Pluto

Pluto by Naoki Urasawa and Osamu Tezuka is a remarkable manga that draws its foundation from a story arc of Astro Boy, incorporating some of its characters. According to Anime News Network, Naoki's unique touch shines through in the main character detective Gesicht, who bears a resemblance to Detective Lunge from Monster but with more emotional depth. This influence is also evident in the art style and the thrilling suspense woven throughout the narrative.

The story begins as a mystery/thriller centered around a series of robot murders, gradually evolving into an action/mystery. What makes Pluto intriguing is its exploration of robot psychology while delving into the horrors of war, which sparks a cycle of hatred significantly impacting the characters' journeys.

For fans of Astro Boy or those familiar with its cast, recognizing Atom as "Astro Boy" and seeing the return of Dr. Ochanomizu and Tenma Umatarou will be delightful. Additionally, detective Gesicht mirrors Monster's detective Lunge, albeit with distinct alterations. The characters are well-developed and effectively drive the story forward.

One surprising aspect of Pluto is its content, which contains no blood or strong language given that half the characters are robots. There is no nudity or explicit material; the primary thematic elements revolve around the lives lost in the war and the crimes discussed. Overall, it stands out as one of the cleanest mangas I have read.

The art style is unmistakably Urasawa's, recognizable if you are familiar with his other works. It shares similarities with Death Note, featuring a realistic portrayal of people that captures human emotions vividly. This contrasts with mainstream styles that sometimes lack detail in human features.

In conclusion, having watched the animated version of Monster, I am already a fan of Urasawa, and if you share this appreciation, you will thoroughly enjoy Pluto. Urasawa masterfully immerses readers into the story alongside the characters until the very end. For newcomers to Urasawa's work, Pluto is a fantastic starting point. I also recommend exploring his other creations like the Monster anime or manga (the anime closely follows the manga), 20th Century Boys, or any of his other notable works.

PLUTO represents the ideal collaboration between Urasawa and Tezuka, as boldly advertised on the covers of its eight-volume run. Urasawa delivers a masterpiece that showcases his suspenseful storytelling prowess while contemporizing Tezuka's classic Astro Boy tale "The Greatest Robot on Earth" for today’s more sophisticated and skeptical audience. Beyond this, it serves as a heartfelt tribute to Tezuka, the "God of Manga," delving into themes prevalent throughout his extensive body of work.

Concerning these themes, I wouldn't claim to be a Tezuka expert. In reality, my familiarity is limited to just a few of his works, something I aim to rectify as definitive English editions become available. Each volume of the VIZ release features an afterword by a notable manga creator or critic, providing me with deeper insights into this pivotal piece, enriching my appreciation with added layers of nuance.

PLUTO exemplifies high-quality storytelling; with only eight volumes, it demands less commitment compared to other lengthy series like the ongoing 1000-plus chapter saga of One Piece or the sprawling multi-generational epic of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. Within these eight volumes, readers can determine if PLUTO resonates with them, potentially serving as an entry point to explore more works by Urasawa or Tezuka. If one leans towards Tezuka’s influence, his impact is akin to a vast tree with an expansive canopy of branches. As mentioned, he is indeed the "God of Manga."

For me, reading PLUTO has sparked a desire to delve deeper into Tezuka's bibliography. I hope publishers continue to unearth his works for definitive English editions, making his genius accessible to a broader audience.

Pluto is a disjointed narrative that seems to aim for depth but stumbles so clumsily that it's hard to take it seriously. This story starts competently but deteriorates progressively, culminating in a contrived ending. Similar to Urasawa's Monster, the initial concept and journey are strong, but the finale falls short, undermining the overall strength of the story. I'm beginning to recognize that Urasawa's storytelling quirks don't align with my preferences and sometimes appear less proficient than his reputation suggests. The world Urasawa creates is unique and creative, blending real-world elements with fictional aspects in a semi-futuristic setting. Flying cars and advanced humanoid robots coexist with 90s-style detective suits, creating an intriguing yet inconsistent atmosphere. While charming, the world-building leaves much to be desired, especially regarding how human-robot society functions. Urasawa doesn't delve into crucial details like robot population percentages or their role in the workforce, which are essential for a believable sci-fi setting. The issue isn't the futuristic setting itself but rather Urasawa's apparent desire to capitalize on futurism's spectacle without critically considering its feasibility. For a story aiming to be cerebral, Pluto lacks depth in exploring life, death, and loss within an artificial context. The themes explored feel ham-fisted and unimaginative. For example, why can't robots have their memory chips transferred to new bodies post-"death"? This inconsistency undermines the story's melodrama about loss. Other world-building elements also strain credibility. Urasawa wants us to believe there were 38 Central Asian wars before the referenced 39th, a detail that feels contrived and detracts from immersion. These little inconsistencies add up, eroding the believability of the setting. The best parts of the story are the character vignettes and subplots. A legendary robot murderer in a maximum-security prison and a man's radicalization and subsequent deradicalization journey stand out as more compelling than the main plots. When Urasawa weaves international conspiracies and shadowy groups, the story gains intrigue, but this momentum fizzles as revelations become predictable and self-indulgent. I remain unconvinced that Pluto offers profound commentary on war, existence, or purpose. Its anti-war message is simplistic and juvenile, presenting a black-and-white view of conflict. Beyond "war is bad," the story's philosophical attempts feel preachy and lack depth. Both the manga and anime adaptation are faithful to each other, meaning the manga's flaws carry over. If forced to choose, I'd recommend the anime for its presentation alone. As entertainment and a thriller, Pluto isn't bad, but it fails to achieve profundity.

