Underrated Manga: 'Ode to Kirihito' by Osamu Tezuka
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 13:39 -0700
It seems that more and more of Tezuka's comics are making their way over to the States. Alternative comics afficionados have become enamored with this legend's work. This just so happens to be the latest....
So, as always, so back story.....
As always, Osamu Tezuka needs no introduction. This man single-handedly created modern manga and anime. A workaholic and constant creator, he managed to produce over one hundred and thirty THOUSAND pages of manga in his lifetime, this not counting his fiction, his essays, his memoirs, his paintings and album covers, greeting cards, posters, etc.
Although Tezuka is world famous for Astro Boy, in his later years his work took on a more literary, mature form. Such works as Adolf and Buddha are often considered some of his artistic peaks. Ode to Kirihito just so happens to be one of them.
This 800+ page graphic novel is a modern allegory/medical thriller of the highest sort. It tells of Kirihito, a gifted physician who is the victim of hospital politics. While researching a new disease called Monmow, which causes its victims to take on the appearances of a dog, he clashes with the leadership of his hospital and becomes the victim of a conspiracy.....all in the name of money and power.
Being that Tezuka was himself a licensed doctor, the medical aspects of this tale are detailed and fascinating. Tezuka's ability to portray medical ailments and the human body are quite amazing.
This epic tale is available from Vertical, the same people who brought Buddha to the States.
As it is with all of Tezuka's works, this book is a masterpiece of the manga art form. Get it. NOW.
So, as always, so back story.....
As always, Osamu Tezuka needs no introduction. This man single-handedly created modern manga and anime. A workaholic and constant creator, he managed to produce over one hundred and thirty THOUSAND pages of manga in his lifetime, this not counting his fiction, his essays, his memoirs, his paintings and album covers, greeting cards, posters, etc.
Although Tezuka is world famous for Astro Boy, in his later years his work took on a more literary, mature form. Such works as Adolf and Buddha are often considered some of his artistic peaks. Ode to Kirihito just so happens to be one of them.
This 800+ page graphic novel is a modern allegory/medical thriller of the highest sort. It tells of Kirihito, a gifted physician who is the victim of hospital politics. While researching a new disease called Monmow, which causes its victims to take on the appearances of a dog, he clashes with the leadership of his hospital and becomes the victim of a conspiracy.....all in the name of money and power.
Being that Tezuka was himself a licensed doctor, the medical aspects of this tale are detailed and fascinating. Tezuka's ability to portray medical ailments and the human body are quite amazing.
This epic tale is available from Vertical, the same people who brought Buddha to the States.
As it is with all of Tezuka's works, this book is a masterpiece of the manga art form. Get it. NOW.
