This August, Scholastic is set to launch its exciting new manga series, featuring a fresh adaptation of a cherished Japanese unicorn character originally crafted in the 1970s by the legendary manga artist, Osamu Tezuka.
Titled Unico: Awakening, this reboot introduces its titular character into contemporary settings, showcasing the talents of writer Samuel Sattin and illustrator Gurihiru. The Mary Sue provides an exclusive first glimpse of this vibrant new title.
In the original serialized Unico manga by Tezuka, the adorable unicorn has the unique ability to spread joy to everyone around him, including his enchanting friend, Psyche. However, the jealous goddess Venus, perturbed by Psyche’s beauty, plots to strip her of happiness, which she believes is solely due to Unico’s influence. To thwart the unicorn, she summons the West Wind to deliver Unico to the Hill of Oblivion, where he would forget Psyche and wander aimlessly for eternity.
Yet, similar to the sympathetic hunter in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the West Wind shows compassion for Unico and transports him across various times and locations in the universe, allowing him to forge new friendships and share his happiness. To keep Venus from discovering his whereabouts, the West Wind erases Unico’s memory of each encounter when they depart.
In Unico: Awakening, the unicorn finds himself waking up on Earth, where he encounters a cat named Chloe, whom he rescues from an impending accident. Grateful, Chloe becomes fiercely protective of Unico, and together, they embark on whimsical adventures, eventually befriending a kind-hearted, lonely elderly woman residing in a forest near a quaint village.
Chloe, believing the old woman to be a witch, urges Unico to use his magic to transform her into a human girl. However, their well-meaning gesture attracts unwanted attention—specifically from Venus, who learns of Unico’s location and becomes intent on eliminating both him and Chloe. As the pursuit begins anew, Unico and Chloe must unite and devise a plan to outwit Venus’s wrath while ensuring they don’t harm anyone else in the process.
Take a look at an exclusive preview from Unico: Awakening below.
Sattin expressed his admiration for Tezuka, stating, “Tezuka holds a unique position in comics; he is both a classic cornerstone and a pathfinder. His works remain ageless while continually challenging conventions. Through his distinctive artistic style, he uncovered myriad ways to convey feelings, narratives of struggle, and moments of victory. His characters often face overwhelming odds while their narratives paint grand landscapes of human experience,”noted Sattin in a statement for The Mary Sue.
“Moreover, Tezuka’s versatility is remarkable; he crafted enchanting tales like Unico, Astro Boy, Dororo, and Black Jack, while seamlessly transitioning to darker themes in gekiga (adult-oriented) stories, such as MW, Ode to Kirihito, The Human Insect, and adaptations of classic literature like Crime and Punishment. Tezuka defies classification; his complexity surpasses any singular genre or age group. He significantly shaped the modern manga and anime landscapes,”Sattin elaborated. “In essence, Osamu Tezuka was not only a creator of universes within his stories but also a formidable force in shaping the cultural narrative. His influence is incomparable; he is a deity in every sense of the word, with aspirations that reach for the cosmos.”
Samuel Sattin will be participating in the San Diego Comic-Con 2024 panel titled “Discover the Magic of Osamu Tezuka: New Adventures for a New Generation,” alongside translator Ben Applegate (Search & Destroy) and editor-journalist Deb Aoki (Mangasplaining podcast, The Beat). This discussion will occur on Thursday, July 25, from 2-3 p.m. in Room 28DE, focusing on Tezuka’s enduring impact and offering an exclusive preview of the second chapter in Scholastic’s new Unico saga.
Unico: Awakening will hit shelves widely on August 6.
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