RuriDragon, Vol. 2

ルリドラゴン [Ruri Dragon] #2

by Masaoki Shindō

After releasing a burst of electricity during class, Ruri officially has her next dragon electrostatic discharge! But not everyone wants to be friends with a dragon girl. Can Ruri soften up a steely classmate? Or will her attempts go up in flames?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Slice Of Life, Graphic Novels, Comics, Japan, Comedy

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2024

Reviews

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 2 is actually even more enjoyable than one. It does a great job of taking Ruri's crazy life and turning it into solid high school comedy and heart.

The first half is Ruri dealing with the new, unstable electric powers she developed—her second official dragon trait, or electrostatic discharge. Her mom helps her out here, taking her on a road trip and to places her mom loves, like a sports center. This helps Ruri relieve stress, since she's freaking out over changes she can't control. Her mom also drops the fact that dragons have nine traits, so things are just getting started.

The second half deals with Akari, a new classmate who seems to openly hate Ruri because she thinks the dragon girl is self-absorbed. The two get paired up when they’re both forced onto the Sports Festival planning committee. This setup is perfect, forcing the two together. As Ruri and Akari spend more time together, we find out the root of Akari's issues, and it really helps build their bond. It’s genuinely touching to see Akari realize she misjudged Ruri.

Overall, it's more great slice-of-life stuff, but the character work with Akari gives the volume a lot of weight. It’s a lot of fun. A 4 out of 5.

[Oswaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agradezco tanto que la mangaka esté bien de salud, tanto por un sentimiento de empatía como egoísta por que pueda continuar su obra. Ruri Dragon es una obra TAN cozy y bien hecha, es de ésas cosas que tienen cosas que contar pero tampoco necesitan gritarlo o hacer mucho esfuerzo.

Pienso en está obra como un esfuerzo magistral por no destacar en nada, así como la misma Ruri, pero todo ése esfuerzo puesto en cada detalle termina haciendo a la obra tan completa y altamente recomendable. No es que te vaya a cambiar la vida, pero es que es una lectura increíble disfrutable y que quieres deborar.

Otro punto que quiero destacar es el dibujo, Shindō de verdad que tiene un talentaso por impregnar diseños simples pero bien característicos acordé a sus personajes. Es normal ver en este medio diseños estrambóticos que no cazan tanto con su personalidad, aquí todo mundo se viste acorde a lo que son, por muy simple que pueden lucir a primera vista, resultan bastante acordé una vez que comienzas a conocerles.

Simplemente quiero seguir conociendo a Ruri y sus amix.

[Noortje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Japanese high school is no joke, Ruri wasn't at school for a week and it's so difficult to catch up?

[poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use your words!

[Kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

This time focusing on inter-class relationships and dealing with unwarranted hate, this volume has a cozy atmosphere. Not much to say, but I enjoyed it.

[Christopher Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having one of the most electric moments of discovering a new Dragon Trait called Electrostatic Discharge, our favorite little lady, Ruri begins to learn that not everyone wants to be friends with her. Can Ruri soften up a steely classmate? Or will her attempts go up in flames?

Ruri’s world starts to get bigger, as we explore another new ability that she suddenly comes across in class, but the teacher isn’t entirely surprised by this new display of draconian abilities. What this second volume does well is that it focuses on the inter-class relationships between Ruri and her classmates/friends. Speaking of Ruri, she is starting to learn that not everyone wants to be friends, which she experiences firsthand when she takes part in the School’s planning committee for the Sports Festival. I find it fascinating that Shindo makes this experience more of a coming-of-age story mixed with hints of comedy and heart.

While we haven’t met her father yet, Ruri met one of the people who isn’t exactly her biggest fan. Someone who might be reading this who is in high school could probably relate in a lot of ways, especially how Shindo uses Ruri’s Draconic Heritage as an allegory for a universal experience of growing up and feeling different from their peers. For example, it could serve as a way to go through puberty and bodily changes, what it means to be a minority, and finally, a representation of mixed-race or mixed-heritage, something that was discussed shortly in my previous review. What I am trying to say is, the second volume may feel like it falls short for some, but for others, it speaks volumes and is bigger than what the first volume touched upon.

We discussed the fantastical premise of this story (so far), let’s discuss the art and character designs of this second volume. Ruri may stand out from others because of her newfound abilities, but each of her friends’ personalities and designs complements our protagonist’s traits. Once again, Shindo’s artwork is something to admire, the way he can illustrate certain scenes that involve emotional responses, certain action sequences that involve sports (or bowling!) And finally, his smooth line work.

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first volume, high school girl Ruri Aiko learned to her horror that her absent father is a dragon and she's inherited some dragon traits. In this volume, she struggles with electric charges. Her mother's idea for a cure is to make her do all sorts of sports. But that's not really her forte, so when there's a sports festival at school, she joins the planning committee, though not entirely voluntarily.

