空挺ドラゴンズ / Drifting Dragons Series by Taku Kuwabara, 桑原太矩

The draking vessel Quin Zaza soars through the skies, hunting dragons that hide in the clouds. A single big catch means full coffers and all the meat they can eat, while failure means an empty wallet and an even emptier stomach. Join us as we log the crew’s grand adventures, chasing dreams of the sky, dragons, and gourmet cooking!

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDSAs the airship Quin Zaza continues her never-ending voyage, the young draker Takita’s days are filled with firsts. After her first chance to help butcher their latest catch, an excursion with Mika gives her the opportunity to learn more about the history of humanity’s relationship with dragons. But what was supposed to be a simple stop turns complicated after a run-in with another draking crew, whose sloppy technique leads to disaster…

After departing Quon to continue her journey through the skies to the next port, the draking vessel Quin Zaza encounters a herd of small dragons, an aerial treasure trove for a ship low on food stores. The crew scrambles to the hunt, but amidst the chaos, Takita falls overboard! After narrowly escaping certain death, Takita opens her eyes to find a baby dragon, and the huntress Ascella… Light shines on dragon ecology in this third volume!

BOUND FOR BOUNTYThe Quin Zaza collides with a luxury airliner, leaving her grounded. The crew can barely afford to keep her aloft in the best of times, so, needless to say, they have no way to pay for repairs. Just when it looks like their draking days may be over, the crew hears of a "ship eater" dragon that's been biting back at the humans who dare to sail the skies. The eye-popping bounty on its head makes this monstrosity perhaps the crew's last hope to get the Quin Zaza back in the air...

TALL TALES FROM THE TROPOSPHEREThe ferocious ship eater is slain, Vannie is recovering, and the crew is finally back in the black! The stalwart drakers land in the city of Harley for some much-needed shore leave. But waiting for them in the city along with the warm food and cold drink is a trip into Mika's past. A washed-up dragon chaser named Cujo tells the story of how he and Mika braved the dangers of the Kraken, a deadly storm that made even the most experienced drakers quake in their boots... moreTALL TALES FROM THE TROPOSPHEREThe ferocious ship eater is slain, Vannie is recovering, and the crew is finally back in the black! The stalwart drakers land in the city of Harley for some much-needed shore leave. But waiting for them in the city along with the warm food and cold drink is a trip into Mika's past. A washed-up dragon chaser named Cujo tells the story of how he and Mika braved the dangers of the Kraken, a deadly storm that made even the most experienced drakers quake in their boots... less

HEALING OLD WOUNDSLong before reuniting in the city of Harley, Mika and Cujo were inseparable draking partners. After an incident drove a wedge between them, however, they bitterly parted ways, never expecting to see the other again... let alone work together! After a long night of reminiscing, Cujo enlists Mika to help him take down a dragon--none other than the famous Ol' Harpoon that Cujo failed to finish off three years ago. And so, the old duo take to the skies for one last catch!

MEETING THE SLAYERSThe crew of the Quin Zaza is back in the air and enjoying a return to normalcy—and all the trouble that comes with it. Takita learns to shoot, while Mayne tackles a troublesome engine problem. Meanwhile, Lee teaches the men on board a harsh lesson about the dangers of gambling. The return to a stable routine is quickly upended when the crew runs into a group that calls themselves "slayers"—drakers that kill dragons by any means necessary, even brutal ones... moreMEETING THE SLAYERSThe crew of the Quin Zaza is back in the air and enjoying a return to normalcy—and all the trouble that comes with it. Takita learns to shoot, while Mayne tackles a troublesome engine problem. Meanwhile, Lee teaches the men on board a harsh lesson about the dangers of gambling. The return to a stable routine is quickly upended when the crew runs into a group that calls themselves "slayers"—drakers that kill dragons by any means necessary, even brutal ones. Could this be the beginning of a rivalry? less

SCRAPPING FOR A DELICACY During their stay at the bustling trade town of Majuro, the crew of the Quin Zaza catches wind of an elusive dragon dwelling within the Tian Shan Maze whose meat is said to deliver the diner to culinary paradise. Unfortunately, they find that the city has contracted Captain Kurga of the slayer vessel the Plana Grava to fell the legendary beast... moreSCRAPPING FOR A DELICACY During their stay at the bustling trade town of Majuro, the crew of the Quin Zaza catches wind of an elusive dragon dwelling within the Tian Shan Maze whose meat is said to deliver the diner to culinary paradise. Unfortunately, they find that the city has contracted Captain Kurga of the slayer vessel the Plana Grava to fell the legendary beast. To catch and savor, or to kill and let rot? When the two ships clash over the head of one dragon, the ensuing dogfight grows so intense that it shakes the very heavens! less

In a shocking turn of events, just as the dogfight between the Quin Zaza and the Plana Grava is nearly decided, the very same dragon that once felled the previous iteration of the Quin Zaza descends upon the valley with tempestuous fury, devastating everything in its path. In the wake of the storm, the crew sends out an S.O.S. to the only man who can help: a certain trade tycoon with a penchant for rare dragons. Meanwhile, Vanny's mysterious past is revealed at last!

CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE With the Quin Zaza destroyed, Mika and the other drakers thought their adventures might be at an end. Fortunately, they strike a deal with Liriope, the president of the famous Lalage shipyard, to fix up their vessel better than new! Since the crew’s got some downtime, they attend a party hosted by their extravagant friend Brno... moreCAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE With the Quin Zaza destroyed, Mika and the other drakers thought their adventures might be at an end. Fortunately, they strike a deal with Liriope, the president of the famous Lalage shipyard, to fix up their vessel better than new! Since the crew’s got some downtime, they attend a party hosted by their extravagant friend Brno. However, the festivities come to a quick end when Vannie disappears! The crew rallies to find her, and their chase leads them to the war-torn nation of Arena, where they’re quickly caught up in a battle with Vannie and a dragon at the center! less