

Capturing the franchise’s humor was just as important as recreating its action. We wanted comedy to emerge naturally through gameplay, character interactions, and unexpected moments that make Chicken Island feel alive.

A still frim Scissor Seven Shadow Clash Game (Image via AHAVERSE)

OtakuKart: AHABOOKS is launching as a new publishing initiative for original stories and official canon. What role will it play in expanding the franchise?

AHAVERSE: AHABOOKS allows us to thoughtfully expand the official Scissor Seven canon by exploring characters, histories, and parts of the world that don’t naturally fit within animation.

Beyond Scissor Seven, we also hope AHABOOKS becomes a place where new creators can develop original ideas that may eventually grow into animation, games, films, or entirely new experiences.

At its heart, AHABOOKS is about nurturing creativity for the long term.

OtakuKart: Why was Cheap-Life Hua chosen as the first major spin-off under AHABOOKS?

AHAVERSE: Cheap-Life Hua was the natural choice because he’s one of the franchise’s most mysterious characters.

While audiences know him as an easygoing wanderer, they later discover he’s also one of the most powerful figures in Xuanwu. His story allows us to explore the kingdom’s history while giving readers a deeper understanding of the world that existed long before Seven’s own journey began.

OtakuKart: Chicken Island Party reimagines the franchise’s music instead of simply recreating it. What inspired that direction, and could the event eventually travel overseas?

AHAVERSE: Music has always been an important part of Scissor Seven, but we wanted fans to experience familiar themes in entirely new ways through different musicians and DJs.

We also hope Chicken Island Party becomes an annual tradition with new collaborations each year.

As for bringing the event overseas, we’d absolutely love the opportunity. While we don’t have anything to announce today, we’re always exploring new ways to connect with fans around the world.

OtakuKart: As Scissor Seven expands into films, games, books, and live events, how do you ensure every project maintains the series’ identity?

AHAVERSE: Scissor Seven has never been defined by a single medium. What makes it special is the emotional heart behind every story.

Founder and Producer Aiken Zou and creator-director He Xiaofeng remain closely involved in shaping the wider universe, working alongside our creative teams to ensure every project stays true to the characters, history, and spirit that audiences have come to love.

Whether fans discover the franchise through the movie, HEIBAI, the game, or AHABOOKS, every story is designed to feel like another part of the same living universe.

OtakuKart: Finally, what message would you like to share with international fans as Scissor Seven enters this next chapter?

AHAVERSE: First and foremost, thank you.

To everyone who has laughed with Seven, cried alongside these characters, recommended the series to a friend, or celebrated Scissor Seven through artwork, videos, reviews, or online discussions, you’ve been an important part of this journey.

What we unveiled at BilibiliWorld is only the beginning. There are many more stories waiting to be discovered, new characters you’ll meet, and new memories we’ll create together.

Thank you for believing in Scissor Seven and growing with us over the years. We look forward to welcoming everyone into the next chapter of the AHAVERSE.

Copyright: © AHAVERSE / SHAREFUN Studio. Images used for editorial purposes.