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Luca the Dragon Vet 2
When your patients are dragons, everything is the stakes, the challenges, and the messes! A girl named Luca enters a school for aspiring dragon vets in this high-flying new fantasy manga that fans of Witch Hat Atelier will adore, from the Eisner Award–winning creator of My Journey to Her.
Luca, Jira, and Chloe have barely begun their studies at Cogniel Academy of Dracology when they and their fellow trainee vets are called upon to help with an emergency. A train carrying both human and non-human passengers has derailed, and the young trainees must triage dozens of wounded fire dragons—any of which could explode at any moment. But when Luca discovers one dragon using its massive frame to shield a little girl, she faces a difficult What do you do when the rules say human lives come first, but your heart says every life counts?
Luca, Jira, and Chloe have barely begun their studies at Cogniel Academy of Dracology when they and their fellow trainee vets are called upon to help with an emergency. A train carrying both human and non-human passengers has derailed, and the young trainees must triage dozens of wounded fire dragons—any of which could explode at any moment. But when Luca discovers one dragon using its massive frame to shield a little girl, she faces a difficult What do you do when the rules say human lives come first, but your heart says every life counts?
208 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
September 11, 2026
[Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for a copy of this manga in exchange for an unbiased review.]
I’m just loving this series so much and I am happy that the second volume remains as strong as the first one. It has so much to say and manages to say a lot of it without being preachy, which is quite the feat.
The volume is mainly focused on a massive accident that puts both humans and dragons alike in a dangerous situation and, with all hands on deck, our leads are on site to do what they do best. By which I mean be told to do one thing and then do another.
Yet that doesn’t come without consequence and I think this ably splits the difference between portraying Luca as a hero who breaks all the rules and gets results and somebody who is reckless with human life and less so with dragon life.
The medical staff are wholly focused on the human side of things, to the point where a wounded dragon is as good as dead to them. It’s basically two extremes being pushed together instead of attempting a middle ground.
And I was impressed at how it made the case that not making a choice is often as bad as making the wrong one. Chloe is decisive at one point, and, while that has both pluses and minuses, it’s a harsh outcome that would be far worse had she done nothing.
This is a very smart manga and I really appreciate that. It doesn’t get too stuck in its lore, but dollops it out in just the right amount. We need to know how dragons make fire, so we get a quick lesson (cleverly modeled after the bombardier beetle, which grounds it nicely). For those who want more, the notes between chapters exist.
I can see the bones of the story slowly setting into place. Because of the size of their charges, dragon vets need to operate as a team, and we see Jira, Luca, and Chloe continuing to bond. Jira being forced to reconsider her initial stance on Luca and becoming a tsundere over it has been a fun character arc.
And this volume brings the genius ice queen, Iessica, back into the fold. She’s pragmatic and hyper competent, but not without a heart, even though her brilliance does lead her to overlook solutions that aren’t quite by the book.
It’s nothing especially new, but the care that has gone into this is evident right on the page. Luca may not be the smartest right now, but she is a leader, for better and for worse. The four of them all bring something different to the mix and I am excited to see them bounce off one another more in future.
With so many life lessons we don’t get to dig too much into the other mysteries such as Luca’s dad, but there was more than enough great stuff already. And don’t fret, it’ll come back around to twist the knife right at the end. Maybe with a lesson on trust.
I think my only complaint is that the big lesson on teamwork might get a little syrupy, but it’s part of a pretty impressively done mini-arc for a minor character that wraps up neatly by the end. This does wear its heart on its sleeve a little, but I’m not against it in small doses
4.5 stars - still a solid story with better than average, well, everything. It might not be quite as impactful as the first volume, but the depth more than makes up for that in my book (and this one).
I’m just loving this series so much and I am happy that the second volume remains as strong as the first one. It has so much to say and manages to say a lot of it without being preachy, which is quite the feat.
The volume is mainly focused on a massive accident that puts both humans and dragons alike in a dangerous situation and, with all hands on deck, our leads are on site to do what they do best. By which I mean be told to do one thing and then do another.
Yet that doesn’t come without consequence and I think this ably splits the difference between portraying Luca as a hero who breaks all the rules and gets results and somebody who is reckless with human life and less so with dragon life.
The medical staff are wholly focused on the human side of things, to the point where a wounded dragon is as good as dead to them. It’s basically two extremes being pushed together instead of attempting a middle ground.
And I was impressed at how it made the case that not making a choice is often as bad as making the wrong one. Chloe is decisive at one point, and, while that has both pluses and minuses, it’s a harsh outcome that would be far worse had she done nothing.
This is a very smart manga and I really appreciate that. It doesn’t get too stuck in its lore, but dollops it out in just the right amount. We need to know how dragons make fire, so we get a quick lesson (cleverly modeled after the bombardier beetle, which grounds it nicely). For those who want more, the notes between chapters exist.
I can see the bones of the story slowly setting into place. Because of the size of their charges, dragon vets need to operate as a team, and we see Jira, Luca, and Chloe continuing to bond. Jira being forced to reconsider her initial stance on Luca and becoming a tsundere over it has been a fun character arc.
And this volume brings the genius ice queen, Iessica, back into the fold. She’s pragmatic and hyper competent, but not without a heart, even though her brilliance does lead her to overlook solutions that aren’t quite by the book.
It’s nothing especially new, but the care that has gone into this is evident right on the page. Luca may not be the smartest right now, but she is a leader, for better and for worse. The four of them all bring something different to the mix and I am excited to see them bounce off one another more in future.
With so many life lessons we don’t get to dig too much into the other mysteries such as Luca’s dad, but there was more than enough great stuff already. And don’t fret, it’ll come back around to twist the knife right at the end. Maybe with a lesson on trust.