Quick story summary: A robot, or something akin to one, is systematically eliminating the seven most formidable robots on Earth and certain human robotics experts. Detective Gesicht is tasked with uncovering the identity of this enigmatic killer.

Naoki Urasawa is frequently lauded as one of the finest storytellers across all media. His standout works include Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Pluto, all of which are celebrated as some of the greatest manga stories ever created, if not among the best narratives in any form, including cinema or literature.

However, having read all three mentioned series, I must admit that while I didn't enjoy Monster or 20th Century Boys as much as others seem to, I believe Pluto truly deserves its acclaim.

I have several issues with Monster and 20th Century Boys. Both share similar flaws: an engaging start followed by a prolonged middle section, culminating in a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion. (Major spoilers for 20th Century Boys: How did Kenji survive? It makes no logical sense, nor does his aimless existence post-miraculous survival.)

This isn’t to say I can’t appreciate why Urasawa’s works receive such praise. He excels at crafting suspenseful chapters and withholding crucial details until the last moment. All his manga I’ve read so far—Pluto, Monster, and 20th Century—are nearly impossible to put down. In Pluto, this aspect of storytelling particularly shines. Its 60 chapters fly by effortlessly.

The manga’s greatest strength lies in its concise length. At just 60 chapters, Pluto avoids feeling stretched out, unlike his other series, and concludes logically and satisfyingly. As a remake, it benefits from an established world where many elements already make sense. (Spoilers for 20th Century Boys: Unlike the inexplicably added dream world element that remains unexplained.)

Urasawa's attention to detail further elevates his work. Though I can’t divulge too many examples due to spoilers, re-reading this series is worthwhile purely for the additional details you’ll notice.

If you relish suspenseful, mystery-driven tales that grip you from start to finish, Pluto is an excellent choice. If you’re looking to explore Urasawa’s work, start with Pluto. If you simply want to read a masterpiece of manga, Pluto is ideal. If you love it, consider reading Monster and 20th Century Boys, though in my opinion, they are overrated, especially the latter.

tl;dr: A fairly robust mystery marred by poor pacing due to superficial exploration of sci-fi themes.

Pluto is a relatively grounded sci-fi thriller following the world's most talented robot detective, Gesicht, as he hunts for a serial killer targeting eight of the planet's most advanced robots. Primarily authored by Urasawa Naoki, known for his other thrilling mysteries, it was created under Tekuza Productions, honoring Tezuka Osamu's legacy. Tezuka is famous for influential franchises like Tetsuwan Atom (Astro Boy in the West). Pluto acts as a darker reboot of Tetsuwan Atom, borrowing many characters including Atom. My only exposure to Tetsuwan Atom was the 2009 Astro Boy film, which I barely remember and likely wasn't authentic, making this my first real contact with these characters and their world. Hence, this review targets those similarly unfamiliar.

The core of the manga revolves around Gesicht's mystery, which ultimately proves solid. It intricately weaves multiple actors with varying levels of information about key events. When everything coalesces, the mystery feels well-developed and deep. However, its presentation left much to be desired. The pacing was terrible—slow for most of the manga, then rushed at the end, resulting in an overly simplistic conclusion. Forced plot elements further detracted from the narrative coherence, possibly catering to fans of the original Tetsuwan Atom but feeling odd to me. Character development also suffered; while some characters were well-executed, many main ones lacked depth, hindering emotional investment. This might resonate better with fans of the original series but did little for me. Despite these flaws, the mystery itself remained reasonably strong.

The pacing issues primarily stem from extensive thematic exploration. A significant portion delves into what separates robots from humans, whether they can feel emotions, and uses robots to examine broader themes like racism or war impacts. These explorations often sideline character development and halt the main plot, slowing down progress considerably. While such detours could enrich the story, here they felt shallow. An expansive list of topics is touched upon without sufficient depth. Sci-fi elements are also ambiguously defined, fitting whatever narrative needs arose. This approach usually doesn’t bother me, but here, where serious treatment was intended, insufficient development hampered impact. Likely stemming from Tetsuwan Atom’s origins, where even surface-level exploration was groundbreaking, today's context reveals how thoroughly explored these concepts have become elsewhere, diminishing Pluto’s relevance.

