ninj's review
4.0
Well, that was a ride! I quite liked Gesicht's detective storyline, but I suppose that was a strong plot element of the series, with Astro himself rather sidelined. The Professor Tenma angle was quite interesting too, and although there were elements of the original story, Pluto really did its own thing, though it seemed like parts of other Astro episodes were pulled in.
Effective and evocative art, especially the cityscapes.
Effective and evocative art, especially the cityscapes.
lilmatt050's review
4.0
Pluto is over. The End. Fin. I do not know how I can compose my thoughts in a coherent way that allows me to critique it and still let the reader know that this is definitely one of all-time favorite mangas I have ever encountered in the 24 years that I have been alive but I will try! The end on a thematic scale was beautiful and impactful that I can comprehend why Naoki Urasawa took that route especially since this manga is based on the Astroboy manga. But in all honesty this manga felt a bit too happily ever after with a bow on top and extremely extremely rushed. If that was the case I would have been fine with another volume to digest all the revelations and action-packed sequences.
So if you haven't realize it Atom (Astroboy) was resurrected from computer limbo except this time around he has Gesicht's memory inputted into his A.I. memory frame therefore he is not the peace-seeking boy that everyone loves and cherish. Atom has hatred in his heart and seeks revenge for the monster that destroyed his friends. Another plot twist which everyone should have seen it coming a million miles away and yet it will get you every time is Pluto is the most advanced A.I. Robot trying to emulate humans. If it is trying to succeed at that task then it leaves room for the robot to lie and deceive itself. What we learn is Abullah is the mastermind behind these killings and did I forget to mention he is a Robot? His plan is to detonate his ultimate form under a volcano that will wipe away all of mankind.
Destroying the world seems horrifying for everyone and those who support a world without Robots are actually quite a lot of people in this manga but the reality is that if organic life dies with this eruption then it is the robots who will remain and become the ultimate superior race of species. Atom seeks revenge and almost kills the robot that destroyed all the super robots but then makes the connection from Gesicht's memories that hate does not solve our problems. Hate causes it more and it is only through love that we can find peace within ourselves and others.
Atom is willing to sacrifice himself in order to save the planet but Pluto becomes the greatest hero when he sacrifices himself to stop the bomb from exploding. I really love that concept and do not have issues with it if it weren't for the fact that the execution was rushed and left a sour taste in my mouth by the time I reached the end. I do not know if I would have had the same reaction if I paced myself evenly instead of binge reading the last three volumes but we will never know that answer. What I can say is if you are looking for a new manga to read or want to enter this medium then I highly suggest picking up this series!
I am shocked that this manga is not praised by the masses and the fact we have not gotten a film or anime series leaves me perplexed as to why it has not come to a reality. I am sad to part with this series but I am grateful that I took the chance and invested myself in this original and retelling of Pluto/Astroboy!
So if you haven't realize it Atom (Astroboy) was resurrected from computer limbo except this time around he has Gesicht's memory inputted into his A.I. memory frame therefore he is not the peace-seeking boy that everyone loves and cherish. Atom has hatred in his heart and seeks revenge for the monster that destroyed his friends. Another plot twist which everyone should have seen it coming a million miles away and yet it will get you every time is Pluto is the most advanced A.I. Robot trying to emulate humans. If it is trying to succeed at that task then it leaves room for the robot to lie and deceive itself. What we learn is Abullah is the mastermind behind these killings and did I forget to mention he is a Robot? His plan is to detonate his ultimate form under a volcano that will wipe away all of mankind.
Destroying the world seems horrifying for everyone and those who support a world without Robots are actually quite a lot of people in this manga but the reality is that if organic life dies with this eruption then it is the robots who will remain and become the ultimate superior race of species. Atom seeks revenge and almost kills the robot that destroyed all the super robots but then makes the connection from Gesicht's memories that hate does not solve our problems. Hate causes it more and it is only through love that we can find peace within ourselves and others.
Atom is willing to sacrifice himself in order to save the planet but Pluto becomes the greatest hero when he sacrifices himself to stop the bomb from exploding. I really love that concept and do not have issues with it if it weren't for the fact that the execution was rushed and left a sour taste in my mouth by the time I reached the end. I do not know if I would have had the same reaction if I paced myself evenly instead of binge reading the last three volumes but we will never know that answer. What I can say is if you are looking for a new manga to read or want to enter this medium then I highly suggest picking up this series!
