When a Dragon Calls 1

by Sachiko Kashiwaba, Renji Asai, Miho Satake (Designer)

Perfect for young readers and fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away!

A fantastical adventure based on the hit fantasy novel that will sweep you off your feet!

Ten-year-old Mia lives with her aunt in the poor, secluded, so-called “Criminals’ Village” where the only way out is to be called by a dragon and carried off to a new life. One day, the unassuming Mia is chosen for this honor and whisked away on dragon-back to the royal palace, a dazzling world filled with witches, dragon-riding knights, and a centuries-long curse she must somehow find a way to lift.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Dragons, Graphic Novels

160 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 24, 2026

About the author

Sachiko Kashiwaba (1953–) is a native of Iwate Prefecture, where she was born in the coastal city of Miyako. She studied at Tohoku Pharmaceutical University in Sendai, and while still in college made her debut as a children's writer by winning the 1974 Kodansha Award for New Writers of Children's Literature with The Marvelous Village Veiled in Mist (tr. 1987), which inspired the Studio Ghibli animated film Spirited Away. She quickly established herself as a leading children's author, with work ranging from novel-length fantasies to nursery tales. Her stories portray other worlds—fantasy worlds—that are direct extensions of the real world. By venturing into those other realities, her characters discover things about themselves that allow them to return to their place in this world with a new outlook. Her many other awards include the JAWC New Talent Award for The Marvelous Village Veiled in Mist; the 2007 Sankei Children's Book Award Grand Prize for Botan-san no fushigi na mainichi (The Marvelous Days of Mrs. Peony); and the 2010 Shogakukan Children's Publication Culture Award for Tsuzuki no toshokan (The Rest of the Story Library). Her other works include Buremen basu (Bremen Bus), Dodo-cho no komazukai (The Dodo Bird's Gofer), and NHK-TV's educational puppet drama Bakeruno shogakko hyudoro-gumi (Hyudoro Class, Monster School).

Reviews

[Nic & Ry Meltdownerz]

Thank you NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book.

This is definitely one for fans of Studio Ghibli, especially Sprited away.

This would make an epic movie, really creative and ambitious.

Well done to everyone who worked on this. It's beautiful drawn and great story telling.

[Jack Goff]

I am so excited about this series. I saw the cover and immediately got Spirited Away vibes. I was not disappointed. The art in this is absolutely gorgeous. So detailed and beautiful. I was immediately pulled into the story and interested about the world. We have a village cut off from the rest of society, we have dragons, we have ghosts, we have witches! What more could you really ask for? There is a lot of mystery surrounding the palace where our main character ends up after being selected by the dragon. So much atmosphere. I love when the setting itself takes on a mystical quality and almost becomes a character itself, and I can see that happening with this palace.

Sometimes I am not a fan of very young protagonists because they are very hard to get right. You can easily make them annoying or so far in the other direction that they are like a saint and unbelievable. I think the author strikes a good balance with this character. She is hopeful, but not so much that she isn’t relatable and she does have her moments of being emotional, but it never feels annoying. It just feels like a child that is overwhelmed with a strange, new world has been dropped into.

All that being said, I can’t wait to read more. Hopefully the next volume gets put up on Netgalley, too.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha for the DRC!

[Dee Hancocks]

This absolutely beautiful graphic story is a fun adventure and a brilliant visual feast that perfectly delivers on those magical Studio Ghibli vibes, leaving me completely hooked and desperate for more. The story follows Mia, a ten-year-old living as an outsider in a cut-off village of fellow outsiders, and the stunning artwork captures a whimsical atmosphere that fans of classic animation will adore. Mia lives with her aunt, and while their relationship is lovely, they live quite differently from everyone else in the community, a contrast beautifully conveyed through the illustrations. The narrative quickly ramps up into a thrilling dragon adventure and a trip into the outside world, using dynamic panels to explore a detailed fantasy world and its interesting cast of characters. I absolutely loved the mystery elements woven into the journey, and Mia is a fantastic character to root for; she has had a hard time, but she proves to be a quick study when thrust into an overwhelming situation. What truly makes this book stand out is how the amazing art and the written background sound effects work together, making every single scene vibrant and allowing the action to come to life off the page. Right now, I simply do not have enough of this gorgeous world, and I highly recommend it while I eagerly wait to see where this visual story goes next.

