Pluto, Volume 4

Act 24 - The Professor's Day Off

Professor Ochanomizu has the day off, so he's spending it in the park. His escort is a police robot. Idle conversation doesn't really work, since the robot is only focused on protecting the professor. Later, Ochanomizu finds a damaged robot dog. It's a very old model, but he decides to try and fix it anyway. After searching for and failing to find replacement components, he decides to use newer parts instead. Unfortunately, it doesn't succeed, and the dog fails to properly reactivate.

Ochanomizu is heavily distraught as he's watching the dog struggle to survive. The symbolism of this event really tells a lot about his character. In the middle of his repairs, he's even contacted by the defense ministry to give approval to build robots as soldiers, which he vehemently rejects. It's quite a good scene.

The police robot informs Ochanomizu that the dog's owner has shown up, and is invited inside. However, the owner (a robot himself) reveals himself to be Goji, a key figure in constructing the Persian Kingdom's robot army used in the war. Goji demands that the professor summon Atom to a set of coordinates, at which the professor refuses. As incentive, Goji states that a stationary tornado has just touched down in Japan, where Ochanomizu's grandson is located...

Act 25 - A Fine Day for a Tornado

Goji and the professor continue to discuss robots' ability to kill. The professor is adamant that robots cannot kill people, it is against their programming. Goji argues that robots are now nearly indistinguishable from humans, is it possible they could also want revenge for wrongdoing done against them?

Goji also asks the professor what the Bora Survey group found in Persia when they went to investigate. The professor admits they found no weapons of mass destruction, so Thracia's declaration of war was unfounded. He asks if that's what the recent killings are all about: revenge. Goji just laughs and repeats that Atom needs to be summoned.

At that moment, Atom crashes through the ceiling, being summoned by the police, who are aware of the professor's current situation. Goji runs, but is caught by the police. However, his AI is missing, and all there are a bunch of cockroaches all over his body. Atom makes sure the professor is okay, then rushes to his grandson's aid in Japan, where he reveals Uran went already to check out the tornado situation.

Act 26 - The Confrontation

Ochanomizu informs the police that Goji is behind everything, and demands to talk to whomever is leading the investigation. Coincidentally, it's Inspector Gesicht...

Uran reaches Japan, where much of the house has been destroyed by the tornado. Everyone is okay, and Atom informs her that's he's almost there. Upon arriving, the entire oceans rears up as a wall with a demonic face. Atom charges in, and there is a huge surge of power. When the water recedes, Atom is lying lifeless on the ground.

Act 27 - A Different Dream

Gesicht awakens from a nightmare which he cannot remember. Across the street, Adolf Haas has a rocket launcher aimed, but is unable to fire. He is still out for revenge for Gesicht killing his brother. However, the KR wants Adolf out of the way, and state that Gesicht is crucial to their plan's success.

The next morning, Gesicht meets with professor Hoffman to discuss his new nightmare. Hoffman dismisses it, but secretly wants to tell Gesicht that he is merely a pawn in a larger game. He tells Gesicht to have fun on his vacation.

Meanwhile, Adolf, while visiting his brother's grave, is practically killed when his car inexplicably explodes. At the same time, Gesicht receives the news of Atom's death. He has a vision where Atom accuses him of being the same as Pluto, and asking if Gesicht is the one who killed him. Gesicht collapses.

Act 28 - Emergency Call

Gesicht awakens in Hoffman's lab. He insists he is fine and heads out due to an emergency call from police headquarters.

Meanwhile, Adolf is being interrogated by police about his car explosion. They ask if anyone is out to get him, maybe because of his brother. Adolf denies all accusations, never mentioning the KR or any of its members. He returns to his office and checks his messages. One of them is a hidden figure who informs Adolf that he is a KR assassination target. He realizes there could be another bomb in his office and sprints out, only to be stopped by none other than Gesicht, who states he has been assigned to protect him from here on out.

Act 29 - Whispering Shadows

Gesicht monitors all of Adolf's activity, checking doors, sampling food, and the like to make sure he won't be killed. It wreaks havoc on Adolf, since he still holds Gesicht responsible for his brother's death. At Adolf's office, he shows Gesicht video obtained by his company at one of Persia's maximum security prisons. After cleaning up the footage (somebody initially tried to erase it), it's revealed to be Darius XIV, the Surpreme Leader of the former Kingdom of Persia. The footage is Darius repeating a list of names. Gesicht realizes the names being listed are those who are being systematically murdered, and one of them is Hoffman...

