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.
- Character Name
- Akira
- Designation
- Subject Zero
Verified Timeline
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.
In Their Own Story
Sendo Akira believed he could act without consequence due to his power, but after being defeated by Shuuichi and spending time in a detention center, he began to repent. His older sister, Sendo Ayaka, fell in love with Shuuichi following their defeat and began dating him. Meanwhile, M.O. Minatsuki Osei, a 'control factor' created for Shuuichi's father who speaks with a Kansai accent, conceived a child with Shuuichi before the second 'Zero Shock'. This son, Kei Asukawa, appears only in the epilogue chapter as a third-generation Zero Sample possessing abilities identical to his father. The narrative also features Natsuko Ishihara, born in 1958, an affair partner of Director Kenji Oshima (born 1943), who serves as Senior Research Agent for Tokyo's ESC Division.
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.
- Katsumi is actually the daughter of Shuuichi and Sumire, hidden as their youngest sister to protect her from persecution.
- Sendo Ayaka began dating Shuuichi after he defeated both her and her brother Akira.
- The sequel Zero: Circle of Flow was released in 2005 by the same writer, Dall-Young Lim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Subject Zero in Akira?
Subject Zero, known as Shuuichi Asakawa, was born in 1965 and engineered by the government as a 'Zero Sample' to test psychic capabilities. He grew up in a secret facility alongside his sisters, Sumire and Katsumi, before eventually escaping captivity.
What are Subject Zero's powers?
His primary ability is triggering 'Zero Shock,' a catastrophic psychic event capable of devastating entire cities and altering reality on a massive scale. This power makes him the most dangerous entity in the series' universe due to its uncontrollable nature.
How does Subject Zero's story end?
After escaping the laboratory, Shuuichi struggles with his identity while being hunted by military forces seeking to contain or destroy his immense energy. His journey concludes as he fully embraces his role as a catalyst for global change, ultimately unleashing his power upon Neo-Tokyo.
Why is Subject Zero important to the lore?
He serves as the central figure whose existence and escape directly trigger the chain of events that define the series' conflict. Without him, the phenomenon known as Zero Shock would never have been unleashed upon the world.
Is there a difference between Akira and Subject Zero?
Yes, 'Akira' is often used colloquially to refer to the character Shuuichi Asakawa, but his official designation within the government's experiments is specifically 'Subject Zero.' The name Akira also refers to another key character in the franchise, which can sometimes cause confusion among fans.
More in Lore & History
Elsewhere in the Akira universe
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