Kyoto Animation is one of the most consistently well-received anime producers Japan has to offer, bringing emotionally-driven storytelling in Violet Evergarden and belly laughs in Nichijou – My Ordinary Life. Overall, the studio is renowned for a warm, character-focused delivery of quality anime, so its announcement of a RuriDragon adaptation is a win for cozy Shonen Jump fans.
RuriDragon is a slice-of-life manga in which Ruri Aoki, a half-dragon teenage girl, starts her high school life with trepidation as her draconic traits begin to show. Despite being surrounded by ordinary humans and acutely aware of how much she could stand out, however, Ruri is persistently accepted by her peers, a wholesome premise driven by kindness perfect for Kyoto Animation.
Kyoto Animation Just Picked the Perfect Shonen Jump Anime
While Shonen Jump has produced plenty of manga that would fit wonderfully with Kyoto Animation’s vibes, particularly Akane-banashi, RuriDragon is the best choice they could get. Celebrating the announcement with a countdown to protagonist Ruri Aoki’s birthday, December 28, KyoAni couldn’t have picked a better way to hype the anime.
The RuriDragon anime embraces diversity by looking at an otherwise-silly premise through an optimistic lens seeing humanity’s best potential. Ruri finds acceptance despite feeling insecure about her body as it shows more and more dragon qualities, sporting horns and occasionally breathing fire along the way.
Kyoto Animation simply wouldn’t be the right fit for a lot of Shonen Jump manga, not simply because any are not good enough, but because most clash with the warmth of the work that won their acclaim. RuriDragon addresses the relatable social anxiety of meeting new people, and whether or not Starbucks is truly at all.
Shonen Jump Is Having a Great Year in 2026
While RuriDragon is one of the last big announcements ahead of 2026, with its announcement teasing its release is still “far off”, Shonen Jump has plenty for the year ahead. Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 is about to kick off, Akane-banashi from Studio Zexcs is set to turn heads, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War preps its finale, and Black Clover is back.
RuriDragon initially debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump but shifted to Shonen Jump+ in April 2024 onto a biweekly schedule. Generally speaking, one shouldn’t expect a massive two-cour season, largely because KyoAni produces a typical batch of 13-episode cours. RuriDragon thus will benefit from the extra time to produce enough chapters to stay handily ahead.
Cover of the first issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump (Shonen Jump), released in 1968
Created by
Takashi Isono, Kazuhiko Torishima
First Film
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
AloJapan.com