It isn’t often thattwo of the greatest new-gen shōnen manga artiststake the time to share recommendations. The life of a manga creator doesn’t award much free time, often bringing along incredibly long work days and constant pressure to perform. YetChainsaw Man’s Tatsuki Fujimoto andDandadan’s Yukinobu Tatsu have both made it a pointto recommendCenturia, by Tohru Kuramori.
Centuria, currently published onJump+and available to read onManga Plusoutside of Japan, is a medieval dark fantasy seriesthat reads likeBerserkif it followed the pacing ofChainsaw Man. The latter’s influence is felt throughout the 37 short chapters which have been released since the series' debut in April 2024, and there is reason for that. Series author, Tohru Kuramori,worked as an assistant to Tatsuki Fujimotobefore the serialization ofCenturiabegan.
Much like Fujimoto’s work,Centuriais a dark story withincredibly hopeful, human themes woven throughout its pages. Featuring a few of the gnarliest monster designs in recent shonen, and little hesitation to portray brutal action sequences,Centuriais one of the most underrated manga currently in serialization. Fans of medieval fantasy would be smart to follow Fujimoto’s and Tatsu’s recommendation, and give it a try.
Two of the Best New-Gen Manga Artists Are Recommending Centuria
Tatsuki Fujimoto and Yukinobu Tatsu Have Recommended Centuria to Readers
The physical editions ofCenturia’s second and third volumes are packaged with an extra sleeve featuring comments from both Fujimoto and Tatsu, no doubt in an effort to increase sales, but also because the artists likely do truly enjoy the series. After all, manga recommendations from those two in particular don’t come around very often, and would be highly covetedconsidering the mass popularity ofChainsaw ManandDandadan.
Centuriafollows main character Julian, a young boy who grew up in terrible conditions in an orphanage. After fleeing, he stows away on a slave ship, eventually becoming a slave himself, and is met with kindness from those finding themselves in similar, unfortunate circumstances.A dark fantasy series wouldn’t belong to the genre without a little tragedy, though, and Julian finds himself alone once more after finally learning what the warmth of another felt like.
Left to raise a newborn baby on his own, the series' protagonist stumbles across a village that takes him in, before other, ghastly threats arrive.Centuriais a series brimming with dark subject matter,but its themes are overwhelmingly positive, showcasing the power of love and family in the face of otherworldly danger. Julian is a compelling protagonist, and the rest of the major cast members are instantly likable as well. The wonderfully drawn action sequences and monster designs are only a bonus on top of an incredibly gripping story thus far.
Another One of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Former Assistants Has Created a Quality Series
Chainsaw Man’s Author Has a History of Working With Incredibly Talented Artists
It isn’t rare for manga artists to work with talented assistants, but it is rare thatso many of them go on to create successful, high-quality series of their own. Tatsuki Fujimoto is one of the hottest names in manga, but not many fans are aware thatmany of his past assistants are popular in their own right.Spy x Family, which became a sensation following the release of its anime adaptation in 2022, is written by Tatsuya Endo, who worked with Fujimoto on his debut series,Fire Punch.
Dandadan’s Yukinobu Tatsu worked with Fujimoto on bothFire PunchandChainsaw Man, before his own series was green lit in 2021. Yuji Kaku, author ofHell’s Paradise,which gained popularity with its own anime adaptationin 2023, lent his talents toFire Punchas well. Now, it seemsthe latest one-time assistant to Tatsuki Fujimoto is on the path to success, as Tohru Kuramori’sCenturiacontinues the early stages of its publication.
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Fans of dark fantasy won’t want to missCenturia, as it continues shaping up to be one ofthe more exciting and underrated new series onManga Plus. Praise from the creators ofChainsaw ManandDandadanis not to be taken lightly, and is reserved for the best of the best. The series looks to build on its success in 2025, and establish itself as a heavy hitter in the manga world.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Manis a dark fantasy manga created by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The series follows Denji, a young man who merges with his devil-dog Pochita to become Chainsaw Man. He joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters to fight devils threatening Japan. The series explores themes of violence, power, and survival. Since its debut in 2018,Chainsaw Manhas gained immense popularity, leading to a critically acclaimed anime adaptation.
