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Stray
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.
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.
- GenresManga
Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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December 28, 2025This 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.
December 12, 2025
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.
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.
November 19, 2025
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
March 1, 2026
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.
September 30, 2025
Fun script for a prime original movie.
November 19, 2025
3.5 stars.
January 4, 2026
Bland: The Manga
2.5
2.5
December 27, 2025
⭐ 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.
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.
December 6, 2025
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.
Anyway this was quite the story, so I hope all of you enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews