A Kingdom of Quartz

Lore & Background

The story is set in a world split in two: Celes, winged beings who live in the Quartz Kingdom, and Demons, large grotesque creatures who live in the darkness. Before they were separated by the Goddess spirit, the world was beset by war and violence. The Quartz Kingdom is divided into four districts, each owned by a family favored by the Goddess. At the center floats the great Crystal that powers the kingdom, and the Citadel where the royal family resides. Holy knights called Angels protect the inhabitants from Demons, with only seven given the highest title of Archangel, led by Prince Cassian.

A young Celes girl named Blue dreams of becoming an Angel, but she is ostracized because her wings are pitch black while other Celes have white wings, stirring rumors that she may be a Demon. One night, her orphanage is attacked by invading Demons, killing many Celes and several Angels. In her attempts to defeat a Demon, Blue grows a mysterious dark power and causes it to explode, catching the attention of Prince Cassian. He rescues her and offers her a chance to become an Archangel. Three years later, Blue begins her Angel training at the Helios Training Academy, while keeping her dark power a secret.

Reader's Guide

A Kingdom of Quartz is notable as a manga series created by Canadian artist Bomhat, originally written in English and then translated into Japanese for release by M. Fulcrum. It originated as a one-shot submitted for the Spring 2021 Afternoon Shiki Shō, where it won as runner-up alongside three other winners, and was published in Comic Days. The series was serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon from December 2022 to January 2025, and collected into five tankōbon volumes from May 2023 to April 2025. In North America, Kodansha USA licensed the English release, publishing five volumes in print and digitally from February 2024 to June 2026. The series explores themes of prejudice and hidden power through its protagonist Blue, whose black wings and secret dark power set her apart in a society that fears Demons. Its significance lies in its international origin—a Canadian creator working within the Japanese manga industry—and its successful transition from a one-shot competition entry to a full serialization.

Did You Know?

• The series originated as a one-shot that won runner-up in the Spring 2021 Afternoon Shiki Shō.
• It was originally written in English, then translated to Japanese by M. Fulcrum.
• The protagonist Blue has pitch-black wings, unlike other Celes who have white wings.
• The story is set in a world split between winged Celes and grotesque Demons.