Land of Monstersis the latest dark fantasy shōnen series inWeekly Shōnen Sundayand is already gaining significant buzz just a few months after its debut. The manga,written and illustrated by Mitsutani,began serialization in February 2025. Its first collected volume was officially released in Japan on May 15th, marking an early milestone for the series as it continues to expand and build momentum.
What setsLand of Monstersapart so early in its run is more than its artwork and premise, as it received notable praise from industry veterans.Rumiko Takahashi, the creator behind Inuyasha, is among the growing fan baseand publicly recommends the series. Her endorsement has added credibility to the title and made it a standout among many other shōnen manga competing for attention.
Rumiko Takahashi Offered Land of Monsters High Praise
The Creator of Inuyasha and Ranma 1/2 Shared Her Admiration for Land of Monsters
Rumiko Takahashi’s praise forLand of Monsterscarries significant weight in the industry. As the creator ofInuyasha,Ranma 1/2, andUrusei Yatsura, her impact spans across multiple generations, withInuyashastanding out as one of the defining anime series of the early 2000s.Takahashi is known for her abilityto blend folklore and action into emotionally resonant stories and has influenced the direction of many shōnen and fantasy manga.When a creator of her stature singles out a new series to praise, the recommendation carries real influence.Her admiration forLand of Monstersvalidates its potential.
Land of Monsterscenters on a young boy named Rabi who must navigate a world where humans andmonsters have been locked in conflict.Rabisets out on a quest to find a path toward peaceafter discovering that his late mother had ties with the same monsters he was taught to hate. After her death, the frequency of monster attacks becomes increasingly relentless, and Rabi’s life is completely turned upside down after his mother’s corpse is taken by Alfur, a powerful monster who takes the form of a wolf. Now with dangerous abilities of his own, Rabi sets out to change his fate.
Land of Monsters Sets the Stage for a Powerful Story
The Divide Between Humans and Monsters Can Be Bridged
Land of Monsterslays the groundwork for a tense and emotionally chargedexploration of the divide between humans and monsters. Through scattered memories and offhand remarks, it becomes clear that Rabi’s mother, Oki, once served as a bridge between the two worlds. She befriended the monsters, including Alfur, and actively protected humans from their attacks through a pact she had made. Her life offered the world a fragile peace that was ultimately shattered upon her death. As monster attacks resumed and humans braced for more violence, the balance that once existed set a powerful emotional undercurrent throughout the story.
The story raises the question as to what truly makes a monster a monster.
Rabi’s journey is largely shaped by his determination to reclaim the mother he lost, but along the way, he slowly forges connections with monsters, some of whom knew Oki well. These bonds growdespite the prejudice that humans are taught, conditioning them to act against them with violence. The growing understanding betweenRabi and the monsters positions him as a potential successor to Oki. The story even raises the question as to what truly makes a monster a monster.
Land of Monstersis shaping up to be a compelling addition to the dark fantasy shōnen genre andeffectively blends action with thought-provoking themes. With Rumiko Takahashi’s praise for the series and the storyline’s thrilling premise, the series is a promising one. Rabi may have a long and difficult quest ahead of him, butLand of Monstershas the potential to become one of this year’s best reads.
Shonen Jump
Shonen Jumpis one of Japan’s most successful manga anthology franchises, published by Shueisha. Launched in 1968, it is the source of some of the most beloved and popular anime and manga series, such asOne Piece,Dragon Ball, andNaruto. The franchise has extended into multiple adaptations across various media, including anime, films, video games, and merchandise.
