India’s First Manga Comic: Tagdu and the Wrath of the Serpents created by Sanjai Banerji, Author, Mountaineer & Marathon Runner with Ukiyoto Publishing
Manga has long mesmerized the world of comics. This unique Japanese art form tells stories through expressive black-and-white illustrations read from back to front. The word “Manga” literally means “fancy pictures.” The tradition traces its roots back to the 12th-century Japanese scrolls and later the artistic renaissance of the post-World War II era, when creators like Osamu Tezuka, often called the “God of Manga,” revolutionized storytelling through works like Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion.
Over the decades, manga has evolved into genres spanning action, fantasy, romance, history, and philosophy. What makes manga distinct is its cinematic flow. Every panel breathes emotion, silence, and movement, allowing readers to feel the story’s rhythm.
Manga can be categorized by their intended audience, such as Shonen (for young boys), Shojo (for young girls), Seinen (for adult men), and Kodomo (for young children). While Japan gave birth to this art form, India now adds its voice through Tagdu and the Wrath of the Serpents, the first authentic historical manga from India. Created in the actual manga format (read right to left, black and white, with expressive panel art), Tagdu merges India’s ancient heritage with the global appeal of manga storytelling.
Set in Emperor Ashoka’s time in the 3rd Century BCE, Tagdu tells the story of a young stone carver who rises to defend his people from Queen Nagani, a serpent queen driven by vengeance, and her sinister servant Jaratkaru. Tagdu’s journey mirrors the eternal human struggle between good and evil through courage, dharma, and destiny. Since Sanjai Banerji lives in Bhopal, his first manga comic weaves a story in the heartland of India in Madhya Pradesh, comprising Sanchi, Vidisha (Earlier known as Besnagar), and Udayagiri Caves. The author has created some iconic characters like Tagdu, Senapati, Serpent Queen Nagani, Talking Eagle Shyena, Princess Prajnavati, Serpent Sage Jaratkaru, King of Sanchi, and Acharya Sumedha, whose lives are entwined together.
What makes Tagdu uniquely Indian is its philosophical core. While Japanese manga often delves into futuristic or supernatural worlds, Tagdu draws deeply from India’s history, spirituality, and moral ethos. Its strength lies not just in action, but in reflection; blending mythology with values of courage, sacrifice, and faith.
The global phenomenon of Manga, Japan’s iconic comic art form, has found its Indian voice with “Tagdu and the Wrath of the Serpents,” created by Sanjai Banerji.
Originating in Japan, manga blends cinematic storytelling, expressive black-and-white art, and emotional depth. Now, with Tagdu, Banerji introduces India’s first authentic Historical Manga, merging the power of Indian mythology with the visual dynamism of Japanese art.
During Emperor Ashoka’s reign, the story follows Tagdu, a young artisan destined to defend his people from the immortal Queen Nagani and her sinister serpent forces. The tale unfolds with action, moral conflict, and spiritual awakening across two gripping parts — Tagdu and the Curse of Nagani and Tagdu and the Rise of the Serpent Sage.
Unlike Japanese manga that explore fantasy or supernatural themes, Tagdu draws from India’s heritage of dharma, courage, and karma, offering readers excitement and introspection. Its richly illustrated pages capture ancient caves, kingdoms, and legends, making it visually global and emotionally Indian.
Sanjai Banerji, known for his endurance on marathon tracks and high snowy peaks, brings the same discipline and passion to his creative journey. His storytelling fuses Indian philosophy with universal emotion, establishing a new genre — the Indian Historical Manga.
“Through Tagdu’s story, I wanted to bring India’s voice to the global manga stage — where courage, dharma, and destiny meet,” says Banerji.
Tagdu and the Wrath of the Serpents was launched at Hyderabad Comic Con on November 1, 2025, marking a milestone in India’s cultural storytelling evolution.
Sanjai Banerji, as a mountaineer, marathoner, and storyteller, has lived through challenges that tested endurance and spirit. That same essence runs through Tagdu, where every battle is external and internal.
With Tagdu and the Wrath of the Serpents, the author hopes to inspire a generation of Indian readers and artists to explore their heritage through a new lens, a truly Indian Manga, rooted in our soil yet global in its storytelling power.
India’s First Historical Manga is a Sanjai Banerji and Ukiyo Publishing collaboration. Arjun Chowdhary, Director of Ukiyoto, was very enthusiastic about the project and personally monitored it till the end. The historical manga has been conceptualized from two short stories by the author Tagdu and the Curse of Nagina from the anthology Hanashi (October 2024), which is India’s First Manga short stories collection, and Tagdu and the Rise of the Serpent Sage (August 2025) from the anthology Hanashi Returns, both published by Ukiyoto.
About the Author:
Sanjai Banerji, 65, is India’s oldest certified mountaineer, oldest Indian to summit Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak) at 64 with four medical conditions, marathon runner, and author of over 22 short stories, three fitness books, and two award-winning comics. This is his first Manga comic.
Explore the book here:
Tagdu and the Wrath of the Serpents – The Classic Indian Manga (Ukiyoto Publishing)
