For this Azuki x Story Art Contest, we are spotlighting one of Azuki's original characters: Shao. This is your chance to tell her story through art. 15 winners will receive special prizes and be featured, with a grand prize of $1K!

Whether you're sketching in a notebook, painting digitally, or working with another medium, we want to see your original take on Shao's life in the Alley.

Who is Shao?

Shao is a rebellious orphan girl who grew up in the Alley with her sister, Raizan. After Raizan vanishes into a mysterious world called the Garden, Shao embarks on a long journey to find her. Learn more about Shao’s story so far:

• Sisters: Shao life in the Alley before her sister, Raizan, disappears.
• Alley: The Alley is the world where Shao grew up. It resembles modern-day Tokyo and Hong Kong with vibrant streets filled with stalls, street vendors, and small shops.
• Slice of Life: Snippets of Shao’s life in the Alley as she searches for her sister.
• Fractured Reflections: Shao encounters Raizan in the Garden after many years of searching for her, only to realize her sister is not the same person as before.

Prizes

We’re rewarding artists whose work inspires, surprises, or just makes us say “whoa.”

• 🥇 1st Place (Grand Prize): $1000 and an Azuki Twin Tigers Jacket
• 🥈 2nd Place: $700 and a BEANZ Gus Vinyl Toy
• 🥉 3rd Place: $500 and a BEANZ Keyring
• 🔥 4th-5th Place: $250 and a BEANZ Thermos
• 💫 6th–15th Honorable Mentions: $250

All winners will also receive a shoutout across Azuki socials and community channels.

Bonus Prize Pool: $2500 in $IP and $2500 in $ANIME

• The top 5 out of the 15 winners can claim an additional $500 in $IP through Story IP Portal and will receive $500 in $ANIME from the Animecoin Foundation. 
• Note: Must have registered their artwork via Story IP Portal (See details below)

Key Dates & Submission Info

• Deadline: May 16, 2025 at 6pm PT
• How to Submit:
  • Post your artwork on Instagram or X (Twitter)
  • Tag @azuki and use the hashtag #azukiartcontest and #poweredbyStory
  • In the caption or post, include:
    • Your X and/or IG handle
    • Your ArtStation or portfolio link
• Bonus Prize Pool Eligibility Details:
  • Upload your artwork to Story IP Portal
    • Make sure to use the same email or wallet address in both contest entry and Portal registration!
• Specs: Original artwork in 4x5 format
• Winners Announced: Approx. 2 weeks after the deadline

Bonus: We’d love to see your behind-the-scenes process! Share a screen recording, time-lapse, or WIP clips of your piece coming to life. We may feature these during or after the contest to highlight your craft and help promote your work even further.

Judging Panel

Your art will be reviewed by some gaming industry veterans:

• Arnold Tsang – Azuki Co-Creator, Former Overwatch Character Art Director
• Ben Dai – Film Director, Former Cinematic Director at Blizzard
• Feb Tea - Azuki Producer

They’ll be looking for originality, storytelling, and style.

We look forward to seeing all the submissions!

See full Terms & Conditions.