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Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon is a Japanese manga series by Rei Hiroe that follows the Lagoon Company, a group of pirate mercenaries operating in Southeast Asia.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Black Lagoon is a Japanese manga series by Rei Hiroe. The story centres on the Lagoon Company, a four-person mercenary crew that smuggles goods in Southeast Asia. The series was adapted into a television anime by Madhouse in 2006, followed by an OVA sequel from 2010 to 2011.

Premise

Black Lagoon follows the Lagoon Company as it takes on illegal and violent jobs, usually involving criminal organizations and gunfights. The series is set mainly around the seas of Southeast Asia, including the fictional port city of Roanapur.

Publication

The manga is written and illustrated by Rei Hiroe and has been serialized by Shogakukan in Monthly Sunday Gene-X since April 2002. By December 2023, 13 collected volumes had been released.

Anime adaptation

Madhouse adapted the manga into a 24-episode television anime in 2006, divided into two 12-episode seasons. A five-episode OVA continuation, Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail, was released between 2010 and 2011.

Reception and circulation

The manga had over 9.5 million copies in circulation by December 2023. It has also been licensed for English release in North America by Viz Media.

Key facts

  • The story centres on the Lagoon Company, a four-person mercenary crew that smuggles goods in Southeast Asia.
  • The manga has been serialized in Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday Gene-X since April 2002.
  • As of December 2023, the manga had been collected into 13 tankōbon volumes and had over 9.5 million copies in circulation.
  • The anime adaptation consists of two 12-episode television seasons and a five-episode OVA series.
  • English-language publication in North America is licensed by Viz Media.
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Canadian context

The series is relevant to Canadian readers through its English-language manga publication history and its broader place in internationally distributed anime and manga culture.

Frequently asked questions

What is Black Lagoon?
Black Lagoon is a Japanese manga series by Rei Hiroe about a pirate mercenary crew operating in Southeast Asia.
Who created Black Lagoon?
It was written and illustrated by Rei Hiroe.
When did the manga begin?
It began serialization in April 2002 in Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday Gene-X.
How many anime episodes are there?
The anime includes 24 television episodes and a five-episode OVA series.
Who animated the anime?
The anime was animated by Madhouse.
Is Black Lagoon licensed in English?
Yes. The manga is licensed for English release in North America by Viz Media.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Lagoon
    Supports: Original manga author, serialization history, manga volumes, circulation figure, premise, and anime adaptation overview
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Lagoon_(TV_series)
    Supports: Anime production details and Madhouse adaptation
  3. MyAnimeList — https://myanimelist.net/anime/889/Black_Lagoon
    Supports: Anime episode count, airing period, studio, and synopsis
  4. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Lagoon
    Supports: Two-season television anime structure and five-episode OVA release dates