Artistically, the manga was adequate but unremarkable. The quality was solid without major complaints, yet not outstanding either—perhaps a bit dull.

Pluto is a captivating manga series penned by Naoki Urasawa with illustrations by Takashi Nagasaki. This narrative reimagines Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy, centering on Gesicht, a robotic detective tasked with unraveling the enigmatic murders of seven fellow robots.

Set in a futuristic world where robots coexist with humans and share equal rights, the peace is shattered by a string of robot killings. Gesicht is thrust into an investigation that gradually reveals a sinister plot capable of sparking a catastrophic war between humans and machines.

Pluto stands out as a meticulously crafted manga, blending mystery, science fiction, and philosophical musings. Urasawa’s writing is both intelligent and reflective, delving into profound themes like human nature, the societal role of robots, and the perils of AI.

Nagasaki’s artwork complements the narrative beautifully. The characters are vividly expressive and intricately designed, while the action sequences pulse with energy and excitement.

In summary, Pluto is essential reading for enthusiasts of manga, mystery, and sci-fi. Its compelling storytelling and exquisite artistry leave a lasting impression long after the final page.

Here are some aspects I particularly cherished about Pluto:

The intricate character development. Gesicht emerges as a fascinating protagonist, his relationships layered with complexity and nuance.

The gripping storyline. Urasawa masterfully sustains suspense, keeping readers on edge until the climax.

The intellectually stimulating themes. Pluto tackles sophisticated issues with intelligence and engagement.

The breathtaking visuals. Nagasaki’s illustrations are nothing short of stunning. Characters are vivid and dynamic, making action scenes exhilarating.

I rate Pluto a 9/10. It is a superbly crafted manga that I wholeheartedly recommend to fans of mystery, science fiction, and philosophy.

When it comes to manga, Urasawa consistently delivers. Whether it's his storytelling, artwork, or creation of compelling three-dimensional characters, he stands out as one of the best. "Pluto" is no exception.

Even for someone with only a vague familiarity with the Astro Boy series, this manga remains highly enjoyable. The author skillfully explains the overarching universe of Astro Boy without being overly explicit, which I appreciated.

The art is stunning; when it comes to drawing people, Urasawa is among the top mangakas. While he sometimes reuses facial features across different series, he rarely does so within the same manga. This is impressive, considering even the most talented artists struggle with maintaining such diversity.

I loved every bit of it—I laughed, I cried, and I found myself rooting for Gesicht and the other top robots. The ending was bittersweet, naturally, but I suppose the mangaka couldn't deviate too much from the original material.

This is more about theory crafting than reviewing, and it might contain some mild spoilers.
This manga is amazing, and you should read it without hesitation. It doesn't matter what your preferences are; just dive in.
I've just finished re-reading Pluto by Naoki Urasawa, which was the first manga I ever read, about five years ago. Back then, I was around 14 and didn't fully grasp its depth. As a huge Astro Boy fan during my childhood, I found Pluto mesmerizing even though I had no clue what manga or anime was at that time. It was an incredible introduction to this world. However, I was quite disappointed when I discovered not all manga were as amazing and captivating as Naoki Urasawa's and Jiro Taniguchi's works. But then again, that was expected since those works were in the adult section of the French library in my city.
After reading it again, I was even more amazed by how well-written Pluto was. I had forgotten most of the plot details, aside from the fact that Gesicht dies, his hatred revives Atom, and Epsilon is undoubtedly one of the coolest robots ever. What I missed on my first reading was how relevant this manga is to our world. Beyond its final message about how hatred can't solve anything, the final panel with the evil teddy bear made me realize something unexpected about Urasawa's work. The manga started serialization in 2003, the same year a certain country invaded another under the pretext of dictatorship and weapons of "mass destruction," only to find nothing in the end. If we analyze the excuses given and understand the real reasons behind the war, we see parallels in Pluto. United States of Thracia attacked Persia under the excuse of manufacturing robots of "mass destruction" when they were actually making robots to solve deforestation issues. Just look at the names and clothing of Persia's inhabitants for clues. Moreover, consider how seven robots from different countries all aided Thracia. Which organization behaves like that? Lastly, there's the teddy bear pulling strings from the shadows—a weak teddy bear who has the president of the strongest nation as his slave for protection. I have a theory about that: think about a certain country causing problems yet fiercely protected. I won't delve into specifics as discussing political views can get ugly and isn't worth it.
These may be mere speculations, but if I'm right, Urasawa is a genius. Out of the three manga I've read so far—A Distant Neighborhood, Onanie Master Kurosawa, and Pluto—I've given them 9.5 or 10/10. Pluto stands out as the best manga I've read in the last five years. It has always been my favorite, even though I had almost forgotten everything about it; its greatness stayed fixed in my mind. I'm grateful that this was my introduction to manga.
For those who have read the manga, I'd love to hear your theories and thoughts on mine.