From the artist of the bestselling series Dr Stone comes Origin – an epic new sci-fi manga. Tokyo, 2048. The northern hemisphere is now connected by the Eurasian Railroad, which deposits all manner of crime and vice here at its eastern terminus. Night after night, the megalopolis is gripped by fear as bodies turn up mutilated in ways unthinkable for a human assailant. Remorseless killers stalk the shadows—but one man stalks them! He is ORIGIN. And he is not what he seems.
South Korean comic artist Boichi has many years of experience in both the Korean and Japanese markets. But it was his work as the artist on Dr. Stone that thrust him into the limelight with the series becoming a top selling hit and getting a subsequent anime adaptation. With a continually growing fanbase, now is a perfect time for Boichi’s other works to get a chance to shine in the spotlight.
Originally published from 2016 to 2019 in Japan and the winner of the Japan Media Arts Festival 2019 Manga Grand Prize, Origin is a strong sci-fi manga that takes a somewhat different approach to its contemporaries. Visually and tonally, Boichi has a style reminiscent of Tsutomu Nihei and Kentaro Miura which is well suited a sci-fi action manga. But Origin is a lot deeper than your average fighting robot. Despite spending his nights trying to stop killer robots, Origin spends his days trying to pass for a normal human and even working a job. Boichi adds some nice touches as Origin struggles to conceal his robotic features such as the sword hidden in his arm and his inability to taste food or get drunk. His manner of speech also almost gives him away to a colleague well versed in robotics.
But this is very much an action manga and Boichi does not slouch in that department. With a style perfectly suited to sci-fi action, his battle sequences are intense and creative. The robots Origin encounters make full use of their mechanical features whether it be mechanical claws that work as both weapons and climbing implements or extra mechanical joints that allow insect like flexibility. This opening volume is book ended by two crazy robot fights that more than set the tone for things to come.
Origin is everything fans of sci-fi manga could want. With detailed dynamic art and a strong emphasis on the role of AI, this is an easy series to recommend. Dr. Stone fans will also relish the chance to see more of Boichi’s intense style of storytelling.
Origin 1 is out now from Vertical (9781647292874, p/b, £12.99)
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