Shiro Kuroi, the acclaimed manga artist behind the popular sci-fi survival horror series Leviathan, has launched a new dark fantasy manga titled Dragon Hunt Tribe, with a Japanese serialization under the name Ryūkari no Nato (Dragon Hunter Nato) set to begin in October. The series first debuted in France in July 2024 through publisher Ki-oon, with its Japanese publication starting October 6 in Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Magazine.
Dual Launch for “Dragon Hunt Tribe” / “Ryūkari no Nato”
The new work by Kuroi has seen a staggered international launch, initially captivating French readers before its serialization in Japan. Ki-oon, a French publisher, released the first volume of Dragon Hunt Tribe on July 4, 2024. Following this, Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Magazine announced it would begin publishing the manga, retitled Ryūkari no Nato, in its October issue, scheduled for release on October 6.
The series is described as a dark fantasy, centering on a dragon hunter who encounters a peculiar feral human girl raised by dragons. This premise hints at a blend of adventure and drama, a departure from the confined, high-stakes survival horror of Leviathan.
Shiro Kuroi’s Acclaimed Background with Leviathan
Shiro Kuroi gained significant international recognition for Leviathan, a gripping sci-fi survival horror manga. Leviathan tells the story of students trapped on a derelict spaceship, the Leviathan, where they face a brutal battle for survival amidst dwindling resources and psychological collapse. The narrative is pieced together through the diary of a middle-schooler named Kazuma, discovered by looters who board the abandoned vessel decades later.
Leviathan was highly praised for its brutal illustrations and tightly paced plot, drawing comparisons to works like Battle Royale, Hunger Games, and Lord of the Flies, but with the added element of space survival. It became one of the top-selling new manga titles in Japan and was a top 10 bestseller in France. The demand for an English release led to Abrams ComicArts, under its new Kana imprint, publishing Leviathan Volume One in English on October 29, 2024. The complete English set for Leviathan spans three volumes.
Kuroi is known for placing characters in life-threatening situations and exploring their struggle to maintain humanity. His distinct voice and graphic style have made waves in the manga community, setting high expectations for his latest venture into dark fantasy.
