Dur-an-ki #1

Dur-an-ki was a manga series conceptualized by Kentaro Miura, the renowned creator of Berserk, and developed by his studio, Studio Gaga. Following Miura’s passing in 2021, the first volume was published as a tribute to his final creative efforts, aiming to explore themes of mythology and ancient civilization through a fantasy lens. The series was designed to diverge from the dark, visceral tone of his previous work, instead offering a lighter, more experimental narrative style focused on the development of human technology and culture under the guidance of gods.

The art style, while still distinctly informed by Miura's meticulous attention to detail, reflects the collaborative effort of his assistants at Studio Gaga. It was intended to establish a new world-building framework, grounding its story in Sumerian and Mesopotamian myths. Upon its release, the work was received by the manga community primarily as a poignant artifact of Miura's creative process, serving as a testament to his enduring dedication to storytelling and world-crafting even in his final years.