Hello! I’m TAO, a manga enthusiast and blogger from Japan.
Today, I’m introducing “Drifting Dragons” (空挺ドラゴンズ / Kūtei Dragons) by Taku Kuwabara. This manga has been serialized in Kodansha’s “good! Afternoon” magazine since 2016 and tells the story of a dragon-hunting airship crew in a fantasy world.
Let me get straight to the point: this manga is a masterpiece that perfectly blends adventure and food culture!
While an anime adaptation exists, I’ll be honest—the manga is far superior. The anime isn’t bad, but the manga’s unique atmosphere, intricate artwork, and especially the mouthwatering food illustrations are best experienced in still images. The joy of savoring each page is something only the manga can provide. In this article, I’ll explain why this manga is so special, completely spoiler-free. I hope you enjoy it until the end!
What is Drifting Dragons? Story Overview and World Setting
“Drifting Dragons” is set in a fictional world inhabited by flying dragons. While dragons are often portrayed as mythical creatures in fantasy settings, this story depicts them as commonplace beings in everyday life. Consequently, “people who hunt dragons for a living” exist in this world. They ride airships called “draking vessels” and make their living by hunting flying dragons. Dragon hunting isn’t merely an adventure—it’s a profession, a culture, and their entire way of life.
Synopsis🐲
The stage is the Quin Zaza, a draking vessel that sails the skies hunting dragons. The crew captures dragons to harvest their meat and oil, selling these for profit to sustain their livelihood. This ship houses a diverse crew of unique individuals, and the story centers on their daily lives and adventures. It’s a tale of sky travelers where success means striking it rich, and failure means death.
The series captures the adventurous spirit of Hayao Miyazaki’s works, particularly “Castle in the Sky” and ” Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” combined with elements of maritime adventure novels like Melville’s “Moby-Dick,” creating a truly distinctive world.。
The author even said he was influenced by Hayao Miyazaki
Character Introductions
Mika
The protagonist. A genius draker who has dedicated his life to eating dragons. He possesses extensive knowledge about dragons.Usually zoned out, but becomes talkative when it comes to dragons—they’re all he thinks about.
Takita
A rookie draker with a bright and honest personality. Extremely positive with outstanding initiative. Since the ship has no bath, she was often self-conscious about how her hair smelled during her early days aboard.
Jiro
A serious young man who frequently scolds the slovenly Mika and the novice Takita. He has exceptionally good eyesight, so he’s assigned to sky observation duties.
Vanabelle
A cool beauty and heavy drinker. Called “Vannie” by all crew members except Mika. Her dragon-hunting skills rival Mika’s.
Gibbs
A veteran male crew member and deck chief. During dragon hunts, he serves as the gunner operating the harpoon cannon. He often supervises and instructs younger crew members as command tower, constantly worrying—which has thinned his hair.
Cujo (Crocco)
Acting captain of the Quin Zaza. A rough-spoken heavy smoker.
The Quin Zaza has many other crew members full of personality, including the head chef, accountant, and apprentice engineer. Of course, many attractive characters appear beyond the Quin Zaza’s crew as well.
The Manga’s Appeal!
１．Drool-Inducing Delicious-Looking Cuisine
One of this manga’s greatest attractions is its depiction of “dragon meat dishes.” Captured dragons are utilized completely, with their meat transformed into various dishes. Dragon steaks, dragon meat stew, soup made from dragon bone broth, dishes using dragon organs—the variations are endless. The author’s food illustrations look genuinely delicious and will definitely make you hungry. The way steam rises, the degree of meat cooking, the blissful expressions of characters eating—all these elements combine to powerfully stimulate readers’ appetites.
２．The Appeal of an Ensemble Cast
While Mika is the protagonist, “Drifting Dragons” isn’t a typical protagonist-centered story. This is an “ensemble drama” focusing on the crew of the draking vessel Quin Zaza. The spotlight shifts to different characters in each episode, gradually revealing each crew member’s perspective, values, and past. This structure makes readers grow attached to the Quin Zaza as a whole community. Rather than one hero, everyone has their specialties and supports each other while living. This “team” appeal gives the work depth.
３．The Diverse Forms of Dragons
Dragons in this world don’t fly with wings but float using an organ called the “buoyancy sac” (震臓 / shinzō). Dragons exist in various shapes and forms, with some having such unique appearances you’d question whether they’re really dragons. These dragons are rendered with overwhelming artistic skill, depicted with full impact.
I really wanted an artbook… ╯︿╰
Recommended For
Fans of Classic Ghibli Films
If you love the atmosphere of “Castle in the Sky” or “Nausicaä,” you’ll likely be hooked. It’s not that it resembles these works, but rather that it brilliantly transforms that atmosphere into something unique to “Drifting Dragons.”
Gourmet Manga Fans
The quality of food depiction satisfies even gourmet manga enthusiasts.
Fantasy World Lovers
For those who want to enjoy a world with developed unique cultures and technologies, rather than high fantasy with magic.
Ensemble Drama Fans
Perfect for those who want to enjoy multiple characters’ lives and values.
Those Wanting a Peaceful Read
The Quin Zaza has 19 crew members, and not a single one is unlikeable.
Those Who Want to Get Hungry
Reading this will definitely make you hungry, so perfect for pre-meal reading! lol
Where to Read
- Published in English as “Drifting Dragons” by Kodansha USA.
- Available for purchase on international online retailers like Amazon.
- Digital versions are also distributed on various e-book stores.
Anime Version
- Streaming on Netflix as “Drifting Dragons” (though the manga is still better!)）
Conclusion
“Drifting Dragons” is a masterpiece that brilliantly fuses adventure, food, and human drama. The carefully crafted worldbuilding, attractive characters, mouthwatering cuisine, and thrilling battles with sky-dominating dragons are all rendered with overwhelming artistic skill. With each page turn, you feel the wind aboard the flying ship, imagine the aroma of dragon meat dishes, and eavesdrop on the crew’s conversations—this work offers that level of immersion. If you haven’t read it yet, please pick it up. You’ll surely want to join the Quin Zaza’s journey.
Happy reading! 🐉
