Summary
- One Hundred Tales is a beautifully illustrated, one-of-a-kind period story about sacrifices and second chances, showcasing Tezuka's classic style and sense of humor.
- Inspired by Faust, this fable reinterprets the events into a lively and humorous tale, weaving in Japanese culture and history for a unique twist.
- While some references may be lost on younger readers, long-time fans will appreciate Tezuka's recognizable art style, random cameos, and nods to pop culture icons.
The "Godfather of Manga" behind hits like Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, Osamu Tezuka, has inspired readers for years with his work. One Hundred Tales is the latest publication from the legendary mangaka, translated and released by Ablaze Manga. It reproduces a one-shot previously published as a serialized story, back in 1971.
Osamu Tezuka is one of the most famous and celebrated mangaka, known for his comic works and their long-term influence on the genre - as well as on the comic and anime mediums as a whole. Although he ed away in 1989, his work has lived on and continues to be rereleased and translated for new audiences. One Hundred Tales is a fable with supernatural elements that thrives with Tezuka's classic style and sense of humor.
While not every element ages well, this is a beautifully illustrated, well-written period story about the sacrifices a person is willing to make for another chance at life.
Tezuka Fans Need To Read Read His Samurai Take on Faust
One Hundred Tales is the story of a cowardly ant who is given a new chance at life when he makes a deal with the devil's daughter. Inspired by Faust by Goethe, this fable reinterprets the events of the original story into a humorous and lively tale inspired by Japanese culture and history. It has been translated into English by Iyasu Adair Nagata with lettering by Aidan Clarke. Being an older work, it has an older framework of existence, as noted by a preface note from the publisher, Ablaze, and Tezuka Productions. This should be kept in mind by audiences when reading the work. This is also true of some of its references, which could be lost on younger viewers, but which are fun nods to pop culture of the past some fans will still be able to recognize.
One Hundred Tales is a story about being careful what you wish for.
Ichirui Hanri is an ordinary ant servicing his master. Though innocent, he is ordered to commit hara-kiri after being entangled in some trouble in his master's house. Just then, a witch named Sudama appears. She signs a contract with Hanri to obtain his soul in exchange for fulfilling three of his wishes. Hanri gets what he wants...but the price he pays is too high.
One Hundred Tales features a cowardly man who wishes his way into a better life, though he is still forced to earn improvements in his life. He faces several dangers along the way. Tezuka's art style is easily recognizable and long-term fans will be excited to see his usual humorous style at work here. There are random cameos of assorted characters and nods to famous people, like actor Christopher Lee. Sharp-eyed readers may even be able to find the self-insert of Tezuka himself. Though it is inspired by Faust, it quickly becomes a charmingly bittersweet and humorous samurai adventure.
