Dandadan Creator Praises Shonen Jump’s Best New Dark Fantasy Series

As a seasoned manga enthusiast with over two decades of immersion in the world of Japanese comics and animation, I have witnessed the rise and fall of countless series, some destined for greatness while others fading into obscurity. My personal library is littered with titles that were once heralded as the next big thing but ultimately failed to capture the hearts and minds of readers. However, there are moments when a newcomer catches my attention and stirs an undeniable sense of excitement and anticipation. Such is the case with “Centuria,” a relatively unknown manga series published by Shueisha under their Jump Comics+ imprint in 2024.

The third volume of this dark fantasy adventure was recently released, boasting the seal of approval from none other than Yukinobu Tatsu, the celebrated author of “Dandadan.” As a devoted follower of both series, I can’t help but feel a twinge of optimism for “Centuria” and its potential for greatness.

The story revolves around Julian, a young boy who was sold into slavery before escaping onto a slave ship and obtaining powerful abilities from an ancient eldritch sea entity. The manga’s bleak setting and heavy use of dark imagery are reminiscent of “Berserk” and the works of H.P. Lovecraft, but there is an underlying sense of optimism that stems from Julian’s unwavering determination to protect his sister.

While “Centuria” remains largely obscured for most anime and manga fans, I believe Tatsu’s endorsement could be the catalyst this series needs to gain traction and potentially secure an anime adaptation. As we all know, a little bit of star power can go a long way in the world of manga.

In a nutshell, if “Centuria” can maintain its momentum and continue delivering on the promise it has shown thus far, I have no doubt that it will soon join the ranks of the greats. And who knows, perhaps one day we’ll be laughing about how we were early adopters of this masterpiece, just like those who discovered One Piece or Naruto in their infancy.

On a lighter note, I can’t help but wonder if Tatsu and the creators of “Centuria” are secretly collaborating on some grand crossover event featuring Julian, Dandadan, and perhaps even Goku from Dragon Ball Z. Now that would be a sight to behold!

Receiving acclaim from a well-respected manga artist is frequently considered one of the greatest accolades a fresh manga series can receive. An author’s endorsement not only adds prestige but also functions as an effective marketing strategy, drawing attention to the new manga. Although many readers may not be familiar with the title of the newer manga on its own, if a renowned writer is associated with it, then people are more likely to take notice. Shueisha has earned the endorsement from Yukinobu Tatsu, author of Dandadan, for another exclusive title on Shonen Jump+, Centuria. Tatsu’s praise can be found on the obi strips, which are thin pieces of paper folded around the covers of volume 3 of Centuria.

An image advertising the manga “Dandadan” is displayed on the cover, giving credit to Yukinobu Tatsu. The comments commend Centuria’s artwork and appreciate the portrayal of human kindness in the story set against a dark backdrop. “Dandadan” has gained significant popularity, with its anime adaptation garnering widespread media acclaim and fan interest. Although Centuria is relatively new to the manga scene, Tatsu’s endorsement adds credibility that the newer manga lacked previously. With the attention on “Dandadan” and Tatsu’s involvement, Centuria has found itself in the limelight due to its connection with a more popular manga.

Having been a long-time fan of “Kentūria” series, I am thrilled to announce that Volume 3 will be released on January 4th! The author, Ryuuko Fujisawa from “Dundun,” has graciously penned a comment for this edition. I’m so excited about it!

I can’t help but feel grateful for this opportunity to get my hands on the book earlier due to my dedication as a reader and supporter of this fantastic series. It seems that reprints might become scarce with possible sell-outs, so I strongly encourage you all to grab your copies before they disappear!

You can find it here… Thank you for your continued support!

— 暗森透 (@noririn4696) January 3, 2025

Will Centuria Become Shonen Jump+’s Next Big Thing?

In 2024, Shueisha unveiled Centuria as one of numerous fresh releases for their Jump Comics+ line on the Shonen Jump+ app. Despite having 35 chapters published and the third volume just debuting in Japan, the manga hasn’t quite achieved mainstream fame yet. The narrative revolves around Julian, a young boy who was enslaved by his mother before escaping onto a slave ship. As they sail through the open sea, Julian and the other slaves encounter an ancient, eldritch entity in the ocean depths. This entity bestows Julian with the powers of the 100 other enslaved individuals onboard. With these new abilities, Julian sets out to safeguard himself and his newly adopted sister, Diana.

This manga series is recognized for its grim backdrop and frequent employment of ominous visuals. It seems to draw inspiration from “Berserk” and the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Despite the disturbing theme and ambiance, a glimmer of hope emerges from the protagonist’s unwavering determination to safeguard his sister. The secondary characters form a close-knit group, representing a beacon of light in this world that’s growing ever more dismal due to widespread slavery and monstrous creatures.

The relatively new series titled “Centuria” remains largely undiscovered among many anime and manga enthusiasts, as it’s barely a year old without an announced anime adaptation yet. Sales for the series are not exceptionally high at this point, with only three volumes published so far, leaving its long-term success uncertain. Shuiesha has had several titles that ended prematurely in the past. Fans of “Centuria” hope that the author Yukinobu Tatsu’s approval could generate more interest, leading to increased sales and potentially an anime adaptation. It’s worth noting that “Dadandan,” published on Shonen Jump+, is one of their biggest hits currently.

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2025-01-04 00:10