Dragon Raja — the manhua
At a glance8 volumes
Before the donghua, Long Zu was adapted into a manhua serialized in Zhiyin Manke magazine from 2011. Written and first drawn by Yan Kai (颜开), then taken over by Mi Er (米二), it runs to 8 volumes and 44 chapters for the first volume, followed by adaptations of volumes II and III.
Origins and publication
The manhua started in 2011, just after the first novel came out. It covers Lu Mingfei's acceptance letter, his journey on the secret train to Chicago and his first trials at Cassell College. The strongly manga-influenced style fits the saga's young adult spirit. The switch from Yan Kai to Mi Er brought a punchier line.
Volume covers
All 8 volumes of the print edition.
Vol. 1
Vol. 2
Vol. 3
Vol. 4
Vol. 5
Vol. 6
Vol. 7
Vol. 8
How it differs from the donghua
The manhua predates the donghua by eleven years. Its manga style foreshadows the look the animation later chose. It follows the novel closely at a fast pace. The donghua adds music and more spectacular action scenes, but the manhua remains more complete on the saga's beginnings.
Reception and success
The manhua benefited from the novel's success and the reach of Zhiyin Manke, then one of China's most-read manhua magazines. Fans appreciate its faithfulness, and it also interests readers of The Outcast curious to see Mi Er's early work.
Trivia
- The manhua's first collected volume came out in June 2011.
- Mi Er, who took over the art, went on to create The Outcast (Yi Ren Zhi Xia).
- Manhua adaptations of volumes II and III were also published, as Long Zu II and Long Zu III.
- Yan Kai, the first artist, was also known for the manhua Xing Hai Biao Shi.
My take
A likeable manhua that captures Lu Mingfei's humour and Cassell's atmosphere well. The art has aged a little, but Mi Er fans will find it a curiosity. I mainly recommend it to collectors and fans who want to relive the first volume in pictures.
Who is it for?Long Zu fans who prefer drawings, and readers of The Outcast curious about Mi Er's beginnings.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan
The authorJiang Nan 江南The chemist turned star novelist