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DRAGON CIRCUS 1
DEATH TO ALL DRAGONS!
The sudden appearance of massive monsters known as "Dragons" throws the world into chaos. The New United Nations, created as a response to the threat, puts together a team known as the Dragonslayers, including (among others) a vampire, an android, a witch, the animated remains of the legendary ogre Shuten Doji, and....a little girl?! Ace pilot Momo may still be in grade school, but she just might have the skills to save humankind.
Taut action, propulsive storytelling, and sly humor take this seinen action series to new heights and unexpected places!
On the fateful day the dragons first appeared, Dr. Abe's beloved died in the inital onslaught. Now he has created an android in his own the DS-08 "Shikigami," part of the NUN (New United Nations)'s top secret project to counter this monstrous invasion. In addition to the Shikigami, this team of "Dragonslayers" is comprised of members of the many races that have up till now lived in elves, dwarves, witches, vampires, and more... As the team assembles to fight off the massive and mysterious creatures that now menace humanity, however, one member stands apart from the Momo Agatsuma, the young daughter of an NUN scientist and ace pilot par excellence. Together this motley crew must fend of the greatest threat the world has ever faced...!
The sudden appearance of massive monsters known as "Dragons" throws the world into chaos. The New United Nations, created as a response to the threat, puts together a team known as the Dragonslayers, including (among others) a vampire, an android, a witch, the animated remains of the legendary ogre Shuten Doji, and....a little girl?! Ace pilot Momo may still be in grade school, but she just might have the skills to save humankind.
Taut action, propulsive storytelling, and sly humor take this seinen action series to new heights and unexpected places!
On the fateful day the dragons first appeared, Dr. Abe's beloved died in the inital onslaught. Now he has created an android in his own the DS-08 "Shikigami," part of the NUN (New United Nations)'s top secret project to counter this monstrous invasion. In addition to the Shikigami, this team of "Dragonslayers" is comprised of members of the many races that have up till now lived in elves, dwarves, witches, vampires, and more... As the team assembles to fight off the massive and mysterious creatures that now menace humanity, however, one member stands apart from the Momo Agatsuma, the young daughter of an NUN scientist and ace pilot par excellence. Together this motley crew must fend of the greatest threat the world has ever faced...!
- GenresManga
Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 1, 2026
This manga gave strong Evangelion vibes.
The premise was interesting on paper, they bring in witches, vampires, demons, that whole mix early into the volume, but we only get to see them in action rarely. I honestly was invested in them more than in Momo, bu I rarely got to see them on page.
I also felt like I was thrown right into the action without much grounding. Then I found out volume 0 is actually where you're supposed to start, so don't make my mistake.
Mecha isn't really my genre to begin with, so that's part of it, but I also couldn't relate to the main character and the whole story. I guess it just wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The premise was interesting on paper, they bring in witches, vampires, demons, that whole mix early into the volume, but we only get to see them in action rarely. I honestly was invested in them more than in Momo, bu I rarely got to see them on page.
I also felt like I was thrown right into the action without much grounding. Then I found out volume 0 is actually where you're supposed to start, so don't make my mistake.
Mecha isn't really my genre to begin with, so that's part of it, but I also couldn't relate to the main character and the whole story. I guess it just wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 14, 2026
2.5 rounded up to 3
This starts right in the action and I feel like I am missing something for this being volume one. There is a team of dragon slayers that are vampires, witches, robots, etc. Oh and a little girl that is a fighter jet pilot. Also the dragons are not all actually dragons just any large monster that is a threat. Momo the child pilot seems to be the main character. She was teased for liking robots and is very self conscious about it and this is a big theme. Not sure I will continue this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
This starts right in the action and I feel like I am missing something for this being volume one. There is a team of dragon slayers that are vampires, witches, robots, etc. Oh and a little girl that is a fighter jet pilot. Also the dragons are not all actually dragons just any large monster that is a threat. Momo the child pilot seems to be the main character. She was teased for liking robots and is very self conscious about it and this is a big theme. Not sure I will continue this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
August 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review
⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
I picked up Dragon Circus Vol. 1 because dragons are cool and the front cover looked cute.
Overall, I thought it was an okay read. It is fast-paced and has a little bit of story to sink your teeth into, yet it didn't grab me like I thought it would.
We are introduced to a bunch of characters we barely see in the volume, such as witches and demons. Yet, instead of making them a main feature, it felt like they were more like side characters. I wanted to know more about them and see what they can do; it was a missed opportunity, if you ask my opinion. I think it would have hooked more people in if they were more front and centre, along with whoever was supposed to be the main character.
A few years ago I would have loved this, but it seems my reading tastes have changed a bit.
The artwork was my favourite part. Really, there is not much else to say; when I don't highly enjoy something, it's like part of my brain zones out. I see many people liking this and continuing with the story, but unfortunately, it's not for me, even though I was hoping it would be.
That said, there were moments where it felt like it was building towards something exciting, but I never became fully invested in the characters. It kind of annoyed me a little to hear "kill all dragons" every few pages. I know it was a part of the story, but it got irritating because we know that's what they are doing, so do we need to hear about it all the time?
I kept reading because I wanted to see where it was going, but by the end, I didn't feel particularly attached to anyone and I will not continue the series as new volumes come out.
