{"product_id":"ayako-isbn-9781935654780","title":"Ayako","description":"Long considered as one of Osamu Tezuka's most political narratives, \u003ci\u003eAyako \u003c\/i\u003eis also considered to be one of his most challenging as it defies the conventions of his manga by utilizing a completely original cast and relying solely on historical drama to drive the plot. Ayako, pulls no punches, and does not allow for gimmicks as science-fiction or fantasy may. Instead Tezuka weaves together a tale which its core simply focuses on a single family, a family that could be considered a metaphor for a rapidly developing superpower.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverflowing with imagery of the cold war seen through Japan's eyes, Ayako is firmly set in realism taking inspiration from a number of historical events that occurred over the American occupation and the cultural-revolution which soon followed. Believed to be Tezuka's answer to the \u003ci\u003egekiga\u003c\/i\u003e (dramatic comics) movement of the 60's, Ayako should be considered one of the better early examples of a \u003ci\u003eseinen\u003c\/i\u003e (young adult) narrative to be published.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInitially set in the aftermath of World War II, Ayako focuses its attention on the Tenge clan, a once powerful family of landowners living in a rural community in northern Japan. From the moment readers are introduced to the extended family, it is apparent that the war and American occupation have begun to erode the fabric that binds them all together. The increasing influence of political, economic and social change begins to tear into the many Tenge siblings, while a strange marriage agreement creates resentment between the eldest son and his sire. And when the family seems to have completely fallen apart, they decide to turn their collective rage on what they believe to be the source of their troubles—the newest member of the Tenge family, the youngest sister Ayako.A 2011 Eisner Award Nominee\u003cbr\u003eA 2010\u003ci\u003e About.com \u003c\/i\u003eBest Manga of the Year Selection\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“Best New Seinen\/Josei Manga of 2010—Drama\u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003eAyako\u003c\/i\u003e depicts horrifying events, but it  is beautifully presented.    Connoisseurs of comics craft will find much to admire in Tezuka’s    cinematic approach to paneling, pacing, and illustration. Peter    Mendelsund’s  striking design gives this 1970’s story a modern mood   to attract  mature readers.”—\u003ci\u003eAbout.com\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Panel after  panel flows effortlessly, composed in such a way  that  it draws you in,  despite the cartoonish characters that Tezuka is  so  well  known  for. His scenery and backgrounds show a vibrant land  slowly  weighed  down by filth and corruption… While I have been  dismissive of  Tezuka’s   work in the past, I am fully convinced by \u003ci\u003eAyako\u003c\/i\u003e… This book is one of Vertical’s finer achievements and a must-have for any Tezuka  or intelligent comics fan. 9.5\/10” —\u003ci\u003eComics Village\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“It is a portrait of humanity’s dark side on par with Dante’s \u003ci\u003eInferno\u003c\/i\u003e…   With so many interlocking storylines, all  meticulously charted  up to the final page, this drama plays out on a  stage so grand that  only Tezuka could have conceived it. Even the  artwork reaches   heights that are yet to be surpassed today… For pure story and  visual  impact, one of the best ever. A-” —\u003ci\u003eAnime News Network\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Like some of Vertical’s previous long-form Tezuka releases—\u003ci\u003eMW\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eOde to Kirihito\u003c\/i\u003e in particular—\u003ci\u003eAyako\u003c\/i\u003e isn’t afraid to get dark and dreary. In fact, \u003ci\u003eAyako\u003c\/i\u003e may be  one of the bleakest yet. That is, of course, said as a term of   endearment;  this nearly 700-page work sucks you into its twisted  narrative from  the very first chapter, and its grip only gets icier as  the pages turn…  From  Peter Mendelsund’s elegant cover design to  Mari Morimoto’s  dialect-infused translation, this is another must for  fans of Osamu  Tezuka and  comics in general.” —\u003ci\u003eOtaku USA\u003c\/i\u003eOsamu Tezuka (1928-89) is the godfather of Japanese manga comics. He originally intended to become a doctor and earned his degree before turning to what was then a medium for children. His many early masterpieces include the series known in the U.S. as \u003ci\u003eAstro Boy\u003c\/i\u003e. With his sweeping vision, deftly intertwined plots, feel for the workings of power, and indefatigable commitment to human dignity, Tezuka elevated manga to an art form. The later Tezuka, when he authored \u003ci\u003eBuddha\u003c\/i\u003e, often had in mind the mature readership that manga gained in the sixties and that had only grown ever since. The Kurosawa of Japanese pop culture, Osamu Tezuka is a twentieth century classic.","brand":"Vertical Comics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46303166464229,"sku":"NP9781935654780","price":24.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781935654780.jpg?v=1767722030","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/ayako-isbn-9781935654780","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}