Act 30 - Three Scientists at Kimberley

Hoffman is abducted by a shadowy individual, who actually turns out to be Epsilon, aiming to protect him.

Back at Adolf's office, a tiny bomb shoots through the window and nearly destroys everything. But thanks to Gesicht's quick reflexes, he manages to contain the blast. That's the last straw for Adolf. He states he'll tell the police everything he knows, as long as they can keep him and his family safe.

Meanwhile, Epison takes Hoffman to a secluded location to meet with Hercules. Hoffman tells them both about a meeting that occurred years ago at Kimberley. Three scientists, all at the top of their field, met to discuss ways to save the Earth from various environmental hazards, as well as improving the quality of life for all humanity. The three were Professor Hoffman, Professor Newton-Howard (who had just recently been murdered), and Professor Tenma.

Tenma, who would not share his research, warns the others that creating a perfect robot AI would mean that a robot would be able to encompass suffering, hatred, and the capacity to make mistakes. He tells them to stop trying to make robots like humans, because something terrible would happen.

Act 31 - The Greatest Robot on Earth

Professor Hoffman reveals that after that meeting, Tenma all but disappeared. Hercules asks if perhaps later, Tenma did indeed create his ideal robot. Hoffman reluctantly says yes.

Meanwhile, Gesicht is taking Adolf to a safe house. On the way, Adolf runs into a standard cleaning robot, who suddenly tells him if he wants to save his family, he has to kill Gesicht. He loses it and starts destroying the robot. Gesicht busts in and shows absolute rage at what Adolf is doing. Adolf asks if that rage is what Gesicht felt when he killed his brother.

Impressions

This volume was intense. Many things are slowly being revealed, and it's interesting to try and piece together who is really behind certain events, and what the true motivations really are. It's only the halfway point, though, so there's much more time for twists and unexpectedness.

Again, it's great storytelling. Saying a lot without a bunch of text can be hard. Urasawa does a great job with it. The old-model dog repair scene was excellent. It was very emotionally powerful. I am looking forward to seeing how all these characters and their stories are connected. On to Volume 5!

Pluto, Volume 3

Act 16 - Uran

Atom picks up Uran from the police station after her incident with the large escaped cats. On their way out, they pass Professor Abullah. Abullah has been called from Persia to Japan by Superintendent Tawashi to help out on the recent murder cases. It also turns out that Abullah was the last person to speak with Junichiro Tasaki before he was murdered (back in Volume 2).

As Atom and Uran are walking back home, Atom states that he couldn't tell if Abullah was robot or human. It turns out that Abullah is mostly machine, since he lost much of his natural body in the war. He asks Tawashi about the recent localized tornados, and heads over to Central Park to check out the most recent site.

Act 17 - Death to Machines!!

Jump to Düsseldorf. A man named Adolf has just been given clearance to retrieve the body of his brother, who was killed three years ago. Adolf states that even though his brother was scum, he still wants to give him a proper burial.

He takes the body to a local doctor, who discovers that the body was killed in a very specific way. Later, Adolf and his wife are having dinner at a local restaurant. Gesicht and his wife just happen to be there also. Gesicht is called away by work, and ends up stopping a group of criminals who have hijacked a military-grade vehicle. He stops them with his unique Zeronium ammunition.

Meanwhile, Adolf travels to a secret meeting late into the night. It turns out he's a member of the "KR," which is a group of staunch robot haters. He reveals to the group that his brother's body had been killed by a Zeronium Alloy Shell. Adolf makes a pledge to destroy whoever killed his brother.

Act 18 - Zeronium

Since Zeronium is so rare and requires special clearance to use, Adolf travels to the Office of Public Information to find out any information he can about Zeronium discharges three years ago. Bafflingly, there is no record of any incident. The only result is Gesicht's attack the night before. Adolf puts pieces together and decides that Gesicht is responsible for his brother's death. But whether or not that's actually true is unknown. Regardless, the head of the KR sees it as a brilliant opportunity to forward their cause.

Act 19 - Epsilon

Hercules retrieves and activates his battle suit that he used during the war, intent on finding the murderous robot that killed Brando. Before he can take off, however, he is shot down. It turns out to be another powerful robot named Epsilon. He states that if Hercules can't even take that one shot from him, he'll never be able to destroy his true target. He also believes that humans and robots are growing ever closer. And if they get too close, something terrible will happen.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the KR are discussing how they can use Adolf's story as ammunition in the fight against robots. They have to be careful, however, because if the public really knew how terrible Adolf's brother was, they'd side with the robots.

