More than two years ago, we got our first look at Unico: Awakening, a modern reimagining of a classic Osamu Tezuka manga. Now this colorful graphic novel is finally hitting store shelves, and IG can exclusively debut a new preview.
Check out the slideshow gallery below for a closer look at Unico: Awakening:
The original Unico manga was serialized in Sanrio Lyrica between 1976 and 1979. Unico: Awakening is specifically a reimaging of the story arc "The Cat on the Broomstick," with a script by novelist Samuel Sattin and art by superstar creative duo Gurihiru (Superman Smashes the Klan, The Unbelievable Gwenpool).
Here's the official plot summary for the graphic novel:
In Unico: Awakening, Unico awakens on Earth and is befriended by a resourceful cat named Chloe, who feels protective of the young unicorn. When they find themselves near a small village in the forest, they take refuge with a kind, but lonely, old woman. Chloe begs Unico to turn her into a human girl so she can help the old woman, but that act of kindness has unforeseen consequences: Unico's use of his power alerts Venus to his location, and now she wants to destroy them both!
"Especially for kids going through crucial stages of development. I see Unico as a breath of fresh air," Sattin tells IGN. "It’s a timeless story about friendship, perseverance, and hope. It’s not cynical or ironic, but it doesn’t shy away from difficult truths. I think there was a time during the 1970s and '80s in particular in the US where stories like this were more available, and that might be why manga is so popular with young readers right now. Tales of bravery and goodness in the face of incredible odds let your imagination breathe a sigh of relief. They let you put reality aside and find out a little more about who you are deep inside."
Unico: Awakening is available in stores now. You can order a copy on Amazon.
Unico: Awakening isn't the only classic Osamu Tezuka manga being reimagined for the 21st Century. Check out our exclusive preview of Fantagraphics' Search & Destroy, a cyberpunk overhaul of the classic story Dororo.
In other comic books news, find out why DC's Absolute Universe has us so excited, and read up on the most terrifying manga by Junji Ito.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
