Keiichi Sigsawa, the creative force behind the acclaimed Kino's Journey and the Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online light novel series, has officially entered the manga industry with a new project. Titled Kemono-tachi no Peregrinatio (The Beasts' Wandering), the series launched this Friday in Shogakukan's Weekly CoroCoro Comic online magazine, featuring artwork by Hayato Asaki.
The story takes place in a desolate world where 90% of humanity was eradicated by giant beasts decades ago. The narrative centers on a duo—a young man named Al and a beast tamer named Rico—who traverse the ruins of civilization. Their mobile base of operations is a house constructed atop the back of their companion: a massive wolf beast named Kuro. Together, they search for the few remaining human survivors living in isolation.
While Sigsawa is a veteran of the publishing industry, this project marks his first time writing an original manga rather than adapting his own prose. His career is defined by high-concept world-building, most notably in the Gun Gale Online spinoff, which holds a 7.01 rating on MyAnimeList from over 375,000 voters. The success of that franchise—which recently saw its second season debut in late 2024—has cemented Sigsawa’s reputation for blending military tactics with character-driven drama.
Fans of Sigsawa’s work will recognize his penchant for travel-focused narratives, a theme that has persisted since he began serializing the long-running Kino's Journey in 2000. By moving into the manga space with Kemono-tachi no Peregrinatio, Sigsawa adds a new dimension to a portfolio that already spans light novels, anime screenwriting, and spin-off franchises like Allison & Lillia.