I think my only complaint is that the big lesson on teamwork might get a little syrupy, but it’s part of a pretty impressively done mini-arc for a minor character that wraps up neatly by the end. This does wear its heart on its sleeve a little, but I’m not against it in small doses
4.5 stars - still a solid story with better than average, well, everything. It might not be quite as impactful as the first volume, but the depth more than makes up for that in my book (and this one).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s funny how attached I became to these characters in such a short time, and how quickly I got used to the beautiful illustrations and watching my brain bring them to life. For someone who wasn't used to reading comics other than Batman, this was quite an evolution. I’ll try not to give any spoilers—especially since this is a sequel—but I can say without a doubt that I love Luca. Truly! I think this is the first time I’ve been so quickly convinced that a character will be an all-time favourite, and I think that speaks volumes. I also have to mention that I cried a few times while reading; it’s not very common for me to cry during a book (often I only cry when I finish and look back on everything that happened). It’s amazing what a story about dragon-vet apprentices can do to you.
I’m impressed by the author's meticulous attention to the technical and medical aspects of the book; even without deep medical knowledge, what the story presents feels incredibly realistic—like something that could be taught in a veterinary college class. Just imagine: a college exclusively for magical animals! I also think the variety of dragons featured in the story is fantastic; they constantly took me by surprise.
Without giving too much away, I can say that while the story seems light and cosy on the surface, it carries emotional weight that truly tugs at the heartstrings. I’m both excited and nervous to find out what happens next for my new favourite character.
I’m impressed by the author's meticulous attention to the technical and medical aspects of the book; even without deep medical knowledge, what the story presents feels incredibly realistic—like something that could be taught in a veterinary college class. Just imagine: a college exclusively for magical animals! I also think the variety of dragons featured in the story is fantastic; they constantly took me by surprise.
Without giving too much away, I can say that while the story seems light and cosy on the surface, it carries emotional weight that truly tugs at the heartstrings. I’m both excited and nervous to find out what happens next for my new favourite character.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
All in all, an exciting and thrilling volume in the series and I would recommend it!
Review to come in November!
All in all, an exciting and thrilling volume in the series and I would recommend it!
Review to come in November!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC from Netgalley/Kodansha
I was so surprised that volume 2 was on Netgalley! This was also a good volume with a lot of it centering a train accident. This feels like a combination of a medical drama and series like Witch Hat Atelier.
I was so surprised that volume 2 was on Netgalley! This was also a good volume with a lot of it centering a train accident. This feels like a combination of a medical drama and series like Witch Hat Atelier.
September 19, 2026
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I received the first volume of this series through NetGalley and enjoyed it, though I had some reservations. I must say this second volume did kick up the quality! Even the dragons look better than before.
The Big Storyline is nowhere closer to being resolved, but the characters get developed further and the relationships between them are allowed to grow. Luca gets to go through some moral quandaries which is fun. I'm curious to see where she will go next!
I received the first volume of this series through NetGalley and enjoyed it, though I had some reservations. I must say this second volume did kick up the quality! Even the dragons look better than before.
The Big Storyline is nowhere closer to being resolved, but the characters get developed further and the relationships between them are allowed to grow. Luca gets to go through some moral quandaries which is fun. I'm curious to see where she will go next!
September 25, 2026
While I think this series is really well-written and well informed, I happen to think it's not for me. As someone completely inexperienced in medicine, half of the things that get mentioned outside of basic biology just read a technobabble to me. I'm sure there will be many out there who adore this series, but I think it got too far into the medical side of things a little too fast. Instead of having Luca teaching/being taught dragon medicine, she kinda just does things and it's explained like you already know what they're talking about.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
On the surface this is a cute comic about Luca following her dreams to become the very best vet in the whole wide world! But it’s not that simple. Her island is at war, her father is perhaps a traitor to her country, her mother is a patient in a psychiatric hospital, and all Luca can do is her best. And then tragedy happens. A train carrying fire breathing dragons has crashed, leaving wounded humans and dragons needing medical help, and it’s all hands on deck.
But Luca and her friends aren’t there to save dragons, they’re there to triage them. Human lives are the priority, and we see Luca first unable to save a dragon … and then refusing to give up on a second one. But the longer the surgery goes on, the more the dragon is bleeding, the more overwhelmed Luca becomes, and it’s nice to see her ask for help, to realize that some things can’t be done alone — with a lovely callback to that scene later on in the issue — and coming to her aid is Iessica, the genius.
This leads to a conversation about conservation vs. compassion. Is it possible to save the dragon? Yes, but only by taking away his ability to breathe fire. This is a rare breed and it’s possible that by saving him they’re able to help him live long enough to breed, and through that offspring replace him. Maybe they’d even be lucky enough to get more than one, which is a net positive. This is why Iessica is helping, to preserve the breed rather than the dragon, while Luca is trying to save the dragon himself.
By removing his ability to breathe fire they’re lessening the quality of his life. He may become depressed, violent; he may fade away regardless of all their work. Knowing that, is it still worth a traumatic surgery in a dying dragon? Yes, there’s an excellent chance they can save him, but is that the right thing to do?
This series keeps peeling back layers on the characters, giving them depth and nuance and real world situations leading to complex and difficult questions. I enjoyed the first graphic novel, but I think I love this one, and I cannot wait to see the next. I’ve already ordered physical copies for my shelves.
Thank you so very, very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
But Luca and her friends aren’t there to save dragons, they’re there to triage them. Human lives are the priority, and we see Luca first unable to save a dragon … and then refusing to give up on a second one. But the longer the surgery goes on, the more the dragon is bleeding, the more overwhelmed Luca becomes, and it’s nice to see her ask for help, to realize that some things can’t be done alone — with a lovely callback to that scene later on in the issue — and coming to her aid is Iessica, the genius.
