Kana editions have chosen to give the universe of Droners a chance by launching the first volume of this series on August 27, 2021. At the helm, a team of French designers: Pierre Cabissole and Sylvain Dos Santos writing and Nicolas David brushing. It is originally a transmedia project that began its career as a cartoon in TF1's TFOU show. Aimed at an audience of young children, the success of the program led its authors to develop it in the form of a shonen. This one presents itself as a prequel to the universe. Carried by a dynamic drawing, endearing heroes, this first volume will seduce more than one reader adept of wild races in exotic landscapes.
When Waterworld meets F-Zero
Welcome to Terraqua, a planet where water makes up 95% of the surface. Energy is scarce and the oceans threaten to engulf the few islands. But thanks to Wyatt Whale were born the G.E.N.I.E.S, a form of intelligent and organic energy that powers human communities. One of them settled on the island of Nui, a tropical paradise. Corto lives there with his father and flies his delivery drones. In love with speed, she takes advantage of each order to engage in acrobatics and driving competitions to the chagrin of her father. When Loopi, the best pilot on the island, is looking for a partner to challenge the Shorescrapers, Corto jumps at the chance. Without suspecting that it will fall into the racing virus and attract the attention of many people. 
Droners : an exotic and referenced universe
The manga first posed as a shonen version of the original cartoon. The universe in relation to it is gaining in maturity and this is felt from the first pages. Everything is less cute, more realistic while maintaining a welcome freshness. We are immersed in a world where technology struggles with an all-powerful nature, which is reminiscent of Miyazaki's world of Nausicaa. Without being a post-apocalyptic tale, Droners takes on a much more serious connotation in line with its audience. This is reflected in the works that inspired the creators. For racing we quickly think of the game F -Zero or the movie Speed racers. The drawing exploits all the strength of the concept: drones transformed into racing cars. He relies on vertigo, acrobatics. The designer will then transport these modern jousts in exotic landscapes – forest, portico, narrow tracks – a nod to Mario Kart and especially to the Oban Star Racers series. No race is like another for the pure pleasure of the eyes. There remains one last inspiration that can be found in its pages: that of the game Beyond Good and Evil from Ubisoft studios. An aquatic world, wreck hunters and always races like in Droners.
A simple and intelligent construction carried by endearing characters
The manga benefits from a very clear narrative capable of presenting in a few boxes the issues, the context and the mythology. This story does not revolutionize the construction of scenarios but it is very well done, ingenious and precise. As in many manga such as My Hero Academia, the authors insert in their history "encyclopedic" pages to specify such elements of the universe, such personal background. Again the artifice is known, but it is skillfully employed. Especially since the story leaves many mysteries: the origin of the energy, the mysterious Whale; the relentless fight against the waters. The trump card of this story concerns these characters. They attract sympathy from the beginning. Their goals are clear, their characters precisely defined. You will find archetypes of the genre: the fearless hero, the model, the rival. But thanks to drawing, action, mysteries, the reader is fully invested in their quest. Behind the race hides a plot where everyone must go against prejudices and fulfill themselves. The whole is reinforced by a nice dose of humor / tenderness carried by the heroine. 
Droners : a French touch that makes the difference
This manga has a last quality revealed by the works from which it seems to have been inspired. The francophone paw. Indeed, as in Oban Star Racers or Beyond Good and Evil, the story is bathed in a lyrical poetry typical of French works. An ounce of philosophy, a dose of social reflection, permeates this story. It works like soft music, in the background, which gives more depth to the plot. This French touch is mostly seen visually. The drawing does not look like that of a classic manga. He takes up the codes, the cutting. But he adds a different frame, he draws faces and bodies differently, he is interested in other aspects of mechanics. In the end, this first volume of Droners deserves more than just a look. The challenge was difficult, to build a work that is not just a derivative of the children's series. It is currently held and we hope to continue to follow the adventures of this original team.
