Product Description

In a distant future where sentient humanoid robots pass for human, someone or some thing is out to destroy the seven great robots of the world. Europol's top detective Gesicht is assigned to investigate these mysterious robot serial murders - the only catch is that he himself is one of the seven targets. Gesicht, the detective assigned to the case, has deduced that the killer is targeting the great robots of the world - which means that he too is one of the targets. The leaves of this mystery masterfully unfold into a complex intersection of reactionary robot hate groups, global politics, and an exploration of robot identity.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #191104 in Books
• Published on: 2010-01-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 200 pages

About the Author
Naoki Urasawa graduated from Meisei University with a degree in economics. He made his professional manga debut with Return in 1981. Three of his series have been adapted into anime: Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl, Master Keaton and Monster. He has received the Shogakukan Manga Award three times, the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize twice, and the Kodansha Manga Award once.

Customer Reviews

The difference between humans and robots is growing smaller...
The third volume of this fantastic series brings in the title character, Pluto and the very last page gives us our first glimpse of the monster.

In the meantime the story focusses on Atom/Astroboy's sister Uran, who can detect feelings by virtue of electromagnetism. Uran is a boisterous character, who antagonises her brother, even as she shows a very human nature. She encounters a strange man in the park, a man who will play an important part in the story.

We also meet Professor Abdullah, who arrives in Japan. A robotics expert, he has connections to the Asian war referenced in previous volumes. Epsilon is introduced, a pacifist who attempts to convince Hercules not to seek doom, and Gesicht acquires a nemesis in a man who thinks his brother was killed by a robot.

What I've realised makes this work so well, apart from the fabulous art, apart from the peerless characterisation and pacing, is that the superpower element of it all is shown in absence. We see the effects of the mighty robots' powers, rather than the spectacle of them acting. So Epsilon is heralded by bright lights, that emphasise how powerful he is, without having to see him lift a car over his head.

It's subtle and exquisite. And having to wait a couple of months between volumes is killing me.