Dragon Drive (ドラゴンドライブ, Doragon Doraibu) is a Japanese manga by Kenichi Sakura [ja] published by Shueisha and serialized in the manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Jump. Publication ended in 2006, with a total of 14 volumes. Dragon Drive follows lazy junior high school student Reiji Ozora who routinely gives up on everything he starts and is terrible at his school work. Tired of seeing him give up at everything and continue to perform so poorly at school, his childhood friend Maiko Yukino shows Reiji the virtual reality game called Dragon Drive. It is a fighting game in which players and their dragon partners face off within a virtual reality city. Reiji's general lazy personality and lackluster school performances lead him to gain a seemingly equally lazy small dragon whom he calls Chibi. Only later do both of their true strengths show as Chibi, despite being small and sleeping in his first appearance, turns out to be the rarest dragon in the game, a discovery which leads Reiji and his friends to another world called Rikyu.
An anime adaptation by Madhouse directed by Toshifumi Kawase and written by Toshiki Inoue aired on TV Tokyo from July 4, 2002 to March 27, 2003 for a total of 38 episodes. The franchise also spawned three video games, being Dragon Drive: Tactics Break for the PlayStation, Dragon Drive: World D Break for the Game Boy Advance, and Dragon Drive: D-Masters Shot on GameCube. In North America, Viz Media acquired the rights to distribute the Dragon Drive manga and the anime series was released by Bandai Entertainment.
Synopsis[]
Reiji Oozora is a total loser! Not good at anything especially schoolwork! One day his friend Maiko Yukino offers to share her class notes with him to help him out on the condition that he takes her wherever she wants to go. She takes him to a secret place where a virtual reality game called Dragon Drive is played. Reiji signs up, gets his own dragon, which ends up being the smallest and weakest in the game! Because of its tiny size, Reiji names the dragon Chibi.
Right after joining the game Reiji and Maiko are sent to battle a classmate who has as crush on Maiko named Daisuke. Reiji runs from the battle and just when it seems like he can't win his dragon does something impossible! It suddenly powers up and defeats the much larger dragon. Reiji wins and is suddenly addicted to this new exciting game.
A staff member of the Dragon Drive virtual reality game named Agent L realizes that there is something incredible about Chibi's performance and invites Reiji and Maiko to a special training room. There she reveals the real purpose of the game is for players to bring out their dragons' true potential. Just then a strange girl riding a dragon appears and takes them to a fantastic magical world. It turns out it this world is in peril of being taken over by an evil group called RI-ON and the only thing that can possibly stop them in none other than Reiji's little dragon! Thus the adventure begins!
(Source: VIZ Media)
List of Published Books[]
Manga[]
Kenichi Sakura [ja] was published by Shueisha and serialized in the manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Jump. Publication ended in 2006, with a total of 14 volumes. Dragon Drive was published in English by VIZ Media from April 3, 2007, to June 2, 2009.