This leads to a conversation about conservation vs. compassion. Is it possible to save the dragon? Yes, but only by taking away his ability to breathe fire. This is a rare breed and it’s possible that by saving him they’re able to help him live long enough to breed, and through that offspring replace him. Maybe they’d even be lucky enough to get more than one, which is a net positive. This is why Iessica is helping, to preserve the breed rather than the dragon, while Luca is trying to save the dragon himself.
By removing his ability to breathe fire they’re lessening the quality of his life. He may become depressed, violent; he may fade away regardless of all their work. Knowing that, is it still worth a traumatic surgery in a dying dragon? Yes, there’s an excellent chance they can save him, but is that the right thing to do?
This series keeps peeling back layers on the characters, giving them depth and nuance and real world situations leading to complex and difficult questions. I enjoyed the first graphic novel, but I think I love this one, and I cannot wait to see the next. I’ve already ordered physical copies for my shelves.
Thank you so very, very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Yuna Hirasawa for the opportunity to read Luca the Dragon Vet Volume 2.
Luca the Dragon Vet Vol. 2 continues to follow Luca and her classmates as they attend university for dragon veterinary science. When an intense train wreck occurs nearby, they are sent to do triage work as practice. Many human and dragon lives are on the line, and it goes against everything they are working toward when they are told to not step in.
Of course, Luca goes against the grain. Why be a dragon vet if she can't help the dragons she is schooling for? The commentary on the value of human lives versus dragon lives makes for an interesting element. It's like today, if you are a veterinarian, you are probably aiming to save animal lives over people lives, because you chose that path for a reason and that is what you value more. Or choosing to be a doctor, showing you value human lives more. It was just an interesting dynamic, as I considered myself in Luca's situation and how if I were going to school to be a dragon vet, I would absolutely do everything in my power to save a dragon first, but also knowing some of the dragons are in a predicament that puts other humans at risk too. So there's a give-and-take to it.
We also get a little bit more revealed about Luca's past and the supposed treason her father committed, but no definite answers, leaving the series to have some elements of mystery surrounding the main character for the reader to look forward to.
I really loved this volume. Dragon lovers, this one is definitely for you, but be warned: I was a bit upset at certain aspects of the train accident. You will be sad, but you will also feel hopeful at the saved dragon lives, the techniques the students use, their coming together for a cause, and possibly even have fun with the bonus pages that feature various dragon veterinary instruments on the market!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Luca the Dragon Vet Vol. 2 continues to follow Luca and her classmates as they attend university for dragon veterinary science. When an intense train wreck occurs nearby, they are sent to do triage work as practice. Many human and dragon lives are on the line, and it goes against everything they are working toward when they are told to not step in.
Of course, Luca goes against the grain. Why be a dragon vet if she can't help the dragons she is schooling for? The commentary on the value of human lives versus dragon lives makes for an interesting element. It's like today, if you are a veterinarian, you are probably aiming to save animal lives over people lives, because you chose that path for a reason and that is what you value more. Or choosing to be a doctor, showing you value human lives more. It was just an interesting dynamic, as I considered myself in Luca's situation and how if I were going to school to be a dragon vet, I would absolutely do everything in my power to save a dragon first, but also knowing some of the dragons are in a predicament that puts other humans at risk too. So there's a give-and-take to it.
We also get a little bit more revealed about Luca's past and the supposed treason her father committed, but no definite answers, leaving the series to have some elements of mystery surrounding the main character for the reader to look forward to.
I really loved this volume. Dragon lovers, this one is definitely for you, but be warned: I was a bit upset at certain aspects of the train accident. You will be sad, but you will also feel hopeful at the saved dragon lives, the techniques the students use, their coming together for a cause, and possibly even have fun with the bonus pages that feature various dragon veterinary instruments on the market!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I absolutely loved the whimsy of the first volume, I was absolutely pulled into this fantastical world of dragon veterinarians, and I'm so happy to say that this second volume just picks up the pace and still has so much of the magic, intensity and raw emotion the first volume brought me.
Luca continues her training to become an officially licensed vet, yet a disaster strikes, requiring all trainees to join the professionals when a train carrying fire dragons overturns. I truly felt the danger and chaos all around Luca as she tries to help, and struggles with her feelings in the process. Joined by her friends, Jira, Chloe and Iessica, the girls fight to do what they think is right, whilst dealing with their own personal struggles.
I really liked the frienships blossoming in this volume, especially between the rivals Luca and Iessica, they have more in common then they thought, and it was nice to see them join up and perform an emergency surgery on a dying dragon.
The artwork like before was fantastic. The chaotic and saddening scenes were so well portrayed, and the dragons are so cute and unique! The little snippets of information between each chapter add to the world building too.
Slowly some backstories are being revealed, especially Luca's and her familial struggles. Everyone is still hesitant when it comes to what to think of her late father, and the volume ends on a big cliffhanger. I can't wait to read more, this series reminds me so much of all my favourite mangas!
5/5 🌟
I absolutely loved the whimsy of the first volume, I was absolutely pulled into this fantastical world of dragon veterinarians, and I'm so happy to say that this second volume just picks up the pace and still has so much of the magic, intensity and raw emotion the first volume brought me.
Luca continues her training to become an officially licensed vet, yet a disaster strikes, requiring all trainees to join the professionals when a train carrying fire dragons overturns. I truly felt the danger and chaos all around Luca as she tries to help, and struggles with her feelings in the process. Joined by her friends, Jira, Chloe and Iessica, the girls fight to do what they think is right, whilst dealing with their own personal struggles.
I really liked the frienships blossoming in this volume, especially between the rivals Luca and Iessica, they have more in common then they thought, and it was nice to see them join up and perform an emergency surgery on a dying dragon.
The artwork like before was fantastic. The chaotic and saddening scenes were so well portrayed, and the dragons are so cute and unique! The little snippets of information between each chapter add to the world building too.
