Have you heard of the currently popular fantasy work "Drifting Dragons"? In fact, it's a popular work that ranked 14th in "This Manga is Amazing! 2018". The original author is Taikaku Kuwabara. It quickly became a hot topic with its Ghibli-like worldview and depictions of delicious food. It's even been decided that it will be made into an anime in 2020. We can't wait to see how things develop from here. In this article, we'll introduce you to the dragons (Orochi) that appear in "Drifting Dragons". In this worldview, dragons (Orochi) play a very important role. The story revolves around dragons (Orochi). Let's take a look!
Dragons (Orochi) in [Airborne Dragons] are hunted beings
In "Airborne Dragons," dragons (Orochi) are hunted beings. At the same time, they are treasure troves, and can be eaten or processed and sold to bring in considerable profit. In this world, dragons (Orochi) appear all over the sky. If left unchecked, they can fall into cities and cause major disasters. That's why "Dragon Hunters" are here to help. They capture dragons, sometimes processing them and sometimes using them for food. Dragon hunters are sometimes feared, but they actually contribute greatly to the city.
Eating a Fantastic "Dragon"!
This story features a dragon (orochi), which makes it feel very fantastical. I felt there were a lot of fantasy elements. But what's even more surprising is that the characters "eat" these dragons! All of the characters eat dragon dishes. They're quite elaborate, with dishes like steak and panini. The story basically follows this pattern: dragon appears → capture → cook → eat. Dragon dishes always appear, and they're incredibly delicious. While the main ingredient is dragon, the other ingredients include onions and other vegetables. This makes them seem so real, like real dishes. You'll find yourself wanting to eat them. It's no wonder that "Airborne Dragons" is commonly referred to as a "food-terrorizing manga."
In "Airborne Dragons," dragons are "mountains of treasure"!
Dragons in this world are often referred to as "mountains of treasure." After capturing a dragon, the meat is eaten and the oil is extracted for processing. Catching a single dragon can fetch a considerable amount of money. When Takita heard the figure, he was left speechless. In fact, there's even a saying in this world: "One dragon brings seven markets." It's easy to see why it can fetch such a large amount of money! Dragon meat and oil, as well as bones and tendons, can be used to make various materials and crafts. And depending on the species, their internal organs can even be used as ingredients for medicine. It's no wonder that a single dragon can fetch such a large amount of money!
But the cost of failing to catch a dragon is also significant.
But the cost of failing to catch a dragon is also considerable. That's because operating a dragon-hunting ship costs a lot of money. It's clear that the economy in this world relies on dragons.
Does that mean the crew's salaries are high...?
Dragons (or Orochi) drive the economy. This makes you wonder how much a dragon hunter earns! Incidentally, after capturing the dragon, Takita excitedly asked how much he'd be paid. However, it seems the amount wasn't much... In fact, she was speechless when she heard the amount, so it was probably quite small. However, this was because Takita owed the ship a dowry. That was deducted from his salary. When Takita heard his salary, he was motivated, saying, "I'll have to work hard and pay it back..."
[Airborne Dragons] Introducing the Dragons!
Here, we'll introduce some of the dragons that appear in "Airborne Dragons"! The dragons were designed by Kuwahara-sensei, but they may be a little different from what we imagine a "dragon" to be. Since they're originally fictional creatures, it's hard to say for sure, but these original dragon designs are simply cool! The battle scenes are also exciting, so be sure to check them out.
The Dragon Appearing in Episode 1
This scene is quite memorable! I'm sure many of you remember it. This dragon (Orochi) appears in Episode 1. It's a grotesque-looking dragon, but it's quite strong. Incidentally, there's a scene where this dragon calls out to its companions, but it was actually calling out to its own child. This dragon is actually a mother. When Mika and her friends ate her child, it became angry and possessed the ship.
"Those who aren't prepared to kill will die."
At this point, Takita's heart wavers. "I know this is naive, but I feel a little sorry for him," she says, bowing her head. Perhaps she feels guilty for having eaten a child, but Mika confronts Takita, asking if he's misunderstanding dragon hunting. "Dragons aren't something that can be hunted one-sidedly. Those who aren't prepared to kill will die," she says, leaving us with this famous line. It's just too cool, isn't it? While this line may seem harsh at first glance, it's actually a message to Takita about his resolve and conviction as a dragon hunter. Mika, who doesn't say much and maintains a firm grasp on his world, clearly resonated with Takita.
Here's the dragon capture scene!
By the way, here's the dragon capture scene. It's cool, isn't it? He's perfectly dressed in his military uniform, goggles, and weapon. Dragons are formidable opponents, so capturing them isn't always easy. It's painful to suffer the heavy losses when they fail, but Mika and her team continue to capture dragons today. The intensity of the battle scenes is one of the charms of this work. The detail in the artwork is also beautiful.
Little Dragon
Do you think this dragon has a different feel from the dragons we've introduced so far? This is a small dragon. It's a baby dragon separated from its parents. It was actually "Takita" who rescued it. After rescuing it from its herd, Takita tried to feed it. It was a struggle for Takita, who was reluctant to eat, but he finally agreed after he gave it some mayonnaise from the dragon. (It's cannibalism, after all...) They try to return him to the dragon herd, but the little dragon has grown attached to Takita and refuses to return. What will happen? Please see Volume 3 of the manga for details!
By the way, this is what the cooked dragon looks like!
This is what the cooked dragon looks like! "Dragon Tail Steak Sandwich." It looks delicious, doesn't it? Even Takita couldn't help but drool over it, saying, "This is definitely delicious..." Rather than beautiful presentation or elegance, the bold, bold placement of the meat will instantly whet your appetite. Reading this work will make you hungry.
A Summary of the Dragons (Orochi) that Appear in [Airborne Dragons]!
That concludes our introduction to the dragons (Orochi) that appear in [Airborne Dragons]! Since the story revolves around dragons (Orochi), they are a crucial element. While they can be a disaster, they can also transform into any kind of "treasure" depending on the food and processing. The mystery is deep, isn't it? But even so, eating a dragon is a pretty original idea! "Airborne Dragons" is set to be made into an anime in 2020. Once it's made into an anime, there's no doubt it will become even more popular. If you're interested, be sure to read up on the original manga now! I'm really looking forward to future developments. Thank you for reading this far.