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 1, 2001 | 978-4088731551 | April 3, 2007 | 978-1421511870 |
| 2 | December 1, 2001 | 978-4088732060 | June 5, 2007 | 978-1421511887 |
| 3 | March 4, 2002 | 978-4088732428 | August 7, 2007 | 978-1421511894 |
| 4 | July 4, 2002 | 978-4088732930 | October 2, 2007 | 978-1421511900 |
| 5 | November 1, 2002 | 978-4088733456 | December 4, 2007 | 978-1421511917 |
| 6 | March 4, 2003 | 978-4088734026 | January 29, 2008 | 978-1421511924 |
| 7 | August 4, 2003 | 978-4088734996 | April 1, 2008 | 978-1421516110 |
| 8 | December 4, 2003 | 978-4088735412 | June 3, 2008 | 978-1421516127 |
| 9 | April 2, 2004 | 978-4088735900 | August 5, 2008 | 978-1421516134 |
| 10 | August 4, 2004 | 978-4088736440 | October 7, 2008 | 978-1421516141 |
| 11 | December 3, 2004 | 978-4088736860 | November 25, 2008 | 978-1421516158 |
| 12 | April 4, 2005 | 978-4088737973 | February 3, 2009 | 978-1421523903 |
| 13 | August 4, 2005 | 978-4088738475 | April 7, 2009 | 978-1421523910 |
| 14 | January 5, 2006 | 978-4088740119 | June 2, 2009 | 978-1421523927 |
Character[]
Reiji Ozora is a chronic quitter who never completes what's assigned or handed to him, but one day Maiko, his closest friend, walks him to a local arcade where the latest game craze is happening: Dragon Drive. After meeting Chibi, a seemingly meek dragon, Reiji wants to make himself and Chibi stronger. To obtain this strength, both are taken to a secret training room in the "D-Zone", the same room Maiko and Daisuke snuck into earlier upon seeing a strange dragon appearing in the sky. The dragon suddenly absorbs them into another Earth known as Rikyu, where they meet Meguru, a girl who was also transported to Rikyu. There, the elder of the village reveals the intentions RI-ON, the group behind Dragon Drive, have trying to obtain the Jinryuuseki stone, which grants its wielder the power to control all dragons in Rikyu.
RI-ON conspires the children to be used as their soldiers. Should they succeed, both Rikyu and Earth will be destroyed. This is where Chibi, who is actually the legendary dragon Senkoukura, the savior of Rikyu, and Reiji become important to both worlds. In order to protect both worlds, Reiji and Chibi must enter the Dragonic Heaven tournament, where RI-ON has already sent for an agent to enter, and win the Jinryuuseki stone. Remembering that Agent L is an employee of RI-ON, the one who helped him through his first few games, Reiji is polarized between both sides, believing the elder and Meguru's testimonies while skeptical of the alleged foul intentions of Agent L or the employees of RI-ON. In the end, he doesn't truly choose either side but instead resolves to fight in order to learn the truth about RI-ON, Rikyu, and Dragon Drive.
Several years later progress and Maiko's little brother, Takumi, receives severe warnings to never play Dragon Drive. One day while hiding from a storm, he obtains his first set of cards from a strange old man he meets. After receiving his cards, Takumi finds his new calling by showing strong determination and the mysterious ability to talk to dragons, forming a strong friendship with his strongest dragon Raikoo, as he works to help him gain his memories back.
After a dream one night, Takumi discovers his dragon is one in ninety-nine special dragon cards, all of which are called Raikoo, that were given to certain players of the game called Raikoo masters. Soon a group going by the name of RI-IN enters the scene, and all the players, with the exception of the ones in the gaming stores, vanish, leaving the world in ruins and dragons in their place. Left behind in this rapidly changing world, Takumi, Raikoo, and their new friends must rally the remaining Raikoo masters together in hopes of restoring Earth and bringing the people back. In order to save the world, Rikyu, and Earth join to become one, and the dragons disappear completely to become spirits. Twenty-seven years later, the game resurfaces to a new audience while Reiji, Takumi, and their friends live fruitful lives and he owns a private veterinary clinic.
Abilities[]
"Let's go Chibi!!"
― Reiji Ozora & Chibi preparing for the battle
Due to his short attention span, he is renowned as a lazy quitter who never keeps any of his promises and is nicknamed 'The Tardy Champion'. Blackmailed by Maiko, he was dragged to Dragon Drive against his will but became obsessed with the game after his first taste of victory. He has the ability to tame almost any dragon and becomes synchronized in the battle. After getting a cell phone device that acts as a holder for a Dragon card and dragon belonging only for the user will appear in virtual word.
