Makoto Furukawa
Faye (voice)
Overview
Dragons, the rulers of the sky. To many people on the surface, they are a dire threat, but at the same time, a valuable source of medicine, oil, and food. There are those who hunt the dragons. They travel the skies in dragon-hunting airships. This is the story of one of those ships, the “Quin Zaza,” and its crew.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 12 episodes
- First aired
- Jan 9, 2020
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Sky as Both Pantry and Graveyard
I didn’t expect to spend so much time thinking about dragon jerky. Not the kind you buy in a fantasy-themed gas station, but the real thing—sliced thin, cured over a fire, served on a wooden plate while the wind howls through the rigging of an airship. Drifting Dragons is, at its core, a show about hunger: the hunger for survival, for adventure, for the next meal, and for something just beyond the horizon that might make all this risk worthwhile. It’s also, inconveniently, a show that can’t quite decide whether it wants to be a swashbuckling adventure, a culinary travelogue, or a meditation on the ethics of hunting creatures that are, in every sense, larger than life.
The first episode throws you into the middle of a hunt. The crew of the Quin Zaza is after a skywhale—a massive, bioluminescent dragon that drifts through the clouds like a living storm. The sequence is tense, beautifully animated in 3DCG that finally seems to have shed some of the stiffness Polygon Pictures was once criticized for.
The dragon’s body glows with an eerie, shifting light, its skin translucent enough to see the veins of oil running beneath. When the harpoons strike, it’s not just a kill; it’s a violation, a moment of almost surgical precision that feels both thrilling and vaguely unsettling. (I kept thinking of the way whalers must have described their work in the 19th century—necessary, noble, even beautiful in its own brutal way.)
And then, just as suddenly as the action begins, it stops. The crew gathers around a fire, and the show’s other obsession takes over: food. Not just any food—dragon food.
The camera lingers on the preparation of a tail sandwich, the meat seared over an open flame, the fat rendering into a glossy sheen. The recipe is explained in detail, almost like a cooking show. Decider’s John Serba called this moment “an unexpected development that might be so goofy, it actually works,” and I’ll admit, I was skeptical.
But there’s something oddly compelling about the way Drifting Dragons treats its dragons not just as monsters to be slain, but as a resource to be used down to the last scrap. The show’s gourmet fixation isn’t just a quirk; it’s a philosophy. These creatures aren’t just prey—they’re sustenance, medicine, fuel, even currency.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s Drifting Dragons (2020): Behind the Scenes of the Skybound Adventure
Drifting Dragons (2020) arrived on Netflix as a visually striking anime adaptation of the manga Kūtei Dragons, blending high-flying dragon hunting with a crew of misfits aboard the airship Quin Zaza. While the series earned attention for its unique premise and lush animation, details about its production remain scarce. latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what we know—and what fans are still speculating about.
A Manga Roots with a Cult Following
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK8MS0BYX5g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxk2qtCa2tM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHRoPkfsbvI
The anime is based on the ongoing manga Kūtei Dragons, written and illustrated by Taku Kuwabara. The source material has built a dedicated fanbase since its debut, with its 18th volume slated for a 2025 release 
. The manga’s rating of 7.6/10 (from just six votes) suggests a niche but passionate audience, though the anime’s reception has been more divisive . Critics and viewers have praised its world-building and dragon designs, but some argue the pacing and character development leave room for improvement .
Netflix’s Gamble on a Lesser-Known Property
Netflix’s decision to adapt Drifting Dragons in 2020 was a bold move, given the manga’s relatively low profile outside Japan. The streaming giant has a history of reviving or introducing anime series to global audiences, and Drifting Dragons fit its strategy of diversifying its catalog with unique, genre-blending content. However, unlike blockbuster hits like Demon Slayer or Attack on Titan, Drifting Dragons didn’t generate the same level of buzz.
Reviews of the anime were mixed. Some praised its atmospheric storytelling and the chemistry among the crew of the Quin Zaza, while others criticized its episodic structure and lack of narrative urgency . One reviewer noted that the series "feels like a slow burn, with each episode focusing on a different aspect of the crew’s life rather than a overarching plot" . Another pointed out that the dragons themselves—often the highlight of the show—were underutilized in the first season .
Rumors of a Second Season: Will Mika and Takita’s Dynamic Get More Screen Time?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mimGN0FSmMk
One of the most talked-about aspects of Drifting Dragons is the relationship between Mika, the young and ambitious dragon hunter, and Takita, the ship’s disciplined quartermaster. Fans have speculated about the nature of their bond, with some reviews suggesting a romantic subtext . A video analysis of the first season teased the possibility of a second season, hinting that Mika’s feelings for Takita could be explored further if the show gets renewed .
However, as of now, there’s no official confirmation of a second season. Netflix has not announced any plans to continue the series, and the manga’s ongoing status means there’s plenty of source material to adapt if the streaming giant decides to greenlight more episodes. For now, fans are left wondering whether the Quin Zaza crew will return to the skies.
The Cast: A Mix of Veteran and Rising Stars
The Japanese voice cast of Drifting Dragons features a blend of seasoned actors and rising talent. Makoto Furukawa (Saitama in One Punch Man) voices Vanabelle, the ship’s charismatic captain, while Tomoaki Maeno (Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen) plays Takita. Rie Kugimiya, known for her roles in Fullmetal Alchemist and Toradora!, lends her voice to the fiery Jiro, and Kana Hanazawa (Anri in Durarara!!) portrays the enigmatic Mika.
Despite the star power, the cast’s behind-the-scenes dynamics remain largely undocumented. Unlike high-profile anime with extensive promotional campaigns, Drifting Dragons didn’t generate much gossip about its voice actors or production team. This lack of insider buzz aligns with the series’ under-the-radar status, even as it carved out a small but loyal following.
The Verdict: A Hidden Gem or a Missed Opportunity?
Drifting Dragons (2020) is a series that thrives on its atmosphere and world-building, offering a fresh take on the fantasy genre. However, its slow pacing and lack of a cohesive narrative arc have left some viewers wanting more. Whether it’s remembered as a hidden gem or a missed opportunity may depend on whether Netflix—or another studio—decides to give it a second season.
For now, the Quin Zaza remains adrift in the anime landscape, waiting for its moment to soar again.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.