Eldo Yoshimizu's Cult Manga Ryuko Returns After 16 Years with a New Arc
One of the most unique and stylish pens in the manga world, Eldo Yoshimizu, has returned with major news that has excited fans. The artist's work Ryuko, which has received great attention worldwide and is considered one of the modern classics of the 'hard-boiled' crime drama genre, is getting a new story arc after a full 16-year hiatus. These new chapters, which began publishing on April 27th via Leed Publishing's digital platform Torch Web, break the series' long silence in spectacular fashion.
Ryuko tells the story of a motorcycle-loving, lethal woman who is the leader of the Black Dragon yakuza group operating in the Middle East. The series, which first began self-publishing in 2010, later became an international phenomenon after being published in France by Le Lézard Noir and in English-speaking countries by Titan Comics (under the Hard Case Crime imprint). It is stated that the artist spent four full years preparing and meticulously working on the script for the newly announced Ryuko: Hua Gang Arc (Ryuko: Wākon-hen).
The series' creator Eldo Yoshimizu is not just a mangaka; he is also a well-known sculptor and fine artist who graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts. This artistic background makes itself felt on every page of Ryuko. His high-contrast, black-and-white, and dynamic drawing style, inspired by 1960s and 70s Japanese cinema, particularly the Gekiga movement, sharply distinguishes the series from other manga on the market. Yoshimizu's brushstrokes pour the speed of action scenes and the inner turmoil of the characters onto the paper like a painting.
Why is this comeback so important for the manga world? In 2024, Ryuko ranked 13th in the male readers category of the prestigious Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list in Japan, proving its relevance and quality despite the passing years. The new arc is expected to be fueled by Yoshimizu's punk rock spirit and his interest in social issues. In previous interviews, the artist stated that he was inspired by the complex situations and struggles for democracy in Hong Kong for the new story. If you love the crime noir genre, strong female characters, and artistic depth, we recommend you do not miss this new era of Ryuko.
