The critically acclaimed crime novel DOPE Mayaku Torishimari-bu Tokusōka (DOPE Narcotics Control Department Special Investigations) by Chiaki Kisaki, author of the popular Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens series, is officially set to receive a manga adaptation. The new manga, illustrated by Makimayo, will begin serialization in Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Gene magazine on July 15.
A Gritty Dive into Near-Future Narcotics Crime
Chiaki Kisaki’s DOPE novel, originally published in August 2022 with illustrations by Tomio Ogata, plunges readers into a near-future Japan grappling with the widespread circulation of a potent new drug simply known as “Dope.” The narrative centers on Yūto Saiki, a rookie officer who joins the government’s narcotics agency after his mother falls victim to the destructive drug.
Saiki is assigned to the agency’s secretive Special Investigations unit, where he is partnered with Teppei Jinnai, an unconventional and sharp agent. Together, these two disparate individuals team up to tackle complex and dangerous narcotics-related crimes, including suspicious cases involving individuals who gain special powers from “Dope.” The novel has been praised for its gritty storytelling and in-depth character exploration.
From Novel to Multiple Adaptations
The announcement of the manga adaptation adds to the growing momentum surrounding the DOPE franchise. In addition to the upcoming manga, a live-action television series adaptation of DOPE is also set to premiere on TBS in Japan on July 4. This multi-platform expansion highlights the compelling nature of Kisaki’s crime narrative.
Chiaki Kisaki is widely recognized for the Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens light novel series, which launched in 2014 and concluded with its 14th volume in May 2024. That series, set in a city where one-third of the population is rumored to be killers, also garnered significant popularity and received an anime adaptation in 2018. The Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens novels even had a collaboration novel with Ryohgo Narita’s Durarara!! series.
With the launch of the DOPE manga, fans of Kisaki’s intricate crime narratives and those who enjoy action, psychological thrillers, and stories of undercover operations are anticipated to have a compelling new series to follow.