The pacing also felt a little uneven in places. Some parts moved quickly, while others seemed to slow down more than they needed to, so that didn't help with my engagement being consistent.
Overall, I don't think it's a bad graphic novel. It has some nice ideas, enjoyable artwork, and plenty of dragons that are differently styled, which is always a bonus. It just didn't leave much of an impression on me once I'd finished.
Or, as they say, it went up in smoke, haha (little dragon joke).
I'm glad I gave it a try, but for me, it was simply an okay read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
I picked up Dragon Circus Vol. 1 because dragons are cool and the front cover looked cute.
Overall, I thought it was an okay read. It is fast-paced and has a little bit of story to sink your teeth into, yet it didn't grab me like I thought it would.
We are introduced to a bunch of characters we barely see in the volume, such as witches and demons. Yet, instead of making them a main feature, it felt like they were more like side characters. I wanted to know more about them and see what they can do; it was a missed opportunity, if you ask my opinion. I think it would have hooked more people in if they were more front and centre, along with whoever was supposed to be the main character.
A few years ago I would have loved this, but it seems my reading tastes have changed a bit.
The artwork was my favourite part. Really, there is not much else to say; when I don't highly enjoy something, it's like part of my brain zones out. I see many people liking this and continuing with the story, but unfortunately, it's not for me, even though I was hoping it would be.
That said, there were moments where it felt like it was building towards something exciting, but I never became fully invested in the characters. It kind of annoyed me a little to hear "kill all dragons" every few pages. I know it was a part of the story, but it got irritating because we know that's what they are doing, so do we need to hear about it all the time?
I kept reading because I wanted to see where it was going, but by the end, I didn't feel particularly attached to anyone and I will not continue the series as new volumes come out.
The pacing also felt a little uneven in places. Some parts moved quickly, while others seemed to slow down more than they needed to, so that didn't help with my engagement being consistent.
Overall, I don't think it's a bad graphic novel. It has some nice ideas, enjoyable artwork, and plenty of dragons that are differently styled, which is always a bonus. It just didn't leave much of an impression on me once I'd finished.
Or, as they say, it went up in smoke, haha (little dragon joke).
I'm glad I gave it a try, but for me, it was simply an okay read.
September 1, 2026
It’s all over the place, moving way too fast. We’re thrown headfirst into the battle, with a slew of elements thrown at us almost all at once: a vampire, a witch, a demon, a priestess, a robot, an AI, and a teenager on a plane—all of them facing off against “dragons” invading Earth in a slightly futuristic modern world. Come to think of it, why call them dragons…? At this point, it’s really just a circus.
Sending teenagers into giant machines to fight a global threat isn’t exactly the idea of the century. So they learned nothing from Evangelion?
As for the artwork, however, I have no complaints. The whole thing is visually stunning, and I really liked the cover illustration for Chapter 4.
The problem is that you don’t really connect with the characters, who are barely developed. Only the protagonist has any semblance of characterization, which revolves mainly around her shyness and lack of self-confidence.
The pacing is also very uneven. The first scene in the anime completely threw me off: I had absolutely no idea where I was, even though the foundations of the universe hadn’t even had time to be properly established yet.
Maybe I missed something because I haven’t read the prequel, Dragon Circus 0. In any case, this first volume didn’t make me want to continue the series.
Sending teenagers into giant machines to fight a global threat isn’t exactly the idea of the century. So they learned nothing from Evangelion?
As for the artwork, however, I have no complaints. The whole thing is visually stunning, and I really liked the cover illustration for Chapter 4.
The problem is that you don’t really connect with the characters, who are barely developed. Only the protagonist has any semblance of characterization, which revolves mainly around her shyness and lack of self-confidence.
The pacing is also very uneven. The first scene in the anime completely threw me off: I had absolutely no idea where I was, even though the foundations of the universe hadn’t even had time to be properly established yet.
Maybe I missed something because I haven’t read the prequel, Dragon Circus 0. In any case, this first volume didn’t make me want to continue the series.
August 26, 2026
Dragons have appeared and a special task force is fighting them. It’s a bit like an adventurer party; there’s a vampire, witch, priest and a princess among them, even if they’re not necessary what you’d imagine. But this is sci-fi, with modern technology and weapons.
The main character of the first vol. is Momo, a little girl (well, she appears to be five, but she’s apparently a teenager) whose father builds fighter jets. She loves mechas and wants her father to build one, but he says it’s impossible. She proves him wrong. I don’t know what her special skills are, other than being able to fly and kill dragons at that age. Otherwise she’s a nervous wreck. Rest of the characters remained on the background and we didn’t learn anything about them yet.
I’ve read the prologue, vol. 0, and I was still a bit lost here. Those who haven’t read it will probably be completely lost. It didn’t help that there were sections from an anime that Momo was watching mixed in the story. Despite being confused, this was interesting enough to read to the end, with a promise of a great action to come.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The main character of the first vol. is Momo, a little girl (well, she appears to be five, but she’s apparently a teenager) whose father builds fighter jets. She loves mechas and wants her father to build one, but he says it’s impossible. She proves him wrong. I don’t know what her special skills are, other than being able to fly and kill dragons at that age. Otherwise she’s a nervous wreck. Rest of the characters remained on the background and we didn’t learn anything about them yet.
