The popular manga series RuriDragon, which runs in the widely-read Japanese manga anthology Weekly Shonen Jump, may return from its long hiatus sooner than expected. RuriDragon faced some unfortunate circumstances that led to it going on a break over a year ago.
Despite strong positive reactions from readers and reviewers when RuriDragon first launched, the manga was put on an indefinite hold after just six chapters.
This was because the creator, Masaoki Shindo, was dealing with poor health at the time. Since then, fans have been waiting anxiously for any news of its return.
This long pause has been disappointing for RuriDragon’s fans as well as damaging to the future of the series itself. But finally, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
In a recent social media post, Mr. Shindo indicated that their health has now improved. Additionally, they hinted that good news about RuriDragon’s fate could be shared at some point in 2024.
It seems likely that fresh chapters of the popular manga will start coming out again at some point next year, assuming Mr. Shindo’s recovery continues going well.
This would be a major relief for readers who have impatiently awaited new installments since the series was put on hold.
While nothing is guaranteed yet, this update gives fans hope that the story of RuriDragon still has more pages left to tell.
RuriDragon Teases Exciting Comeback
Now that RuriDragon’s creator Masaoki Shindo has indicated they intend to resume the popular manga series in 2024, an interesting question arises – will it still run on a weekly basis in Shonen Jump magazine when it returns?
The intense deadlines required for mangaka working on weekly series in Jump are notoriously demanding. So even though Shindo’s health seems to be improving, going immediately back to that breakneck pace might risk their well-being.
There are precedents of the Shonen Jump series moving to one of Shueisha’s digital platforms and updating on a more flexible, periodic schedule instead.
Hit series like Chainsaw Man and Choujin X made that shift while still remaining under the Jump umbrella. A similar move for RuriDragon could let Shindo tell their story at their own pace.
Of course, concrete details on where and how often new RuriDragon chapters drop won’t be known until an official return gets announced.
But it’s reasonable to wonder whether running weekly or not will factor into those plans. Shindo’s continued good health has to remain the top priority.
Wherever RuriDragon ends up serialized when it comes back, fans surely feel thankful that the chance to see more of the story they love now seems on the horizon at last.
However they likely also hope its creator won’t have to torture themselves to deliver it.
More About RuriDragon
A big part of RuriDragon’s appeal stemmed from its aesthetics – it had an endearing art style full of cute character designs. But there was substance behind the style as well.
RuriDragon built an involving slice-of-life story around characters living in a world where magical and fantastical elements blended seamlessly into everyday life.
Unlike many manga, RuriDragon didn’t rely on epic battles or romantic entanglements to drive interest.
Instead, it focused on slowly developing interpersonal relationships and low-key adventures built on creative worldbuilding.
This gave RuriDragon a different flavor from typical Shonen Jump action fare.
So while its premise intrigued readers initially, RuriDragon distinguished itself through top-notch execution.
It constructed a grounded narrative that devoted time to fleshing out personalities and organically growing bonds between characters.
The elements of magic and fantasy were incorporated as enhancements rather than pure plot devices.
This blend of the fantastical and the mundane made RuriDragon feel fresh.
It carved a unique niche that attracted devoted fans who weren’t finding this specific style of leisurely-paced, character-centered urban fantasy very often.
RuriDragon tapped into the demand for a type of manga that was fairly rare up to that point.
Beyond Readership
In addition to its popularity among general readers, RuriDragon has also been highly acclaimed by critics.
This praise underscores just how special of a new manga series it is.
For example, in the 2024 edition of Kono Manga ga Sugoi!, a yearly publication that surveys industry insiders on the best current manga, RuriDragon placed an impressive 9th among titles chosen as a favorite by male voters.
The fact that RuriDragon ranked so highly – even while still on extended hiatus – speaks volumes about the quality and impression it left on veteran manga editors and reviewers.
For a series to earn that kind of recognition after only 6 chapters is a remarkable achievement.