Act 20 - Robot Haters

Adolf purchases a Compact Cluster Cannon (basically a guided rocket launcher). As he's holding it, he has flashbacks of his childhood. Turns out his father lost his job because of robots, and ended up killing himself because of his perceived uselessness. His older brother is also anti-robot, and it's clear that Adolf's anti-robot sentiments started at a very early age.

Meanwhile, the KR has started their media invasion, placing strong right-wing proponents of their cause on major news networks and programs. Secretly, the head of the KR also gives a silent assassin permission to kill Adolf if he does anything stupid. As a side note, I hear everything this guy says in Ed Wuncler's voice. I just can't help it.

Adolf follows Gesicht to the woods, where he's thrown back by the appearance of Epsilon before he can use his Cluster Cannon. Epsilon wants Gesicht to stop Hercules, in hopes to prevent another massive war.

Act 21 - Uran's Search

Uran awakens and senses something sad nearby, so she skips school to investigate. She ends up in a redevelopment zone, and finds a homeless man asleep under a bridge. It turns out he's a robot, so Uran rushes to get some energy for him.

After he wakes up, he states he can't remember his name or where he came from. All he can remember is a model number. But apparently he painted some abstract art on a nearby wall before passing out. Uran leaves to fetch some more paint and food, and when she returns, the man is admiring all the flowers in the redevelopment zone, and completes his painting, which turns out to be flowers as well.

Act 22 - Pluto

A mysterious man is walking in an abandoned alley while speaking to Professor Abullah via wireless communication. Abullah states he has a job that needs completion, and the man readily agrees.

Uran is trying to sneak back home without being detected, but is caught by Atom. She attempts to make up excuses as to why she's been out so much lately, but Atom promptly shatters them with basic logical questions. He doesn't pry though.

Uran makes her way back to the redevelopment zone to find it full of flowers. It turns out the man can breathe life into things. He states that there's a world of life (represented by his flowers painting), but there's also a world of death, befreft of any life. He then has a vision of something that absolutely terrifies him, which Uran doesn't understand.

Meanwhile, Abullah's agent has made his way to Central Park, where the most recent localized tornado touched down. He suddenly starts hacking and heaving thousands of cockroaches from his mouth, which scatter into the park. Abullah tells him that he has to be careful not to damage who they're looking for. The model number Abullah gives matches the one the man gave Uran earlier, and Abullah states the name is Pluto.

Act 23 - Wandering Soul

The cockroaches return in the morning, and the man contacts Abullah to tell him that he's located Pluto. Abullah says he's on his way.

Meanwhile, Uran and the homeless man are still talking about life and death. The man reveals that he can create a small tornado. It starts raining, and flowers start blooming everywhere around them.

Suddenly, Atom and the Robot Specialists from the Ministry of Science appear. Atom tells Uran to get away from the man, because he has a strange electromagnetic field spinning around him, and he's dangerous. The police suddenly show up as well, to everyone's surprise. The man hears Uran address Atom by name, and it causes him to swell with hatred. The police are preparing to fire, but Atom stops them at the last second. The man mutters something about robots deserving to die, when suddenly a flash of lightning erupts from his head in the shape of two horns. He then promptly falls to the ground.

Upon closer inspection, Ochanomizu discovers that the homeless man's electronic brain is missing. Suddenly, a large construction robot smashes through a nearby wall. He states that the man is his off-duty body, and that he had been looking for it. It creates many questions, most notably how the man was able to function at all without any A.I..

The final scene we're shown is a lake far from the redevelopment site. Abullah and his agent stand at the shore while the surface erupts. A large robot bursts from the depths, and Abullah states that this is Pluto's only real body, and his orders are to destroy Atom.

Impressions

Some questions are finally moving towards answers, but a crew of new ones are quickly taking their place. This is only part three of eight, so there's a lot more to go. I still really enjoy seeing Urasawa's imagination at work. I really like his location shots. His "old-time village on top of a futuristic skyscraper" was particularly impressive.

This volume was less "eventful" than the prior two. Nothing was wrapped up here, but it was still intense nonetheless. It was much more of a "building up" sort of volume.