I’ve read the prologue, vol. 0, and I was still a bit lost here. Those who haven’t read it will probably be completely lost. It didn’t help that there were sections from an anime that Momo was watching mixed in the story. Despite being confused, this was interesting enough to read to the end, with a promise of a great action to come.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
August 4, 20263.25 || adventurous dark funny medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Contrary to its numbering system, DRAGON CIRCUS Volume 1 is the immediate sequel of Volume 0, and without reading Vol. 0, you'll be lost with the important world building of the series. That being said, Vol. 1 picks up immediately after Vol 0, diving straight into an action packed fight with the many characters that we've met in the initial volume. In this volume however, we are introduced to Momo, the daughter of the Chief of the Robotics Department, whose love for robots unfortunately makes her an outcast in his childhood. However, in a world overrun by Dragons, such a love was turned into a skill to take down the creatures.
As a mecha series, it ticks every box necessary: cool fights, amazing designs, sharp action scenes. It's lackluster in its narrative however, at least in this volume. It's more action heavy than story-heavy, which is par for course in this genre, but I would have still appreciated a better balance in chapters.
Big thanks to the author and publisher for providing me this ARC via NetGalley. All quotes are taken from the uncorrected proof. This does not in any shape or form influence my review on this book.
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Follow yourself, and hold fast to your duty.
Contrary to its numbering system, DRAGON CIRCUS Volume 1 is the immediate sequel of Volume 0, and without reading Vol. 0, you'll be lost with the important world building of the series. That being said, Vol. 1 picks up immediately after Vol 0, diving straight into an action packed fight with the many characters that we've met in the initial volume. In this volume however, we are introduced to Momo, the daughter of the Chief of the Robotics Department, whose love for robots unfortunately makes her an outcast in his childhood. However, in a world overrun by Dragons, such a love was turned into a skill to take down the creatures.
As a mecha series, it ticks every box necessary: cool fights, amazing designs, sharp action scenes. It's lackluster in its narrative however, at least in this volume. It's more action heavy than story-heavy, which is par for course in this genre, but I would have still appreciated a better balance in chapters.
Big thanks to the author and publisher for providing me this ARC via NetGalley. All quotes are taken from the uncorrected proof. This does not in any shape or form influence my review on this book.
August 5, 2026
ARC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The art is right up there, the side characters have that instant I'm a badass aura - love the way they combine the fantastical elements with the mechanical. The "dragons" are that fun combo of intense and pretty - the mixed animal likeness is intriguing.
With the fantastical elements such as vampires, witches, magic in general. I was surprised how strong the Evangelion vibes are. Definitely suited for fans of the Mecha fighting Kaiju genre.
I found out I missed a volume, vol. 0. The summary says it focuses on world building and history - information I would like and would probably have connected me to the story more. I was able to put together what was happening without it.
This volume focused on the main character and her need to find confidence in herself. I was very surprised to find out she is 19, as her character design and personality made me think she was much younger.
Loved the ending of this volume though. Satisfying with a hook to make you want to read the next volume.
Thank you NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, Vertical Comics for this ARC.
The art is right up there, the side characters have that instant I'm a badass aura - love the way they combine the fantastical elements with the mechanical. The "dragons" are that fun combo of intense and pretty - the mixed animal likeness is intriguing.
With the fantastical elements such as vampires, witches, magic in general. I was surprised how strong the Evangelion vibes are. Definitely suited for fans of the Mecha fighting Kaiju genre.
I found out I missed a volume, vol. 0. The summary says it focuses on world building and history - information I would like and would probably have connected me to the story more. I was able to put together what was happening without it.
This volume focused on the main character and her need to find confidence in herself. I was very surprised to find out she is 19, as her character design and personality made me think she was much younger.
Loved the ending of this volume though. Satisfying with a hook to make you want to read the next volume.
Thank you NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, Vertical Comics for this ARC.
August 11, 2026
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for giving me the sequel of this manga for free.
Defo had a slight improvement from the prequel as we are introduced to a different range of characters such as Momo who is the shy MC, the witch, the vampire, the priestess and of course, Shikigami the android who was introduced from the prequel. Action is badass and the ending of volume 1 is unexpected, that’s all imma gonna say on that lol!
It’s still your typical Mecca that fights off dragon tadpole like creatures but again, good enough improvement from the last manga!
Defo had a slight improvement from the prequel as we are introduced to a different range of characters such as Momo who is the shy MC, the witch, the vampire, the priestess and of course, Shikigami the android who was introduced from the prequel. Action is badass and the ending of volume 1 is unexpected, that’s all imma gonna say on that lol!
It’s still your typical Mecca that fights off dragon tadpole like creatures but again, good enough improvement from the last manga!
August 23, 2026
Dragon Circus, Vol. 1 delivers a wild premise and absolutely incredible artwork. The illustrations are definitely the highlight here, super dynamic and detailed.
That said, I found the narrative a bit confusing to follow at times. Only after finishing it did I realize there is actually a Volume 0 before this one, which definitely explains why I felt a bit lost. I also struggled to really connect with the characters.
