In addition to dealing with social anxiety and growing up in a single-parent family headed by her mother, the protagonist of this coming-of-age fantasy series, Ruri Aoki, faces unique challenges as she navigates high school life. The story unfolds when an ordinary girl discovers she’s not just an average teenager – she’s half dragon! This extraordinary premise is seamlessly combined with relatable themes to portray a creative interpretation of the awkwardness that often accompanies our teenage years, making it a captivating slice-of-life tale called RuriDragon.
As an ardent enthusiast, I find myself unexpectedly under the spotlight when my friends start noticing my peculiar new features. Yet, having horns or breathing fire pales in comparison to other terrifying anxieties that cross my mind. Recently, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Manga Plus, showcasing Shonen Jump’s talented writers and artists, where Masaoki Shindo delved into the genuine blueprint for the evolution of RuriDragon‘s stories. This encompasses even the most ordinary tasks, such as making a trip to Starbucks, which are explored in detail in an early chapter, along with the apprehensions associated with them.
RuriDragon’s Masaoki Shindo Is a Creator Who Knows the Struggles of Teenage Life
Initiated by Masaoki Shindo, the comic book and graphic novel titled “RuriDragon” initially appeared as a standalone piece in Shueisha’s Jump Giga magazine in December 2020. Later, it commenced its regular publication in Weekly Shonen Jump in June 2022. However, the series took a break from August 2022 due to the creator’s health issues, resuming publication again since March 2024. Since then, the series has produced a total of 29 chapters.
As a passionate fan, I’m thrilled to share that during an engaging chat on Manga Plus, the brilliant mind behind “RuriDragon,” Masaoki Shindo, revealed his heartfelt intention to bring to life a character embodying the trials of adolescence and social awkwardness typical of high school. Indeed, this series strikes a chord with its uncanny relatability!
In their interview with Manga Plus, Shindo expressed that they’ve grappled for years with feeling distinct from others. However, they were fortunate to have individuals around them who perceived their struggles as manifestations of unique abilities, personality, or a quirky sense of humor, focusing on the positive aspects of those facets within them.
A Girl and Her Struggles
Ruri is a typical high school girl who usually blends in with the crowd and prefers it that way. She’s quieter than most of her peers and often prefers solitude, except for her close friend Yuka. Even with Yuka, she doesn’t always crave companionship. However, when mysterious horns start growing from her head, her classmates begin to pay more attention to her. At first, she feels a bit uneasy, but gradually learns to express herself more freely.
Shindo shared that he came up with the concept for his series when he made a conscious decision to produce something unique, which would graphically illustrate the idea that being unique or different is intriguing.
Despite the fact that her unusual dragon form initially caught the eye of her schoolmates, Ruri eventually discovers that their curiosity towards her has no connection with her horns.
In the interview, Shindo clarifies that he avoids making characters speak words solely for his convenience. Instead, he believes it’s his role to portray their environment authentically, which means allowing them to express themselves genuinely.
Starbucks is Scary!
Speaking passionately about my favorite chapters in the series, I can’t help but highlight Chapter 4, entitled “Starbucks is Scary.” This chapter stood out to me for its unique blend of humor and tension. The way the author crafted the situation, turning a seemingly ordinary trip to Starbucks into an unsettling experience, was nothing short of brilliant!
Through reading it, I came to understand the type of manga ‘RuriDragon’ creates, and I often refer back to that specific chapter when working on my own writing for guidance.
When Ruri temporarily steps away to manage her fiery respiration, her comeback to school brings fresh challenges. Despite being absent for just a week, the accumulated assignments and missed lectures left her baffled, prompting her to seek assistance from her friend, Yuka. However, with her own load already heavy, Yuka advises Ruri to ask another classmate for aid in getting back on track. Consequently, she finds herself studying with the vibrant, pink-haired peer, Kashitaro, at the off-limits locale: Starbucks.
Initially, Ruri shared that her initial experience at Starbucks left her feeling uncomfortable as everyone else seemed to have a clear objective. Despite yearning to taste the well-known Frappuccino, she hadn’t managed to gather the courage to revisit such an imposing atmosphere. However, this changed when her new tutor proposed a study group at that very location.
As Ruri becomes more comfortable at the café, she also grows closer to her classmates and cherishes the opportunity to form bonds and make lasting memories together. Initially, she had underestimated Kashitaro based on first impressions, but soon discovered that embracing new experiences can be less daunting than initially thought.
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2025-02-24 23:10