Now that we've finally seen Pluto (kind of) and found out who is controlling him, will motivations be revealed? Does Pluto's possession of the construction worker show he has capacity (or urge) for good? Who was Adolf's brother, really? Is there a connection between Abullah and Dr. Roosevelt? Why is Uran so rude? Will Epsilon's predictions come true? When will Dr. Tenma show up? Argh, so many questions! On to Volume 4!

Pluto, Volume 2

Act 8: Atom

In Japan, Superintendent Tawashi (Metropolitan Police Department) arrives at the murder scene of Junichiro Tasaki, the man who came up with the International Robot Laws. He's been strung up high, with large horn-like protrusions sticking out of his head. Tawashi remembers hearing about similar cases in other parts of the world, and decides to contact Gesicht.

Meanwhile, Gesicht and Atom are having lunch in a café. Gesicht is fascinated by Atom's seemingly genuine emotions. He also warns Atom that they're both in danger, and exchanges memory chips so they're both up to speed on everything that's happened so far.

However, upon gaining Gesicht's information, Atom excuses himself to go to the bathroom. He ends up crying over what he's learned from Gesicht's mind, but what he learned is kept hidden from the reader.

Atom tells Gesicht that he should vacation back to Japan with his wife, which Gesicht confirms he will.

Act 9: Professor Ochanomizu

At the Tokyo Police Station, Superintendent Tawashi and Inspector Nakamura are looking through a holographic recreation of the crime scene to see what else they can find out. Atom joins them (much to Tawashi's displeasure), and discovers several pieces of evidence.

Putting the pieces together, Atom discovers that Tasaki was attempting to reach Professor Ochanomizu right before his death. Atom travels to the Ministry of Science to inform Ochanomizu of his findings, and also to get some answers.

It turns out that Ochanomizu was part of an investigatory group (titled the Bora Survey Group) back around the time of the 39th Central Asian War. During that time, the Persian Kingdom was ruled by an oppressive dictator who used massive robot military strength to conquer much of the surrounding countries. The President of the United States of Thracia called for an international treaty banning the production and use of robots of mass destruction. After the treaty passed, the President accused the Kingdom of Persia of hiding robots of mass destruction.

Act 10: Hercules

Ochanomizu explains that the Bora Survey Group was sent in to investigate the President's claims, but were unable to find anything. The only supposed proof was an almost-myth of a super scientist known only by the moniker "Dr. Goji." The only thing the Bora Group did find was a mass grave of thousands of robot corpses, which was extremely odd, but didn't confirm anything. Soon after, however, the war started.

Cut to Greece and Hercules, a robot wrestler much like Brando, and every bit as skilled. After an electrifying match against a local opponent, Hercules meets up with Gesicht. They talk about the war and how it changed both of them. Hercules wonders if robots might be evolving, since it seems like he almost feels actual emotion at times.

Back at the Ministry of Science, Atom inquires about Brau 1589's AI, and why he was able to kill a human. Ochanomizu states that there was no defect, that Brau 1589 was perfect. Atom wonders if Brau 1589 was perfect, and was able to kill a human, then is that was being human is?

Ochanomizu doesn't have an answer.

Act 11: Patching In

In a flashback to the War, Mont Blanc meets up with Brando and Hercules after a large battle. Thousands of robots are dead, and Mont Blanc asks what they're really doing in Persia. They were sent to fight for justice, but all they're doing is killing. All three ponder on the emotion humans call "hate."

Jump to present day Istanbul. Brando senses something ominous in the distance, and makes up an excuse to go investigate. He sneaks out his Pankration Suit (the giant mech used for his wrestling matches) to go check out the threat. He's knows that it's what's been killing the robots and humans.

Brando patches in Gesicht, Hercules, and Atom, so they all know what's transpiring in Istanbul. It's unclear exactly what Brando is seeing, there's only explosions and chaos, but all three of them know it's bad.

Act 12: Family Portrait

It's a tense battle, and the three outsiders can't be sure of what's happening, but they know Brando is in serious danger and needs their help. Suddenly, there's a massive explosion followed by silence.

Brando states that he beat the threat, but he won't be coming back himself. As he's dying, he attempts to transmit the data from the battle. However, something is preventing him from doing so. He guesses it's because his circuits are messed up from the brutal fighting. The only thing he's able to transmit are images of his happy family. It's extremely depressing.

Atom detects something else hidden in the transmission. It appears to just be more interference, and he can't give a definitive reading on it, but chalks it up to an overwhelming suffering.

