Buddha (Manga)
Buddha (Japaneseブッダ, Budda ) is a manga by the Japanese cartoonist Osamu Tezuka, who first appeared from 1972 to 1983 in Japan. He deals with the life of Gautama Siddhartha and his justification of Buddhism. The work has been translated into several languages and implemented in 2011 as an anime movie. It is the longest continuous history that created Tezuka.
Action
The Brahmin Naradatta is sent by his master Asita traveling to find a wondrous people who might be the chosen one. Naradatta learns that this is a little boy and pariah, and is also shocked at first, because no one should stand above the Brahmins. Meanwhile, meets the young slave Chapra on Tatta, since this has stolen from his master. Finally Tatta helps to escape Chapra and his mother. Helps them Tattas ability to communicate with animals and to put his mind into the body of these animals. But in her absence dies Tattas family when the army of Kosala burning down the city. The group meets on the Brahmins and finally they can to fourth flee from the army. As Chapra returns to the army, he gets the opportunity to save the lives of the general. As a reward he received from him. Chapra gets the training of a soldier, and if it is considered capable. Soon, he is the pride of his adoptive father and is in love with Malikka, the minister's daughter. But in a contest for them, he was severely wounded.
At the same time expecting the ruler of Kapilavastu you birth of his child. The whole nature around them seem to expect the child, animals flock and natural wonders happen. However, shortly after the birth the mother dies, her desire for the king calls his son " Siddhartha ".
Publication
The manga was published from September 1972 to December 1983 in the manga magazine Kibo no Tomo. The publisher Ushio Shuppansha published the work later in 14 anthologies.
A German translation published by Carlsen Comics in seven volumes so far since May 2012. The translation is by John Schmitt - Weigand. In addition, the Buddha into English, French, Spanish, was translated Italian, Portuguese, Chinese and other languages.
Anime adaptation
Directed by Kozo Morishita Toei Animation produced an adaptation of the manga into an anime feature film. Under the title Tezuka Osamu no Buddha - Akai Sabaku yo! Utsukushiku (手塚 治虫 の ブッダ-赤い 砂漠 よ 美しく- ) he was first presented at a festival on May 28, 2011.
Reception
The manga was in 2004 and 2005 won the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Comics. Paul Gravett describes the work as " inspiring biographical story for all ages". Frederic L. Schodt mentions Buddha as one of Tezuka's works, in which humanism and respect for life particularly expressed.
According to the German magazine AnimaniA draws the manga from that he did not simply contains a mere narrative of the life of Gautama, but a " in the highest degree under the skin" by dealing with the Buddhist teachings.