RuriDragon

***RuriDragon*** (Japanese: ルリドラゴン, Hepburn: *Ruri Doragon*, alternatively known as *Ruri Dragon*) is a Japanese manga series created by Masaoki Shindo. The series started its run in Weekly Shounen Jump, a publication by Shueisha, beginning with Issue 28 in the year 2022. However, the author has temporarily halted the series after only six chapters, starting from Issue 34 of 2022 in Weekly Shounen Jump, due to health reasons, and has not resumed it as of now.

## Premise

Ruri Aoki, a first-year high school student attending a local school, wakes up one morning to discover horns growing on her head. She confides in her mother, Umi Aoki, who calmly reveals that her father is a dragon, making Ruri a hybrid of human and dragon. Despite her confusion, Ruri goes to school. However, during class, she accidentally breathes fire while sneezing, burning her throat, and faints, requiring her to be taken to the infirmary.

Afterward, overwhelmed by a reluctance to attend school and feelings of anxiety, Ruri becomes a recluse. With the understanding and support of her relatives, as well as her classmates like Yuka Hagiwara and Kanda, she gradually returns to school. However, despite her efforts to maintain her usual life, her condition begins to change gradually. She starts discharging electricity from her body, and her nature begins shifting from human to dragon.

## About

**RuriDragon** is a fantasy and slice-of-life manga centered around a high school girl who is a hybrid of a human and a dragon. Masaoki Shindo's journey in the manga world started in 2016 when "Twin Peach" received an honorable mention in the 109th JUMP Treasure Newcomer Manga Award. Afterward, one-shots like "Josamushi Renta-ro no Yakusoku" and "COUNT OVER" were published in "Weekly Shounen Jump", but this series marks their first serialization.

A one-shot was published in the "Weekly Shounen Jump GIGA 2021 WINTER" released on December 28, 2020, and the serialization began in "Weekly Shounen Jump" 2022 Issue 28, released on June 13, 2022. Prior to the start of the serialization, voice comics based on the one-shot version were produced, and voice comics based on the first three chapters of the serialized version were released before the publication of Volume 1, both available on the official "Weekly Shounen Jump" YouTube channel. On July 25, 2022, an official Twitter account was created, and LINE stamps were made available for purchase.

On August 1, 2022, due to Shindo's health issues, it was announced that the series would go on an indefinite hiatus starting from "Weekly Shounen Jump" 2022 Issue 35. The "Weekly Shounen Jump" editorial team explained that they decided it would be better for Shindo to take a certain period of rest and focus on recovery to ensure the series can continue in the best possible condition. The resumption date will be announced in the magazine.

On February 2, 2023, it was announced that the manga had secured the first place in the "Recommended Comics Chosen by Booksellers Nationwide 2023," as announced by Japan Publishing Sales.

## Reception

### Evaluation

The voice comic version that was released before the serialization began garnered significant attention, with a total of 2 million views. By the time the first volume of the tankobon was released, it had surpassed 3.7 million views. It became the most-watched voice comic on the official YouTube channel of *Weekly Shonen Jump.*

While Masaoki Shindo's previous works were praised for their battle scenes, **RuriDragon** stands out with its unique and calm 'relaxed' style, which is quite uncommon for a serialized work in 'Weekly Shonen Jump'. Brian Salvatore of Multiversity Comics noted that the manga seamlessly combines ordinary high school and morning scenes with strange and mysterious events, creating a delicate balance of absurdity that adds to its charm. Michael Green of Screen Rant mentioned that amidst the abundance of slice-of-life and youth-oriented manga, 'RuriDragon' breaks the boundaries of these genres by depicting even the mundane aspects of teenage girls, such as falling in love or being conscious of their appearance, as a fresh experience, thanks to the main character being a hybrid of human and dragon.

On the other hand, Steven Blackburn, also from Screen Rant, compared **RuriDragon** with *Boku Yori Medatsu Na Ryuugakusei* by Kenta Yuzuriha, which also features a dragon high school girl. He pointed out that **RuriDragon** relies too heavily on comedy and lacks in-depth exploration of relationships as it focuses on how easily the protagonist is accepted by her friends.

Some reviewers have likened the theme of people accepting the main character's presence to the acceptance of diversity in society. When it secured the first place in the *Recommended Comics Chosen by Booksellers Nationwide 2023,* comments from the participating booksellers included phrases like, *A heartwarming story that effortlessly embraces diversity. Even when they don't fully understand each other, the depiction of ongoing mutual understanding is the new standard for everyday manga.* and *The protagonist's troubles are enveloped by the kindness of the characters. It's a gently heartwarming slice-of-life manga.*

### Bibliographic Information

Masaoki Shindo's "RuriDragon." Published by Shueisha under the "Jump Comics" imprint.

* **Volume 1**, Titled *"ドラゴンなんだって"* (Released on October 4, 2022)
	+ **ISBN:** 978-4-08-883285-2

## External Links

* Official Website (in Japanese)
* RuriDragon (@SHINDO\_MASAOKI) - Twitter

## References

1. ↑ [ジャンプ』読切作品に読者驚愕「この完成度で19歳!?」”, *Da Vinci Web (KADOKAWA)*
2. ↑ “ユル〜い日常系?『ルリドラゴン』がトレンド入り! 人気作続々最終章入りも『週刊少年ジャンプ』新連載陣に期待の声” *Futaman+ (Futabasha)*
3. ↑ “ジャンプ新連載『ルリドラゴン』早くも話題 ゆる〜い雰囲気に支持「ジャンプらしくない空気感」”., *ORICON NEWS (Oricon)*
4. ↑ “朝起きたら角が生えていて…少女のファンタジーな日常描く新連載「ルリドラゴン」”., *Comic Natalie (Natasha*
5. ↑ "Official Twitter Account for the Manga 'RuriDragon' Opens. LINE Stamps Featuring the Everyday Life of High School Girl Ruri with Horns Are Also Now Available.", *Famitsu.com (KADOKAWA)*
6. ↑ "'Jump's Noteworthy Work 'RuriDragon' to Go on Hiatus for a While - Despite Starting Serialization in June... Due to the Author's Health Issues, a Certain Period of Rest Is Required.", *ORICON NEWS (Oricon Corporation)*
7. ↑ "Announcement of 'Recommended Comics Chosen by Booksellers Nationwide 2023'! The 1st Place Goes to 'RuriDragon' (Masaoki Shindo/Shueisha).", *Japan Publishing Sales*