Slowly some backstories are being revealed, especially Luca's and her familial struggles. Everyone is still hesitant when it comes to what to think of her late father, and the volume ends on a big cliffhanger. I can't wait to read more, this series reminds me so much of all my favourite mangas!
5/5 🌟
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Luca the Dragon Vet Volume 2 brings the characters from volume 1 into new challenges (primarily, a downed train with explosive dragons), and young trainee Luca has to weigh what her father has taught her with what she's actively seeing...how can a girl who believes every life is valuable see dragons suffering while the humans are prioritized to the point of the dragons dying?
One thing I've loved seeing about this series is how it raises so many ethical questions that vets have to ask themselves (and first responders also have to ask themselves very similar questions!), and this volume is no different as Luca navigates the wreck. Meanwhile, secrets still abound! I'd love to get some more answers, but hey, in Witch Hat Atelier, we had to wait a looooooong time to get answers about Quifrey's secrets! However, I'm surprised by how Chloe is just letting the secrets rest without pushing further! Also, this book did seem to have a bit of a choppy time skip from Volume 1 to Volume 2.
That being said, I loved that we got to see more of Iessica's character shine! I'd suspected we would see more of her, and her interactions with Luca were fantastic--she's clearly a prodigy (much like Agott from WHA) and is very factual, but I suspect we'll see a much softer side of her soon! I also love how Jira refuses to let Luca blame herself for Jira's actions! All in all, a wonderful addition to this manga perfect for fans of Witch Hat Atelier, vets, dragons, and ethical considerations!
Favorite quote:
"What matters is we keep moving forward, even if we have to carry those things with us. Because if we stop, that means saving fewer lives in the time we've been given."
One thing I've loved seeing about this series is how it raises so many ethical questions that vets have to ask themselves (and first responders also have to ask themselves very similar questions!), and this volume is no different as Luca navigates the wreck. Meanwhile, secrets still abound! I'd love to get some more answers, but hey, in Witch Hat Atelier, we had to wait a looooooong time to get answers about Quifrey's secrets! However, I'm surprised by how Chloe is just letting the secrets rest without pushing further! Also, this book did seem to have a bit of a choppy time skip from Volume 1 to Volume 2.
That being said, I loved that we got to see more of Iessica's character shine! I'd suspected we would see more of her, and her interactions with Luca were fantastic--she's clearly a prodigy (much like Agott from WHA) and is very factual, but I suspect we'll see a much softer side of her soon! I also love how Jira refuses to let Luca blame herself for Jira's actions! All in all, a wonderful addition to this manga perfect for fans of Witch Hat Atelier, vets, dragons, and ethical considerations!
Favorite quote:
"What matters is we keep moving forward, even if we have to carry those things with us. Because if we stop, that means saving fewer lives in the time we've been given."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Luca the Dragon Vet 2 by Yuna Hirasawa Volume 2 was the continuation I needed to learn more about the magical world of students learning to become vets/care for dragons. *I did get the opportunity to read the 1st volume which I felt was necessary to understand how the story begins and a little bit about Luca's back story*
Here are some things I enjoyed about this book:
First, I loved the art and illustrations of this magical world. I felt the smallest details on the dragons or the students uniforms were well thought out and added more magic to the story.
Second, I absolutely love the bravery, courage, and despite all the odds Luca truly follows what she feel is right. Regardless if she hasn't learned the skill entirely she is driven to find a solution and not give up hope. I do feel each time she encounters a problem, her other friends are able to support her which brings them closer together!
Lastly, I enjoy learning about Luca's past in bits and pieces which allow me to imagine and predict what could happen in the next volume. I do wish there was more about her past or relation towards her mentor. But I am sure it will reveal itself when it is time.
Overall, I enjoyed this volume and I would recommend anyone who is interested in reading about a journey for a young girl who strongly desires to become a dragon vet. I can't wait to read volume 3! Thank you NetGalley, Yuna Hirasawa, and Kodansha Comics for my arc copy. This review is my honest thoughts and feelings about this book!
Here are some things I enjoyed about this book:
First, I loved the art and illustrations of this magical world. I felt the smallest details on the dragons or the students uniforms were well thought out and added more magic to the story.
Second, I absolutely love the bravery, courage, and despite all the odds Luca truly follows what she feel is right. Regardless if she hasn't learned the skill entirely she is driven to find a solution and not give up hope. I do feel each time she encounters a problem, her other friends are able to support her which brings them closer together!
Lastly, I enjoy learning about Luca's past in bits and pieces which allow me to imagine and predict what could happen in the next volume. I do wish there was more about her past or relation towards her mentor. But I am sure it will reveal itself when it is time.
Overall, I enjoyed this volume and I would recommend anyone who is interested in reading about a journey for a young girl who strongly desires to become a dragon vet. I can't wait to read volume 3! Thank you NetGalley, Yuna Hirasawa, and Kodansha Comics for my arc copy. This review is my honest thoughts and feelings about this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The adventures of Luca, Jira, Chloe and Iessica continues in volume 2! Our favorite Dragon Veterinarians are back - and the stakes just got raised for them. I absolutely loved volume one, so when I saw volume two on NetGalley you can bet I clicked that request button immediately! I am happy to report this does *not* suffer from "second book slump", in fact I think I enjoyed this one even more than the first. I was really surprised when I read the author note at the end saying they didn't have any medical experience. The entire time I was reading this I kept thinking "man does this author/artist do something in the medical field for a living?". You can absolutely see all the research that went into this. Although we do see some quick thinking in volume one, we get even more of it here. I also really loved the way they explored the ethical / moral dilemmas more in depth in this one and showed how there isn't really a white/black answers in these high-stakes situations.