Overall, a solid 3-star read with gorgeous art, but I would definitely recommend starting with Volume 0 first!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
That said, I found the narrative a bit confusing to follow at times. Only after finishing it did I realize there is actually a Volume 0 before this one, which definitely explains why I felt a bit lost. I also struggled to really connect with the characters.
Overall, a solid 3-star read with gorgeous art, but I would definitely recommend starting with Volume 0 first!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2026
Imagine Evangelion, but splurge it with fables and myths: Dragons have invaded Earth, and the world has to come together to defeat them. This includes Vampires, Fae, Witches, Demons and more, and this volume introduces a child mecha pilot into the mix.
While titled as volume one, there is actually a prologue (volume zero) preceding the story and setting the scene. Recommended to start there, not here.
It's a fast read and there is fun to be had with the concept. The action is well depicted and clear. Especially memorable are the design of the dragons, which stray away from archetypical medieval designs and have rather an Eldritch spin on them.
But, detrimentally to this numbering signalling the start of the series, I think this volume makes a poor impression of setting the world and conflict. Not helped that the volume's central character is the aforementioned child soldier with a social anxiety complex, which did not make a more captivating story for me. Better start with volume 0.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC for an honest review!
While titled as volume one, there is actually a prologue (volume zero) preceding the story and setting the scene. Recommended to start there, not here.
It's a fast read and there is fun to be had with the concept. The action is well depicted and clear. Especially memorable are the design of the dragons, which stray away from archetypical medieval designs and have rather an Eldritch spin on them.
But, detrimentally to this numbering signalling the start of the series, I think this volume makes a poor impression of setting the world and conflict. Not helped that the volume's central character is the aforementioned child soldier with a social anxiety complex, which did not make a more captivating story for me. Better start with volume 0.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC for an honest review!
August 6, 2026
Feels like an Evangelion ripoff. Not much to say about it at a first glance.
I get that the main character is supposed to be cute, silly and innocent...trying to pull that "little girl is actually crazy strong for some reason" trope but idk, it feels overdone. I was expecting something more memorable but it's just another Evangelion-like manga.
I get that the main character is supposed to be cute, silly and innocent...trying to pull that "little girl is actually crazy strong for some reason" trope but idk, it feels overdone. I was expecting something more memorable but it's just another Evangelion-like manga.
August 10, 2026
ITA
Siamo in un futuro dove ad un certo punto sono comparsi dei “Draghi”, non dei draghi come ce li intendiamo in senso stretto ma delle tecnologie non note agli esseri umani che però sono nocivi agli essere umani. I draghi hanno dimensioni diverse dal G che è il più piccolo, all’A che è il più grande (questo ha anche la forma del drago), ma la dimensione non ha nulla a che fare con la pericolosità.
Per combattere i draghi il genere umano risponde con “The dragon slayers” un team composto da: un vampiro, una strega, un demone, una sacerdotessa, un androide e una interfaccia di IA; nuova recluta di questo team: Momo, una pilota di 19 anni, che nel mondo normale è una persona timida e insicura, quando è pilota diventa infallibile e spietata.
Nel primo episodio abbiamo una introduzione di Momo, con il suo anime preferito, sui robot, che non è mai stato concluso perché la storia non aveva senso; il rapporto tra Momo e Shikigami, l’androide; il nuovo velivolo ideato dal padre di Momo.
Compare un drago tipo B, dal nulla, e Momo sale sul suo nuovo messo: ma succede qualcosa al velivolo che si accartoccia su sé stesso e esplode.
P.s. visto che è il primo manga si può dire. Non ho capito se il padre di Momo ha capito come far diventare l’aereo un robot.
Spero che la storia continui, mi è piaciuta.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
We are in a future where, at some point, “Dragons” appeared, not dragons as we strictly imagine them, but technologies unknown to humans that are nonetheless harmful to them. The dragons come in different sizes, ranging from G, which is the smallest, to A, which is the largest (this one also takes the form of a dragon), but size has nothing to do with how dangerous they are.
To fight the dragons, humanity responds with “The Dragon Slayers,” a team composed of: a vampire, a witch, a demon, a priestess, an android, and an AI interface; the newest member of this team is Momo, a 19-year-old pilot who, in the normal world, is shy and insecure, but when she’s flying, she becomes infallible and ruthless.
In the first volume, we’re introduced to Momo, along with her favorite anime about robots, one that was never finished because the story didn’t make sense, the relationship between Momo and Shikigami, the android, and the new aircraft designed by Momo’s father.
A Type B dragon appears out of nowhere, and Momo climbs into her new craft, but something happens to the aircraft, causing it to crumple in on itself and explode.
P.S. Since this is the first manga, I’ll just say it: I didn’t understand if Momo’s father figured out how to turn the plane into a robot.
I hope the story continues; I liked it.
Siamo in un futuro dove ad un certo punto sono comparsi dei “Draghi”, non dei draghi come ce li intendiamo in senso stretto ma delle tecnologie non note agli esseri umani che però sono nocivi agli essere umani. I draghi hanno dimensioni diverse dal G che è il più piccolo, all’A che è il più grande (questo ha anche la forma del drago), ma la dimensione non ha nulla a che fare con la pericolosità.
