Ryuroden
Encyclopedia
, translated as Legend of the Dragon's Son, is a historical fantasy
manga
by Yoshito Yamahara. It was serialized by Kodansha
in Monthly Shōnen Magazine from 1993 to 2007 and collected in 37 tankōbon
volumes; in 2005 it was reprinted in 10 bunkoban volumes. In 1997, it won the Kodansha Manga Award
for shōnen manga. It is followed by a sequel series, , which has been serialized in Monthly Shōnen Magazine since 2007 and collected in 6 volumes .
Outside of Japan, both series are licensed in Taiwan by Tong Li, in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo
, and South Korea by Final.
Ryūrōden is about Japanese teenagers Shiro and Masumi who are swallowed by a dragon on flying to China on a junior high school trip. They find themselves in China in the year 207 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms
period, at the start of the campaign leading to the Battle of Red Cliffs
. As they learn how to survive, in part through Shiro's knowledge of the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
(as well as his growing aptitude for martial arts
), they become known as "Dragon Leader" and "Dragon Princess," working for Liu Bei
and Cao Cao
, respectively.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
by Yoshito Yamahara. It was serialized by Kodansha
Kodansha
, the largest Japanese publisher, produces the manga magazines Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Evening, and Weekly Shonen Magazine, as well as more literary magazines such as Gunzō, Shūkan Gendai, and the Japanese dictionary Nihongo Daijiten. The company has its headquarters in Bunkyō, Tokyo...
in Monthly Shōnen Magazine from 1993 to 2007 and collected in 37 tankōbon
Tankobon
, with a literal meaning close to "independently appearing book", is the Japanese term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series , though the manga industry uses it for volumes which may be in a series...
volumes; in 2005 it was reprinted in 10 bunkoban volumes. In 1997, it won the Kodansha Manga Award
Kodansha Manga Award
is an annual award for serialized manga published in the previous year, sponsored by the publisher Kodansha. It is currently awarded in four categories: children's, shōnen, shōjo, and general. The awards began in 1977, initially with categories for shōnen and shōjo. The first award for the...
for shōnen manga. It is followed by a sequel series, , which has been serialized in Monthly Shōnen Magazine since 2007 and collected in 6 volumes .
Outside of Japan, both series are licensed in Taiwan by Tong Li, in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo
Elex Media Komputindo
Elex Media Komputindo is a major Indonesian publisher of literature on computers as well as comic books. In addition to local comic books, it also publishes Japanese manga, Korean manhwa, and Chinese manhua. Founded on 15 January 1985, Elex Media Komputindo is within the publishing arm of the...
, and South Korea by Final.
Ryūrōden is about Japanese teenagers Shiro and Masumi who are swallowed by a dragon on flying to China on a junior high school trip. They find themselves in China in the year 207 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
period, at the start of the campaign leading to the Battle of Red Cliffs
Battle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...
. As they learn how to survive, in part through Shiro's knowledge of the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
(as well as his growing aptitude for martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
), they become known as "Dragon Leader" and "Dragon Princess," working for Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
and Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
, respectively.