Drifters_(manga)

<i>Drifters</i> (manga)

Drifters (manga)

Japanese manga series


Drifters (Japanese: ドリフターズ, Hepburn: Dorifutāzu) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano. It started serialization in Shōnen Gahosha's magazine Young King Ours in April 2009. The series focuses on various historical figures summoned to an unknown world where their skills and techniques are needed by magicians in order to save their world from total destruction. A 12-episode anime television series adaptation aired between October and December 2016; three additional original video animation (OVA) episodes were released from December 2017 to November 2018.

Quick Facts ドリフターズ (Dorifutāzu), Genre ...

Synopsis

Shimazu Toyohisa, while involved at the Battle of Sekigahara, manages to mortally wound Ii Naomasa, but is critically injured in the process. As he walks from the field wounded and bleeding, Toyohisa finds himself transported to a corridor of doors, where a bespectacled man at a desk waits for him. This man, Murasaki, sends Toyohisa through the nearest door where he wakes up in another world. There, Toyohisa meets other great warriors like him who have been transported as well, to be part of a group known as "Drifters".

This world contains both native humans and a number of fantastical races, including elves, dwarves, and hobbits. However, the world is at war, with the humans waging a losing conflict against another group of great warriors, the "Ends", who wish to take over the world and kill all of the Drifters. Under the Ends' command are many horrible creatures, including giants and dragons, which they use to destroy everything in their path. At the start of the series, the Ends' army has control of the northern part of the continent, and are trying to invade the south through a pivotal fortress at the northernmost tip of a nation called Carneades. Meanwhile, the "Octobrist Organization", a group of human magicians native to this world, attempts to bring together the many individual Drifters to save their world from the brutal Ends.

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano, Drifters debuted in Shōnen Gahosha's seinen manga magazine Young King Ours on April 30, 2009.[6] It is licensed in North America by Dark Horse Comics,[7] in France by Éditions Tonkam,[8] in Germany by Panini Comics,[9] in Italy by J-Pop,[10] in Taiwan by Tong Li Comics[11] and in Poland by Japonica Polonica Fantastica.[12]

Volumes

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Chapters not yet in tankōbon format

  1. "Chapter 87: My Father's Longest Day"
  2. "Chapter 88: Shame"
  3. "Chapter 89: Flashback Disco"

Anime

A 150-second anime adaptation of Drifters was packaged with the final volume of the Hellsing Ultimate video series in December 2012. The short, produced under the supervision of Ryoji Nakamori, technical director Kazuya Miura, and animation director Masayori Komine, featured the voices of Yūichi Nakamura as Shimazu Toyohisa and Mitsuru Miyamoto as Murasaki, with music composed by Yasushi Ishii.[26]

In the May 2015 issue of Young King OURs, it was announced that a Drifters anime adaptation was in the works.[27] A production site for the anime has been released.[28] The anime was directed by Kenichi Suzuki, produced by NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan, animated by Hoods Drifters Studio, written by Hideyuki Kurata and Yōsuke Kuroda, featuring character designs by Ryoji Nakamori.[29] Yasushi Ishii and Hayato Matsuo composed the music together.[citation needed] The opening theme, "Gospel Of The Throttle 狂奔REMIX ver.", is performed by Minutes til Midnight,[30] while the ending theme, "Vermillion", is performed by Maon Kurosaki.[31][32]

The 12-episode[33] series began airing on October 7, 2016, on Tokyo MX.[34][35] A specially edited version of the first and second episodes with a runtime of 36 minutes was bundled with the manga's fifth volume, and released on June 6, 2016.[36] A special limited-pressing Blu-ray box set was released on December 30, 2016.[37] The box set includes all twelve episodes (with added unaired footage), an exclusive box illustrated by Hirano, a 200-page animation sketch collection by chief animation director Ryoji Nakamori, a 52-page booklet, a bonus extras disc, and a two-CD original soundtrack. The bonus extras disc contained an omake titled "Kokuō-sama Go-Ranshin (黒王様御乱心)", promotional videos, and other materials. Customers who pre-ordered the box set from participating retailers before November 6, 2016, would receive an exclusive illustration card set. Additionally, the box set included a form for advance ticket sales for an event that was held on April 2, 2017, at Maihama Amphitheater in Chiba.[31]