[aria.roastandread]

˚.⋆꒰১5 stars໒꒱⋆.˚
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for providing me with an E-ARC! All opinions are my own!

Lately I'm seeing the rise of more cutesy magical girls as leading characters, and I am LOVING IT.

The only complaint that I have was that it ended so early T_T I love Mia, my new fictional daughter 🥹 Mia is a timid ten-year-old who'd never thought to be called by the dragon, but when she does, she'll only have her Ja plant and her wits to help her to survive. When A Dragon Calls had the same veins as Witch Hat Atelier in the sense of the overall theme! Seemingly cute and whimsical from the cover and surface, but there's dark and heavy tropics underneath. Yes, even from the first chapter, we're quickly exposed to one parental theme right after we get a very cute scene. Diabolical, if I would say.

Gahhh I just couldn't stomach myself to see what Mia had gone through, and the predicaments that she would find herself in the future😩 Watching babies trying to find footing in a world of magic is not for the weak; hopefully we'll be introduced to Mia's support system soon.

For three early chapters, I found that the storytelling to be swift and introduced all the future plot points seamlessly. I got a quick grasp and understanding of the lore and a little bit of world building; the relationship between the witches and the people, the purpose of dragons, how Sinners came by and their societal system. The translation was also clear and easy for readers to understand. The illustration was cute too! For the building, I particularly love the royal palace and Lord Usuzu's dragon pool designs. I am also fond of the dragon that carried Mia. The design was so unique and regal. But my favourite had to be Mia's large twin braids; such a striking signature look for her.

I think I have no complaints, so there's no reason for me to not give this a solid 5 stars. Strong start, compelling characters, engaging plot, what more could I ask for? When A Dragon Calls is a story that I would want to get lost in. Definitely could not wait for the continuation. 10/10 recommend it if you love Witch Hat Atelier, Frieren or any Ghibli movies.

[Zaferino]

The vibes are studio ghibli. The art is studio ghibli. I just wish the story was studio ghibli. Instead, the world building is a little vague and each plot point isn’t explained well.

It is a manga aimed at younger folk but I’m not sure how young. I fear even they would be confused by the plot. There is a rule established early in the story, which is not explained or expanded on before it becomes completely irrelevant. And, after that, we are dropped in yet another closed area, in which events happen, character gets past it, and then cries. So much crying. But that first part? Doesn’t really matter. It’s over.

And I fear no other character is really explored. There is just our main character and her small interactions. She gets retold the same story twice, which just a small difference, and has little conversations with vague hints. Yes, first books often don’t do too much but this one’s set up is vague at best and half is unnecessary detail. We get no real substance to latch onto about the world: another character or event. The entire story feels simple.

I feel like a lot more could be done with this. The little plot points set up could be emphasized and more have more import. There could be another notable character in the latter half. The art is exactly what I thought it would be: cute and stylized. The main character is a bit weak but still charming. In the end, I feel like the impact of the story and world was weak and easily forgotten.

I received an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Megan]

"When a Dragon Calls" (Vol. 1) is a true beauty of a manga, right on down to its lush, evocative art style. Fans who adore the rich, detailed aesthetics of Witch Hat Atelier and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind will find themselves completely enchanted by this fantasy tale, which effortlessly balances magic with deep-seated intrigue and mystery. The overall premise carries the unmistakable magic of a classic Studio Ghibli film, brimming with curious children, witches, dragons, and ghosts. Beyond its stunning visual hook, the volume is exceptionally well-written, laying down a solid core narrative while quietly weaving in fascinating subplots that hold immense promise for future installments.

If there is any critique to offer, it is only that the volume demands a surprisingly deliberate reading pace. Yet that slowness isn't a flaw; it's a testament to the art itself. This isn't a text-dense manga, but the sheer level of craftsmanship makes you want to sit, linger, and thoroughly drink in every small detail on the page. From the intricate texture of a dragon's scales down to the expressive background characters, there is always something new to analyze in every panel. "When a Dragon Calls" is a thoroughly captivating start to a series with incredible potential, and it leaves little doubt that I'll be picking up the second volume the moment it comes out.

