Ral Ω Grad is a Japanese manga series written by Tsuneo Takano and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. It is loosely based on the Blue Dragon video game. The story revolves around the journey of a young man named Ral from the kingdom of Sphaelite. Ral has a symbiotic relationship with Grad, a legendary shadow with the form of a giant blue dragon. The series ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine from December 2006 to July 2007. The 29 chapters have been collected into four tankōbon volumes, which were published by Shueisha from April to November 2007. Viz Media released an English-language translation in North America under the title Ral Grad beginning in February 2008.
Story
In a world where demonic creatures named shadows enter our realm through their very namesakes, little is safe. However, when a young boy by the name of Ral becomes friends with the shadow inside him, he may be the last hope in saving the world. Ral lives on the island of Sphaein, in the kingdom of Sphaelite. There he has been enlisted to protect the kingdom from evil shadows that wish to destroy it. With the aid of his shadow, a large blue dragon named Grad, and his teacher, Mio, Ral can take on any challenger.
Characters
Main characters
;Ral
Grad
;Mio ;Aia
Quru Quru
;Kafka
Riz
;Sunsu
Gensui
;Galette
Gaira
;Yaya
Cory
;Lady Bira
Other characters
;Malero
Golbago
;Lord Roy
Shadows
A shadow is a demon like creature born in the world of darkness. They have no dimensions and no form. The Humans believe them to be evil beings God sent away into the darkness. Eventually these shadows came into the human world, the world of light. They enter through the shadows of creatures and take shape. A shadow cannot take a form in complete darkness. They need a light source to cast shadows. They can gain extra abilities by eating other creatures or by first entering the creature's shadow and then eat them from within. There are three forms that shadows can take in the world of light. A shadow can return to the world of darkness when Noir is revived unless they are in the Second form or Third form in which they cannot return to the world of darkness.
Parasitic Form - Also known as the First Form. This form is made when a creature allows a shadow to take shape in its shadow. In this form, the shadow is like a symbiotic parasite, only coming out when the host gives it permission. When a shadow takes shape, it must store its energy into the host. There is a time limitation on the shadow's power.
Corrosive Form - The Second Form takes place after a shadow has eaten the creature from the inside out. In this form, the shadow makes the spirit and flesh of the creature its own. The shadow is free to take two separate shapes in this form, either the creature's normal shape or its shadow shape. It has no time limitation or dependence on the creature's shadow.
Augmentative Form - The Third Form, which is the most powerful form. In the Augmentative form, the shadow can eat other creatures and turn the power of the creatures into its own power. The shadow can then take a shape of any creature it has eaten as well as mix shapes. How far the shadow can evolve is limited by its size and power. If the limit is exceeded, then incompatibility might occur and death is imminent.
Blend Form - A special fusion form for the 5 animals, similar to the parasitic form in its symbiotic nature. The host creature receives the flesh and blood of the shadow itself. The host can then use the abilities of the shadow. The five shadows that have this form are the Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Red Phoenix, Black Rhino, and the Clear Human.
Publication
Ral Ω Grad is written by Tsuneo Takano and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The series ran in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine from the 1st 2007 issue, published on December 4, 2006 to 32nd issue on July 9, 2007. Shueisha compiled the 29 individual chapters into four tankōbon volumes, which were published from April 4 to November 2, 2007. Viz Media released an English-language translation in North America under the title Ral Grad. The first volume was published on February 5, 2008 and the last volume on June 2, 2009. In Germany, Tokyopop began publication in October 2007 under the title Blue Dragon RalΩGrad, a spelling mandated by the licensing contract with Shueisha.
Volume list
Reception
In a review Dominic Nguyen wrote in Newtype USA "What readers will appreciate most about Ral Ω Grad is the supporting cast, which largely consists of attractive young girls."
