Julian’s eyes snapped open. The stench of salt and blood filled his lungs, the screams of the dying echoing in his ears. All around him, the promise of freedom turned into a slaughter, and he knew, in that instant, his life would never be his own again.
If you’re scrolling through Manga Plus, an app plastered with behemoths like One Piece and Chainsaw Man, you might assume those titans are the only reason to download it amidst a sea of reading apps—many of which feel like monetization traps. But the app’s true value lies in its newer series. Alongside MAD, another standout demanding attention is the dark fantasy epic, Centuria.
At its core, Centuria, brainchild of Tohru Kuramori, feels like Vinland Saga meets Berserk. Since its 2024 debut, the manga has evolved into a literary force, poised to elevate dark fantasy after years of Berserk imitators.
Centuria centers on Julian, a young man haunted by his past, who finds himself a stowaway among slaves. Among them is Mira, a pregnant woman who reignites Julian’s hope. But this hope is brutally extinguished when the ship’s captain massacres the slaves, and an eldritch entity emerges from the depths. Julian strikes a bargain with the entity, gaining the combined strength and lives of his fallen comrades. He becomes quasi-immortal, resurrected upon each death, his tally of 100 lives slowly decreasing. Indebted, Julian vows to protect Mira’s newborn daughter and his adoptive sister, Diana, from forces seeking the “child of prophecy.”
Intrigue, Subversion, and Heart: The Narrative Labyrinth of Centuria
Remember that feeling when you tried to predict the plot of your favorite show, only to be gloriously wrong? Centuria replicates this sensation weekly. Watching Centuria‘s world expand is a pleasure. It evolves organically, with each chapter delivering satisfying cliffhangers, emotional turning points, shocking revelations, or clever twists. Instead of the predictable lone wolf trope, Centuria surrounds Julian with allies, forming a new family committed to raising the child of prophecy and defending her at all costs.
What Makes Centuria Stand Out in the Dark Fantasy Genre?
The series distinguishes itself by focusing on community rather than isolation. Julian isn’t a brooding loner; he builds connections. In many dark fantasy stories, the hero’s journey is one of solitude, haunted by a tragic past. Centuria, while acknowledging Julian’s trauma, emphasizes the power of human connection and shared purpose. This subtle yet significant departure transforms the narrative into something warmer, more engaging, and ultimately, more profound.
And the art! Kuramori’s aesthetic evokes medieval tapestries, reminiscent of the Bayeux Tapestry, with textures that seem etched in stone. The double-page color spreads echo the haunting beauty of Dark Souls and Elden Ring—both awe-inspiring and terrifying, even in black and white.
A Pedigree of Greatness: The Tatsuki Fujimoto Connection
Have you ever noticed how certain artists seem to nurture entire movements? Centuria‘s story gains another layer of interest when you consider its connection to former assistants to Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto. It’s common for aspiring mangakas to assist established figures. However, Fujimoto’s former assistants have consistently produced unique series that reflect his counter-cultural influence. Fujimoto’s influence is like a pebble dropped in a pond, the ripples creating new forms and directions in manga. Here’s a glimpse at some of them:
- Yuji Kaku (former Fire Punch assistant): Hell’s Paradise
- Tatsuya Endo (former Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan assistant): Spy x Family
- Yukinobu Tatsu (former Fire Punch, Chainsaw Man, and Hell’s Paradise assistant): Dandadan
- Oto Toda (illustrator, Just Listen To The Song): To Strip the Flesh
How Does Working as an Assistant Shape a Mangaka’s Style?
Assisting a seasoned mangaka provides invaluable hands-on training. Assistants learn about pacing, panel layout, character design, and world-building. More subtly, they absorb the senior artist’s approach to storytelling and their creative philosophy. This mentorship can leave an indelible mark, shaping the assistant’s style and artistic choices even as they develop their own unique voice. This is a key factor in why so many of Fujimoto’s assistants have gone on to make such unique work.
Kuramori assisted both Fujimoto (on the one-shot manga, Goodbye Eri) and Tatsu (on Dandadan). The impact is clear. Centuria overflows with striking character designs, inventive power sets, and compelling villains. The characters aren’t just paper-thin cutouts, but rather, feel alive and worth investing in, with arcs rivalling the protagonists.
‘Cute Girls’ and Knightly Protection
Another of Fujimoto’s hallmarks is drawing “cute girls,” and this trait thrives in Kuramori, perhaps even more so than in other assistants. Yukinobu Tatsu even drew fan art of Kuramori’s female knight, imploring him not to kill her off, echoing Fujimoto’s penchant for character deaths.
ケントゥリア面白い・・・！
アンヴァルを殺さないでください・・・！ pic.twitter.com/IyJKDfZLit— 龍幸伸 (@TatuYukinobu) August 19, 2024
The Momentum of a Masterpiece
For two years, Centuria has steadily built momentum as a must-read manga. Even Manga Plus editor-in-chief, Shuhei Hosono, shortlisted it in his recommendations.
Hosono stated that “It has both a complex story and special-power battles, and I have no doubt it’s going to become a masterpiece, so I hope more people give it a read.”
Given the success of Fujimoto’s assistants in getting their series adapted into anime, it’s likely just a matter of time before an anime studio announces a Centuria adaptation. So, is now the perfect moment to start reading Centuria and uncover its magic for yourself?
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