Akagi and SOGA ZAWAZAWA FES Event Begins: New Projects and Mahjong Soul Collaboration
An exciting period has begun for Fukumoto Nobuyuki fans: The “Akagi SOGA Fukumoto World ZAWAZAWA FES” event, focusing on the Akagi and SOGA series, officially opened on June 12 via Take Shobo STORE. During this one-month special event, new projects for the two cult series are planned to be announced, and limited-edition products will go on sale. One of the most notable highlights is the special merchandise to be released as part of a collaboration with the popular online mahjong game Mahjong Soul.
It is not yet clear whether new manga projects, animation announcements, or other surprises for Akagi – The Genius Who Was Born in Darkness and Rōkyō Bakuto Den SOGA will be included in the event. However, Take Shobo STORE’s announcement emphasizes that “new projects will be announced one after another.” In particular, SOGA, a sequel series depicting Akagi’s old age, has a large fan base and has long awaited a new chapter or side story. Additionally, the Akagi × Mahjong Soul collaboration products are expected to include T-shirts, accessories, and digital content. Mahjong Soul has previously done a similar crossover with the Kaiji series, so integrating the Fukumoto universe into the game is not new, but it always attracts great interest.
Fukumoto Nobuyuki is a titan known for psychological thriller and gambling-themed manga such as Kaiji, Akagi, and Ten. In particular, Akagi, published since 1992, is considered one of the most respected works in the mahjong world. The series has received two anime adaptations and has been turned into multiple live-action films. SOGA, on the other hand, is a newer manga that started in 2020 and tells the story of an elderly Akagi. ZAWAZAWA FES is an important milestone for these two series to be mentioned together and enriched with new content.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR FANS: This event brings fresh air to Fukumoto’s long-quiet Akagi and SOGA universe. Especially while there was uncertainty about whether SOGA would continue, the new project announcements have excited fans. Moreover, the collaboration with a popular game like Mahjong Soul has the potential to introduce the series to a younger audience. It is worthwhile to follow the new announcements on Take Shobo STORE throughout the event – perhaps news of a long-awaited new anime or manga volume may come.
NEXT STEPS: ZAWAZAWA FES will continue until July 12. During this period, new products and project teasers are expected to be shared weekly. Fukumoto fans should follow the Take Shobo STORE page and official social media accounts to not miss developments. If an anime or a new manga series emerges from this event, it will be a truly great comeback for the Fukumoto universe.