The artwork is so whimsical, I love the uniform designs, it's easy to tell each character apart, and the mythical creatures (each "dragons" though not always as you'd expect dragons to look) are so magical. Would absolutely recommend this series - especially for those who loved Apothecary Diaries or Witch Hat Atelier.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
The artwork is so whimsical, I love the uniform designs, it's easy to tell each character apart, and the mythical creatures (each "dragons" though not always as you'd expect dragons to look) are so magical. Would absolutely recommend this series - especially for those who loved Apothecary Diaries or Witch Hat Atelier.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Kodansha comics for providing me with the eARC via Netgalley for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the second volume of this series. It remains as strong as the first. What I really liked was the deeper themes it delved into, and the conversations that it brings forth. Does human lives matter more than the dragons? How does one reconcile the fact that they're meant to save and heal the dragons, but consider them to be of less priority than humans? And what does saving a dragon mean? If saving them means taking away their meaning of life, is that any way of living?
All of these themes are explored with Luca and her friends. Each of them have different personalities and way of approach and I like how it all brought forth new ways of thinking without sounding preachy. Towards the end of the volume, this arc was tied up nicely as well and that's such an amazing feat!
One of my fave quotes from this volume:
"When we make decisions about the lives in our hands, uncertainty and regret are inevitable. What matters is that we keep moving forward, even if we have to carry those things with us.
Because if we stop.... That means saving fewer lives in the time we've been given."
Of course there's a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, but I liked that it made me want to read Volume 3 immediately!
All in all, such a great read and I highly recommend picking up this series especially if you enjoy Witch Hat Atelier.
I really enjoyed the second volume of this series. It remains as strong as the first. What I really liked was the deeper themes it delved into, and the conversations that it brings forth. Does human lives matter more than the dragons? How does one reconcile the fact that they're meant to save and heal the dragons, but consider them to be of less priority than humans? And what does saving a dragon mean? If saving them means taking away their meaning of life, is that any way of living?
All of these themes are explored with Luca and her friends. Each of them have different personalities and way of approach and I like how it all brought forth new ways of thinking without sounding preachy. Towards the end of the volume, this arc was tied up nicely as well and that's such an amazing feat!
One of my fave quotes from this volume:
"When we make decisions about the lives in our hands, uncertainty and regret are inevitable. What matters is that we keep moving forward, even if we have to carry those things with us.
Because if we stop.... That means saving fewer lives in the time we've been given."
Of course there's a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, but I liked that it made me want to read Volume 3 immediately!
All in all, such a great read and I highly recommend picking up this series especially if you enjoy Witch Hat Atelier.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha ciomics for an arc. All opinions are my own.
★ Rating: 4/5
Genre: Fantasy Manga
Are There Gay People in this?*: ❌
Super cute second book!
Much like the first entry in this series, the art was adorable. I love the characters and how we get to see their different approaches to various dragon related problems. Luca is such a sweetie and I love how no matter what the issue is, she is always motivated by love and respect for the dragons she is taking care of. I don't really have anything negative to say, but I do think I found this volume marginally less compelling than the first one. That's kind of natural though. We're still in the early stages so we're still introducing the world and characters.
Overall, a good time! If you enjoyed the first volume, you won't be disappointed by this one.
Will I be continuing the series?: ✅
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
★ Rating: 4/5
Genre: Fantasy Manga
Are There Gay People in this?*: ❌
Super cute second book!
Much like the first entry in this series, the art was adorable. I love the characters and how we get to see their different approaches to various dragon related problems. Luca is such a sweetie and I love how no matter what the issue is, she is always motivated by love and respect for the dragons she is taking care of. I don't really have anything negative to say, but I do think I found this volume marginally less compelling than the first one. That's kind of natural though. We're still in the early stages so we're still introducing the world and characters.
Overall, a good time! If you enjoyed the first volume, you won't be disappointed by this one.
Will I be continuing the series?: ✅
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
November 2, 2026
In volume two, Luca—short for Luciana, we learn in this volume—continues her first year training to become a dragon vet. There’s a lot of competition to be the top of the class, but no matter how much the girls try, Iessica is always the best. But at least Jira is showing some warming up to Luca.
A train transporting dragons has derailed with many casualities. The entire academy is sent on the scene. Luca and her classmates are assigned for triaging, with strict orders not to try treating the dragons. Human lives must come first. But when saving a human injures a dragon even worse, Luca decides to save it.
For all that this is supposed to be for middle graders, the series deals with some heavy issues. Which life is more important, human or a valuable, rare beast? How to deal with the consequences if your good intentions cause bad things to happen elsewhere because you abandoned your duty for what you feel is right?
There’s also the matter of Luca’s father’s past. Was he a traitor or not? A journalist has written a story claiming that he mistreated dragons too. The volume ends with that, so we’ll have to wait for the next volume to find out about the aftermath.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A train transporting dragons has derailed with many casualities. The entire academy is sent on the scene. Luca and her classmates are assigned for triaging, with strict orders not to try treating the dragons. Human lives must come first. But when saving a human injures a dragon even worse, Luca decides to save it.
For all that this is supposed to be for middle graders, the series deals with some heavy issues. Which life is more important, human or a valuable, rare beast? How to deal with the consequences if your good intentions cause bad things to happen elsewhere because you abandoned your duty for what you feel is right?
There’s also the matter of Luca’s father’s past. Was he a traitor or not? A journalist has written a story claiming that he mistreated dragons too. The volume ends with that, so we’ll have to wait for the next volume to find out about the aftermath.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I dare to say the second volume is even better than the first, partly because of how streamlined it is in its storytelling now that so much table setting was done in the first volume.
"Good intentions don't save lives" is perhaps the best bit of dialogue that can sum up the major tale in this volume, where a mass accident leaves Luca and friends struggling to weigh up what their conscience demands they do and what their professors have told them to do as students. And how you decide on a course of action when there are beings in all directions that need your help. Regret is perhaps inevitable when a profession demands such fast action as a medical practitioner, and we see Luca struggling with her all-loving nature being at odds with the complicated reality of treating what are essentially bioweapons in a post war landscape. She wants to do the right thing! But how can you ALWAYS know what the right thing to do is?
