When Was 'Shin Gendai Ryoukiden' First Published?

I remember stumbling upon 'shin gendai ryoukiden' during a deep dive into obscure manga gems a few years back. The series has this gritty, urban fantasy vibe that hooked me immediately. It first hit shelves in 2005, serialized in a now-defunct magazine called 'Monthly Shadow,' which specialized in dark supernatural stories. The artist, Kuroda Tatsuo, had a cult following for his earlier work, so the announcement caused quite a stir in niche forums. The debut chapter was raw—think ink-heavy panels and dialogue that felt like it was scraped from concrete. It took another six months for the first tankobon volume to drop, but the wait was worth it. The early 2000s were a golden era for experimental manga, and 'Shin Gendai Ryoukiden' fit right in with its blend of yakuza drama and folkloric horror.

What’s fascinating is how the publication timeline mirrored the story’s themes. The magazine folded midway through the run, leaving fans in limbo until a smaller publisher picked it up in 2008. Those early chapters are now collector’s items, especially the ones with bonus illustrations of the protagonist’s cursed tattoos. The series never got an official English release, but scanlation groups kept it alive overseas. Kuroda’s afterward in Volume 3 mentions how the 2005 debut almost didn’t happen—his original draft was deemed 'too violent' until he toned down the gore. Funny how that 'toned down' version still had people losing fingers to vengeful spirits.

You know, I read this series years ago after a friend practically shoved it into my hands. The publication date wasn't something I paid much attention to at the time, but I remember being struck by how the themes felt very 'of its moment.'

Looking it up now to confirm, yeah, 1996 checks out. It's funny how knowing that adds a layer of context—you can see its influence on later works that explored similar blends of modern anxiety and traditional horror. The pacing and narrative structure definitely have a 90s feel to them, for better or worse.

1996. That's the year. I have the first printing of volume one right here on my shelf, and the date is clear as day. It's wild to think it's been that long; the paper has that slight yellow tinge to it now.

Collecting the series as it came out was a journey. The wait between volumes felt eternal, especially during some of the more intense cliffhangers. The publication schedule wasn't always consistent, which was a pain, but it made getting a new volume all the more satisfying.

Is that the one with the guy who can see and communicate with spirits in a modern setting? If so, I faintly recall the cover of the first volume having a 1996 copyright notice. I could be mixing it up with another series, though.

My memory on exact dates isn't the greatest, but I'm fairly confident it was mid-90s. Maybe someone else here has the physical volumes and can give a definitive check? I'd be curious to know if there were any earlier one-shot versions or prototypes that predate the main series.