Scan barcode
Reviews
PLUTO: Naoki Urasawa x Osamu Tezuka, Volume 008 by Osamu Tezuka, Naoki Urasawa, Takashi Nagasaki
angelsbutchery's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
heinrich_lunge's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This manga is actually sad, with all of those powerful robots that died including Gesicht. Fortunately, Atom survived with the help of Gesicht's memory chip and the one who did the job is a human scientist and also Atom's father or creator, Dr. Tenma.
Talk about Pluto, I don't know if I should get mad at Sahaad because in the story, he was just a victim fueled by anger due to what happened to his father Goji who calls himself Dr. Abra. Goji used his anger to manipulate Sahaad (aka Pluto) into committing those crimes of which Gesicht was specially assigned. To avoid the conflict here, Goji lost his life in the war but what he believes in is that he is a cyborg (robot with human parts) and what he didn't know is that he is now a robot created by Dr. Tenma as well. This part really shocked me. I'll stop here, it's coming to the ending part if I keep telling.
Talk about Pluto, I don't know if I should get mad at Sahaad because in the story, he was just a victim fueled by anger due to what happened to his father Goji who calls himself Dr. Abra. Goji used his anger to manipulate Sahaad (aka Pluto) into committing those crimes of which Gesicht was specially assigned. To avoid the conflict here, Goji lost his life in the war but what he believes in is that he is a cyborg (robot with human parts) and what he didn't know is that he is now a robot created by Dr. Tenma as well. This part really shocked me. I'll stop here, it's coming to the ending part if I keep telling.
herald's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - three things:
• the consistent use of aliases (goji/abullah/bora, pluto/sahad) became increasingly annoying and occasionally confusing; pluto deserved more unique characterization (i.e. his human arc w/ uran) than the time squandered detailing abullah's escapades.
• tenma is terribly insufferable when it comes to his pretentious, forlorn musings about robotics and humanity.
• for the hatred motif to be so prominent, urasawa could have written a more thorough exploration of gesicht's hatred (presumably for humanity). for the series to abruptly pivot to the significantly less intresting character that is Atom, is unfortunate.
final battle was ok, every other advanced robot was more interesting than atom, still appreciate the journey, brau 1589 is underrated.
• the consistent use of aliases (goji/abullah/bora, pluto/sahad) became increasingly annoying and occasionally confusing; pluto deserved more unique characterization (i.e. his human arc w/ uran) than the time squandered detailing abullah's escapades.
• tenma is terribly insufferable when it comes to his pretentious, forlorn musings about robotics and humanity.
• for the hatred motif to be so prominent, urasawa could have written a more thorough exploration of gesicht's hatred (presumably for humanity). for the series to abruptly pivot to the significantly less intresting character that is Atom, is unfortunate.
final battle was ok, every other advanced robot was more interesting than atom, still appreciate the journey, brau 1589 is underrated.
emmarj's review against another edition
4.0
A good ending to a good story. Even though this felt a little rushed, I still enjoyed it
cassiefleurs's review against another edition
5.0
Great ending to a great manga
This convinced me of giving astro boy a tey
This convinced me of giving astro boy a tey
lilmatt050's review against another edition
4.0
Pluto is over. The End. Fin. I do not know how I can compose my thoughts in a coherent way that allows me to critique it and still let the reader know that this is definitely one of all-time favorite mangas I have ever encountered in the 24 years that I have been alive but I will try! The end on a thematic scale was beautiful and impactful that I can comprehend why Naoki Urasawa took that route especially since this manga is based on the Astroboy manga. But in all honesty this manga felt a bit too happily ever after with a bow on top and extremely extremely rushed. If that was the case I would have been fine with another volume to digest all the revelations and action-packed sequences.
So if you haven't realize it Atom (Astroboy) was resurrected from computer limbo except this time around he has Gesicht's memory inputted into his A.I. memory frame therefore he is not the peace-seeking boy that everyone loves and cherish. Atom has hatred in his heart and seeks revenge for the monster that destroyed his friends. Another plot twist which everyone should have seen it coming a million miles away and yet it will get you every time is Pluto is the most advanced A.I. Robot trying to emulate humans. If it is trying to succeed at that task then it leaves room for the robot to lie and deceive itself. What we learn is Abullah is the mastermind behind these killings and did I forget to mention he is a Robot? His plan is to detonate his ultimate form under a volcano that will wipe away all of mankind.
Destroying the world seems horrifying for everyone and those who support a world without Robots are actually quite a lot of people in this manga but the reality is that if organic life dies with this eruption then it is the robots who will remain and become the ultimate superior race of species. Atom seeks revenge and almost kills the robot that destroyed all the super robots but then makes the connection from Gesicht's memories that hate does not solve our problems. Hate causes it more and it is only through love that we can find peace within ourselves and others.
Atom is willing to sacrifice himself in order to save the planet but Pluto becomes the greatest hero when he sacrifices himself to stop the bomb from exploding. I really love that concept and do not have issues with it if it weren't for the fact that the execution was rushed and left a sour taste in my mouth by the time I reached the end. I do not know if I would have had the same reaction if I paced myself evenly instead of binge reading the last three volumes but we will never know that answer. What I can say is if you are looking for a new manga to read or want to enter this medium then I highly suggest picking up this series!