Per combattere i draghi il genere umano risponde con “The dragon slayers” un team composto da: un vampiro, una strega, un demone, una sacerdotessa, un androide e una interfaccia di IA; nuova recluta di questo team: Momo, una pilota di 19 anni, che nel mondo normale è una persona timida e insicura, quando è pilota diventa infallibile e spietata.
Nel primo episodio abbiamo una introduzione di Momo, con il suo anime preferito, sui robot, che non è mai stato concluso perché la storia non aveva senso; il rapporto tra Momo e Shikigami, l’androide; il nuovo velivolo ideato dal padre di Momo.
Compare un drago tipo B, dal nulla, e Momo sale sul suo nuovo messo: ma succede qualcosa al velivolo che si accartoccia su sé stesso e esplode.
P.s. visto che è il primo manga si può dire. Non ho capito se il padre di Momo ha capito come far diventare l’aereo un robot.
Spero che la storia continui, mi è piaciuta.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
We are in a future where, at some point, “Dragons” appeared, not dragons as we strictly imagine them, but technologies unknown to humans that are nonetheless harmful to them. The dragons come in different sizes, ranging from G, which is the smallest, to A, which is the largest (this one also takes the form of a dragon), but size has nothing to do with how dangerous they are.
To fight the dragons, humanity responds with “The Dragon Slayers,” a team composed of: a vampire, a witch, a demon, a priestess, an android, and an AI interface; the newest member of this team is Momo, a 19-year-old pilot who, in the normal world, is shy and insecure, but when she’s flying, she becomes infallible and ruthless.
In the first volume, we’re introduced to Momo, along with her favorite anime about robots, one that was never finished because the story didn’t make sense, the relationship between Momo and Shikigami, the android, and the new aircraft designed by Momo’s father.
A Type B dragon appears out of nowhere, and Momo climbs into her new craft, but something happens to the aircraft, causing it to crumple in on itself and explode.
P.S. Since this is the first manga, I’ll just say it: I didn’t understand if Momo’s father figured out how to turn the plane into a robot.
I hope the story continues; I liked it.
August 21, 2026
Book Review: DRAGON CIRCUS 1 by Eiichi Shimizu with Tomohiro Shimoguchi (Illustrator)
I liked Dragon Circus 0 because it introduced this really strange and interesting collection of characters, and Dragon Circus 1 is where we actually get to spend time with them together. Across these six chapters, the focus feels much more centered on their relationships and the way these very different personalities interact. Rather than simply introducing another set of characters or rushing through the larger dragon-fighting plot, I enjoyed getting to see who naturally clicks, who clashes, and what these people are like when they're actually around each other.
This is such a bizarre ragtag group, which is a big part of the fun. You have supernatural beings, pilots, androids, witches who work together, and even Mothman, who is classified as a Dragon because in this world, a "Dragon" isn't necessarily an actual dragon. It's essentially any anomaly that poses a threat to the human race. I really like that concept because it makes the terminology feel much broader and stranger than you might initially expect. The characters themselves are just as interesting, and I like that the story is more interested in exploring how these very different people relate to each other than making them a perfectly coordinated team.
The art style is also a huge part of the appeal. The character designs are incredibly distinct, which is especially helpful with such a strange and varied cast, while the dragons and mechanical designs have an impressive amount of detail. I particularly like the contrast between the more stylized supernatural characters and the enormous, almost grotesque dragons. Everything has a very polished, detailed look that makes the bizarre combination of fantasy creatures, military technology, and monster battles feel surprisingly cohesive.
Overall, Dragon Circus 1 feels like a natural follow-up to Volume 0. The first volume made me curious about these characters, while this one made me more interested in their relationships with each other. There is still plenty of the larger story and world that I'm waiting to see develop, but I'm enjoying the cast enough that I'm happy to let the series take its time. 4 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I liked Dragon Circus 0 because it introduced this really strange and interesting collection of characters, and Dragon Circus 1 is where we actually get to spend time with them together. Across these six chapters, the focus feels much more centered on their relationships and the way these very different personalities interact. Rather than simply introducing another set of characters or rushing through the larger dragon-fighting plot, I enjoyed getting to see who naturally clicks, who clashes, and what these people are like when they're actually around each other.
This is such a bizarre ragtag group, which is a big part of the fun. You have supernatural beings, pilots, androids, witches who work together, and even Mothman, who is classified as a Dragon because in this world, a "Dragon" isn't necessarily an actual dragon. It's essentially any anomaly that poses a threat to the human race. I really like that concept because it makes the terminology feel much broader and stranger than you might initially expect. The characters themselves are just as interesting, and I like that the story is more interested in exploring how these very different people relate to each other than making them a perfectly coordinated team.
The art style is also a huge part of the appeal. The character designs are incredibly distinct, which is especially helpful with such a strange and varied cast, while the dragons and mechanical designs have an impressive amount of detail. I particularly like the contrast between the more stylized supernatural characters and the enormous, almost grotesque dragons. Everything has a very polished, detailed look that makes the bizarre combination of fantasy creatures, military technology, and monster battles feel surprisingly cohesive.
