SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Digital manga subscription service Azuki has exclusively licensed Yoshino Koyoka's manga adaptation of fan-favorite sci-fi action anime Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms for English release outside Asian territories. The first two chapters will launch on July 2, 2023 and will be available via the Azuki website and iOS and Android apps, and new chapters will launch every Wednesday thereafter. Mecha-Ude will be available to read worldwide except Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. The official synopsis is below:
Kitakagami City is a pretty normal town… except that some people have gotten their hands on Mecha-Ude: powerful, sentient mechanical beings attached to the limbs of their hosts. When middle school kid Hikaru accidentally activates Alma, a mysterious Mecha-Ude with no memory of his past, he forms an unlikely connection with the talking arm. But where did Alma come from? And why are shadowy secret organizations and corporate assassins with deadly Mecha-Ude of their own suddenly chasing Hikaru down, hell-bent on stealing Alma? Hikaru and Alma must learn to work together to uncover the truth behind Alma's identity and prevent him from ending up in the wrong hands (or on the wrong arm)!
Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms is an anime project created by animator Okamoto and TriF Studio, who released an independently produced pilot film in 2019 after a successful Kickstarter campaign. In September 2022, Pony Canyon announced the production of a new anime series directed by Okamoto with production by TriF, and launched Koyoka's manga adaptation in Japan. “It's been inspiring watching Okamoto and the team at TriF develop Mecha-Ude from an indie short to a full-fledged anime series,” said Azuki Licensing Director Evan Minto. “Azuki is proud to help spread their creation to more fans around the world.”
Azuki and Pony Canyon will be at Anime Expo 2023 in Los Angeles, CA July 1-4. Fans can visit Azuki at Booth #3021 and can look forward to Mecha-Ude merchandise giveaways and events at the convention, including a Mecha-Ude anime premiere and panel on July 2 at 2:30 PM, an Azuki panel featuring Mecha-Ude on July 2 at 5:30 PM, and an autograph session with staff from the Mecha-Ude anime in Kentia Hall on July 3 at 2:00 PM.
Azuki is available on the web at www.azuki.co and in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The app features over 200 series, including international hits like Attack on Titan and acclaimed new series like Natsume & Natsume, Crescent Moon Marching, and My Dear Detective: Mitsuko's Case Files.
Start reading for free with advertisements today, or upgrade to Premium and access the full catalog for just $4.99 a month. A 14-day free trial and discounted annual plan are also available. Most titles are available worldwide (except Japan). Stay updated on the latest announcements by following Azuki at twitter.com/ReadAzuki, facebook.com/ReadAzuki, and instagram.com/readazuki.
About Azuki and KiraKira Media Inc.
Azuki is created by KiraKira Media Inc., a proudly employee-owned company dedicated to improving access to legally licensed manga, led by a small team of passionate manga fans and tech experts in San Francisco, CA.
About TriF Studio
TriF Studio originated from a group named “TriF”, formed in 2013 by a collective of young, professional creators and students who were striving to reach that same professional level in Japan.
Subsequently, the group leveraged their skills in 3DCG and VFX, gained through the production of independent films, to establish “TriF Studio”. Then, in 2018, centering around the emerging animator, Okamoto, they produced and released the pilot episode of their first major original anime, “Mecha-Ude”. The quality of their work has garnered much acclaim from around the world, and today, TriF Studio's activities are primarily focused on animation production.
