Since it started publishing manga in 2013, publisher Blackbox has chosen the path of difference. Behind the formula "back to basics", it offers series reflecting the diversity and audacity of the manga universe. His catalogue thus reflects this assumed eclecticism: offbeat series, adult humor, violent stories or vintage sagas. With the watchword to give a chance to works too little known or interrupted too early. And to offer French-speaking readers the chance to discover new universes. The first two volumes of The Dragon of wareperfectly illustrate the strength of this concept but also the frustration that can result.
My name is revenge
The young prince Dumashion, younger son and heir to the kingdom of Ishkâk, struggled with his status. Crushed by the aura of his father and his older brother, he sinks into solitude. He therefore chose to study at an imperial university, gradually abandoning court life for a freer existence. Until the day when a new one turns his life upside down. His father and brother have just been murdered and he himself is accused of instigating these murders. The student becomes the most wanted man in the empire. He does not know that he is the victim of the machinations of the neighboring kingdom of Nakâda. He organized a Machiavellian plot aided by Dumashion's mother. Manipulating her youngest son and young crown prince, she convinced him to accept the help of the Nakada. Which transforms his intervention into a pure and simple conquest. Only one person can oppose his plans: Dumashion. The fugitive can fortunately count on mysterious allies. Especially on a friend who puts him on the trail of an ancient civilization at the origin of mech-armor, these powerful exo-skeletons capable of overthrowing armies.
The Dragon of wares: a plot that opens many tracks
This story appears to be a classic tale of revenge. A mixture of Hamlet and Dune, the manga is based on a hero who is not predisposed to his destiny. Unloved, plagued by doubt, these first two volumes describe his itinerary. The meeting with unknown allies, the search for the mentor, the trials, mark his odyssey. Having lost everything, he builds himself as a man. And from there finally becomes worthy of his legacy. 
Nevertheless, these first two volumes quickly expand this scenario. Dumashion appears as an insect caught in a formidable web of spiders. This one is inspired on the one hand by Hamlet. The death of his father and brother is part of a formidable family intrigue of which his mother seems to be pulling the strings. But this is only one element of an even larger plan where ancient forces have awakened. On the other hand, The dragon of wares is also reminiscent of Dune. Dumashion and his nemesis, the king of Nakâde, act as pawns in the service of an empire. While an ancient forgotten knowledge threatens the balance of power.
When medieval fantasy rhymes with Mecha
If the series is narratively promising, it is by its visual that it becomes fascinating. These manga are the publication of light novels published between 1996 and 2014. Satoshi Chiba scripted them while Hidetoshi Fujii illustrated them. Their collaboration works wonders. On the one hand, we are immersed in a medieval fantasy world. Armor, knights, coats of arms, very Western architecture, build a reference system that is easy to recognize. Only magic is currently absent, which reinforces the coherence of this techno-realistic universe. 
The narrative, on the other hand, brings an innovation that transcends it completely: the mecha-armor. The most deserving fighters in the world have the right to equip themselves with gigantic metal exo-skeletons. Extensions of their bodies, endowed with consciousness, they are visually magnificent. The designer represents them as a real syncretism between the Cloths of Saint Seiya, the armor of the samurai and that of the knights of the fifteenth century. With a luxury of details on joints, weapons, textures. They will give all their breath to the many clashes that dot the hero's journey. They also subtly move the plot to mystical paths: who designed these armors? What is their true power?
The dragon of wares: immense frustration
By publishing these first two volumes, blackbox fills a void. This work deserves to be known to the French public, especially for this subtle mix of references and this nice variation on the theme of the mech. Blackbox also embellishes these publications with appreciable bonuses. Sketchbooks allow you to admire all the preparatory work of Hidetoshi Fujii. While the authors' comments shed light on the difficulties in the production of this work. There remains one point on which the publisher does not have control: the future of the series. Indeed, only two volumes were published in Japan in the early 2000s. So the story stopped without conclusion. If the series were to stop there, it would cause a legitimate feeling of frustration given the potential of the work. Unless the light novels released since then offer a clever ending to the story arcs. With The dragon of wares, blackbox gives a chance to a work unknown or even unknown in France. Wise choice as these two volumes furiously make you want to follow the rise of Dumashion. Which can however cause disappointment if the series is not continued. You can order the series directly on the publisher's website by following this link.
