Shogakukan’s Manga ONE app has exciting news to share. Tatsukazu Konda and Guardian of the Witch’s Asahi Sakano are teaming up to bring us a brand-new manga titled “Jūō to Yakusō” (Beast King & Medicinal Herb), scheduled for release on August 16. With character designs by Momochichi, this collaboration promises a thrilling story.
Konda takes the role of the writer, creating a narrative that revolves around a once-defeated beast king, believed to be vanquished by a hero. Paired with the distinct artistry of Sakano, the manga introduces a unique partnership between the resilient beast king, who was thought to be dead, and a peripatetic doctor.
Sakano’s previous Guardian of the Witch wasn’t much of a success, with only a handful of manga enthusiasts enjoying the work. But that doesn’t mean Sakano cannot deliver bangers. With the anticipation high for the Beast King & Medicinal Herb manga, fans are more than excited to find out what this piece of art will give them.
Will it be an enjoyable read? Or will it rank low as Guardian of the Witch did? There’s only one way to find out! Head over to Manga Plus to catch the first few chapters of this upcoming manga series on August 16.
Also Read: Our Summer was Torn Apart: New Horror Suspense Manga Released by Arata Miyatsuki & Kentarō Satō
The Plot of Guardian of the Witch
Amidst a world consumed by evil forces, humanity’s survival rests in the otherworldly powers of witches. The city of Berne is overflowing with demonic threats, defended by the formidable witch Manasfa and the kingdom’s indomitable knight, Fafner.
What does destiny have for these steadfast defenders? Get ready for the commencement of a chilling dark fantasy saga, where witches and knights collide to forge a thrilling plot of courage and peril.
Guardian of the Witch is a manga series, written and illustrated by Asahi Sakano. The journey of this story unfolded over the course of nineteen chapters, gracing the pages of Shueisha’s renowned Weekly Shōnen Jump from February to June 2020. This manga was then collected into three manga volumes, which were released between May and September 2020.
Guardian of the Witch didn’t stop there, it made its digital debut in English through Viz Media’s Shonen Jump service, and Shueisha also shared it on their Manga Plus online platform. To top it all off, Viz Media digitally published the trilogy of volumes on August 24, 2021.
Asahi Sakano’s other work includes Maid no Rin-san, Kuro no Shinobi, and Enjuu no Alan. Tatsukazu Konda’s other work includes Ginrou Blood Bone.
Is Guardian of the Witch Worth a Read?
Asahi Sakano’s Guardian of the Witch has quietly made its mark amidst more prominent counterparts. While other series like Undead Unluck, MASHLE, and Agravity Boys have more to talk about, Guardian of the Witch struggles to establish its niche and create excitement. That being said, the manga doesn’t mean a defeat for the series or its creator.
The story’s initial premise immediately turns heads. In a fantastical world plagued by menacing ‘Evils,’ society survives within isolated city-states protected by powerful ‘Witches.’ These magical defenders shield humanity from the clutches of the Evils, something similar to Attack on Titan’s world-building.
Despite its intriguing premise and impressive artwork, Guardian of the Witch struggles to gain the attention it deserves in the Weekly Shonen Jump lineup. While other series steal the spotlight, this one stays longer in the shadows, waiting for readers to discover its potential.
As you read more and more about this world of witches and Evils, you’ll find out the amount this manga series holds and we hope Beast King & Medicinal Herb plays on its strength and puts forward a satisfying read.
Also Read: Sengoku Youko Manga Gets Anime Adaptation in January 2024: Everything to Know