Act 13: False Memory

Gesicht is still having nightmares, and awakens to watch Brando's funeral on television. Since Brando eliminated the threat, he and his wife decide to take their vacation to Japan. Upon contacting the travel agency, he finds out that not only are he and his wife already registered, but they previously cancelled a trip to Japan.

Obviously, this is a red flag since they're both robots and are unable to forget memories unless they delete them (which they haven't). During the time they supposedly made and cancelled the trip, they were in Spain. They check all of the photos they took during that time and find that there's way more than they would have normally taken. It's almost like someone is purposely trying to cover something up...

Gesicht plans a diagnostic check with Professor Hoffman, who informs him that everything checks out just fine. Gesicht asks him if it's possible to insert false memories, to which Hoffman states that Robot Laws and rights would prevent that. Gesicht speculates that the reason he's been having nightmares is because someone erased his memories and put false ones in their place.

Hoffman is intrigued by Gesicht's theory, so he schedules a meeting with the head of the German Europol Division. He asks if anything was done to Gesicht's memory. The "answers" he's given are dodgy as hell, and hint at some kind of massive coverup. The main point is that the seven robots that ended the 39th Central Asian War basically hold the balance of world power in their hands, and Gesicht is one of them. They've made a huge investment with Gesicht, and just need to make sure he's maintained.

So shady.

Act 14: Dr. Roosevelt

A lone teddy bear is sitting in a simple chair, talking to a man in the shadows. They review the deaths of the three advanced robots so far, and state everything has gone well up to this point, but the tough part still lies ahead.

The bear asks the shadowy figure if he thinks "this is it, if it will all finally be over?" The figure smiles and states that he has to be going, and bids adieu to "Dr. Roosevelt." It's then revealed that behind the teddy bear in the chair lies a gargantuan, menacing-looking computer.

Meanwhile, Gesicht is checking out another murder scene with horns, which he deems to be a copycat murder covering up a simple robbery. He is also continuing to investigate what happened to his lost memories. He ends up heading back to the Artificial Intelligence Correctional Facility to pay a visit to Brau 1589.

As he's heading down the corridor, the President is giving his newest inaugural address, in which he asks when will the world rid itself of all its weapons and finally establish a true and lasting peace? He states that now is the time for every citizen to take a stand, and together they will create a true utopia on Earth. A teddy bear is seen sitting on a chair behind him...

Gesicht informs Brau 1589 that he wants to exchange memory chips. The resulting experience is overwhelming for Gesicht, and he removes it as soon as he's able. He says he couldn't read the data, however. Brau 1589 says he founds Gesicht's memory chip very interesting (alluding that he knows what's Gesicht's nightmares mean), and states that the President has an Artificial Intelligence behind him, many thousands of times more powerful than any robot brain, but that it's rooted to one spot. What must a brain like that spend all its time thinking about (heh heh heh)?

Gesicht says it was a waste of time to come to the facility, and starts to walk away. Brau 1589 suddenly shouts out a vivid recurring statement from Gesicht's nightmares, before chuckling disturbingly.

Act 15: Enemy Parts

Back in Istanbul, Hercules has all but given up wrestling, instead opting to search for Brando and his attacker's body. Oddly, the crews have only found pieces of Brando. Suddenly, a few crew members state they found Brando's arms, but it's not what they expected. Hercules rushes out to investigate, and finds Brando's memory chip, as well as the arms. They've been plunged into a rock. Their shape doesn't bode well.

Back in Tokyo, a "localized tornado" smashes into a cargo truck. The truck was carrying ten large cats (lions, tigers, etc.), and they've all escaped. Five of them have cornered a small boy. The police are debating what to do when a small girl walks through the police line and somehow manages to get all the cats to come to her.

She turns around and yells that the police guns are scaring the cats. Don't they know anything?

Impressions

Again, such a brilliant read. The level of sentiment Urasawa brings to all his characters and situations resonates very well. Evoking an emotional response from the reader is no easy task. But at times I feel downright despair. I want it to know what's really happening, and I want it to resolve happily. But everything that's happened so far leaves such a foreboding tension in the air, I can't stand it. Once I start a volume, I can't put it down. The mystery keeps on deepening, and now there's a huge conspiracy going on too. Great.

