Underrated Manga: 'Ode to Kirihito' by Osamu Tezuka

[Angelcake the Fox]

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.

[Azraelito]

totally agree!!!an underrrated manga that is a true gem in the profile of tesuka...

10 out of 10...

I read the spanish version...it was released in three books I think.I didnt know that in the States there was a version of 800 pages!!!

isnt a bit uncomfortable to read a manga of 800 pages??all in one book??

saludos...

[Bryan Stone]

Cool! So little of his work has made it over. Thanks for the heads up!!!

[Angelcake the Fox]

totally agree!!!an underrrated manga that is a true gem in the profile of tesuka...

10 out of 10...

I read the spanish version...it was released in three books I think.I didnt know that in the States there was a version of 800 pages!!!

isnt a bit uncomfortable to read a manga of 800 pages??all in one book??

saludos...

You'd think it would be a bit uncomfortable, but I'm used to big books.

Besides, Tezuka's style has that minimalist effect that makes it very easy to read his work rather quickly.

[Jet_Jaguar]

I actually found a copy of Ode To Kirihito in my University's library and read it. I liked it for the most part, but there are some rather strange aspects of it such as a fairly gratuitous rape scene toward the beginning that seems to be completely forgotten by the victim about 10-15 pages later. On the other hand, Tezuka does some pretty cool (if sometimes rather confusing) experimental layouts (Including a few that require you to turn the book 90 degrees to the left or right, which I don't really like much).

It is a fairly thick book, but like most manga, it's pretty quick reading. I'm not sure that I would advise anyone who isn't already a Tezuka fan to plunk down about $20 on it, but if you can read it for free like I can, it's worth reading.