Dragon Half Omnibus, Vol. 1

Dragon Half Omnibus #1

by Ryūsuke Mita

A young girl named Mink falls for the dreamy Dick Saucer, a famous idol. There’s only one problem: Dick’s not just an idol―he’s a dragon slayer, too...and Mink is half dragon! To solve this conundrum, Mink and her friends set out on a playful quest to destroy the Demon Lord Azatodeth and gain a potion that will make Mink completely human!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comedy, Comics Manga, Humor

352 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2018

Reviews

[Doc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragon Half is rated Teen but it does have some slightly mature themes like a rumor has it dragon half girls have teeth lining down there, minor breast shots, a little attempted tentacle play, some literal potty humor, and at least two open bath scenes that lets your imagination do the work your eyes can't see. If that kind of stuff bothers you then perhaps you should try another series because i can imagine this classic will only push the envelope and bring us more parody humor with pop culture references obviously updated from the original created in 1988 (serialized in the classic Dragon Magazine.)

With nice color inserts before the first and second volume in this omnibus we get a feel for the Ryūsuke Mita's favorite artworks as well as his memories of the series and some of the first few pages of each book in color as well. Of course the first thing that got my attention when I picked the book up was the shiny metallic looking cover before nostalgia of the spunky dragon half named Mink began crawling her way up from my memories. The only thing I am really disappointed in is the useless compatibility tests on the inside cover which rely on you getting the 2nd volume to know the answers and a lack of (although I can imagine it would be a challenge to do) guide to all of the inside jokes in the book. Hail Hydra.

It is really hard to chose a favorite part of this humorous adventure of misguided youth but one of the most memorable parts I actually read outloud to a friend was about these poor guys cursed by the princess (see Mink's love rival) and they can't stop laughing even after 3 years so they can't communicate (thanks goodness for subtitles for the readers) unfortunately for them Mink can't read their subtitles so it makes for a fun encounter and less then useful encounter for them. :)

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the OVA for this years ago, and always rather liked it, despite how short it was. So, when I stumbled across the manga in omnibus format, I jumped at the chance to see more of this world without being rushed through the story. And I'm happy to say that, unlike a sitcom, where the humor works best in tiny, bite-sized chunks, Dragon Half holds up as a longer-form story. Sure, a lot of it is still silly, goofy nonsense (the front and back covers of the volume have compatibility tests for the characters, one for men and one for women), but it's fun. A few of the jokes don't quite land, but there's an overall cheerful lightheartedness to everything here, that just feels good to read.

As for the actual plot, it's something of a convoluted love polygon: Mink is the daughter of a red dragon, and one of the kingdom's (formerly) greatest knights. But because falling in love with a dragon that it's your job to kill is kind of a traitorous act, the king wants Mink's dad dead...and also because he wants her mom for himself. Mink, perhaps following in her mother's footsteps, has fallen in love with another dragon slayer (who is also a dreamy musician), but with less than favorable results. Convinced that he'd love her back if only she were fully human, Mink sets out with her friends, Lufa (a sexually-confused, magically incompetent elf) and Pia (a little girl with way overprotective parents) to find a potion that will do away with her pesky wings, tail, and horns. Hijinks ensue, including but not limited to: run-ins with Mink's romantic rival (who so happens to be the king's daughter), a martial arts tournament, many, many failed assassination attempts, and some business about a demon lord who's starting to spread havoc across the land.

Wacky comedies like this do still exist (Magu-chan: God of Destruction is the most recent example I can think of), but they're nowhere near as common as they used to be. And that's kind of sad, because a bit of simple laughter can go a long way, and that feeling shouldn't just be a nostalgic one.

[T.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! So nice to read the full "Dragon Half" manga after seeing the short, cheesy but endearing anime long, long ago. I love the artwork, even if others think it's "dated." A lot is packed into each page - adventure, danger, jokes, mild smut - but in the end this is a lighthearted, funny fantasy comic pulling from things like roll playing games and teen pop drama. Mink is great! Being a "dragon-half" makes her unique in her world, but it also gives her powers that allow her to be a hero (along with her big heart). Still, she's doing all these heroic things in hopes of becoming just a regular human girl just to get a guy to like her (if he doesn't kill her first). Wonder if she'll figure things out? I doubt it. :)

[Tavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratings for these three comprise the nostalgia for the fantabulous but all-too-brief anime, as well as the joyful relief of finally getting my hands on the full story in English. (I'd even gone so far as to ask a friend who was traveling to Tokyo to bring me back anything he could find; he found volumes 2-6, in Japanese.) The art style may seem a bit dated--as one would expect for a manga that started its run in the 1980s--but the slapstick, send-ups, and ecchi are still in full effect.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, how I have waited for this book. The art's very dated, but I could hear the anime voices in my head and that made me very happy. Plus it still is a genuinely funny story.

Full review eventually appearing on ANN, without Nostalgia Goggles.

[Yuiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I really liked it I love mink and I love her outfit. But then half way through I'm just getting annoyed cause it's mostly just a gag manga. So idk if I'm going to finish the series.you guys should still check it out

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7⭐️
I like the world the story takes place in as-well as the fact of a half human half dragon main character is interesting and competing quest to kill these demon creatures. I hope the book get better as the series comes to an end with book 2 and 3.

[Ernesto I. Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It accomplishes its intention, which is to be fun and absurd.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally cutesy funny. Cheesy much, but fun. Other than the skanky outfits, I enjoyed the manga.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading through this series for Otaku In Review episode 203. So I look forward to giving my full thoughts then.

[n [larrythelatypus] · Rating 1 out of 5]

this old manga is just so old and has so many problematic """jokes"""" it's just hard to read
some of the 4th wall breaking was funny but this is literally just another old, problematic manga

[David Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dumb fun, some great gags

[PJC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the anime.