In Japan, the anime is exclusively streamed on the AbemaTV service simultaneously as the anime aired on Japanese television, starting on October 7 at 11p.m.[31] The series has been licensed by Funimation for streaming in English-speaking countries and home video and on-demand distribution for the U.S.[38] Additionally, Funimation streamed Drifters in English beginning on November 6, 2016, at 10:00 p.m. ET.[39] As part of Funimation's partnership with Crunchyroll,[40] Crunchyroll also streamed Drifters as it aired in Japan.[41] Drifters was also broadcast on Aniplus Asia.[42] Funimation released a DVD/Blu-ray combo package for Drifters on October 3, 2017.[43] Universal Pictures UK acquired the series for the United Kingdom and Ireland, and released it on October 8, 2018.[44] Universal Sony classified the series for release in Australia and New Zealand, and released it on October 17, 2018.[45]

At the end of the anime's twelfth episode, a second season was announced with the message "See You Again, Tokyo 20XX".[46] On October 10, 2017, it was announced the thirteenth and fourteenth episodes, the first two episodes of the second season were released on December 23, 2017, on Blu-ray discs in regular and limited-edition versions. The limited edition includes an outer case illustrated by manga creator Kouta Hirano, a jacket illustrated by character designer and chief animation director Ryoji Nakamori, a bonus video, a drama CD, a 72-page booklet, and a "mystery disc."[47] A fifteenth episode was released on DVD with the manga's 6th volume special edition on November 30, 2018.[48]

Episodes

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Reception

The manga has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide in five different languages.[50] Drifters has been nominated twice for the annual Manga Taishō Awards, once in the year 2011 and again in the year 2012.[51][52] The manga was also received well by BAMFAS, saying that the "action paces itself throughout the volume, making sure to include only enough to keep readers moving quickly through the event until the next transition hits."[53] Writers for Crunchyroll note that "Drifters has all but jumped the shark by belligerently knocking over all the narrative pillars of the genre."[54] The Inquisitr agrees with this assessment, writing that "anime fans have been treated to a steady stream of the Isekai subgenre…but Drifters pretty much turns our expectations on its head."[55]

In a survey by the Japanese website Anime Anime!, Drifters won fifth place among top 10 manga properties to have an animated adaptation.[56]

See also

Explanatory notes

  1. Credited as Animation Director (アニメーション監督). Note: despite the inference, this credit refers to series directorial duties, rather than the animation director (作画監督) duties associated with the animation production pipeline.
  2. All English titles are taken from Crunchyroll.

