Lost Happiness

author update this book also

This is likely not the optimal way to experience Astro Boy.  

A disclaimer: I have not delved into Osamu Tezuka's original manga, nor have I watched much of the anime beyond the first episode of the 1963 series. Consequently, I can't effectively compare this Akira Himekawa remake to other iterations. What I can evaluate, however, is how this version fares on its own merits.  

This rendition feels like an extremely condensed take on the Astro Boy narrative. The pacing is compromised as a result, with events unfolding so swiftly that the emotional impact falls flat. While the artwork is visually appealing, the panel layouts are often perplexing, leaving me uncertain about what's transpiring. Much of the time, the manga seems like a rapid montage of the original tale.  

Regarding the story, it’s commendable. It raises numerous philosophical inquiries about the future of AI and the rights of intelligent robots. In several ways, you can draw parallels between robots as the working class and humans as the middle/upper class. Alternatively, the dynamic between robots and humans might be interpreted as a commentary on immigration and racism. All these themes are presented in a child-friendly manner, encouraging young readers to ponder more complex questions. Unfortunately, the hurried pacing diminishes the story's effectiveness.  

In conclusion, this isn't the most satisfying way to engage with Astro Boy. Nevertheless, it offers a concise version of the story that won't demand too much of your time. If you're simply seeking to grasp the essence of the narrative without sifting through 20+ volumes of the original, this could serve its purpose.

Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atom - A Forgotten Manga  

The introduction to this series does an excellent job of highlighting the significance of Astro Boy, originally known as "Mighty Atom" in Japan, while offering some historical context without being overly lengthy, all within three volumes. For those who may not know, Astro Boy is often referred to as the "Mickey Mouse" of Japan.  

The original synopsis of this manga narrates the story of the director of the Ministry of Science whose son is tragically killed in a car accident. In his grief, he creates a robot to replace his son but later sells him after realizing that Astro Boy isn't his real child. Prof. Ochanomizu discovers Astro Boy performing in a circus act and takes him in, raising him like a son. He also teaches him how to harness his robotic powers for superhero-like feats. The director has a quintessential mad scientist appearance and becomes unhinged when Astro Boy fails to grow. This portrayal makes him come across as an entirely irrational villain. On the other hand, Prof. Ochanomizu is depicted as a kind-hearted, rotund scientist who adopts Astro Boy without hesitation. Given that both are scientists, Astro Boy's two parental figures seem to symbolize the dual nature of science—its potential for both good and evil.  

I haven't encountered such a complex character in a long time, and Astro Boy (as a manga) demonstrates that appearances can be deceiving when it comes to older manga or series that have seen numerous adaptations over the years. Despite its whimsical action and adorable aesthetic, Astro Boy carries a sense of dark peril. Even violent events befall characters who do nothing but good, and just when you think things couldn't get worse, they do.  

Personally, I believe Astro Boy is a remarkable character in terms of characterization. He is heroic, honest, and willing to place himself in any danger, even if it means perishing in the process. These traits are common in the hero archetype, but what makes Astro infinitely more intriguing is the fact that he is a child. It's important to remember that this manga was originally created in 1951 and remains a widely discussed character today, with a prequel animation titled "Atom: The Beginning." Astro takes on immense responsibilities, not just because he's the only one capable of doing so, but because he enjoys helping those who cannot help themselves. As you may know, Dr. Tenma created Astro for one reason—to replicate his son. Although this aspect isn't heavily emphasized in the manga, when Astro isn't out saving the world, he engages in normal activities that kids would: playing with friends and having fun.  

Astro Boy might not be Osamu Tezuka's absolute best manga, but it undoubtedly ranks among his top three, making it highly enjoyable and worth reading more than once.  

Story: 8 | Art: 8 | Character: 7 | Enjoyment: 7  
Score: 8  

Personal Note: This manga was published in Portuguese around 2011, making it quite rare to find, and only this version of the manga was available at the time.

My library, while trying to acquire the published volumes of the original manga, ended up purchasing this one. Even though I had already seen the 2003 adaptation, I decided to read it.

NOTE: The English translation I encountered had poor print quality, so if you're planning to read it, consider looking for a fan translation or the original Japanese version.

It's actually not too bad. Some storylines are somewhat rushed, but it's clear that thought went into it. I wouldn't suggest reading this before the original manga, as the original might convey its message more clearly. However, I don't think this manga deserves negative criticism.

Story - 6  
Certain plotlines are hurried to emphasize the altered main story. Although I believe this was a good approach for this manga, it does mean some characters are affected. The revised main story is slightly less complex than the original, possibly to appeal to a younger modern audience. This isn't necessarily bad, but it does make the story lose some depth, with character motivations feeling less impactful.

Art - 8  
Truly very impressive! The print quality isn't great, but I was reading the official English translation; I can't comment on the original Japanese print. The backgrounds are well-done for a re-adaptation, and some panels are genuinely stunning. It's been a while since I read it, and at the time, I hadn't read much manga, but I still recall the art being well-executed. I might even explore the artist's other works. Unfortunately, the print quality caused the lines to blur and the ink to fade.

Character - 4-5  
Regrettably, the characters are somewhat diminished by the book's efforts to streamline. Some supporting characters stand out, but most main characters suffer in terms of motivation, and some character transformations feel less powerful. I wish each chapter had a few extra pages to develop the personalities further.

Enjoyment - 7-8  
It was quite enjoyable. I had fun. If you've already read the original manga or watched the 1980s or 2003 adaptations (which share the same plot as this manga, though I'm unsure whether it was made before, alongside, or after this manga), I would recommend it. The anime of this adaptation excels, especially in character development (it's better balanced and paced), but the manga shouldn't be overlooked. From what I remember, the panel arrangement is excellent. If your local library has it and you have some free time, give it a try.

Overall - 6-7  
Better than average, and I'd recommend it over many manga that are published just to produce content. It's engaging but not overly long. I recommend it for its art and supporting characters. After all, it's based on Tezuka's masterpiece, so it can't be entirely bad.  

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Great book! I was able to finish the entire book. It was written so well. Story was wasn’t cheesy but very entertaining.

It’s a an awesome read with a strong female protagonist. A must read wearwolf story. Couldn’t stop once started.

There are much better novels that could rank 28.

Has Hanfei ever had a girlfriend?