DRAGON
| |
 |
Chibi (Chibisuke [チビスケ]) Reiji's partner and a cute little white dragon. He is timid and carefree. When Rage first met it, it had no name and was a mysterious dragon with zero attacks and defense. At the moment of its appearance, Reiji was ridiculed by Hagiwara, Junshiba, and others in the hall for its status, and even Agent L, who was present, was taken aback. Dragon Light, Senko Kura/Senkocoola (センコークーラ)Chibisuke's true form. His power is immeasurable. He is said to be the guardian god of the back sphere, but he also has the power to turn the world back to a blank slate. Normally, he is of the light attribute, but he could become the flame attribute depending on Reiji's feelings. When truly awakened, it becomes the "nothing" attribute.    |
PERSONAL INFORMATION
| |||||
| Alias/Epithet: | Guardian God of Rikyu Light Dragon Senko Kura/Senkocoola |
Age: | Unknown | Alignments: | Lawful・Moral |
| Gender | ♂ Male | Status: | Active | ||
| Affiliation: | World of Rikyu | Race: | Primordial Dragon | Element: | Light ⇆ Fire ⇆ Void |
| Allied: | Reiji Ozora (Partner) | Height: | 47 to 54 inches (Childlike Figure) & 35m (115ft) (Dragon Form) | Voice Actor: | Chinami Nishimura (JP), Tabitha St. Germain (EN) |
ABILITIES
| |||
A dragon in the form of a small child. It became the partner of Ozora Reiji in the game Dragon Drive, in which dragons fight as partners in the virtual reality world (D Zone). When it first appeared, it had zero offensive, defensive, or other ability values, but Rage has enabled it to exhibit a series of unprogrammed powers.
The true identity of this partner was Dragon Light Senko Kura/Senkocoola (センコークーラ), a powerful force that is also known as the guardian god of the other Earth, the Rikyu. | |||
TV Anime[]
The series is produced by Madhouse, and directed by Toshifumi Kawase, with scripts written by Toshiki Inoue, character designs handled by Takahiro Umehara, and music composed by Shinkichi Mitsumune. It premiered on July 4, 2002, on TV Tokyo and other networks. The opening theme song is "True" by Shimokawa Mikuni, while the ending theme song is "tatta, hitotsu no (たった、ひとつの)" by Shimokawa Mikuni. Bandai Entertainment licensed the series.
- Staff
- Original - Kenichi Sakura (published by Shueisha "Jump Comics")
- Director - Toshifumi Kawase
- Series composition - Toshiki Inoue
- Character Design - Takahiro Umehara
- Dragon Design - Takahiro Yamada
- Art director - Hidetoshi Kaneko → Yoshiyuki Uchida
- Color design - Naoko Kodama
- Cinematographer - Ryoma Sakamoto → Kentaro Takahashi
- Editing - Takeshi Seyama
- Sound Director - Yasunori Honda
- Music - Nobuyoshi Mitsumune
- Animation Production - Madhouse
- Animation Producer - Katsuya Shirai
- Producers - Makiko Iwata, Ritsushi Yamazaki, Satoshi Kubo
- Production - TV Tokyo, NAS, Bandai Visual
In North America, Viz Media acquired the rights to distribute the Dragon Drive manga and the anime series was released by Bandai Entertainment.