[Jones & the books]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the first volume in this new manga series.

I have to say, when I read the comparison with the Ghibli movies I was a bit on the fence, because I still have to find a book that really manages to convey the feel of the studio movies, but… Dare I say that this one seems to have the potential to become the first??

Mia lives in a village surrounded by cliffs. She is part of the losing people of an old war and after their defeat, they were exiled to live there. But once in a while the dragon will call one the villagers and, riding on its back, it will take them to live somewhere else. I hope it’s not considered a spoiler if I say that Mia would be the one receiving the dragon call on her tenth birthday…

I will also say that I was a little bit skeptical with the illustrations at the beginning: the proportion of those hands were a little bit crazy and Mia’s braids defy every law of physics, but once the dragon appeared I was completely in awe. The palace looks amazing and the witches were what brought it home for me at the end of the volume.

I can confidently say that I will be continuing with the series. So many seeds have been planted (figuratively and literally) that I’m genuinely curious to see where this will go.

[ฅ^•⩊•^ฅ]

This manga was presented as a perfect read for fans of Studio Ghibli, especially Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service, and I completely agree. I’d also highly recommend it to fans of Witch Hat Atelier.

It has that cozy, beautiful atmosphere, with an art style that I absolutely fell in love with, but there’s also a slightly haunting quality underneath it all, the kind of strange, magical feeling that makes Ghibli films so special.

The art was what initially drew me in, but the story quickly hooked me too. I mean, a whole village trapped inside a crater, its inhabitants being called “sinners,” dragons, witches, ghosts… how could that NOT make me curious? The story has that unmistakable Studio Ghibli kind of magic, filled with curious children, witches, dragons, and ghosts. And while the artwork was what first caught my attention, I was just as impressed by how well-written the story itself is.

My only complaint is that it ended way too soon. I already love Mia. Mia is a timid ten-year-old who never expected to be chosen by the dragon, and suddenly finds herself having to survive with nothing but her Ja plant and her own wits.

I really want to see Mia grow and thrive, and I’m definitely picking up the next volume.

[An]

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

I saw the cover which reminded me of Studio Ghibli vibes and I knew that I had to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. The art style is beautiful and very detailed. The colours used on the cover and the details added to the settings are very mystical. The plot is pretty intriguing as well with the concept of having a Criminals' Village and a dragon that provides the only way to leave the said village. Mia seems to be an adorable little girl as well. She's brave yet also displays the characteristics of a child her age. Like all little girls her age, she shows apprehension (reasonably so considering that she's a child who just got taken to the palace) but also curiosity towards her new future. We also have other fantasy elements such as flying witches and ghosts. This was a well-crafted premise to the series with all the mystery surrounding the people living in the palace, the judgement and apparent scorn towards the witches, and to Mia's role itself.

I'm really excited to read more of Mia's journey in the future upcoming parts of this series!

[Brittany]

"When a Dragon Calls" follows a young girl from a valley of sinners who gets chosen by the dragon to live in the outside world. What she finds there is a palace full of witches, political intrigue, and a curse. Using knowledge passed down to her by her Aunt, Mia must do what it takes to survive in this world that is so different from her own.

The artwork was stunning! It's so detailed and the characters and backdrops were gorgeous. It was clear who each character was because they were so distinctly drawn, and the backgrounds were so finely detailed that I felt super immersed in the story. The plot was gripping and fast paced, and I'm super intrigued to know where the story will go from here. I definitely am interested in reading book 2.

This would be great for readers 10+. It's definitely more of a middle grade/ young adult series but I still really enjoyed it as an adult!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lanie Brown]

Mia lives in a valley with her second auntie with no way to escape from it, other than to be called by a dragon in the spring of your tenth birthday. As the daughter of sinners, Mia doesn't expect to be called at all, but to her and the surprise of most of the valley she is! She is sent to the royal palace of all places as well and tasked with taking care of a ghost of all things! The palace is scary enough but now this!

This was absolutely adorable! Mia is a bit, okay a big, cry baby, but I mean she's ten so gotta cut her some slack. Especially since she has not had the greatest life to date. The whole curse/ghost thing was a twist I definitely did not see coming either so I enjoyed that part as well. Especially since I can't see how a ten yr old could lift a curse.

