Customer Reviews

Dragon Knights, Vol. 2

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It's out!(Finally) Ever since I purchased the first book, I've been waiting and waiting for Dragon Knights Vol. 2 to be released! ... Anyway, back to what I was saying, Dragon Knights 2 is just as good as the first, but with more action and a more serious/complex story than in the first manga. Speaking of complex, just what purpose do the Dragon Queen's Dragon Eyes have other than granting wishes? I mean, why was it so horrible that Nadil(Bad Guy san) took them out? Please help!! I'm confused!! ARRGGHHH!!!
Note: Any one with an answer more helpful than, "It's for me to know and for you to find out", please post it on this page so I can stop beating my head on any solid object I get my hands on. Arigato

The Dragon Knights: Rath, a Yokai warrior, for some strange reason, has something against his kind, making him always the eager beaver to do the Dragon Lord's biding. (Demon hunting time!) Thatz, a former gang member in Draqueen, is obsessed with food, drink, sleep and, of course, gold. (Typical human) Rune, the ever persistent elf, and the only one with a any common sense at all, just wants to get home, and is continuously chasing after and retrieving Rath and Thatz who are always running off on their little wild tangents.

All in all it's still Dragon Knights, just a bit more exciting and serious, Thatz hacking off his own arm, Lord Lykouleon walloping Nadil's pate off...
("What?! No more drag?")^-^

P.S. Cover art is MUCHO better.

TOKYOP0P Rating: Teen, age 13+

Also recommended: Angelic Layer by CLAMP

With the first volume, "Dragon Knights" surprised us with a relatively intelligent comedy in a fantasy world. While it may be comparable to the king of this genre, the almighty "Slayers", "Dragon Knights" manages to distinguish itself from other series with its unique characters and simple yet engaging story. Volume one introduced these characters and the quest they set out to carry out. With volume two, we get some back story that adds a great amount of depth to the overall series.

The quest of the three Dragon Knights - Rath, who's obsessed with slaughtering demons; Thatz, who has a strong desire for cash; and Rune, who just wants to get home - was to find the head of Nadil, the enemy of Lord Lykouleon, and bring it back to the Lord. While the first volume showed the Dragon Knights' adventures in trying to get the head home, the second volume deals with the history of Nadil and Lord Lykouleon, as well as how the Dragon Knights came into being.

Taken as a whole, the tone of volume two is a lot darker than volume one. Whereas volume one was filled with comical punch lines and witty situations, volume two touches on a serious subject within the overall story. There is humor found in the volume, particularly when the Dragon Knights are present, but when things get serious, it gets serious. But thankfully, everything manages to work out. The dark tone adds a lot to the story and the touches of comedy balances the volume out very well. It'll be interesting to see how volume three will play out, but since the series has so far proven it can be both funny and serious, it shouldn't matter in which direction the series heads.

Overall, volume two is a wonderful continuation of "Dragon Knights", making the series an enjoyable read. And because it's in its original right-to-left format, it can be enjoyed the way it was meant to be enjoyed. I cannot recommend this series enough to fans of comical fantasy, but anyone looking for a quick laugh or an engaging story should also give "Dragon Knights" a chance.

Dragon Knights is the story of three mismatched friends who help protect the kingdom of Draqueen, and their beloved Dragon Lord Lykouleon. These Dragon Knights do not ride dragons, nor turn into dragons. As far as I can see, pocket-size dragons give these people the powers of water, fire, or earth. I think the manga would have been more exciting with some full-size dragons, or these people actually BEING dragons, but there are twenty-one volumes of Dragon Knights, so maybe that will come to pass.

The story in Volume Two is kind of odd and disjointed. Our three friends Rune, Rath, and Thatz are still trying to get the head of the evil Nadil to the Dragon Lord. (Gross!) Can you imagine carrying around a severed head for two volumes? Cesia is a mysterious woman who wants to take the head to the Dragon Lord herself for reasons not yet revealed.

The best part of Volume Two is the backstory of Lord Lykouleon. He is drop-dead gorgeous, with a gorgeous little white dragon of light that looks birdlike, with jewels and feathers. Unfortunately, Lykouleon is taken. Like King Arthur, he madly loves his queen, who has been kidnapped by Nadil. The only glimmer of hope I see in this series is one of his old (and handsome) friends is a Lancelot, and there is just a bare hint of yaoi smoldering! Oh! I would love to see that developed!

The panels in the manga are small, the story is confusing as it goes from present to past with no warning or explanation. New Dragon Knights/Dragon Officers are introduced. I can't tell who is who. Eyes take up most of the panel space. Action scenes are so confusing they almost give me a headache. I can hardly tell what is going on with all the roiling smoke and big eyes. Even worse, in the first volume they said Rune was an elf. In Volume Two, he is a fairy????

First off let me say that this is VOLUME TWO. That isn't made as clear as it could be on this page.
I guess you already know this volume deals mostly with the characters' pasts.
Now, what did I think of it? Glad you asked. I liked it. It's both funny and serious. Although I must say it can be a bit confusing; sometimes it seems to jump around without enough explanation).
Dragon Knights feels like shojo to me, even though it seems to be mostly magic / action and not much romance. The characters are very cute although drawn a little weird sometimes. (Rune looks like a girl sometimes.) They're skinny and (especially Rath!) young-looking. Also hair tends to be a big thing with the artist. And think Clamp's pointy-male-faces, only more so.
Okay, here's my question. Does anyone else think Rath looks a lot like a very young, sweet version of Hiei? (The hair, the fire powers, eagerness to fight...) Hm. He is far more cheerful than Hiei, though. Which is kind of nice.