Sabikui Bisco (錆喰いビスコ), is a Japanese mix-media franchise comprising of a light novel, manga and an anime about the story of a young man named Bisco Akaboshi who embarks on a journey to obtain the "Rust Eater" mushroom — a miracle drug that purifies all rust — to save his dying master.
Story
The Rust Wind eats away at the world. A boy with a bow matches its ferocity
— Tagline
Plot
In the future, Japan is plagued by the "Rusty Wind" which gradually rusts away and eventually kills you. The cause of the Rusty Wind is believed to be the spores of mushrooms. As a result, the Mushroom Guardians, a tribe of people who are skilled in handling mushrooms, are persecuted by society. In reality, however, it was the mushrooms that had the effect of reducing, if not curing, the rust.
Bisco Akaboshi, a young mushroom guardian who grows mushrooms all over the country to prevent rusting without worrying about public opinion, has caused such a ruckus that he has even been offered a bounty as a "Man-eating Mushroom". Bisco's goal is to find the elixir mushroom "Rust Eater", in order to cure his teacher who has caught the rust.
Setting
In the past, a defensive weapon called "Tetsujin" exploded, causing the "Rusty Wind" to blow under which Japan is now threatened by. In such a world, a clan of "Mushroom Guardians" who manipulates a wide variety of mushrooms grows and lives with them. Mushrooms are extremely repelled by rumors that spreading their spores spreads the rust that is the root of all evil. And as a result, many of the persecuted "Mushroom Guardians" live in hiding from the world.
Characters
The most powerful Mushroom Guardian, nicknamed the "Man-eating Mushroom", with a bounty of 800,000 yen on his head. He uses his bow to make mushrooms bloom everywhere.
A beautiful young doctor known as "Doctor Panda" who is loved by the people of Imihama Prefecture. Together with his sister, Paw, they are known as the "Two Pearls that Fell on Imihama"
Older sister of Milo. She is head of the Imihama Vigilante group and a first-class warrior able to control roots. She is a severe patient of the Rusting.
A petite, pretty girl with peach-colored jellyfish-like hair and golden eyes like a cat. During Bisco's journey, she and Bisco encounter each other at various places.
Governor of the Imihama Prefecture. He is accompanied by his subordinates who masks of "Imy-kun", the mascot of Imihama Prefecture.
Bisco's teacher. He was once known as the "Hero of the Kinonikomori". Bisco is on a journey to save Javi, a patient of the Rusting.
Media
Light Novel
- The original light novel series written by Shinji Cobkubo and illustrated by K Akagishi & mocha. It has been serializing since March 10, 2018 published under ASCII Media Works.
Manga
- A manga adaptation of the light novel illustrated by Yuusuke Takahashi. It was serialized between April 10, 2019 and March 2, 2021 published under Square Enix.
Anime
- An anime adaptation of the light novel directed by Atsushi Ikariya at OZ. It is scheduled to broadcast in 2021 on TV stations yet to be announced.