I am shocked that this manga is not praised by the masses and the fact we have not gotten a film or anime series leaves me perplexed as to why it has not come to a reality. I am sad to part with this series but I am grateful that I took the chance and invested myself in this original and retelling of Pluto/Astroboy!
So if you haven't realize it Atom (Astroboy) was resurrected from computer limbo except this time around he has Gesicht's memory inputted into his A.I. memory frame therefore he is not the peace-seeking boy that everyone loves and cherish. Atom has hatred in his heart and seeks revenge for the monster that destroyed his friends. Another plot twist which everyone should have seen it coming a million miles away and yet it will get you every time is Pluto is the most advanced A.I. Robot trying to emulate humans. If it is trying to succeed at that task then it leaves room for the robot to lie and deceive itself. What we learn is Abullah is the mastermind behind these killings and did I forget to mention he is a Robot? His plan is to detonate his ultimate form under a volcano that will wipe away all of mankind.
Destroying the world seems horrifying for everyone and those who support a world without Robots are actually quite a lot of people in this manga but the reality is that if organic life dies with this eruption then it is the robots who will remain and become the ultimate superior race of species. Atom seeks revenge and almost kills the robot that destroyed all the super robots but then makes the connection from Gesicht's memories that hate does not solve our problems. Hate causes it more and it is only through love that we can find peace within ourselves and others.
Atom is willing to sacrifice himself in order to save the planet but Pluto becomes the greatest hero when he sacrifices himself to stop the bomb from exploding. I really love that concept and do not have issues with it if it weren't for the fact that the execution was rushed and left a sour taste in my mouth by the time I reached the end. I do not know if I would have had the same reaction if I paced myself evenly instead of binge reading the last three volumes but we will never know that answer. What I can say is if you are looking for a new manga to read or want to enter this medium then I highly suggest picking up this series!
I am shocked that this manga is not praised by the masses and the fact we have not gotten a film or anime series leaves me perplexed as to why it has not come to a reality. I am sad to part with this series but I am grateful that I took the chance and invested myself in this original and retelling of Pluto/Astroboy!
lupita33's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a beautiful, emotional, and captivating series
leslie_d's review against another edition
4.0
Finally! the dramatic conclusion to Urasawa x Tezuka’s Pluto.
By the seventh volume of Pluto, it looks like the bad guys have won and the Reader is left reeling from one incredible loss after another. There are also some unanswered questions, like: What is up with that cuddly-looking yet creepy teddy bear?
What that United States of Thracia related teddy bear is is confirmed in volume 8, and the “weapons of mass destruction” investigation/fall-out is completely revealed. Yes, the political maneuvering had consequences no one could anticipate—or maybe they could. And for what? Fear and hatred are not best responded to with a flexing of power and more hatred. “Nothing comes of hatred” is a message Pluto will drive home in the final book, and not in a childish way, but with nail-biting and tears and complex illustrations of empathic response. The exploration of robotics having feelings continues to indict the human characters’ abilities or inabilities to possess let alone express empathy. Similarly is the idea of not only having an affection for the future and future generations, but being invested in the future, in not only creating but parenting, i.e. caring and protecting.
Atom appears to be the only one left who could prevent the destruction of the earth, and he is armed with another’s memory and an unhealthy dose of rage. But he reveals himself to be more than most would expect, redefining power and suggesting a new and better response to threat (on any scale). Not that Atom really is alone, there are others who play a part along the way, both on the good side and the bad.
Pluto is a must series for sci-fi fans, manga readers or no. The artwork and story-structure are a pleasure. It is violent, so I wouldn’t recommend this to the too young a reader set, even if they do excel on the levels of comprehension the series requires. Urasawa has given us an intelligent and beautiful addition to Tezuka’s Astro Boy universe.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/comics-pluto-008/
a link to my review of volumes 1-7 are on the site, at the start of the review there.
By the seventh volume of Pluto, it looks like the bad guys have won and the Reader is left reeling from one incredible loss after another. There are also some unanswered questions, like: What is up with that cuddly-looking yet creepy teddy bear?
What that United States of Thracia related teddy bear is is confirmed in volume 8, and the “weapons of mass destruction” investigation/fall-out is completely revealed. Yes, the political maneuvering had consequences no one could anticipate—or maybe they could. And for what? Fear and hatred are not best responded to with a flexing of power and more hatred. “Nothing comes of hatred” is a message Pluto will drive home in the final book, and not in a childish way, but with nail-biting and tears and complex illustrations of empathic response. The exploration of robotics having feelings continues to indict the human characters’ abilities or inabilities to possess let alone express empathy. Similarly is the idea of not only having an affection for the future and future generations, but being invested in the future, in not only creating but parenting, i.e. caring and protecting.
Atom appears to be the only one left who could prevent the destruction of the earth, and he is armed with another’s memory and an unhealthy dose of rage. But he reveals himself to be more than most would expect, redefining power and suggesting a new and better response to threat (on any scale). Not that Atom really is alone, there are others who play a part along the way, both on the good side and the bad.
Pluto is a must series for sci-fi fans, manga readers or no. The artwork and story-structure are a pleasure. It is violent, so I wouldn’t recommend this to the too young a reader set, even if they do excel on the levels of comprehension the series requires. Urasawa has given us an intelligent and beautiful addition to Tezuka’s Astro Boy universe.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/comics-pluto-008/
a link to my review of volumes 1-7 are on the site, at the start of the review there.