The writing is top-notch. I am always searching out new manga from the billions available, and things like Pluto only encourage the continuing search. It really shows how manga can truly be an art form. Certain things like Thracia's accusation of Persia's robots of mass destruction are obvious remarks on what real-world events were playing out at the time, but that's always been a part of writing. Using what's around you in your work.

The artwork is still wonderful. It's not alway about being as complex as possible. Sometimes it's about using the simple things to their full potential. Urasawa gets that, and Atom is a prime example. So much emotion in so few strokes. I really liked how his innocence and squeaky clean personality were captured perfectly, but without an ounce of cartoonishness. Not to say that complex drawing is bad. Most of the settings are very cool, perspective-wise and imagination-wise. It's all good.

But down at the nitty gritty, it's really good storytelling. And that's what it's all about. On to Volume 3!

Pluto, Volume 1

Pluto is a manga written and drawn by Naoki Urasawa from 2003 to 2009. It's based on one of Osamu Tezuka's original Astro Boy stories, The Greatest Robot on Earth.

Understandably, it was a long process to gain the ability and trust to use the Astro Boy (Mighty Atom in Japan) property. Tezuka and Astro are both cultural icons, and Tezuka's work holds a special place in the nation's heart. Macoto Tezuka (Osamu's son) supervised the creation of Pluto. In addition, Tezuka Productions also monitored and provided their official support.

Even though it's based on an Astro Boy story, Astro is not the main character. It instead follows Inspector Gesicht (a robot), as he attempts to solve a series of murders being committed across the globe.

Act 1: Mont Blanc

The first robot murder Gesicht checks out is Mont Blanc, a sightseeing guide and eco-conservationist in Switzerland. Mont Blanc was cherished by humans and robots alike across the globe, and his extremely violent death hits hard.

Gesicht's second investigation is of the murder of Bernard Lanke, a passionate activist. Lanke had supported (and been a key member of) several causes over the years. The only connection between his and Mont Blanc's death is the jamming of long objects in the sides of their heads, depicting horns.

Authorities are confused, because Mont Blanc was an extremely strong, able, and advanced robot. Only another robot could have torn him apart so easily. But Lanke was a human. According to the Robot Law (which all robots must instinctively follow), no robot may harm or kill a human. Only one case of a robot-killing human had ever been reported, nearly a decade before.

An urgent call suddenly comes in about a man who broke through one of the police checkpoints. Gesicht locates the suspect, who had injured the checkpoint human police officer and destroyed the robot one. He apprehends the killer, then visits the wife of the destroyed robot officer to tell her the news.

Act 2: Gesicht

Gesicht then gets a regular diagnostic by a Professor Hoffman, who informs him that nothing is out of the ordinary in Gesicht's system. Hoffman also expresses interest in learning more about the dreams Gesicht is having, stating he's always found it fascinating that a robot can have dreams as well as a subconscious. He tells Gesicht that's he should take a vacation since he's so stressed out about the case he's working on. He suggests Japan.

On the way out of the lab, Gesicht stops a waste collector who is scrapping the remains of the robot officer. He takes the memory chip to the wife he met earlier. She inserts her husband's memory chip, and puts the act of the murder on a monitor. Gesicht is shocked to see a figure in the distance on the footage. The figure is making a massive leap between buildings, but it isn't a robot.

Act 3: Brau 1589

Gesicht visits the facility that has been holding the murderous robot, Brau 1589, to try and determine how and why a robot could kill a human. Brau tells him that the humans inspected every single aspect of his A.I., but found no defects, so how he was able to kill a human is still a mystery eight years later.

Gesicht shows Brau photos from both murder sites. Brau discusses the historical use of horns and death in many cultures. They touch on the fact that the Roman god of death was named Pluto. Brau reveals that he and Gesicht both know that six more murders will take place. The cream of the crop, the most advanced robots ever created are all in danger, and Gesicht is one of them. These robots also share the distinction of being able to be turned into weapons of mass destruction.

Act 4: North No. 2 (Part 1)

The story shifts dramatically to events going on in another part of the world. A giant castle in Scotland is inhabited only by Paul Duncan, a blind musical genius. His new butler, North No. 2, arrives and informs Duncan he's up-to-date on everything the job entails. North wears a large cape to conceal all of his body save his head and arms. He stands around an impressive ten feet tall.