I will definitely be following this series to see what's in store next for MIa!

As always thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha for the eArc!

[Kathryn]

While this was a cute manga, I feel like it might not be the greatest adaptation work.
The art was very beautiful and the character design was lovely. However, the first chapter especially felt very rushed. I understand this is based on a novel, and the first chapter felt very much like they were cramming as much world-building and plot setup as possible into roughly 80 pages of manga. It was clumsy and negated any whimsy they were trying to show. The following two chapters were better paced, but still not quite right. The constant back and forth of the character breaking into tears of self-pity before pulling herself up with a burst of confidence could also get old very fast if it continues in future volumes.
Overall, it's an interesting story, but I might rather read the novel.

Thank you to Kodansha and Netgalley for the ARC.

[East of Reality]

A combination mystery and coming of age story that seems quite promising, but ends very quickly — and without much actually happening — that I’m left a little flat footed. While there’s a fair amount of world building here, open ended enough to allow for future books to have something to talk about, there’s not much of a story at this point. Our main character has been called by a dragon and sent to live in the royal city. She serves as the maid of a ghost, who may or may not be a ghost. The end.

As brief as this was, I’m not certain enough story was offered for me to be interested enough to pick up the next volume, even if I am curious about how dragons work in this world. Honestly, I’d suggest getting it from your library, or waiting for there to be more volumes available before picking this one up.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC

[Hannah Rowan]

An enchanting beginning to a new manga series! I was so sad for volume 1 to end! I wanted to know so much more about the world. The art style made the story immersive. It really hooked me in. Seeing as this is volume 1, we don’t really get to delve into the story itself. It is mostly an introduction. However, I am looking forward to reading the next volume. It is being described as a series for fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away. I can definitely see the influence in the art style. The beginning of the manga actually reminded me a bit of the very beginning of Kiki’s Delivery Service. This is based on a beloved book, which I am now eager to look into.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*

[Chelsea Tomedragon]

ARC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As promised it definitely has those typical and beloved vibes we've come to expect of Studio Ghibli such as Spirited Away. I also get Mary and the Witch's Flower (2017 animated movie).

Her hair is amazing, but the way the artist puts so much into each characters eyes? Incredible. Not only is the emotion so present in each scene, it's powerful and draws the viewer into the story.

The FMC is young, which I thought might be hard for me to connect to, but just like a Miyazaki film, there is so much depth and emotion woven into their backstory you can't help but be drawn in.

This story has a lot going on behind the scenes that this first volume hints at and it looks good. Darker themes, determination, and potential curse breaking.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this ARC!

[Clara]

Thank you Kodansha, for allowing me early access to read this manga! Mia is a somewhat shy and apprehensive girl, but can be very determined to see things through. She is born and raised in a village called Sinner's Village, that's blocked off from the rest of the world. The dragon will sometimes call for a certain villager for a new duty and can take them to the outside world. Mia ends up being that girl, and is brought directly to the royal palace. She is plopped right into the middle of a mysterious curse they all hope she can lift, and struggles with the difficulty of the task ahead of her, but decides to hold her head up high. She's a cute character, and I'm curious to see where this manga series goes!

[Elia RS]

Village of Sinners is a place where its people are still living with the consequences of their ancestors' mistakes during the war.

This first volume introduces us to a story that seems to have a little light in it, despite the main character's past, the way the villagers treat each other, and the challenges a young girl faces involving witches, betrayal, dragons, and much more.

The real mystery begins when Mia leaves the village and starts discovering secrets from the past, while new mysteries and dangers appear. She also begins to understand that there is more to the curse affecting the place where she grew up.

I can't say much more without giving away parts of the story. I hope this review encourages someone to give it a chance because it's such a cute read!

[Vanessa Sederstrem]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this arc.

⭐⭐⭐,5
A Beautiful, Magical Start That Leaves You Wanting More
The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful, and the premise pulled me in right away. After all—dragons, magic, and a curse? What is there not to like?
However, because this volume is just the start of the story, we only get to scratch the surface. It serves purely as an introduction, meaning that nothing major really happens yet and we still only know a tiny bit about the world and characters. I found myself wanting a little more depth and progression from this first installment.

