Wu Yang’s origin comic reveals Avatar-inspired backstory and hybrid playstyle ⇒ OverwatchCentral

Blizzard drops Wu Yang’s first lore

With Wu Yang’s test event set for this weekend, Blizzard has kicked off the hype by releasing his 12-page origin comic along with a fully voiced animated version narrated by Howard Wong — a voice actor whose anime resume is stacked. This marks the latest in Overwatch’s trend of introducing new heroes with both written and animated lore drops.

A family of fire, a destiny of water

Wu Yang’s story begins at Wuking University, a centuries-old institution split into five schools, each representing an element in the Wuk Sing philosophy:

Metal – robotics
Earth – agriculture
Wood – civil engineering and environmental focus
Water – medicine
Fire – martial combat, considered the most prestigious

Wu Yang’s parents, both top fighters from the Fire School, met there. His sister Anran followed in their footsteps as the star pupil. Wu Yang, however, scored too low to enter Fire and was placed in the Water School — to the disappointment of both his family and himself. The tale of a character resisting their destined path to live up to family expectations feels familiar, evoking shades of Avatar: The Last Airbender and common coming-of-age themes.

The turning point

When Null Sector attacks the university, students are ordered to hold the line until reinforcements arrive. Anran charges into battle hurling fire, while Wu Yang is told to stay in the medical bay. But when his sister gets into trouble, Wu Yang rushes in, wielding his staff to save her. The act earns back his family’s respect and cements his acceptance of his role as a water wielder.

Hints at Wu Yang’s kit

The comic shows Wu Yang as a hybrid fighter, unwilling to abandon his fiery heritage entirely. His staff — self-built with a friend — channels water for mobility, letting him surf waves across the battlefield. This could translate into a high-mobility support playstyle. A repeated phrase, “Reverse the tide,” likely serves as his ultimate voice line, which appears to unleash a massive wave strong enough to wipe out clusters of enemies.

Expanding the Overwatch universe

Wu Yang’s lore also introduces new characters, like his sister Anran, and hints at more potential heroes from the other elemental schools — from robotics experts in Metal to environmental specialists in Wood. The concept opens rich possibilities for future hero designs and connections to existing characters, such as the idea of Mei having studied at the Wood School before her cryostasis.

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