References

  1. "Drifters Volume 5 TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  2. Stevens, Josh A. (September 7, 2020). "Learn The History Behind Drifters With Virtual Manga Tour". Anime UK News. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  3. Fobian, Peter (December 22, 2016). "FEATURE: Head Space - "Drifters" - An Isekai Gone Wrong". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  4. "Drifters". SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2018. The copyright information states "©2016 Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Australia Pty Ltd." for the promotional images of the screening.
  5. "Universal To Release New Berserk and Drifters". Anime News Network. May 27, 2016. Archived from the original on September 30, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  6. "Hellsing Creator Hirano's New Manga Will Be Drifters". Anime News Network. March 30, 2009. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
  7. "Dark Horse Adds Bloodline Battlefront, Drifters, Shinjuku Azul". Anime News Network. October 8, 2010. Archived from the original on October 11, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  8. "Drifters" (in French). Éditions Tonkam. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  9. "DRIFTERS 1 bei PaniniComics.de" (in German). Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  10. "Drifters n.1" (in Italian). Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  11. 《漂流武士》平野耕太|書目資料清單|東立出版社 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on July 8, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  12. "Drifters" (in Polish). Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  13. ドリフターズ 第1巻 (in Japanese). Shōnen Gahōsha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  14. "Drifters Volume 1 TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  15. ドリフターズ 第2巻 (in Japanese). Shōnen Gahōsha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  16. "Drifters Volume 2 TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  17. ドリフターズ 第3巻 (in Japanese). Shōnen Gahōsha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  18. "Drifters Volume 3 TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  19. ドリフターズ 第4巻 (in Japanese). Shōnen Gahōsha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  20. "Drifters Volume 4 TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  21. ドリフターズ 第5巻 (in Japanese). Shōnen Gahōsha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  22. "Drifters Volume 5 TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  23. ドリフターズ 第6巻 (in Japanese). Shōnen Gahōsha. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  24. "Drifters Volume 6 TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  25. ドリフターズ 第7巻 (in Japanese). Shōnen Gahōsha. Archived from the original on August 17, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  26. "Drifters Anime Short Included in Last Hellsing Ultimate Volume". Anime News Network. December 26, 2012. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  27. "Drifters Manga by Hellsing's Hirano Has Anime in the Works". Anime News Network. March 27, 2015. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  28. アニメ「ドリフターズ」公式サイト (in Japanese). NBC Universe Japan. March 27, 2015. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  29. "Drifters Anime's 1st Promo Video Previews Animation, Staff". Anime News Network. September 19, 2015. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  30. "Drifters Music". NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan. October 14, 2016. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  31. "Drifters TV Anime Reveals Maon Kurosaki's Ending Song, Bonus Short Anime". Anime News Network. September 11, 2016. Archived from the original on September 12, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  32. "Drifters TV Anime's Ad Previews Maon Kurosaki's Ending Theme Song". Anime News Network. September 16, 2016. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  33. "Funimation: Drifters Anime to Have 12 Episodes". Anime News Network. August 13, 2016. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  34. "Kouta Hirano's Drifters TV Anime Premieres October 7". Anime News Network. August 9, 2016. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  35. "Drifters Anime is TV Series Premiering This Year". Anime News Network. March 26, 2016. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  36. "Drifters OVA Previewed in Video". Anime News Network. April 8, 2016. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  37. 〈特装限定生産〉Blu-ray BOX (in Japanese). NBC Universe Japan. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  38. "Funimation Licenses Drifters, Show By Rock!! Short!! Anime". Anime News Network. July 3, 2016. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  39. "FUNIMATION UNVEILS SIMULDUB SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2016 SEASON". Funimation. October 4, 2016. Archived from the original on December 16, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  40. "Crunchyroll, Funimation Announce Partnership to Share Content Via Streaming, Home Video, Est". Anime News Network. September 8, 2016. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  41. "Crunchyroll to Stream Drifters Anime". Anime News Network. October 1, 2016. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  42. "Drifters on ANIPLUS Asia TV's website". Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  43. "Drifters - The Complete Series - BD/DVD Combo". Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  44. "Drifters: Battle in a Brand-New World War Confirmed For Release in the UK". Anime UK News. August 29, 2018. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  45. "DRIFTERS: SERIES 1(DVD)". Australian Classification Board. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  46. "Drifters Anime Teases Second Season in "20XX"". Anime News Network. December 23, 2016. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  47. "Drifters Anime Sequel Casts Tomoaki Maeno as Shylock VIII". Anime News Network. October 20, 2017. Archived from the original on December 6, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  48. "Drifters Anime Gets 15th Episode on DVD Bundled with Manga's 6th Volume in November". AnimeNewsNetwork. September 20, 2018. Archived from the original on March 24, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  49. "STORY" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  50. "13 Titles Nominated for 4th Manga Taisho Awards". Anime News Network. January 16, 2011. Archived from the original on January 18, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  51. "15 titles nominated for 5th Manga Taisho Awards". Anime News Network. January 16, 2012. Archived from the original on April 12, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  52. Vee (December 14, 2011). "Review – Drifters Volume 1". BAMFAS. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  53. "Head Space - "Drifters" - An Isekai Gone Wrong". Crunchyroll. December 22, 2016. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  54. "Drifters Season 2 Release Date Teased". The Inquisitr. January 5, 2017. Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  55. "The top 10 manga Japanese people want to see turned into anime". rocketnews. February 20, 2015. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2015.

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