China's Greatest Anime Franchise, Scissor Seven, Is Back (Exclusive)

AHAVERSE's Scissor Seven universe is expanding with a feature film, spin-off series, and more projects. Here is everything you need to know.

Chinese animation has grown into a global force over the last decade, but few original series have earned the international recognition of Scissor Seven. The action-comedy became the first Chinese original animation to launch as a Netflix Original, introducing worldwide audiences to Seven's hilarious misadventures, stylish fight scenes, and surprisingly emotional storytelling. Now, the franchise is preparing for its biggest expansion yet with a feature film, a brand-new spin-off series, and a long-term multimedia strategy.

In an exclusive interview, AHAVERSE revealed new details about Scissor Seven: The Movie and HEIBAI, explaining how both projects are designed to welcome newcomers while rewarding longtime fans. Rather than creating a single continuous storyline, the studio is building an interconnected universe that can grow across animation, games, publishing, and beyond over the next several years.

"We have designed every project to stand on its own, with its own characters, story and entry point, while still being firmly rooted in the canon of the Scissor Seven universe." — AHAVERSE

Scissor Seven: The Movie Is Designed As The Perfect Starting Point

One of the biggest surprises is that Scissor Seven: The Movie isn't just aimed at existing fans. According to AHAVERSE, the film has been deliberately crafted as a standalone adventure, allowing viewers with no prior knowledge of the series to jump straight into Seven's world. The studio hopes the movie will serve as an accessible gateway before audiences eventually explore the television series.

Will the movie be accessible to newcomers, or is it mostly intended for existing fans?

"Absolutely. The film has been designed as a standalone adventure, so audiences who are discovering Scissor Seven for the first time can enjoy it without having seen the animated series. At the same time, long-time fans will be rewarded with a deeper look into Xuanwu... while familiar characters return alongside Seven, the film also introduces compelling new allies and adversaries." — AHAVERSE

Veteran fans, however, will have plenty to discover. The movie shifts much of its focus toward Xuanwu, the mysterious martial arts nation where Seven originated. AHAVERSE says audiences will finally learn more about its culture, political landscape, and the forces shaping the wider world. Familiar allies will return alongside Seven, but the story also introduces entirely new heroes and villains whose roles remain under wraps.

The film also aims for a larger cinematic scope without abandoning what made the hit Chinese television series so successful. "The heart of Scissor Seven hasn't changed," AHAVERSE explained, adding that the movie continues balancing comedy, action, and emotional storytelling while exploring questions of identity, choice, and purpose. Bigger action sequences and a broader world promise a feature-length adventure worthy of the franchise when it arrives in 2028.

How does the movie differ tonally from the television series?

"The heart of Scissor Seven hasn't changed. The series has always balanced comedy, action and emotional storytelling, while exploring questions about identity, choice and purpose against a backdrop of larger political conflicts... The film builds on those same strengths while embracing the cinematic scale of a feature film." — AHAVERSE

HEIBAI Expands The Universe Without Feeling Like Homework

Alongside the movie, AHAVERSE is bringing one of China's most popular Scissor Seven spin-off comics to animation. Rather than following Seven himself, HEIBAI is about Mo Lang and Bai Qi, two characters whose contrasting personalities and very different journeys make them natural leads for a completely new story.

Why were Mo Lang and Bai Qi chosen to lead the first spin-off?

"HEIBAI has been one of the most popular official spin-off comics in China for several years, so adapting it into animation felt like a natural next step... Set around 25 years before the events of Scissor Seven, HEIBAI takes audiences into an earlier era of the universe filled with ancient legends, dangerous adventures, powerful enemies and fascinating new characters." — AHAVERSE

Although the series takes place roughly 25 years before the events of Scissor Seven, AHAVERSE emphasized that HEIBAI should be viewed as a spin-off rather than a prequel. Set during an earlier era of the same world, it introduces ancient legends, dangerous enemies, new locations, and characters who helped shape the universe long before Seven's own adventure began. Even so, newcomers won't need prior knowledge to enjoy it.

That philosophy shows AHAVERSE's larger vision for the franchise. Every new project is intended to stand on its own while expanding the overall canon. "We have designed every project to stand on its own, with its own characters, story and entry point," the company explained. Instead of requiring audiences to consume every release in order, fans can begin wherever their interests lie, whether that's the original anime, the upcoming film, HEIBAI, or even the planned mobile game.

How much new lore will HEIBAI reveal?

"Quite a lot—but we'd rather let audiences discover it for themselves. HEIBAI introduces a number of important characters, places and events that shaped the world long before Seven's story began. We never wanted it to feel like 'homework' for existing fans... Hopefully it will encourage long-time fans to revisit Scissor Seven with fresh eyes, while giving newcomers another great place to begin." — AHAVERSE

AHAVERSE also hinted that these announcements represent only the beginning. The studio says additional stories like a spin-off Cheap-Life Hua manhwa and others across multiple platforms are already in development as it works toward building a long-lasting entertainment ecosystem centered around Scissor Seven. If these ambitious plans come together, China's most celebrated original anime franchise may only be entering its most exciting chapter.