Stray

by Ryu Kamio, Yu Nakahara (Artist)

From the creators of Lost Inning, following an ex-convict’s path to redemption, riddled with vengeance, betrayal, and deadly conspiracies – the stakes are too hight for him to strikeout off the pitch.

After serving nine years for a crime he didn’t commit, Hachiya Ken is free – but his past is far from behind him. Released from prison, he’s confronted by Hana, the fiery daughter of a ghost from his past. Together, they’re forced to navigate a deadly web of betrayal, yakuza power, and political corruption.

As they uncover a conspiracy that runs deeper than either of them could have imagined, Ken must confront his own demons – and decide how far he’s willing to go for redemption.

From the dynamic creative duo of Yu Nakahara and Ryu Kamio, who delivered the brilliant baseball manga Last Inning, Stray is a relentless crime thriller where nothing is what it seems. Can Ken survive long enough to expose the truth, or will his next swing be his last, as he strikes out in this game of power.

Genres: Manga

224 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2025

About the author

Name (in native Japanese): 神尾 龍

Reviews

[Josephine Jarman]

This typical manga graphic novel was well illustrated with a typical traditional plot. This was a quite a to b read and sadly it has been done so many times before and there was nothing to stand out from what had gone before. The dialogue was ok. The illustration felt dark and i would love to have glimpses of colour. I did enjoy this as a quick read and is it perfect for anyone who likes a traditional no frills plot. Thank you netgallery, publisher and author for 3.5 star rounded to 4 star read.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young gangster comes out of prison after nine years inside, but is not met with anyone from his yakuza 'family'. Instead all there is is a spunky nine year old orphaned girl, Hana. She is determined to hook up with the guy to find the mother that abandoned her. At first you think the bloke, Ken, is the guy who killed her father, but then you think no – in some spat or other back then it was the dad who was the murderer. Then you finally find Ken DID kill the dad. Either way, Hana is not going to be the last person to crawl out of the woodwork and want something to do with Ken…

This, as you can see, is a muddle at times – and I didn't give any major plot twists away there, I just repeated things that are bluntly added to the story in the first chapter or two. This wants to talk about the honour of the yakuza, the death of their hand-combat-only rules, and so much more. But principally it is the token odd couple drama of young man and wise-before-her-years girl. Add on copious other characters with their own motives and intents, and poorly-defined flashbacks, and it becomes quite the contrived hodge-podge, but a reasonably readable one. I don't think it offers anything new, or particularly surprising, and it ends almost a touch too openly, but it passes the time quite well. The least said about the bonus 'epilogue', though, the better. A slightly generous three and a half stars, but then I've never been a huge manga fan.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

this was just okay. nothing particularly wrong with it, but I think it's just difficult to tell a compelling story of this nature (mob stuff, kind of an action thriller vibe) in one volume, there just isn't room for the story to breathe, or alternatively, there are too many characters and plot elements for just one volume. I think with this amount of plot I would've expected a 3 volume arc. started off pretty promising but I just didn't feel that invested. I wish the relationship with the kid mattered more. the female police officer felt pointless as hell. alas.

there's a nice vintage quality to the art that I liked (kind of reminded me of Spriggan).

bye

[Elsa Singer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to do this, but I genuinely tried to enjoy this and I couldn't. I tried to find a character to like and connect with, but I couldddd not.

The ending would've been beautiful, but there was no real build up or substance to it.

The art was very dynamic and at times there were beautiful scenes/spreads, but that's really all this manga had going for it.

There is a bonus chapter at the end, which I don't have time to read rn, but I'll update if I like how it went after I read it. But it's not a part of the story, just an extra.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't bad, but I wouldn't recommend it since the story is unsatisfying. The art is solid and reminds me of the style of Naoki Urasawa, in a good way, and I think the premise is interesting. However, it's a standalone, but it finally starts to ramp up, and then it's just over. I actually enjoyed the short bonus story at the end about the baseball pitcher more than the main story.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read via an online reader copy. Did not read the bonus story. Familiar story of gangs and honor. A precocious 9 year old and a recently paroled con take on Japan's underworld trying to find the secrets the girl's parents left for her to find. Traditional manga look, feel and story flow

[Dan P · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Urasawa-esque art is nice at times but this is such a forgettable story. Always a shame when something this mediocre is picked up for translation over better material. Makes me less confident in the publisher's future choices.

[Amanda Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art was fantastic and the simple story made this super casual read move super fast. Would recommend if you want a quick and action packed read with great art! Nice to read a manga and not have to pick up 13+ volumes.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Alex Fyffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bland: The Manga

2.5

[Chris Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a manga that was a nice one and done. this fit the bill. not the best I've ever read but I enjoyed it for what it was. a change from multi volume series for sure.

[Chadwyck Byer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring and cliche but nice art.

[Eros · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is STRAIGHT peak. Ngl the main story kind of got boring and I just skimmed through it, the plot was ok. The mini eplogue is good tho. The MC is super tough ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[⋆˚₊dora · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected at all in terms of story.

[Tiffany Seward · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐ Crime | Mystery | Found Family

Thank you, Titan Manga, for allowing me this ARC in exhcange for an honest review!

This manga follows an unlikely duo, Aoi, a young girl wise beyond her years, and Ken, a man recently released on parole. Together, they set out on a journey to find Aoi’s mother while being pursued by both the Yakuza and the police.

Their bond grows a bit as they navigate dangerous encounters and uncover the mystery behind the sakura keys they both possess. The pacing is a little rough, with some parts happening abruptly and elements/scenarios with villains being repeated. The end was wrapped up, sort of, until an extra story at the end happens that I'm not sure how that baseball part has anything to do with the main characters Aoi and Ken. Unless it's meant to be just an extra.

I stuck around to find out what happened with their Sakura necklaces.

[usagi ☆ミ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'M REALLY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT MY CHILD STRAY MADE IT ONTO THE PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY TOP TEN "CAN'T MISS MANGA" LIST AAAAA

Anyway this was quite the story, so I hope all of you enjoy it.

[Mee Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun script for a prime original movie.