Tezuka In English Discussion Forums

I agree with you. I do not have nearly much insight as you do, into what Monster mimics, but having completed it a few weeks ago, it is an amazing work of art. Maybe knowing Tezuka's life/background info would have helped, but it is great as a standalone work as well.

You forgot to write about "20th Century Boys" which I have just started! It is great as well

At the time I wrote that I hadn't yet read 20th century boys. I have now read through volume 21. What can I say? No praise is sufficient for this manga. It's bringing in international awards like nothing ever has, it's the #1 seller in Japan, even Japanese people who don't read manga read it and if you read the French reviews they make it sound like the title is going to end world hunger by itself. I'm writing reviews of it for several web sites for when the US version finally hints print next year - everyone must read it, that's the short version. EVERYONE must read it.

I've just started watching Monster, and yes, it's really amazing. Let's not forget one of the most blatant references to Tezuka in it. The main character is named Dr Tenma!

Wait, there is a Monster anime as well? I heard from UnluckyLuke that a movie may be in the works, but I have never heard of an anime...

EDIT: Oops. Wikipedia has enlightened me.

Yeah, the anime is great. Is seems to follow the manga panel for panel. I think the guy who adapted "Road to Perdition" is trying to adapt it as an American movie.

The anime is the only one I've seen- I have no money for manga at the moment, and even when I get it, untranslated stuff is higher on my list. But megami-sama, it's incredible. As I think I mentioned before, I now wind up calling almost every evil person of that calibur 'Johann', regardelss of their actual name- or even gender. I'm beginning to see Johann-ish tendencies in my character Amber...

I didn't think anyone would write like that, until someone did. Naoki Urasawa wins at life. I should send her a couple internets.

Naoki Urasawa is a man

I have the complete manga of Monster and it's really, really good. It never loses it's momentum in the whole 18 volumes. With 20th Century Boys, I'm only at volume 5, because publisher Glénat has never EVER released something at the right date (I think volume 6 has been postponed for the 3rd time now...). I heard from French readers that while 20th Century Boys is at times better than Monster, it doesn't keep it's momentum the whole series; at whole they like Monster better.

I'm still waiting for the German version of Pluto later this year ^^

Has anyone read/seen Master Keaton? Awesome series from Urasawa. Somewhat more mainstream story telling, about a detective for an insurance company with a Macgyver feel. I'm really sad I only picked up one DVD though I could've gotten almost everything, now they're impossible to find ;_;

20th Century Boys in French is by Planet Manga, not Glénat. o.O
Or are you talking about a different release?

Well as for Pluto, I wont buy the German Version yet. I'm still hoping for a far superior French release (they always put in color pages and stuff - I doubt the German release will be that good. It's getting released by EMA and they have huge financial problems right now. ^^')

The Dutch version of 20th Century Boys is being published by Glénat. Actually, I think Panini/Planet Manga has the license for the series for most of Europe, but they don't operate in the Dutch market (yet?), so Glénat took it over for the Netherlands.

Edit: and EMA is pretty good in the price/quality department. And they always keep the color pages in their releases, I have them for every series that should have color pages (if they were in the Japanese tankoubon release), . As Pluto is being released at a price of €6,50, I think the color pages are still intact.