Subject Zero
The Zero Sample whose escape from a secret lab unleashed the power of Zero Shock upon the world.
Zero is a Korean manhwa written by Dall-Young Lim and illustrated by Park Sung-woo, based on a popular series of Korean eroge. The story centers on Shuuichi Asakawa, born in 1965, who was created as a 'Zero Sample' with the ability to cause 'Zero Shock'. Raised in a secret government laboratory alongside his sisters Sumire and Katsumi, Shuuichi escaped after enduring life as a test subject. The manhwa ran for 69 chapters across 10 bound volumes published by Daiwon C.I., later licensed in North America by Infinity Studios, France by Tokebi, and Russia by Comics Factory.
Quick Facts
- Character name
- Akira
Lore & Background
Shuuichi Asakawa is known to the Extrasensory Perception Control System (ECS) as a 'Zero-type Sample', possessing immense powers inherited through an incestuous relation with his daughter, Katsumi. His sister Sumire was an artificial life form created from the genes of Shuuichi's dead mother, intended as a generator for SG capable espers but raised believing she was his sibling. Their younger sister, Katsumi, is actually their daughter; they hide this truth to let her live freely. Though classified as a 3rd generation 'zero sample', her power remains unseen except for her ability to pilot the 'SG Armor'. The siblings are relentlessly pursued by unknown organizations seeking Shuuichi's unique abilities.
Reader's Guide
The manhwa was adapted from an adult game, a process author Dall-Young Lim described as difficult while aiming the series at older teens in the bonus section of Volume 1. A sequel titled Zero: Circle of Flow was created by Lim in 2005 and licensed in France by Panini Comics under its imprint Génération Comics. Infinity Studios announced plans to publish Zero volume 4 onwards in Portable Document Format for e-book readers. The original serialization spanned exactly 69 chapters, collected into 10 volumes, establishing a foundation that would be expanded upon years later with the sequel's release.
Did You Know?
- Shuuichi Asakawa was born in 1965, while his 'sister' Sumire was born in 1961.
- Sendo Ayaka began dating Shuuichi after he defeated both her and her brother Akira.
More in Lore & History
Elsewhere in Akira
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