I am shocked that this manga is not praised by the masses and the fact we have not gotten a film or anime series leaves me perplexed as to why it has not come to a reality. I am sad to part with this series but I am grateful that I took the chance and invested myself in this original and retelling of Pluto/Astroboy!
al_capwned's review
5.0
A great ending and very emotional despite the generic enough message of the whole series. Great work.
lupita33's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a beautiful, emotional, and captivating series
leslie_d's review
4.0
Finally! the dramatic conclusion to Urasawa x Tezuka’s Pluto.
By the seventh volume of Pluto, it looks like the bad guys have won and the Reader is left reeling from one incredible loss after another. There are also some unanswered questions, like: What is up with that cuddly-looking yet creepy teddy bear?
What that United States of Thracia related teddy bear is is confirmed in volume 8, and the “weapons of mass destruction” investigation/fall-out is completely revealed. Yes, the political maneuvering had consequences no one could anticipate—or maybe they could. And for what? Fear and hatred are not best responded to with a flexing of power and more hatred. “Nothing comes of hatred” is a message Pluto will drive home in the final book, and not in a childish way, but with nail-biting and tears and complex illustrations of empathic response. The exploration of robotics having feelings continues to indict the human characters’ abilities or inabilities to possess let alone express empathy. Similarly is the idea of not only having an affection for the future and future generations, but being invested in the future, in not only creating but parenting, i.e. caring and protecting.
Atom appears to be the only one left who could prevent the destruction of the earth, and he is armed with another’s memory and an unhealthy dose of rage. But he reveals himself to be more than most would expect, redefining power and suggesting a new and better response to threat (on any scale). Not that Atom really is alone, there are others who play a part along the way, both on the good side and the bad.
Pluto is a must series for sci-fi fans, manga readers or no. The artwork and story-structure are a pleasure. It is violent, so I wouldn’t recommend this to the too young a reader set, even if they do excel on the levels of comprehension the series requires. Urasawa has given us an intelligent and beautiful addition to Tezuka’s Astro Boy universe.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/comics-pluto-008/
a link to my review of volumes 1-7 are on the site, at the start of the review there.
By the seventh volume of Pluto, it looks like the bad guys have won and the Reader is left reeling from one incredible loss after another. There are also some unanswered questions, like: What is up with that cuddly-looking yet creepy teddy bear?
What that United States of Thracia related teddy bear is is confirmed in volume 8, and the “weapons of mass destruction” investigation/fall-out is completely revealed. Yes, the political maneuvering had consequences no one could anticipate—or maybe they could. And for what? Fear and hatred are not best responded to with a flexing of power and more hatred. “Nothing comes of hatred” is a message Pluto will drive home in the final book, and not in a childish way, but with nail-biting and tears and complex illustrations of empathic response. The exploration of robotics having feelings continues to indict the human characters’ abilities or inabilities to possess let alone express empathy. Similarly is the idea of not only having an affection for the future and future generations, but being invested in the future, in not only creating but parenting, i.e. caring and protecting.
Atom appears to be the only one left who could prevent the destruction of the earth, and he is armed with another’s memory and an unhealthy dose of rage. But he reveals himself to be more than most would expect, redefining power and suggesting a new and better response to threat (on any scale). Not that Atom really is alone, there are others who play a part along the way, both on the good side and the bad.
Pluto is a must series for sci-fi fans, manga readers or no. The artwork and story-structure are a pleasure. It is violent, so I wouldn’t recommend this to the too young a reader set, even if they do excel on the levels of comprehension the series requires. Urasawa has given us an intelligent and beautiful addition to Tezuka’s Astro Boy universe.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/comics-pluto-008/
a link to my review of volumes 1-7 are on the site, at the start of the review there.
flyintothestorm's review against another edition
5.0
Un final perfecto, precioso, increíble. Definitivamente, Pluto se ha convertido en mi manga favorito. Es... algo que no puedo explicar, tendréis que leerlo.
Aclaración: que yo lo considere precioso no quiere decir que el resto del universo vaya a hacerlo, pero, simplemente, lo es.
Un canto a la esperanza.
Aclaración: que yo lo considere precioso no quiere decir que el resto del universo vaya a hacerlo, pero, simplemente, lo es.
Un canto a la esperanza.
blackestclovers's review
5.0
Hands down one of the best series I've ever read. Couldn't recommend it more.
navery's review
Well! This series kept me on an edge the whole time! This surprisingly had a lot of prescient things to say about AI and human-robot interaction which was probably my favorite part about this series. This story of Atom (AKA Astro Boy) vs Pluto is really just a vehicle for Urasawa to use his signature darkness and nuanced take on antagonists and characters to get to the essence of emotions and knowledge as robots can understand them.
Now its time to scheme for some way to shoehorn Pluto and its themes into my research!
Now its time to scheme for some way to shoehorn Pluto and its themes into my research!