Ryo Sumiyoshi – författare

An epic fantasy adventure set in an alternate medieval Japan, where humans co-exist with the mythic half man/half horse beasts known as centaurs, or "jinba". The centaur race were long revered as deities in ancient times; however, with the advent of the sengoku (warring states) period, humans started to enslave and use them for military purposes due to their speed, stamina, and ability to communicate in human language. Centaurs living in the plains were rapidly subjugated; in contrast, large numbers of centaurs living deep in the mountains were still free due to their relative isolation. A wild and proud samurai jinba from the mountains named Matsukaze, known as the redheaded rock tiger, is caught while protecting his son. He is traded to a feudal lord, and taken to his land. There he meets another centaur, named Kohibari, whose village was burned down as a child. He is a tame centaur, who had his arms amputated when he was captured, and has given up hope of escaping his human captors. If they can get over their differences and work together, they just might be able to return to the wilds as free centaurs.

Matsukaze and Kohibari's adventures continue as they find themselves among young centaurs who were orphaned by the war, including Matsukaze's own son, Gonta. Taking on leadership roles, the two centaur warriors try to live a peaceful life in this new community. But it doesn't take long before outsiders decide to invade, leading to an ultimate sacrifice and the destruction of the village. Years later, the sons of Matsukaze and Kohibari, Gonta and Tanikaze, take responsibility for their people and try to guide them in this tumultuous world. But rumors of a village where centaurs and humans co-exist peacefully draw them in and turn their worldviews upside-down.

The time of war and oppression at the hands of humans has ended for centaurs. With peace restored, both species try to live side by side, cooperating in order to survive but never forgetting the past. This is especially true for two centaurs whose fathers suffered at the hands of humans in an attempt to give their children freedom and a life they never had. Tanikaze grew up in the mountains, never experiencing the war but fully aware of the cruelties of men put upon his father Kohibari. Gonta, son of Matsukaze, will never forget the past and how it separated him from his father at a time when he needed him the most. These two centaurs must find a way to lead their people in a supposed time of peace but with danger waiting to strike at any moment.

After a long struggle, centaurs and humans tentatively coexist once more. Tanikaze is assured of his place in the world. He knows why he is here. Gonta, on the other hand, toils in search of the right path for his life. The two have an extremely strong bond, but will they be able to preserve this bond as they struggle with their seemingly diverging futures?

Long before Matsukaze was a mighty stallion, he was a young foal living and playing in the forested mountains of his homeland, learning the traditional ways of life from his family and from nature. While coexistence with their living environment is essential, a matter of mutual respect, coexistence with the encroachment of humankind is another thing altogether…

ABLAZE is shining the spotlight on the wide variety of genres and fantastic works within our catalogue! Our Spotlight on Manga includes three first-volume manga titles - Cagaster Vol. 1, Centaurs Vol. 1, and Gannibal Vol. 1 - a great intro to our manga lineup, bundled together under a specially discounted price. In Cagaster Vol. 1 - In the year 2125, and a strange plague called "Cagaster" appears. Humans affected by the disease transform into monstrous, cannibalistic insects, and two-thirds of humanity is decimated. Thirty years later, a young exterminator and mercenary named Kidou, alongside his new friend Ilie, struggles to survive in this brutal new world while delving into the mysteries of the plague and its causes. In Centaurs Vol. 1 - In a fantastic version of medieval Japan, humans and centaurs coexist. Once able to live in harmony, humans now subjugate centaurs, using them as tools and as weapons of war through cruel means. Matsukaze, a free centaur from the mountains, finds himself captured by humans while trying to save his young son. There, he meets Kohibari, a forced amputee who's been captive since childhood. Together, they plot their escape... In Gannibal Vol. 1 - Daigo Agawa is the new resident police office in the tiny village of Kuge. He finds the remote village quaint, and he looks forward to an easygoing post among the warm and welcoming citizenry. But something dark is lurking under the idyllic facade of the charming mountain village, and rumors begin to swirl about the villagers' unusual eating habits. Do the citizens of Kuge Village really eat people?

Displaced by the ravages of war and suffering the loss of their patriarch, Matsukaze's family is on a path of despair... Meanwhile, the young Kohibari lives amongst humans. While his beauty makes him popular with his captures, his status as a prize incurs the jealousy of his fellow centaurs. In order to survive these circumstances, he must develop his own brand of strength.

Part human, part animal — all fantastic!Veteran illustrator Ryo Sumiyoshi stretches the boundaries of fantasy human-animal hybrids in his new book—presenting not just the usual jungle beasties but a fascinating array of strange and unusual creatures found nowhere else! Sumiyoshi's extensive sketchbook ideas, drawing tips and full-color examples combine insights on body structures and movement with conceptual sketches and notes linking physical attributes to personality and behavior.The hundreds of drawings in this book show you how to create a rich menagerie of fantasy characters:Anthropomorphic furries based on the classic dog, cat, fox and werewolf-type charactersHumans with animal features like a hunter with a bushy tail and the crafty face of a catAnimals with human features, for example a six-legged tiger with a human faceAnimal-to-animal hybrids including a snake-fox and a griffinesque chimeraThese creatures boast mix-and-match fangs, beaks, paws, claws, fur, fins, feathers, scales and plates paired with expressive human attributes. And they come from every branch of the animal kingdom—from mammals to birds, reptiles, fish and insects—and everything in between.This is the ultimate sourcebook for anyone interested in fantasy creature design!