We also get some tantalizing tidbits about Siegfried and Luca's pasts that leave me even more excited to see what is to come in volume 3!
"Good intentions don't save lives" is perhaps the best bit of dialogue that can sum up the major tale in this volume, where a mass accident leaves Luca and friends struggling to weigh up what their conscience demands they do and what their professors have told them to do as students. And how you decide on a course of action when there are beings in all directions that need your help. Regret is perhaps inevitable when a profession demands such fast action as a medical practitioner, and we see Luca struggling with her all-loving nature being at odds with the complicated reality of treating what are essentially bioweapons in a post war landscape. She wants to do the right thing! But how can you ALWAYS know what the right thing to do is?
We also get some tantalizing tidbits about Siegfried and Luca's pasts that leave me even more excited to see what is to come in volume 3!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I originally picked this one up to read with my daughters because, I mean… dragons AND veterinarians? Such a cute concept. 🐉😂 My oldest definitely enjoyed it more at first, but we ultimately stopped reading it together because it was too advanced for them.
Even though it has a fun fantasy premise, I definitely agree with the Teen/YA age range. There are some heavier situations and more complex themes surrounding emergencies, injuries, and the value of human versus dragon lives that younger kids may not fully understand or be ready for.
For me personally, I thought the concept was really creative. I enjoyed seeing Luca and the other students actually learning how to care for dragons and being thrown into situations where there isn’t always an easy or obvious answer. I also liked that the story continues to give us little pieces of Luca’s background while leaving some mystery for future volumes.
Overall, I thought it was a good read, just not quite the right fit for my girls yet. I think older kids, teens, and especially manga readers who love dragons and fantasy adventures will appreciate this one much more.
Even though it has a fun fantasy premise, I definitely agree with the Teen/YA age range. There are some heavier situations and more complex themes surrounding emergencies, injuries, and the value of human versus dragon lives that younger kids may not fully understand or be ready for.
For me personally, I thought the concept was really creative. I enjoyed seeing Luca and the other students actually learning how to care for dragons and being thrown into situations where there isn’t always an easy or obvious answer. I also liked that the story continues to give us little pieces of Luca’s background while leaving some mystery for future volumes.
Overall, I thought it was a good read, just not quite the right fit for my girls yet. I think older kids, teens, and especially manga readers who love dragons and fantasy adventures will appreciate this one much more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⋆｡°✩ Rating : 4/5 ✩ ⋆｡°
I enjoyed Vol. 2 of this manga series. The story continues to be immersive, with fantastic world-building that makes the idea of veterinary medicine for dragons feel surprisingly believable. I especially like the little sketches of medical equipment between chapters: they’re a charming touch and is a testament to the author's dedication to realism and immersion.
In this volume, I appreciated the passage where we got to see the distinction between the medics and the vets, which allowed to bring up ethical concerns and dilemmas for the protagonist. Some of the medical details were a little less convincing, particularly around sterilization, but it didn’t take away too much from my enjoyment. Luca herself can sometimes be a bit insufferable, but it also feels consistent with her age and character.
Overall, a really fun and immersive second volume, and I plan on continuing with the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Vol. 2 of this manga series. The story continues to be immersive, with fantastic world-building that makes the idea of veterinary medicine for dragons feel surprisingly believable. I especially like the little sketches of medical equipment between chapters: they’re a charming touch and is a testament to the author's dedication to realism and immersion.
In this volume, I appreciated the passage where we got to see the distinction between the medics and the vets, which allowed to bring up ethical concerns and dilemmas for the protagonist. Some of the medical details were a little less convincing, particularly around sterilization, but it didn’t take away too much from my enjoyment. Luca herself can sometimes be a bit insufferable, but it also feels consistent with her age and character.
Overall, a really fun and immersive second volume, and I plan on continuing with the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the second volume of Luca the Dragon Vet, we follow our heroine's journey at the school of dracology as she takes up her training to the next level - field experience!
This volume continues the story naturally and wastes absolutely no time, adding in more action and training as the dragon vet trainees learn how to really save some dragon lives. And what a journey it was! I also enjoyed the tidbits of dragon fauna information interspersed between chapters about creatures in the world.
As always, the art was very scenic in the book, and the character drawings conveyed the necessary emotions during some emotional scenes. As we get a deeper view of this world, Adnogg, the plot also fills in the lore and backstory of the realm, making me appreciate the overall set-up of the plot even more. There was a good mix of feel-good moments, light comedy, and hard-hitting moments that we see our main characters face. A thoroughly enjoyable cozy dragon fantasy for the feels.
This volume continues the story naturally and wastes absolutely no time, adding in more action and training as the dragon vet trainees learn how to really save some dragon lives. And what a journey it was! I also enjoyed the tidbits of dragon fauna information interspersed between chapters about creatures in the world.
As always, the art was very scenic in the book, and the character drawings conveyed the necessary emotions during some emotional scenes. As we get a deeper view of this world, Adnogg, the plot also fills in the lore and backstory of the realm, making me appreciate the overall set-up of the plot even more. There was a good mix of feel-good moments, light comedy, and hard-hitting moments that we see our main characters face. A thoroughly enjoyable cozy dragon fantasy for the feels.
September 12, 2026
I received an ARC of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.
I really love this series and I’m glad I got to read the second volume too. The first one was definitely an introduction to the world and the characters, while the second one serves gutpunch after gutpunch of difficult questions when it comes to saving and prioritizing lives. The girls all have different principles and it’s nice to see them working together here, even when they disagree with each other.
Luca keeps having to decide between her beliefs of saving every dragon and her orders, and with how stressful this one was, I’m curious to see if she can keep holding onto them in the future, when things get even harder. What we learn about her parents is *brutal*.
