AHAVERSE has officially announced HEIBAI, a brand-new spin-off animated series set in the world of Scissor Seven. Revealed during the company’s New World Premiere showcase at BilibiliWorld 2026, the project will introduce new protagonists while exploring an earlier chapter of the franchise’s universe.
AHAVERSE is currently targeting a Q1 2027 release in China, while international release plans will be announced separately at a later date.
Unlike the main series, which follows Seven, HEIBAI centers on two different heroes, Mo Lang and Bai Qi. Their story begins with the slaying of a dragon before developing into a tale of friendship, personal growth, and challenges. By taking place before the events of Scissor Seven, the series will give a fresh perspective on the wider world while expanding the franchise’s mythology through new locations, characters, and stories.
Official synopsis
Set in the world of Scissor Seven before the events of the hit animated series, HEIBAI follows Mo Lang and Bai Qi, two young heroes whose journey begins with the slaying of a dragon and grows into a story of friendship, trials, and personal transformation. The series expands the franchise through a new story, new heroes, and a new perspective on the wider universe.
The announcement is part of AHAVERSE’s larger initiative to transform Scissor Seven into a multimedia franchise extending beyond its original animated series. Alongside HEIBAI, the company also revealed Scissor Seven: The Movie, an official action-adventure mobile game, the launch of its AHABOOKS publishing imprint, the Cheap-Life Hua spin-off manhua, and the annual Chicken Island Party live music event.
Speaking during the showcase, AHAVERSE founder and Chief IP Officer Aiken Zou said the announcements represent a long-term vision for expanding the franchise through new stories and creative voices.
“Today is not about announcing a collection of separate projects. It is about showing how stories can grow into worlds, through new characters, new adventures, and new creative voices. Our goal is to give global audiences more worlds to return to, while creating opportunities for creators to help shape the stories of tomorrow.”
Since its debut in 2018, Scissor Seven has grown into one of China’s most successful original animation franchises. The series became the first Chinese original animation to stream as a Netflix Original, reaching audiences in more than 190 countries, attracting over 40 million fans worldwide, and surpassing 30 billion views across platforms. Today, the franchise also has comics, games, music, merchandise, and live experiences.
Not quite a prequel
Although HEIBAI takes place roughly 25 years before the original series, AHAVERSE has been clear that it doesn’t consider the show a traditional prequel. In our interview with the team, they explained the distinction:
“Although HEIBAI is set around 25 years before the events of Scissor Seven, we don’t really think of it as a traditional prequel. It’s first and foremost a standalone series with its own heroes, conflicts and emotional journey.
That means audiences aren’t simply watching events that lead directly into Seven’s story. HEIBAI introduces entirely new characters, relationships and conflicts, many of which have outcomes that viewers won’t be able to predict. Even when audiences recognise certain historical events, places or factions, the emotional journeys of Mo Lang, Bai Qi and the people around them remain full of surprises.”
Speaking about why now was the right time to bring the story to animation, AHAVERSE shared:
“HEIBAI actually began life as an official Scissor Seven spin-off manhua several years ago, where it quickly became one of the most popular original comics in China. Bringing it to animation felt like the natural next chapter for a story that had already built such a passionate following.
More importantly, we never chose Mo Lang and Bai Qi simply because the story takes place before Scissor Seven. We chose them because they have a compelling journey of their own. Their contrasting personalities, different approaches to strength and justice, and evolving friendship create a dynamic that is very different from Seven’s, while still reflecting many of the themes that define the wider universe.”
Asked what longtime fans might find most surprising once HEIBAI actually airs, the team added:
“I think many longtime fans will be surprised by just how much of the Scissor Seven universe has other stories waiting to be told.
HEIBAI doesn’t simply revisit familiar locations or answer a few unanswered questions. It introduces an earlier era of the world with its own heroes, rivalries, adventures and emotional journeys, while also revealing more about the history of Xuanwu and many of the factions that continue to influence the world during Seven’s time.”
Read our full interview with the AHAVERSE team on the future of the Scissor Seven universe, where we also touched on its other upcoming projects. More information on HEIBAI, including its international release plans, is expected to be announced in the coming months.
Source: Press Release, AHAVERSE Interview
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