Dragon and Chameleon

Having read the latest volumes of Dragon and Chameleon, I'd like to share my review. Initially, I was drawn to this manga due to its intriguing concept: body-swapping stories are fairly common in manga, yet the idea of a veteran manga artist and a rookie manga artist swapping bodies was refreshingly unique and piqued my curiosity. The rookie manga artist, Shinobu Miyama, is exceptionally gifted at copying art styles, to the extent that readers can't tell the difference when he perfectly replicates the work of the popular manga artist, Garyo Kagami, whose body he's now inhabiting. However, Garyo (now in Miyama’s body) becomes furious upon realizing Miyama’s superficial attitude towards manga creation. Determined to reclaim his reputation, Garyo restarts his career as a rookie and aims to surpass Miyama. This rivalry forms the core narrative of Dragon and Chameleon. The manga vividly portrays an intense "manga vs manga" showdown, reminiscent of the hit manga series Bakuman published in Weekly Shonen Jump. Yet, unlike the realism in Bakuman, Dragon and Chameleon adds dynamic, action-packed elements, almost akin to a battle manga. In fact, it feels more closely aligned with the soccer manga Blue Lock. The heated rivalry between Garyo and Miyama is certainly captivating. However, it's somewhat disappointing how the manga tries to forcefully justify why a seasoned veteran and a mere rookie can compete at the same elite level. (Admittedly, this rushed explanation is a common issue in modern manga, where authors must immediately captivate readers to survive the fierce competition.) Ultimately, the primary appeal of Dragon and Chameleon lies in its fresh and creative premise: blending the manga-artist genre with action-oriented storytelling and special abilities, enhanced by a brisk and engaging narrative pace. If you enjoy manga like Blue Lock, which injects a sense of unreality into realistic settings, you'll likely find Dragon and Chameleon highly enjoyable!

July 12, 2025