Creator: Kasuga Ryo
Translators: Motoko Tamamuro & Jonathan Clements
Letterer: Tom Williams
Editor: Louis Yamani
Designer: Dan Bura
Publisher: Titan Manga
Price: $12.99
Release Date: October 14, 2025
Alexi has a message he wants to share with the world. So what if people laugh at him? When he plays with his band, Alexi pours out his heart to his audience. If he rocks them, perhaps they'll contemplate his lyrics. But what happens when his band quits on him? Will Alexi continue to spread his love and optimism through Heavy Metal music? Let's grab our guitars, leap into Isekai Metaller Vol 1, and see!
Story
Stunned by his band members’ decision, Alexi soldiers on. But at his next concert, a strange event transports him to another world. There, he meets the young mage Lizzy, a warrior named David, and a merchant called Lee. At first, he mistakes Tyro for a werewolf. But the Beastman doesn't attack him. And when the group invites him to join their hunt for a dragon, Alexi readily agrees. After all, dragons often appear on classic Heavy Metal album covers!
As Alexi learns about the people in this world and how they interact with their environment, we learn more about him. In Isekai Metaller Vol 1, Alexi goes on a series of quests. Not everyone he meets is worthy of being his friend. But people learn to respect his unique abilities. In his own world, Alexi was just another musician. Here, his passion for music gives him superpowers.
Kasuga Ryo pays homage to traditional role-playing fantasy games such as Dungeons & Dragons. But Alexi brings something different to this land of hunters, thieves, monsters, and gods. Alexi is a student of his art and takes inspiration from his heroes. His clothing, hairstyle, and musical knowledge help him withstand weapon and magical attacks. And then there is his singing and guitar playing.
Of all his abilities, Alexi’s greatest superpower is his caring for others in Isekai Metaller Vol 1. He had a hard time growing up. Heavy Metal music gave Alexi a dream to strive toward. When he arrives in this magical land, and his abilities become superpowers, Alexi works to make this new world a better place. And that starts with helping others, even if their society doesn't care about them.
Art
Alexi’s straight dark hair falls past the shoulders of his black leather jacket. A skull T-shirt and boots complete his ensemble. He forms the sign of the horns with both hands while crossing his forearms over his chest to pledge his allegiance to Heavy Metal. Yet when confused or facing a crisis, he may revert to a frustrated child wearing an Inner Alexi T-shirt.
Alexi’s bandmates seem disinclined to rock his look. But distinctive characters greet Alexi when he travels to a magical realm in Isekai Metaller Vol 1. A wolf mercenary sports earrings and an eyepatch. The young mage wears a droopy pointed hat, a short cloak, a dress, and carries a magic wand to rival Rita Repulsa’s. A merchant wears fine clothing, jewelry, sunglasses, and a cloth over his head. The warrior guarding the party wears armor and a helmet.
Alexi had a scary face as a child. As an adult, he often looks sad while speaking his uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons. Tom Williams writes characters’ musings into backgrounds, and features Alexi’s thoughts in starbursts. Narrative boxes identify each character's name, species, career, and skill level as they interact with this axeman who wields a Gibson Flying V. Thanks to Titan Manga for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Yamada’s parents made him feel weak. So, when he grew up, he changed his name to Alexi and remade everything about his life. He never became a superstar. His band quit on him. But when a strange accident transports him to a magical realm, Alexi defends the helpless and builds a new family around him in Isekai Metaller Vol 1.
Rating 9.8/10
To look inside see my preview of Isekai Metaller Vol 1.
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