I also love seeing more different types of dragons and the surprisingly deep explanations of their anatomy and behavior, and I really want to know what Siegfried is hiding.
I really love this series and I’m glad I got to read the second volume too. The first one was definitely an introduction to the world and the characters, while the second one serves gutpunch after gutpunch of difficult questions when it comes to saving and prioritizing lives. The girls all have different principles and it’s nice to see them working together here, even when they disagree with each other.
Luca keeps having to decide between her beliefs of saving every dragon and her orders, and with how stressful this one was, I’m curious to see if she can keep holding onto them in the future, when things get even harder. What we learn about her parents is *brutal*.
I also love seeing more different types of dragons and the surprisingly deep explanations of their anatomy and behavior, and I really want to know what Siegfried is hiding.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a delightful fantasy series. Having read comic 1, I was excited to open Luca Dragon Vet 2.
Luca, Jira and Chloe have begun their studies at Cogniel Academy of Dracology. With determination and much trepidation they are helping in an emergency. As students they are expected to triage fire dragons caught in a train accident.
Luca finds herself with a major dilemma. To her dragons are equally important to save as humans. But others with more experience have an expectation that humans should be saved first.
So when Luca finds a fire dragons, injured but protecting a young girl, the fire in her belly burns. Her belligerence means she must make a choice to listen or save.
She are friends have already shown that listening is not an option they are willing to do where saving dragons is concerned.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for the comic ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Luca, Jira and Chloe have begun their studies at Cogniel Academy of Dracology. With determination and much trepidation they are helping in an emergency. As students they are expected to triage fire dragons caught in a train accident.
Luca finds herself with a major dilemma. To her dragons are equally important to save as humans. But others with more experience have an expectation that humans should be saved first.
So when Luca finds a fire dragons, injured but protecting a young girl, the fire in her belly burns. Her belligerence means she must make a choice to listen or save.
She are friends have already shown that listening is not an option they are willing to do where saving dragons is concerned.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for the comic ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second volume of Luca the Dragon Vet finds Luca and her fellow trainees thrown into the field to help with a massive train wreck.
After the first volume concentrated on introducing us to the main characters and the world they inhabit, volume 2 throws us straight into the action, throwing a heavy dose of intrigue into the plot as it continues to develop. This volume has darker themes than the first and is aimed at teen+ readers.
This is another emotional complex volume, as it asks the reader to consider the moral and ethical dilemmas of medicines and surgery, the consequences of war, the power of the press, and the value of life. Having said that the author manages to present all this in such a way that it is never a heavy read, but rather something for you to ponder as the story unfolds, and as you get different characters opinions on the subject.
This is shaping up to be an interesting series, an entertaining read that also gives the reader something to challenge them.
After the first volume concentrated on introducing us to the main characters and the world they inhabit, volume 2 throws us straight into the action, throwing a heavy dose of intrigue into the plot as it continues to develop. This volume has darker themes than the first and is aimed at teen+ readers.
This is another emotional complex volume, as it asks the reader to consider the moral and ethical dilemmas of medicines and surgery, the consequences of war, the power of the press, and the value of life. Having said that the author manages to present all this in such a way that it is never a heavy read, but rather something for you to ponder as the story unfolds, and as you get different characters opinions on the subject.
This is shaping up to be an interesting series, an entertaining read that also gives the reader something to challenge them.
October 21, 2026
An action-packed, engaging and beautifully illustrated manga. The medical details are well established and founded in reality, which is very cool, the training and emergency scenes equally dramatic and detailed, with solutions and teaching hand in hand. It's cleverly built up, with the background being slowly fleshed out, military rumours, scapegoats and political complexities growing... It's engaging, gripping and intense!
The characters are well built, their relationships slowly growing, friendships solidifying, alliances forged, partnerships strengthened in the field. There is academic rivalry alongside competent teamwork, with conflicts being addressed and spoken through as they arise. They are a good balance of youthful and foolish and mature and intelligent.
I'm enjoying this series as it comes out, I look forward to future challenges, learning opportunities and political developments!
The characters are well built, their relationships slowly growing, friendships solidifying, alliances forged, partnerships strengthened in the field. There is academic rivalry alongside competent teamwork, with conflicts being addressed and spoken through as they arise. They are a good balance of youthful and foolish and mature and intelligent.
I'm enjoying this series as it comes out, I look forward to future challenges, learning opportunities and political developments!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What is the right solution?
A huge accident occurs and all the vets/medics are dispatched to the scene, that includes trainees too. Instead of treating dragons Luca soon learns the harsh reality that they are not the priority. However, the girls end up having their own plans.
The girls have definitely grown closer and you can see that with how much they trust one another. It would definitely be hard to see all the injured dragons but not be able to do anything. I understand there can be consequences to going against orders, during an accident the scene is a dangerous spot especially if the dragons can combust. But... Ugh I'm gonna stop there before I accidentally let spoilers slip out. I will mention though that even in volume 1, Luca's determination (and well stubbornness) has a effect on people to also take some type of action in the situation.
There is definitely more to the story regarding Luca's father and why he was set up.
A huge accident occurs and all the vets/medics are dispatched to the scene, that includes trainees too. Instead of treating dragons Luca soon learns the harsh reality that they are not the priority. However, the girls end up having their own plans.
The girls have definitely grown closer and you can see that with how much they trust one another. It would definitely be hard to see all the injured dragons but not be able to do anything. I understand there can be consequences to going against orders, during an accident the scene is a dangerous spot especially if the dragons can combust. But... Ugh I'm gonna stop there before I accidentally let spoilers slip out. I will mention though that even in volume 1, Luca's determination (and well stubbornness) has a effect on people to also take some type of action in the situation.
