Tezuka’s Early Years: Nextworld 1
April 26, 2010
Published in 1951, and last in Tezuka’s “science fiction trilogy”, Nextworld is already leaps and bounds beyond Lost World in quality and maturity. All right, this still can’t hold a candle to many of his later works, but Nextworld is very interesting still, serving as a cautionary tale of using science for the wrong reasons and what unchecked warring could do to the human race. It was later adapted into the anime movie Fumoon.
As is the case with much of Tezuka’s work, the main plot of Nextworld deals with Earth in the Atomic Age. Radiation and nuclear testing has led to the creation of many strange, almost supernatural species of animals, and it seems that every major nation on the planet wants to discover the secrets of these creatures and how to best harness atomic energy for their own purposes. Tensions rise as political conflicts escalate, and it seems that a third World War is inevitable. A strange mix of scientists, politicians, and young adventurers may be Earth’s last, best hope against corrupt government officials, armed forces, robots, and secret societies. Meanwhile, the boy detective Kenichi, the young Rock Holmes, Shunsaku Ban (Mustachio) and others discover the Fumoon, a race of tiny, telekinetic humanoids who evolved in Australia, and have their own plans for dealing with the impending apocalypse.
Titles: Nextworld, 来るべき世界
Author: TEZUKA Osamu
Genres: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, War
Length: first of two volumes
Year: 1951
English Publisher: Dark Horse
Related: Lost World, Metropolis
Resources: MAL | ANN | AnimeSugar review
Waaaaah. I wanna read this but I just don’t have time…
(So I better make time…)