Duncan seems to be an angry man, prone to tantrums and physical violence. He expresses an immediate dislike to North, especially since North informs him he used to be a military robot. North asks Duncan why he composes only on an acoustic piano instead of the vast array of mechanical instruments available. Duncan responds that they're just a bunch of machines that only make fake music. They can't capture the real thing.

North continuously angers Duncan by attempting to play his piano. North says he just wants to learn to play, and he never wants to go back to fighting on the battlefield ever again.

Act 5: North No. 2 (Part 2)

North hears Duncan humming the melody he just can't seem to compose in his sleep. When he asks Duncan about it, Duncan tells him the story of why he's so angry. When he was a child, his mother abandoned him to go live with a rich landowner and sent him to a boarding school in England. He was a sickly boy, and was bullied to no end. At one point, he got so sick that all the doctors thought he would die. However, a black market doctor said he could cure him, but he would lose his sight. Duncan agreed. Later, he learned that his mother had died, and that the wealthy man had never even taken her as his wife, only a mistress. Duncan takes a cynical pride in knowing that he's unfathomably wealthy from his composing career.

Act 6: North No. 2 (Part 3)

Duncan tells North that he wants him out of the castle by the next day. North indeed is gone the next morning. Certain projects that Duncan had lined up are cancelled by the patrons, much to his dismay. He continues to be unable to compose the song he's been working on for such a long time. Right before taking an axe to his piano, North No. 2 suddenly appears and shouts at him to stop.

North tells him that he traveled to Bohemia to find out the truth about Duncan's mother. He reveals the only reason his mother went with the rich man was to pay for Duncan's experimental treatment. She loved him very much, and was right by his side, too ashamed to admit what she had done. North also tells Duncan that he's forgetting a very important memory. He and his mother used to hold hands, watching the sun set. She would always sing a certain melody. It turns out to be the melody Duncan can't figure out in his composition.

Duncan breaks down, finally truly realizing his mother's actions. His character changes considerably for the better. Time passes, and he and North play the piano together.

One day, though, North senses a weather disturbance in the distance. It is very similar to the one that preceded Mont Blanc's demise. He also senses something threatening heading their way. He tells Duncan not to worry, and that he'll be back shortly. He rips off his cape, revealing a massive bunch of weaponry, and flies into the sky. Duncan is unable to see what is happening, but he hears massive explosions. All of a sudden, his mother's melody echoes through the entire sky. It's followed by an explosion, then silence. Duncan asks North to hurry back, because it's time for their piano lesson...

Act 7: Brando

Jump back to Gesicht. He's watching an intense robot wrestling match, of which the wrestler Brando is victorious. He visits Brando after the match, who is revealed to be built like a human (much like Gesicht). He invites Gesicht back to his house for dinner.

Brando lives in a crummier part of town, but says he's got more important things to spend money on than a big mansion. At that point, his five children burst through the door. Gesicht joins Brando, his wife, and their kids for a human-style meal. It's pretty chaotic.

After dinner, all the kids go to sleep, and Brando and Gesicht talk about the recent murders. It's revealed that Brando and Mont Blanc fought together during the war. Gesicht tells Brando that they're both murder targets, and to contact him if he hears anything.

Gesicht then finally makes his way to Japan, where some kids accidentally kick a soccer ball into his path. He muses how children are great, then sees a young boy pick up a snail off of the ground and place it into a nearby garden. He inquires if the boy is named Atom, which the boy confirms...

Impressions

I thought it was great. I can completely see the Tezuka influence, especially in the North No. 2 arc. That sense of building emotion and tear-jerking endings permeates the writing. It just has a different atmosphere since it takes place in a more modern, "realistic" setting.

The art is very good. The locations have a lot of detail, and hit that "futuristic from a 1960's perspective" perfectly. The robot designs get this aspect too. It's such a cool fusion between Tezuka's original Astro Boy ideas Urasawa's re-imaginings. Every time I see a character I recognize I just smile, because their character type and personality is the same, but they're less cartoonish I guess. The emotion that Urasawa captures is very impressive.

The characters also seem very real and easy to connect with. Their personalities are well-defined and interesting, and it keeps the story fresh.

The sudden shift in location for the North arc wasn't unexpected. Lots of the Astro Boy stories suddenly take place in another location. And even though the North arc is present to solidify some major plot points, just as much effort is put into the storytelling. I thought as a standalone thing it was probably the strongest Act in this volume.

The mystery is definitely built up. I'm looking forward to the unearthing of the unanswered questions and all the connections between characters and histories. On to Volume 2!