Kamudo, vol. 1 | Review

Kamudo, vol. 1

Story and art by Akira Himekawa

VIZ, released 10/7/25

Age rating: Teen

Ever read something so mesmerizing that you find yourself lost in the story and immersed in the world in your hands?

That’s what Kamudo by the mangaka duo, Akira Himekawa, will do to you. 

The worldbuilding the duo has made with this story is immaculate at best. The art is exquisite and crisp, which grabbed my attention immediately before I could get into the story. However once I started reading, I became more entranced.

Kamudo begins in the utopian nation of Ryujinkyo, where demidragons rule in prosperity. When Kamuna, a boy who appears human despite having the left hand of a dragon and a tail, is born, he is feared and almost condemned to death. The elder of Ryujinkyo, Gara, spares Kamuna and foresees him as a positive sign from their God. Kamuna is raised with the other dragons, yet dealing with bullying from his brother Gindu, who doesn’t see Kamuna as an equal, let alone a dragon. Kamuna is set to prove himself to his society, despite his limitations due to part of his human form. 

The story is crafted to near perfection. Even though it did become slow at times, I won’t consider that a hindrance. We are given a wide variety of characters who are going to be playing a part in Kamuna’s story. One character I have a special interest in is Shiguru, a demiwolf who is known to the dragon community. We get a glimpse into her past as we learn she is searching for her lost son. She has a special interest in Kamuna, but it’s not explored as much. 

In the end, this is Kamuna’s story. He’s the black sheep of his family and he knows it. However, Kamuna is loved by his family (minus Gindu), and cared for. Witnessing how Kamuna is going to overcome the odds is worth reading. I had the honor of meeting Akira Himekawa at New York Comic Con in October, and they told me that this was going to be a long series. I see Kamudo becoming an epic saga, and I look forward to seeing more of this beautiful story.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Manga, Reviews, Young Adult