- Fantasy
- Squalo & Mage collection
- Ages 8–12
Squalo & Mage
Part of the collectionSqualo & Mage→A thrilling, big-hearted fantasy graphic-novel duology where a grieving girl and her shark set out to find the guardian of the sea, rich with Filipino folklore.
- Books1 / 2
- Arcs1
- Span2026
- StatusOngoing
The series
At a glance.
Squalo & Mage is a mythic middle-grade fantasy graphic-novel duology by Filipino cartoonist Kara Bodegón-Hikino. After losing her father to an evil creature, Mage and her shark best friend Squalo set off across the world of Mundo to honour his last wish and find the Bakunawa, the guardian of the sea, facing monsters and possessed minions drawn from Filipino mythology along the way. The series pairs a brave, grieving heroine with expressive cartoon artwork and video-game-inspired flourishes, delivering a thrilling quest that carries real emotional weight beneath its adventure. Big-hearted, culturally rooted and fast-moving, it suits readers who love creature-packed mythic journeys and want folklore they may not have met before.
A thrilling, big-hearted fantasy graphic-novel duology where a grieving girl and her shark set out to find the guardian of the sea, rich with Filipino folklore.
Primary themes
Overall tone
- Adventurous
- Exciting
- Whimsical
- Bittersweet
A planned two-book duology; read in publication order, beginning with the opener.
One arc
The shape of the series.
- INarrative arcBook 1 · 2026Moderate sensitivity
The quest for the Bakunawa
A grieving girl and her shark quest across Mundo to find the guardian of the sea.
The duology opens with Mage's world upended: her father is killed by a servant of the nightmare maker Ventrolio, and his dying wish sends her and her shark best friend Squalo far from home to find the Bakunawa, guardian of the sea. Their journey across Mundo pits them against monsters and possessed minions drawn from Filipino mythology, building toward an encounter with an enraged bakunawa who would rather sink ships than help sailors. The register balances thrilling, creature-packed adventure with the bittersweet undertow of grief, and the folklore is introduced generously enough for newcomers. A strong, self-assured opener that sets up the second and final volume.
Fit check
Right for your reader?
Where the series lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- 15
- 17
- 19
- Best fit · 8–12
- Read aloud · 8–11
- Independent · 8–12
Reluctant-reader friendliness
High
Read-aloud quality
Patchy
Adult crossover
High
Grows with the reader
Not especially
Sensitivity envelope
Moderate overall, and consistent.
Content notes
- Death of parent
- Grief
Where it sits
In conversation with other series.
About the author