Overall, Dragon Circus 1 feels like a natural follow-up to Volume 0. The first volume made me curious about these characters, while this one made me more interested in their relationships with each other. There is still plenty of the larger story and world that I'm waiting to see develop, but I'm enjoying the cast enough that I'm happy to let the series take its time. 4 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 26, 2026
Despite the deceptively cute cover hinting at a cozy slice-of-life story, Dragon Circus takes a radically different path. In this world, dragons aren’t wingless beasts, noble companions, or steeds for war, but ruthless existential threats to humanity. The story follows Momo, a shy middle schooler with low self-esteem who possesses an extraordinary talent: flying mecha planes with absolute precision. Teaming up with a crew of professional dragon hunters, Momo finds herself battling both the monstrous threats in the sky and her own internal demons.
I don't typically gravitate toward mecha manga, but Dragon Circus completely won me over through Momo’s character depth. She’s an immensely relatable protagonist whose quiet struggles stem from being misunderstood by her peers for her love of robots and combat. What makes her so compelling and charming is the stark contrast between her everyday life and her time in the cockpit. The moment she sits in the pilot’s seat, her hesitation vanishes, replaced by undeniable confidence and power. Watching her initial growth and quiet strength emerge, even just within this first volume, made her an instant favorite.
The pacing is exceptionally tight with zero slow spots, relying on impactful action and visual storytelling rather than heavy dialogue, which fits the genre well. Paired with an intriguing plot and a genuinely unique take on what constitutes a dragon, the book far exceeded my expectations. If you enjoy the charming appeal of characters like Anya from Spy x Family mixed with the intense mech action of Mobile Suit Gundam or Neon Genesis Evangelion, this is a series you definitely shouldn't pass up.
I don't typically gravitate toward mecha manga, but Dragon Circus completely won me over through Momo’s character depth. She’s an immensely relatable protagonist whose quiet struggles stem from being misunderstood by her peers for her love of robots and combat. What makes her so compelling and charming is the stark contrast between her everyday life and her time in the cockpit. The moment she sits in the pilot’s seat, her hesitation vanishes, replaced by undeniable confidence and power. Watching her initial growth and quiet strength emerge, even just within this first volume, made her an instant favorite.
The pacing is exceptionally tight with zero slow spots, relying on impactful action and visual storytelling rather than heavy dialogue, which fits the genre well. Paired with an intriguing plot and a genuinely unique take on what constitutes a dragon, the book far exceeded my expectations. If you enjoy the charming appeal of characters like Anya from Spy x Family mixed with the intense mech action of Mobile Suit Gundam or Neon Genesis Evangelion, this is a series you definitely shouldn't pass up.
August 9, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley and Kodansha Comics for sending me this arc.
When I read the premise of this book I knew I had to shoot my shot and request it. We have a vampire, an android, a priestess, a witch, a demon, and a young girl who pilots fighter planes who are all in a group that was banded together to kill ‘dragons’
that are trying to destroy them.
I put ‘dragons’ in quotes because it is such an interesting take on them that I have never seen before. They also refer to them that way and extend the deacription to say a ‘dragon’ is ‘any anomalous creature that poses a threat to humanity’. This means we see so many different visuals for these ‘dragons’ throughout.
I think as the first volume, this was a good set up. I personally would have loved for it to have been a bit longer so I had time to get to know the characters a bit more but with what I read here I know I want to continue the series anyway so hopefully we get that character focus more in later volumes.
The art style was also very visually appealing and I think it suited the story well. I also enjoyed the sections where we see our main character, Momo’s, favourite anime within this manga. I was a little confused when the first instance of this happened because I thought I was meeting more characters but it was quickly made clear what we were being shown and I appreciated that clarification.
If you like action/ fantasy/ sci-fi manga then I would recommend!
When I read the premise of this book I knew I had to shoot my shot and request it. We have a vampire, an android, a priestess, a witch, a demon, and a young girl who pilots fighter planes who are all in a group that was banded together to kill ‘dragons’
that are trying to destroy them.
I put ‘dragons’ in quotes because it is such an interesting take on them that I have never seen before. They also refer to them that way and extend the deacription to say a ‘dragon’ is ‘any anomalous creature that poses a threat to humanity’. This means we see so many different visuals for these ‘dragons’ throughout.
I think as the first volume, this was a good set up. I personally would have loved for it to have been a bit longer so I had time to get to know the characters a bit more but with what I read here I know I want to continue the series anyway so hopefully we get that character focus more in later volumes.
The art style was also very visually appealing and I think it suited the story well. I also enjoyed the sections where we see our main character, Momo’s, favourite anime within this manga. I was a little confused when the first instance of this happened because I thought I was meeting more characters but it was quickly made clear what we were being shown and I appreciated that clarification.
If you like action/ fantasy/ sci-fi manga then I would recommend!
August 6, 2026
A slaying squad against "SCPs" referred to as dragons!
I really liked the concept here, combining mechs with anomalous beings. Momo is also a cute main character with her love of robots motivating her to become part of the military effort. Her dynamic with Shikigami was sweet, and I love the irony that the first person she ends up befriending is a robot himself.
There wasn't a lot of substance in terms of worldbuilding though, much less than the usual first installment of a manga. Aside from the very foundational aspects with introducing the dragons, there unfortunately wasn't much describing them, how they came to be, or anything of the dragon slaying unit. The same goes for Momo, where the only thing we learn (and gets repeated) is about her desire to kill all dragons and how she was alienated for her love of robots.