| No. | Title | Directed by | Storyboarded by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sleeping Dragon Transcription: Nemureru Ryuu (眠れる龍) |
Toshifumi Kawase & Megumi Yamamoto | Toshifumi Kawase | Toshiki Inoue | Jul 4, 2002 |
| 2 | Dive of Promise Transcription: Yakusoku no Dive! (約束のダイブ!) |
Akira Yoshimura | Beniyu | Toshiki Inoue | Jul 11, 2002 |
| 3 | Revenge Transcription: Revenge (リベンジ) |
Isao Tokuyoshi | Isao Tokuyoshi | Koichi Taki | Jul 18, 2002 |
| 4 | An Awakening from the Impact Transcription: Shougeki no Mezame (衝撃の覚醒) |
Yuichi Wada | Yoshiaki Okumura | Toshihisa Arakawa | Jul 25, 2002 |
| 5 | Inside out Sphere Transcription: Rikyuu (裏球) |
Kunitoshi Okajima | Hiiro Yukina | Yasushi Hirano | Aug 1, 2002 |
| 6 | The Successor Transcription: Keishousha (継承者) |
Toshiki Inoue | Narita Toshiho | Yoshitaka Fujimoto | Aug 8, 2002 |
| 7 | Dragonic Heaven Transcription: Dragonic Heaven (ドラゴニックヘヴン) |
Koichi Taki | Yumeo Kawai | Fumiaki Kamanaka | Aug 15, 2002 |
| 8 | The Beginning of a Battle Transcription: Tatakai no Hajimari (戦いの始まり) |
Yasushi Hirano | Satoyuki Shimazu | Ryuichi Kimura | Aug 22, 2002 |
| 9 | The Place of Anger Transcription: Ikari no Yukue (怒りの行方) |
Toshihisa Arakawa | Yoshiaki Okumura | Koji Aritomi | Aug 29, 2002 |
| 10 | Proof of Trust Transcription: Shinrai no Akashi (信頼の証) |
Koichi Taki | Hiiro Yukina & Tokuyoshi Isao | Isao Tokuyoshi | Sep 5, 2002 |
| 11 | Like Yourself Transcription: Jibun Rashiku (自分らしく) |
Koichi Taki | Sayo Yamamoto | Akira Yoshimura | Sep 12, 2002 |
| 12 | Gathering Transcription: Shuuketsu (集結) |
Koichi Taki | Narita Toshiho | Yoshiaki Okumura | Sep 19, 2002 |
| 13 | The Mission Transcription: Shimei (使命) |
Koichi Taki | Yoshitaka Fujimoto | Yukio Okazaki | Sep 26, 2002 |
| 14 | A Winner and a Loser Transcription: Shousha to Haisha (勝者と敗者) |
Koichi Taki | Toshifumi Kawase & Megumi Yamamoto | Koji Aritomi | Oct 3, 2002 |
| 15 | Last Night Transcription: Zenya (前夜) |
Toshiki Inoue | Ryuichi Kimura | Yoshiaki Okumura | Oct 10, 2002 |
| 16 | Robbery Transcription: Goudatsu (強奪) |
Koichi Taki | Yumeo Kawai | Fumiaki Kamanaka | Oct 17, 2002 |
| 17 | The Extremity of Revenge Transcription: Fukushuu no Hate (復習の果て) |
Toshihisa Arakawa | Yukina Tokuyoshi | Ryuichi Kimura | Oct 24, 2002 |
| 18 | Journey Transcription: Michi Nori (道のり) |
Koichi Taki | Toshifumi Kawase | Toshifumi Kawase | Oct 31, 2002 |
| 19 | Rebirth Transcription: Saisei (再生) |
Koichi Taki | Sayo Yamamoto | Shuji Miyahara | Nov 7, 2002 |
| 20 | Travel of Ordeals Transcription: Shiren no Tabidachi (試練の旅立ち) |
Yasushi Hirano | Yukina Tokuyoshi | Koji Aritomi | Kim Dong-jun |
| 21 | To The Legendary Mountain Transcription: Densetsu no Yama e (伝説の山へ) |
Koichi Taki | Kin Nori mori | Megumi Yamamoto | Nov 21, 2002 |
| 22 | Berserk Transcription: Bousou (暴走) |
Koichi Taki | Sekitaro Musashi | Yukio Okazaki | Nov 28, 2002 |
| 23 | Shinseiber Transcription: Shinseiber (シンセイバー) |
Yasushi Hirano | Kawai Yume otoko | Fumiaki Kamanaka | Dec 5, 2002 |
| 24 | In Return for the Power Transcription: Chikara no Daishou (力の代償) |
Yasushi Hirano | Beniyu | Koji Aritomi | Dec 12, 2002 |
