“Shiina befriends alien creature Hoshimaru, becoming involved in extraterrestrial war over Earth via Shadow Dragons.”
Shadow Star☆
なるたる 骸なる星・珠たる子
Would You Love or Hate This?
AI-powered analysis tailored to your taste
Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Shiina befriends alien creature Hoshimaru, becoming involved in extraterrestrial war over Earth via Shadow Dragons.
"From a dying planet shall come the children of light..." While on vacation on a small island, young Shiina Tamai dives under the water near an old shrine and discovers an unearthly starfish-like creature. She nearly drowns but is rescued by the silent, wide-eyed little animal, who Shiina befriends and names Hoshimaru. To Shiina's surprise and delight, the creature changes shape, lets Shiina stand on him, and the two fly off into the clouds. But what looks to be a young girl's ultimate fantasy soon takes a darker turn as Shiina and Hoshimaru become entangled in a struggle between rival extraterrestrial factions who battle in the skies upon huge alien beasts called Shadow Dragons, with the fate of Earth hanging in the balance. (Source: Dark Horse)
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 13 sampled reviews
What 13 readers settled on.
Polarized
σ 2.69 · split reception
5.8 pts
Recommenders 9.0 · others 3.3
↓ 1.23
Running avg · Sep 2008 → Jul 2025
- 10 “This is a great manga that effectively captures a theme of shocking, senseless violence, making it a perfect recommendation for fans of series like Berserk or Gantz. However, the storyline suffers...”
- 9 “Narutaru is a unique, thought-provoking deconstruction of the monster-taming genre that masterfully explores complex themes like parenting, military influence, and the dark depths of the human...”
- 8 “"Shadow Star" offers a compelling narrative that far exceeds the anime by tying up loose ends, complemented by a unique, non-sexualized art style and a dark, twisted tone that I find deeply...”
Read Order & Related
A self-contained story.
No sequels, spin-offs or alternate tellings — Shadow Star☆ begins and ends here.
Cast
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A Manga Publication
- Format 68 × 12 ch × vol
- Total read 9h 04m approx
- Published Mar 1998 – Oct 2003
- Source Manga media type
- Ref. BS-M1060 catalog