It's still a fun read, and I liked it a lot despite it being a departure from my usual genres. The made-up anime with "Bakuraiga" was a fun touch and I loved how Momo had it as a comfort media to turn to.
I really liked the concept here, combining mechs with anomalous beings. Momo is also a cute main character with her love of robots motivating her to become part of the military effort. Her dynamic with Shikigami was sweet, and I love the irony that the first person she ends up befriending is a robot himself.
There wasn't a lot of substance in terms of worldbuilding though, much less than the usual first installment of a manga. Aside from the very foundational aspects with introducing the dragons, there unfortunately wasn't much describing them, how they came to be, or anything of the dragon slaying unit. The same goes for Momo, where the only thing we learn (and gets repeated) is about her desire to kill all dragons and how she was alienated for her love of robots.
It's still a fun read, and I liked it a lot despite it being a departure from my usual genres. The made-up anime with "Bakuraiga" was a fun touch and I loved how Momo had it as a comfort media to turn to.
August 14, 2026
Dragon Circus 1 was an action-packed manga that took me a little while to get a grasp on at first, but the story gradually explains the world as you’re properly introduced to Momo and learn about her love of robots.
Momo is the newest recruit in the fight against dragons, which in this series refers to any large creature that poses a threat to Earth. The dragons are classified alphabetically, with the earlier letters representing the larger and more dangerous creatures. Along the way, Momo befriends a robot on her crew, adding another fun element to the story.
Overall, I thought this was an okay read. I was definitely left wanting more, especially because I wanted additional context about the dragons and a better understanding of what exactly they are. The world-building felt like it was just getting started, so I’m curious to see where the series goes next.
One thing I really loved was the artwork. The dragons and other creatures were drawn incredibly well, and their designs were definitely a highlight for me.
Momo is the newest recruit in the fight against dragons, which in this series refers to any large creature that poses a threat to Earth. The dragons are classified alphabetically, with the earlier letters representing the larger and more dangerous creatures. Along the way, Momo befriends a robot on her crew, adding another fun element to the story.
Overall, I thought this was an okay read. I was definitely left wanting more, especially because I wanted additional context about the dragons and a better understanding of what exactly they are. The world-building felt like it was just getting started, so I’m curious to see where the series goes next.
One thing I really loved was the artwork. The dragons and other creatures were drawn incredibly well, and their designs were definitely a highlight for me.
August 18, 2026
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for the Advanced Reader's Copy via NetGalley! This review is voluntary and my honest opinion ♡
I think this manga series has potential but as a volume 1 of the series, I didn't feel very grounded in what was going on here. We have a nice cast of unique characters but we don't actually get to see them much. After one battle, all of a sudden they're all close to our new main character and I didn't feel like there was adequate build up to those relationships. The manga ends on a cool twist that I would be interested in seeing where it leads though. The art was nice as well. I'm not big into action mangas so I worried that the fighting would pull me too far out of the story but it honestly worked. I just would've liked a little more balance with character developments. But as a start to the series, I think it still had some cool features that I would like to see more of. Overall, I would still like to give more of this series a chance I just would love to connect more with our characters and see a bit more depth there.
I think this manga series has potential but as a volume 1 of the series, I didn't feel very grounded in what was going on here. We have a nice cast of unique characters but we don't actually get to see them much. After one battle, all of a sudden they're all close to our new main character and I didn't feel like there was adequate build up to those relationships. The manga ends on a cool twist that I would be interested in seeing where it leads though. The art was nice as well. I'm not big into action mangas so I worried that the fighting would pull me too far out of the story but it honestly worked. I just would've liked a little more balance with character developments. But as a start to the series, I think it still had some cool features that I would like to see more of. Overall, I would still like to give more of this series a chance I just would love to connect more with our characters and see a bit more depth there.
August 23, 2026
I tried to give Dragon Circus another chance, but it still does not convince me. More or so the problem for me is that the plot is all over the place and the characters are paper thin. There are too many fighting scenes, but it's hard to tell what happens in them except people trying to slay dragons. In a sense this felt like a cheap copy of Evangelion as the planes and dragons both look like they're straight from it. The ace pilot Momo is super annoying and she keeps crying and trying to prove that robots are cool. Everyone just thinks she's stupid. It's Shinji Ikari all over again in a girl form.
The art and movements look good though. Sadly so the plot is all over the place, which makes this extremely hard to follow. This is the biggest downfall. This is already the second book as the first one was number zero. I still don't know what is happening and it shouldn't be like that. The cover looks nice though.
The art and movements look good though. Sadly so the plot is all over the place, which makes this extremely hard to follow. This is the biggest downfall. This is already the second book as the first one was number zero. I still don't know what is happening and it shouldn't be like that. The cover looks nice though.
August 11, 2026
Same issues I had with Volume 0 really. The fights never last more than a panel or two, so it's really hard to gauge that these dragons pose any kind of threat. Momo is a great addition to actually start the series, I certainly like her more than Shikigami. I also struggle with the, admittedly amazing, art because sometimes the panels are a little hard to understand what's going on despite it looking nice. I may still continue to read the series, but this isn't one I'd outright recommend to anyone. I'm hoping that the next volume explains what the heck that ending was supposed to be, because that made absolutely zero sense besides just being shock factor.