| 25 | Mysterious Warrior Transcription: Nazo no Senshi (謎の戦士) |
Yasushi Hirano | Ryuichi Kimura | Ryuichi Kimura | Dec 19, 2002 |
| 26 | A Friends Shadow Transcription: Tomo no Kage (親友[とも]の影) |
Koichi Taki | Kazuya Komai | Kazuya Komai | Dec 26, 2002 |
| 27 | Eternal Life Transcription: Eien no Inochi (永遠の命) |
Koichi Taki | Yuzo Sato | Shuji Miyahara | Jan 9, 2003 |
| 28 | Memory Transcription: Kioku (記憶) |
Koichi Taki | Isao Tokuyoshi | Isao Tokuyoshi | Jan 16, 2003 |
| 29 | Young Boy Transcription: Shounen (少年) |
Yasushi Hirano | Yoshiaki Okumura | Koji Aritomi | Jan 23, 2003 |
| 30 | Betrayal Transcription: Uragiri (裏切り) |
Yasushi Hirano | Beniyu | Ryuichi Kimura | Jan 30, 2003 |
| 31 | The Four Sacred Dragons Transcription: Shishinryuu (四神龍) |
Koichi Taki | Masaaki Kumagai | Fumiaki Kamanaka | Feb 6, 2003 |
| 32 | Rival Transcription: Rival (ライバル) |
Koichi Taki | Toshifumi Kawase & Yoshiaki Okumura | Shuji Miyahara | Feb 13, 2003 |
| 33 | Dark Labyrinth Transcription: Yami no Meikyuu (闇の迷宮) |
Koichi Taki | Sayo Yamamoto | Sayo Yamamoto | Feb 20, 2003 |
| 34 | Truth Transcription: Shinjitsu (真実) |
Koichi Taki | Tokuyoshi Isao & Okumura Yoshiaki | Koji Aritomi | Feb 27, 2003 |
| 35 | D Zone Transcription: D Zone (Dゾーン) |
Koichi Taki | Kazuya Komai | Kazuya Komai | Mar 6, 2003 |
| 36 | Return Transcription: Kikan (帰還) |
Koichi Taki | Megumi Yamamoto & Yoshiaki Okumura | Ryuichi Kimura | Mar 13, 2003 |
| 37 | Shinryuu Transcription: Shinryuu (真龍) |
Koichi Taki | Yuji Yamaguchi | Yuji Yamaguchi | Mar 20, 2003 |
| 38 | D-Break! Transcription: D-Break! (Dブレイク!) |
Koichi Taki | Toshifumi Kawase | Toshifumi Kawase | Mar 27, 2003 |
| TRAILER |
TV game[]
Many original characters also appear in the game version. The basic settings are based on the anime version.
Dragon Drive: Tactics Break (Bandai, PlayStation - October 10, 2002)
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Dragon Drive: World D Break (Banpresto, Game Boy Advance - July 7, 2003)
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Dragon Drive: Dimasters Shot (Bandai, Nintendo GameCube - August 8, 2003)
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Card Game[]
A two-player trading card game (TCG) released by Bandai.
There were two types of card games released: the old series, which was released before the manga series, and the new series, which was released after the manga series. The two cannot be mixed together, as they differ not only in design but also in how they are played. Some of the dragons (Senko Koola, Raiko O, and many others) are from the old series.
Sales ended with the release of the eighth series in 2004 (the manga series also ended at about the same time). Currently, there are only a few of them circulating on auction sites, and no used ones are sold, let alone purchased, unless they are sold at a store.
External Link[]
- TV Anime "Dragon Drive"
- Dragon Drive Product TCG ─ Wayback Machine (Archived on September 3, 2000) Can be viewed, but has not been updated since 2004.
- Dragon Drive ─ Wikipedia JP
- Dragon Drive ─ Wikipedia EN
Trivia[]
to be added.