That being said, it was interesting enough to keep my attention, and I would definitely read the next volume to find out what happens next

[Sarah Anderson]

So between this and Luca Dragon Vet, Kodansha is killing it with dragon related mangas. That said seems dragons are playing a mostly minor part, as it's mostly for our making girl to get from a penal colony that only the dragon called children are allowed to leave, to the royal palace where she is condescended to not just as a new servant on the bottom of the hierarchy but a child of that penal colony. The pacing is perhaps a little wonky with how fast it is and you gotta just pick up some of the lore as you go but I really, it's very charming so far. Sort of feels like something that belongs on the shelf beside Diana Wynne Jones and Gail Carson Levine.

[Elisha]

The main character Mia is absolutely adorable. I love her relationship with her second aunt and how her second aunt was basically her mom growing up and she has definitely set Mia up for success when getting out of her village. I am curious about Mia’s mom and second aunt’s story. What were their lives like and how is this going to affect Mia? This is still just the first volume so obviously I’ll have to wait and see what ends up happening, but this is a great intro! This manga is definitely great for young readers.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC through NetGalley.

[sofia]

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this e-arc!

The premise of this story is so interesting that I just had to read it to find out about. The world building definitely sets things up and we focus on that but there's still not a lot of it to go off of. I did like seeing Mia navigate this new world using the limited knowledge that she has but the poor girl is so scared, I feel so bad! This felt a bit too fast-paced for me and I felt like we didn't learn too much but... it is volume 1. Still a really cute read though!

[Horace Hudson]

I thought this story was really cute so far. Our little hero is plucked out of her village and deals with being in a new place. She’s the average young protagonist, scared and smart. The mysteries set up seem interesting. Most of the art is quite pretty. A pretty good start to the series.

The kid kinda freaked me out in the first half because I find her big eyes a little weird looking. They look more detailed because the other characters don’t have light eyes. They grew on me by the end, though.

[Elena Lavanda]

When a Dragon Calls delivers a heartfelt story anchored by Mia, a sweet yet misunderstood protagonist who is ostracized by her village due to the past mistakes of her parents. Everything changes on her tenth birthday when a dragon chooses her, setting off a journey where she begins facing new challenges.

Mia is brave, insecure, and deeply lovable. The visual storytelling shines through beautiful artwork, and with plenty of mysteries still left to unravel, it establishes a solid, intriguing setup that makes you eager to see where the story goes next.

[Christine Craft]

When a Dragon Calls 1 is a whimsical and magical read with Spirited Away vibes.

The art is detailed and beautiful. I liked the adorable main character and her lovely supportive aunt. The mystery is intriguing, and I can’t wait to find out where it takes the story next. I also enjoyed the addition of political intrigue, dragons, witches, and ghosts.

Overall, this is a delightful read with a mystery that has me hooked and eager to read the next volume. I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC(advanced reader copy) in return for an honest review.

[Rebecca]

I love Sachiko Kashiwaba, but I have the distinct feeling that this works better in its original novel form. This volume is entirely setup, which does involve some interesting world building, but Mia spends most of the book sobbing and scared, which definitely detracts. I'll probably give volume two a chance, but right now I'm hoping for an English edition of the novel.

2.5 rounded up for potential.

[Emily Pencil]

Mia is an adorably lovable protagonist who is one day called by the dragon and plot ensues. This story was very magical and beautifully illustrated. The plot was very quick and fast, too much so. Not a lot is explained well, you just have to go with it and not question things, much like the ten year old protagonist. But this was still an enjoyable time and look forward to seeing where the story goes.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Kendra FairyKind]

This was an adorable read!!!!!! The art matched the story, its charatcers felt like they belonged to the world! It was beautiful!
I’m looking forward to finding out more about the world and characters!
Overall a great read, lighthearted and intriguing!

[Lissa Hawley]

Absolutely charming. Mia is adorable and I am intrigued by the dragons and the mysteries.

The art is lovely as well.

My only quibble is that it ended too soon. I was definitely pulled in enough to commit to a long binge!

Recommended.

[alexcia]

I love the art style and I find this story to be very cute! I honestly can't wait to read the next volume!

[Sarah Szeszol]

I LOVED this. I'm so excited to read more! The art is exquisite and the story line is very very interesting.