August 28, 2026
This was great. It was fun, a bit ridiculous, and definitely grabbed my interest. It also somewhat ended on a cliffhanger so I'm annoyed at myself for requesting this from NetGalley when I KNEW it was only volume 1 and not the entire series. After reading this I would/will definitely grab the next one so I think that basically says it all.
Though I will say, there is basically zero backstory on what’s going on, and we get introduced to the whole Team of characters and then never see most of them again. I assume they would feature a bunch through the series, but this volume taken alone feels wildly underdeveloped.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
Though I will say, there is basically zero backstory on what’s going on, and we get introduced to the whole Team of characters and then never see most of them again. I assume they would feature a bunch through the series, but this volume taken alone feels wildly underdeveloped.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
August 28, 2026
Earth is being invaded by dragons of different shapes and sizes. And it's up to a team of Dragon Slayers to defeat them to protect the people and Earth.
The dragons seem to dislike humanity and they appear at random places.
Momo is the daughter of an engineer who designs fighter jet planes to fight off the dragons. Momo and her father love robots, and this fuels Momo to become a Dragon Slayer. She is an emotional little girl, but when it comes to fighting dragons, she switches to fight mode.
The manga was a bit confusing at the beginning, but it soon warmed up with the reasons behind the storyline... I actually want to read the next volume!
Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for this ARC!
The dragons seem to dislike humanity and they appear at random places.
Momo is the daughter of an engineer who designs fighter jet planes to fight off the dragons. Momo and her father love robots, and this fuels Momo to become a Dragon Slayer. She is an emotional little girl, but when it comes to fighting dragons, she switches to fight mode.
The manga was a bit confusing at the beginning, but it soon warmed up with the reasons behind the storyline... I actually want to read the next volume!
Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for this ARC!
August 7, 2026
Dragon Circus Volume 1 is the first Volume in a new manga series. At least I thought? After I read this I noticed that there is a «Volume 0» on Goodreads. Should one read this one first? That would make sense because this was a little confusing to me. It feels like we jump into the story right in the middle, with little worldbuilding or explanations of the universe. There is dragons, wich are monsters to be killed. And there are the people who kills the dragons. We follow Momo, a little girl whos dream is to kill all the dragons. And this is mostly all I have to say about this. There were mentiones of different classes of the dragons, which I would have loved some more explanations on!
August 29, 2026
After reading Volume 0, which serves as an introduction to the story, I really enjoyed this volume. It reminded me a little of NeoRanga and Evangelion, although with a more mysterious atmosphere and many unanswered questions. The dragons come in different animal forms, which I found very creative, and each one has its own unique characteristics, even if they all seem to pursue a similar purpose.
The mystery continues to build throughout the story, gradually revealing new details while leaving enough unanswered questions to keep you curious about what will happen next.
The mystery continues to build throughout the story, gradually revealing new details while leaving enough unanswered questions to keep you curious about what will happen next.
Review of advance copy
This title became available on Libby so I checked it out. The entire first volume is developing the setting and main character, groundwork for the series. It's interesting so far but the minor characters hopefully are better developed and I think based on the cliff hanger at the end of the volume that there will be some big reveals in volume 2! I liked the full color illustration at the end, and it was surprising that it was at the end and not the beginning.
August 18, 2026
A shy girl, afraid to tell everyone about her love of giant robots, ends up helping her father by flying fighter planes to help destroy Dragons, who attack the Earth in an NGE Angel-style. Momo is obsessed with an anime that's honestly a huge callback to Gurren Lagann, and the main character helps fill her with determination and strength. Honestly this is so stinking good, I can't wait to see the next volume!
September 3, 2026
Was getting the vibe this wanted to be a giant pilot mech manga and while it takes the entire volume yup we get there
I do like new character/cover girl Momo, though part of me also thinks "we're introducing a new character when at least half of the team we met in the prequel volume are living props?" Still, Momo is relatably anxious and has PTSD from her bullies. I do think though you gotta be into action and good art, not necessarily plot and characters, to be into this.
I do like new character/cover girl Momo, though part of me also thinks "we're introducing a new character when at least half of the team we met in the prequel volume are living props?" Still, Momo is relatably anxious and has PTSD from her bullies. I do think though you gotta be into action and good art, not necessarily plot and characters, to be into this.
August 14, 2026
2.5 stars.
I felt a bit confused reading this. It starts of right in the action and I didn't feel connected to any of the characters.
I'm guessing more will be explained and shown in the next volume though, so I do see it's potential going forward.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I felt a bit confused reading this. It starts of right in the action and I didn't feel connected to any of the characters.
I'm guessing more will be explained and shown in the next volume though, so I do see it's potential going forward.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
August 29, 2026
The actual "first" volume after the assembling of the team in Volume 0, introducing the main POV protagonist Momo, a great addition to the cast as a newcomer to the setting but also laden with personality as the team's battle-junkie pilot, though other than her and the android, the rest of the cast took quite the backseat in place of their shared development.
September 2, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and author for an auto approved copy of this manga.we are thrown in a middle of a battle which it did keep me interested enough to keep going through I feel like something was missing.
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