Dark Horse Comics has announced that it has licensed Dur-an-ki, a manga created by Kentarō Miura and Studio Gaga. The manga, based on Miura’s original story, is scheduled for release as a single paperback volume on September 16, 2025. This release will include bonus materials, offering a glimpse into Miura’s creative process, original story outlines, and concept illustrations.
What is Dur-an-ki?
Dur-an-ki is a Japanese manga series written and produced by Kentaro Miura and illustrated by his personal manga studio, Studio Gaga. The manga draws inspiration from ancient Greek and Mesopotamian myths. The story centers on Usumgal, an androgynous character whose name translates to “Dragon,” navigating a mythological world.
Publication History
The manga was serialized in Hakusensha’s Young Animal Zero magazine from September 2019 to May 2020. Following Miura’s death in May 2021, the publisher decided to conclude the series. The collected chapters were released in a single volume in December 2021.
Plot Overview
Dark Horse Comics provides the following description of the story: In ancient times, a wondrous child was born of the gods. Neither human nor god, neither male nor female, Usumgal has an inventive mind that can create solutions where they are needed most. Descending from the holy mountain, Usumgal finds friends among humans, and with each fateful encounter comes adventure and, perhaps, their destiny!
Miura’s Involvement
Kentaro Miura, best known for his work on Berserk, conceived the idea for Dur-an-ki. He served as the producer and supervisor, creating storyboards and rough drafts. His assistants at Studio Gaga handled the majority of the artwork, including inking. Miura clarified that his involvement in Dur-an-ki was designed to be minimal so it would not impede the progress of Berserk. He wanted to provide a stable job for his assistants and work with them for a long time. The plan was to train the assistants through Dur-an-ki and then have them work on Berserk once they reached a certain skill level.
Kentarō Miura and Studio Gaga
Kentarō Miura (1966-2021) was a Japanese manga artist best known for his dark fantasy series, Berserk. His intricate artwork, compelling storytelling, and complex characters garnered him international acclaim. Miura’s sudden death in 2021 left a significant void in the manga world.
Studio Gaga is a team of artists who assisted Miura with his manga creations. They played a crucial role in bringing Dur-an-ki to life, handling much of the artwork under Miura’s direction.
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book and manga publisher founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson. It is known for publishing creator-owned titles such as Sin City, Hellboy, and The Umbrella Academy, as well as licensed properties like Star Wars and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Dark Horse also publishes Berserk.
Release Details
The Dark Horse Comics release of Dur-an-ki will be a single paperback volume containing bonus materials that offer insights into Miura’s creative process. The release is scheduled for September 16, 2025, and will be available in bookstores and comic shops. The English translation is by Duane Johnson. The book is 256 pages and the ISBN is 9781506746388.
Themes and Influences
Dur-an-ki draws heavily from Mesopotamian and ancient Greek mythology. The title, Dur-an-ki, refers to “E-dur-an-ki”, a temple for the god Enlil that once stood in the city of Nippur. The name “E-dur-an-ki” means “House of the link between heaven and earth.” The story explores themes of creation, identity, and the relationship between gods and humans. The androgynous protagonist, Usumgal, challenges traditional notions of gender and embodies the potential for innovation and change.
Reception
While Dur-an-ki‘s serialization was cut short due to Miura’s passing, the existing chapters have been praised for their unique blend of mythology and fantasy. Miura’s fans have expressed both excitement and sadness about the project, recognizing it as one of his final creative endeavors. The upcoming Dark Horse Comics release is highly anticipated, offering English-speaking readers the opportunity to experience Miura’s vision.
Significance
The licensing of Dur-an-ki by Dark Horse Comics is significant for several reasons:
- Preservation of Miura’s Legacy: It ensures that Miura’s work continues to be accessible to a global audience.
- Exploration of New Worlds: Dur-an-ki showcases Miura’s ability to create intricate and imaginative worlds beyond Berserk.
- Collaboration with Studio Gaga: It highlights the talent and contributions of Studio Gaga, who played a vital role in bringing Miura’s vision to life.
- A Look Behind the Scenes: The inclusion of bonus materials offers a rare glimpse into Miura’s creative process.
Where to Pre-order
The paperback is available for pre-order at:
- Barnes & Noble
- Books A Million
- Bookshop.org
- Hudson Booksellers
- Powell’s
- Target
- Walmart
