Kodansha USA confirmed with Anime News Network that it has licensed the fantasy manga adaptation of Nahoko Uehashi’s The Beast Player manga adaptation for digital release on May 14, 2024. The first tankobon volume will be available upon release across all participating digital vendors.
Itoe Takemoto is handling the art for The Beast Player manga, with Uehashi credited with the story. The manga was serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Sirius magazine from October 25, 2008 to April 8, 2016. A total of 11 tankobon volumes have been released as of April 2016. The manga was republished in bunkoban format on September 12, 2014.
Uehashi, who is known for her work on The Deer King and Moribito, published the original novel series from November 21, 2006 to August 11, 2009. Five volumes, including a side story, were released in total. A sequel titled The Beast Warrior was released in August 2009.
A 50-episode TV anime series from Production I.G and Trans Arts was released in 2009 under the title Erin.
Kodansha USA describes the synopsis of The Beast Player as:
Ten-year-old Elin loves her brave and beautiful mother, a gifted beast doctor charged with the care of the Toda—the fearsome giant serpents that the kingdom’s warriors ride into battle. Their modest but happy life together is shattered when a mysterious illness fells the entire stable of the prized serpents overnight, and Elin’s mother is saddled with the blame. Before she knows it, Elin finds herself cast out from all she has ever known, alone in a faraway land, with only her mother’s words and the kindness of strangers to guide her.
A free preview of the manga’s first chapter can be found on the main website.
Source: Anime News Network, press release