There is definitely more to the story regarding Luca's father and why he was set up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh this series is just so cute, I can't wait to keep going! It follows a young girl name Luca and her friend while they train to be dragon vets at the academy. In this installment all the dragon vets are called to help with an emergency situation, and Luca must decide whether or not to break the rules and help save a dragons life while she's supposed to be doing something else.
Honestly I really like all the characters, I feel like I'm getting to know each girl and they all have such distinct personalities. This book would be great for anyone 10+ and both installments so far have been super engaging. I will definitely continue with the series and rate both this book and the 1st installment 5 stars!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Kodansha Comic for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly I really like all the characters, I feel like I'm getting to know each girl and they all have such distinct personalities. This book would be great for anyone 10+ and both installments so far have been super engaging. I will definitely continue with the series and rate both this book and the 1st installment 5 stars!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Kodansha Comic for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*ARC generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley*
This was a very exciting addition to the story. The trainees are sent out to the site of a devastating train wreck full of dragons. The girls are tasked with triaging dragons but not treating them. They're also told that human lives are more important and force one to move, further injuring it, in order to get to a trapped little girl. That doesn't sit well with Luca. She convinces Jira and Chloe to cover for her while she stabilizes the dragon in order to be able to move it. Jira gets hurt and their professor scolds Luca for not following directions. Everyone learns some lessons that should make them better vets in the future. There's some character growth and the girls mature a little. Luca and Jira get featured in an article that is going to turn their lives upside down for a while.
This was a very exciting addition to the story. The trainees are sent out to the site of a devastating train wreck full of dragons. The girls are tasked with triaging dragons but not treating them. They're also told that human lives are more important and force one to move, further injuring it, in order to get to a trapped little girl. That doesn't sit well with Luca. She convinces Jira and Chloe to cover for her while she stabilizes the dragon in order to be able to move it. Jira gets hurt and their professor scolds Luca for not following directions. Everyone learns some lessons that should make them better vets in the future. There's some character growth and the girls mature a little. Luca and Jira get featured in an article that is going to turn their lives upside down for a while.
September 6, 2026
Volume 2 tightens the storytelling and raises the emotional stakes with a dramatic emergency that tests the trainees’ training and conscience. The pacing is pretty confident, with dialogue and scenes timed for maximum impact, and the character development especially for Luca and her classmates feels earned. The manga explores heavy themes like professional responsibility and regret while keeping warm, heartfelt moments and imaginative creature design.
The artwork is gorgeous, world-building progresses naturally, and the author’s note adds a pleasant behind the scenes touch. Overall this is a more focused, strong follow-up to the first volume. I am looking forward to the next volume in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Yuna Hirasawa and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The artwork is gorgeous, world-building progresses naturally, and the author’s note adds a pleasant behind the scenes touch. Overall this is a more focused, strong follow-up to the first volume. I am looking forward to the next volume in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Yuna Hirasawa and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the author, Kodanasha and Netgalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
I love this world, the range of dragons is amazing and well thought out, the premise of a veterinary school specifically to treat dragons is fantastic. I adore Luca, she's resilient and fierce, her desire to do right by each dragon patient is so endearing. Her friends continue to add to the wholesome nature of this story and I loved the iessca was more involved in this story. I'm hoping to see more of her going forward.
The story itself was high stakes with an ethical dilemma to make the reader and characters really think about how much a life is worth and what that means. The past and the war still hangs over the story and Luca in particular with her dad's deeds once again coming to light. I can't wait to read the next volume and be back into this world.
I love this world, the range of dragons is amazing and well thought out, the premise of a veterinary school specifically to treat dragons is fantastic. I adore Luca, she's resilient and fierce, her desire to do right by each dragon patient is so endearing. Her friends continue to add to the wholesome nature of this story and I loved the iessca was more involved in this story. I'm hoping to see more of her going forward.
The story itself was high stakes with an ethical dilemma to make the reader and characters really think about how much a life is worth and what that means. The past and the war still hangs over the story and Luca in particular with her dad's deeds once again coming to light. I can't wait to read the next volume and be back into this world.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second volume of Luca the Dragon Vet jumped straight into the action with Luca, Jira, and Chloe being tasked to triage dragons who were harmed during a cargo train accident. It was a harrowing learning experience for the trio that begs the question of whether or not rules should always be followed. Sometimes rules can overlook the full story, however, rules can also protect people from harm.
It was great to see Luca in action as a vet apprentice. While she can be a bit chaotic with her choices in going rogue, I think the choices she made ultimately showcased how far her empathy goes when it comes to treating dragons. She sees them as living creatures with value and worth, and isn't afraid to get into trouble in order to save them.
I'm curious to know what happens in the next volume as we were left on a tension filled cliff-hanger.
*Thank you Kodansha for the netgalley arc*
It was great to see Luca in action as a vet apprentice. While she can be a bit chaotic with her choices in going rogue, I think the choices she made ultimately showcased how far her empathy goes when it comes to treating dragons. She sees them as living creatures with value and worth, and isn't afraid to get into trouble in order to save them.
I'm curious to know what happens in the next volume as we were left on a tension filled cliff-hanger.
*Thank you Kodansha for the netgalley arc*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Luca is continuing her training to become a Dragon Vet. The first book was an introduction to the world and characters, but this book tackles the hard choices a vet has to make. A lot of ethical questions were raised whether one life is worth more than another.
It is a treat to see Luca understand that being a vet has more impact than 'just' saving dragons and growing with a new understanding of her chosen craft.
The designs of all the new types of dragons are interesting and the medical jargon makes it feel like being a dragon veterinarian is a real education.
Thank you to Yuna Hirasawa, Kodansha Comics, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up
It is a treat to see Luca understand that being a vet has more impact than 'just' saving dragons and growing with a new understanding of her chosen craft.
The designs of all the new types of dragons are interesting and the medical jargon makes it feel like being a dragon veterinarian is a real education.
Thank you to Yuna Hirasawa, Kodansha Comics, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up
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