武装錬金 [Busō Renkin]

In the mid-2000s, Shueisha published Busō Renkin, a 10-issue action series where alchemists wield living weapons called Busō Renkin to battle monstrous homunculi. Created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, best known for Rurouni Kenshin, the series blends supernatural combat with high school drama, following a young fighter who gains a powerful lance-like weapon after a near-fatal encounter. Though brief, it stands as a compact, energetic example of early-2000s shonen manga, showcasing Watsuki's signature mix of kinetic art and heartfelt character dynamics.