There are many post-apocalyptic anime out there, although none of them are known for featuring toxic dust. That's where Sabikui Bisco, or Rust-Eater Bisco, comes in. Mushrooming from light novel series to manga to anime, Bisco has been a success in many forms for over four years now. Of course, the interesting name and the presence of giant crabs in the story probably help.

The anime for the series began this year, just as the original light novels began their localization in the West. Thus, now is the best time to get into the franchise before it grows to a daunting size. Before the mushroom-based rust infects us all, here's a rundown of what Rust-Eater Bisco is about and where to enjoy it in different mediums.

RELATED: Requiem of the Rose King: How to Get Started With the Anime & Manga

The Plot of Rust-Eater Bisco

Rust-Eater Bisco is set in a dystopian Japan where society has been besieged by a mysterious substance known as rust. This pandemic of the wind affects everything that it touches, and humans are not immune to it. The main character is the eponymous Bisco, an archer who can shoot arrows that instantly sprout mushrooms. Given that mushrooms are believed to be the source of rust, Bisco is despised by society and seen as a criminal.

Bisco teams up with a doctor named Milo, and they, along with Bisco's gigantic crab, venture off to find a mythical type of mushroom called sabikui that can devour rust once and for all. Both of these men have loved ones who are affected in some way by the plague, making their journey that much more personal. The premise also feels somewhat like a reversal of the hit series Dr. Stone.

RELATED: DanMachi: How to Get Started With the Anime, Manga & Light Novels

Where to Read the Rust-Eater Bisco Light Novels and Manga

sabikui_bisco_thumb

Rust-Eater Bisco was created by Shinji Cobkubo and K Akagashi, beginning as a light novel series in early 2018. So far amassing eight volumes, the series has been ongoing ever since. Yen Press began localizing the light novels this year, although only the first has made it over so far, with two more scheduled for May and August releases respectively. There's also a manga adaptation of the light novels, with the first part being made up of four volumes and the second beginning earlier this year.

The single Rust-Eater Bisco light novel volume released so far can be bought from Amazon, Walmart, Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble. It's also available digitally to read on Kindle, although it's surprisingly not on the new version of Comixology yet.

RELATED: Mars Red: How to Get Started With the Anime & Manga

Where to Watch the Rust-Eater Bisco Anime

bisco milo and tirol ride atop actagawa

The Rust-Eater Bisco anime is handled by the studio OZ, with Atsushi Itagaki and Sadayuki Murai directing and writing the series respectively. Announced in March 2021, three years after the light novel series debuted, it ran for 12 episodes from January to March 2022. A second season isn't impossible, but it will likely have to wait until there's more material to adapt.

Currently, Rust-Eater Bisco is available to stream on both Funimation and Crunchyroll. Given that it just ended its run on Japanese television, it will likely be a while before there's a physical release, let alone one in the West. Thus, streaming the show now is the best and fastest way to enjoy the story so far.