Have you heard of the popular fantasy work "Airborne Dragons"? It's actually a popular work, ranking 14th in "This Manga is Amazing! 2018." The original author is Taikaku Kuwabara. It quickly became a hot topic for its Ghibli-esque worldview and depictions of delicious food. An anime adaptation is also scheduled for 2020. We're excited to see what happens next. In this article, we'll introduce the protagonist of "Airborne Dragons," Mika! Mika is the central character of the work, and the story revolves around him. What kind of character is he?
What is the Story of [Airborne Dragons]?
Before introducing the main character, Mika, let's first introduce the work itself. Dragons are the rulers of the skies. In this world, dragons are a threat and disaster to many people on the ground, but at the same time, they are a treasure trove. Dragons are sometimes valued for medicine, oil, and food. Those who hunt these dragons are known as "dragon hunters." They pilot dragon-hunting ships, soaring through the skies, hunting dragons and traveling. This story follows one of the dragon hunters, the Queen Zaza, and its crew.
The Protagonist of [Airborne Dragons]! Mika
"Mika" is the protagonist of this work. He's a handsome man with a wild charm! His occupation is a dragon hunter. He travels the skies aboard his dragon-hunting ship, the Queen Zaza.
What is a dragon hunter?
First of all, this story features dragons (orochi). In this world, dragons are highly valued for everything from crafts to medicine, oil, and even food. Dragon hunters travel the skies in pursuit of these dragons. They have no port to return to; they simply travel the skies, capturing dragons every day. This story, "Airborne Dragons," is set on a floating dragon-hunting ship and depicts the daily lives of its unique crew.
Here's what the main character, Mika, looks like!
Here's Mika's visual. He has shoulder-length black hair and a distinctive beard, giving him a wild, manly vibe. Being constantly on the ship, the crew can't afford to pay much attention to their appearance. The women were seen applying oil to their hair, but given their busy schedules, it seems quite difficult. Mika isn't growing his hair out for fashion reasons, either; he probably just lets it grow and never has the chance to cut it. But don't you think he has a wild, mysterious charm and is cool? Check out the color visual, which is the cover of Volume 1 of the manga!
[Airborne Dragons] Mika absolutely loves dragons!
Mika is a man who has a thing for dragons. He doesn't seem to care about anything else and pretends to be uninterested... but when it comes to dragons, his eyes light up. Mika is the ace dragon hunter on the Queen Zaza. He gets so excited when he sees a dragon that he goes all out to capture one himself. Naturally, his skills are top-notch. She seems to have a keen sense for dragons, and even if she says things that seem incomprehensible at first glance, people trust her enough to say, "We can just leave it to Mika's judgment when it comes to dragons." When it comes to dragons, Mika knows exactly how to kill them. She's a bit of a genius, I guess. While she has some (maybe quite?) eccentric sides, it's nice to know that her teammates trust her.
I Love Dragon Cooking!
One of the charms of "Airborne Dragons" is the delicious-looking food. Captured dragons are processed and sold, or used for food. The depictions of the dragon dishes look absolutely delicious! Because the dishes are made using processed dragons, the main ingredient is dragon, but other ingredients include onions and other vegetables. This makes the dishes look like they could actually exist. The delicious-looking food that appears is also similar to the popular Ghibli films known as "Ghibli food." Watching Mika eat while saying how delicious it is makes you want to eat it too. By the way, there are also detailed recipes in the free pages of the manga! You'll find yourself wanting to make it without even thinking about it.
Isn't Takita the main character of [Airborne Dragons]? Why did you choose Mika?
If you've seen the original manga "Drifting Dragons," you might be wondering, "Isn't the main character a girl named Takita?" However, the original author has clearly acknowledged that the main character of this work is Mika. So why did you choose Mika instead of Takita? Kuwabara-sensei clearly explains it.
Portraying it as everyday life, not an adventure
Kuwabara-sensei says that if he made Jiro or Takita the main characters, it would become a coming-of-age story. This would create obstacles that they had to overcome. This would stray away from the everyday life of "people who hunt dragons for a living." By placing Mika at the center, he can depict everyday life, even as the surrounding characters grow. It's no wonder Mika graces the cover of Volume 1.
[Airborne Dragons] Mika just loves to eat!
As mentioned above, Mika just loves to eat. It makes sense, since all the dishes featuring dragons look delicious. Take a look at the scenes where Mika eats. She eats with such gusto that it makes you hungry. Here are some scenes featuring Mika eating.
"It smells delicious"
Actually, this line comes from a misunderstanding on Mika's part... When Takita was applying the hair oil he'd received, it smelled amazing, so he asked Mika, "Does something smell nice?" Mika then shouts, "Don't do that! It smells delicious! A dragon is coming!" And then he sets off to capture it. That's typical of Mika, but it seems he doesn't quite understand women's hearts. The dragon is probably more important to him than anything else.
I Love Living Here
Mika loves living on this ship. He loves dragons, and he loves capturing, butchering, selling, and eating them. Rather than being on the ship for any particular reason, he simply enjoys living here and living his daily life here. The story, centered around Mika, is somehow peaceful and gentle, even amidst the grueling hunt. Of course, it's true that there are many other delicious things besides dragons. However, it's clear that Mika also values the process, place, and atmosphere before eating the dragon. Is this something she does consciously? Watching Mika makes you feel like you're part of the crew.
[Kuutei Dragons] Anime Adaptation Confirmed!
The popular series [Kuutei Dragons] is set to be adapted into an anime in 2020! An official website has been set up, and information is being released one after another. It's getting exciting! The setting is the sky, so the animation is beautiful. The world view is reminiscent of Ghibli, and it's easy to be captivated. People are saying things like, "It's a work that was made to be animated," and "The scenery is just too beautiful." Aren't you looking forward to the anime adaptation? We can't wait to see Mika and the other characters in action! Also, although it hasn't been announced yet, aren't you curious about the voice actors who will be playing the characters? Let's wait for further news!
[Drifting Dragons] Summary of Mika's introduction!
That concludes our introduction to Mika, the protagonist of "Airborne Dragons"! He's a wild, handsome man who often seems spaced out, but his eyes light up when it comes to dragons, a stark contrast to his usual self. Don't you think the profession of "dragon hunter" is a bit strange? From the unique characters surrounding Mika and his friends to the fantastical dragons and delicious food, this is a fascinating work in every respect. If it were to be made into an anime, it's sure to become even more popular! I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next for Mika and his friends. Thank you for reading this far.
