It's not often that manga storytelling appeals to me, but one of the few manga creators whose work always seems to hit the mark is Osamu Tezuka. There's something about his soft, cute visual style that stands out as far more natural and soothing than other Japanese artists. Furthermore, the combination of an ambitious, mythic epic -- the mature elements inherent in it -- and the sweeter, more innocent tone in the script and artwork is tremendously unique and appealing. There's an energy and enthusiasm in Tezuka's art that's invigorating, and an intellectual quality in the writing that's challenging.
Centuries ago in India, a Brahmin -- a monk from the upper caste of society -- is sent out by his reknowned master to find the special individual destined to lead their people to enlightenment. He's surprised that the trail leads him to a town populated mostly by the lower cates. Meanwhile, a slave boy named Chapra crosses paths with a seven-year-old thief named Tatta, and after discovering the latter has some unusual abilities, the pair becomes friends... and family. An invading army changes their lives forever, though, bringing tragedy... and opportunity.
Tezuka brings a genuine tone to the storytelling with his decision to include nudity in this historical setting. It's never gratuitous, though, and often, it's just cute as opposed to tantalizing. He manages to employ nudity without sexualizing the characters. The artist's animal characters are just as cartoony as the humans, but there's still a refreshing reality to them as well. Exposition scenes in which the artist establishes setting and mood are remarkably detailed, making for a nice balance with his lighter, wide-eyed style.
I know as much about Buddhism as I do about quantum physics or VCR repair, so I honestly don't know how true to legend Tezuka's being here. Given that, I'll stop short of calling Buddha an educational book, though it may very well be. I will, however, go so far as to call it enlightening. There's a cultural divide that the creator bridges here with this playful presentation of an epic and complex tale.
It's easy to see why Tezuka chose to tell this story, as the Buddha myth plays to his strengths. Historical, natural and supernatural elements converge here, and as always, Tezuka manages to tell a surprisingly light tale in the process without sacrificing the drama and maturity inherent in the premise. In part, the epic nature of this book reminds me of Eric Shanower's Age of Bronze, but the translated script boasts a grounded, colloquial quality that makes it even easier to relate to these characters.
Mind you, one might imagine that monks, slaves and supernaturally empowered little thieves might be rather alien figures, but Tezuka really brings them down to earth with motives that make a lot of sense. Tatta's survival-of-the-fittest attitude early on in the book rings true, and Chapra's yearning to make his mother proud and his ambition for a better life is something we can all see within ourselves.