High school is almost more trouble than being a dragon. There's a girl in her class who can't stand her, and now they're in the same committee. I don't know why Ruri goes out of her way to make friends with her when she's really very unpleasant person who says nasty things about everyone. Besides, Ruri has her own group of friends who are ready to have her back when she needs it.

This was a good second volume. Author's foreword reveals that there's been two years between original volumes, though she didn't give any reason, but maybe she just took her time making this good. We still don't get to meet the absent dragon father, and Ruri isn't all that interested in him anyway. She will be getting new traits though, nine in total, and I'm looking forward to reading more about those.

I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Raxia L. Lavoisier · Rating 3 out of 5]

🐉 Ruri Dragon – Vol. 2

📖 Título original: Ruri Dragon
✍ Autor: Masaoki Shindou
👥 Demografía: Shōnen
🏷 Géneros: comedia, fantasía, slice of life, vida escolar
📐 Formato: Rústica de tapa blanda con sobrecubierta (11,5 x 17,5 cm)
📦 Estado: En publicación 2/4x. Serie abierta.
📚 Páginas: 176 en B/N
💶 Precio: 9,00 €
🏢 Editorial: Norma Editorial
📅 Lanzamiento: 03/10/2025

Ruri es una adolescente muy peculiar —y eso se queda corto 😆—. En este segundo volumen sigue intentando sobrevivir como semihumana con una calma que ya la quisiéramos muchos 🐉💫.

Su personalidad brilla más que nunca, y entre risas, situaciones absurdas y momentos tiernos, deja claro que esta serie tiene más fondo del que aparenta. Una lectura entretenida que apunta a regalarnos una moraleja tan cálida como inesperada.

Gracias a @normaeditorial por el ejemplar 🙌

#RuriDragon #MasaokiShindou #NormaEditorial #ShonenManga #MangaEspaña #SliceOfLife #MangaRecomendado #FantasyManga #ComediaManga #VidaEscolar #LecturasManga #NormaShonen

[Lepicentrecult · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 L’histoire est mignon, et on est vraiment sur la tranche de vie de Ruri, c’est à dire une tranche de vie d’une adolescente. Les deux interprétations sur la situation de Ruri se confirme dans mon esprits. Dans ce tome Ruri tente de dompter les éclairs avec sa maman (un peu comme quand il y a une crise autistique ou TDAH et qu’on nous aide avec nos émotions, à gérer ces moments pas facile). Ce tome peut paraitre plus lent que le premier, et c’est un peu mon ressenti mais en ce moment mes symptômes du TDAH sont accru et quand ça va pas vite ça me soule. Cette lecture a duré un peu plus longtemps car je voulais vraiment me poser pour le lire et non l’abandonné alors que j’adore l’univers, les graphismes et surtout le message qu’il apporte. Ruri se demande pourquoi une camarade en l’aime pas, accepte que oui on peut pas forcement être amie avec tout le monde et je trouve le geste beau et fort. Hâte de voir comment va évoluer cette histoire et si on va rencontrer le papa.

[Zian B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 star rating;
Read the official English translation through an app called “MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA”.
This volume focused a bit more on Aoki’s relationship with her schoolmates and friends as her powers develop a bit more, and with gaining a new ability. It was really interesting to see how Aoki managed a girl having an unnecessary (in my opinion at least) dislike towards her and I found it refreshing that Aoki didn’t immediately get defensive; instead she got very curious and inquisitive, which isn’t always the initial reaction to something potentially negative. Overall, this was a good read and I’m eager to see what happens next with Aoki.

[CW_GRAY · Rating 3 out of 5]

真藤雅興的畫功是數一數二的，包括分鏡和微表情，而主角瑠璃的形象也非常合我胃口。然而光靠「龍」的設定卻似乎相當難撐起故事張力，尤其作者讓瑠璃身旁的角色皆良善，因此日常到扁平的校園生活，還有面對龍的身分與能力，光這兩點好像會讓人感到作品魅力依然不足。

或許也算作者的說故事能力不夠好，畢竟最近看的《為了與你慢步宇宙》和《普通輕音社》在題材上都有近似之處，卻把故事講得好好看、好觸動，然而《瑠璃龍龍》總有種止在表面的感覺，可是在主要情節之外，卻也沒有帶來其他風采，觀感就變得比較無聊了。

[fantôme de loup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonne petite lecture.

[Omexmo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - Muito tranquilo de se ler

[Eric Kariuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

still enjoying the slow pace,
story is building up well.

[Beta_Critic · Rating 3 out of 5]

little tiring in the later portions

[Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1 had a strong start this one fell flat for me and was barely a 3

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

More characters add to the depth of Ruri's characterization. The art is great at making conversations more dynamic.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruri learns to call lightning, and also make friends!

[Laia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3’5

[Krystal Caloia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still.....unsure about this series. I'll give it one more volume....

[mykittyquest17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars