Tokyo, Japan – Renowned manga artist Naoki Serizawa has launched a new action-packed series titled Tokyo Death Race, which debuted on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket app on December 20, 2024. Contrary to some premature reports, the manga has just begun its serialization, promising a futuristic and brutal high-stakes competition through the streets of Tokyo.
Tokyo Death Race: A Glimpse into a Dystopian Future
The Tokyo Death Race plunges readers into a near-future setting, specifically the year 205X, where the Shuto Expressway transforms into a deadly battleground. The series is described as a futuristic brutal death race where the use of weapons is not only allowed but expected, pushing the boundaries of conventional street racing. This “ultimate deadly public road race” demands that participants be the fastest and most wicked to survive.
The plot centers around Soma Hayate, a former prodigious racer who finds himself abducted by a sinister organization. To settle his debts, Soma is coerced into competing in the perilous Tokyo Death Race, a high-octane event spanning the entirety of Tokyo’s metropolitan roads. His survival now hinges on his exceptional driving skills as he navigates a race fraught with conspiracies and danger.
Publication Details and Availability
Tokyo Death Race is being serialized on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket app. The manga is written and illustrated by Naoki Serizawa, known for his dynamic artwork and engaging narratives. While currently ongoing, the first compiled volume is slated for release on March 7, 2025.
Naoki Serizawa’s Legacy in Manga
Naoki Serizawa is a prolific manga artist with a distinguished career marked by several successful titles across various genres. He is widely recognized for his action-comedy manga Saru Lock, which ran from 2003 to 2009 and concluded with 22 compiled volumes. Saru Lock garnered significant attention, inspiring both a live-action film and a television adaptation in 2009. Serizawa even launched a Saru Lock Reboot manga in October 2018.
Beyond Saru Lock, Serizawa’s versatility is evident in his other works. He penned the Biohazard: Marhawa Desire manga, a five-volume series that launched in 2011 and concluded in 2013, later published in North America as Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire by Viz Media. Additionally, Serizawa is the monster designer for Yoshitaka Amano’s Gibiate anime project, showcasing his creative talents beyond manga illustration. He also co-launched the ongoing Seiheki Club (Propensity Club) manga on Impress’ CoMax online manga site in 2021.
With Tokyo Death Race, Serizawa continues to deliver intense action and compelling storytelling to his readership, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the manga industry. The series promises to be a thrilling addition to his diverse body of work, inviting fans to a new world of high-speed, weaponized street racing.
