MOE Magazine
December 2024 Issue # 541
Page 70-75
– Since this is a newer issue, I won’t be doing a direct translation. Instead, I will explain what this issue includes on each page.
Page 70
This page includes one of the earlier illustrations for Unico: Awakening and gives more information about Unico: Awakening. It explains how it started as a crowdfunding project and then was picked up by the publisher Scholastic. They’ve included the English Scholastic book cover of Unico: Awakening to the side with a small blurb and the date for when the second volume will be out.
Page 71
Page 71 begins the article’s “Reboot Points,” which give more information on how Unico: Awakening differs from the original manga by Osamu Tezuka. Reboot Point 1 talks about Unico: Awakening’s story. This describes Unico arriving in a strange town and being saved by Chloe. It mentions the story is based on the original, but names, settings, and plot developments are new. They also make a note of Venus and Zephyrus’ deeper conflict compared to the original.
A blue column on the page includes a quote (translated to Japanese) from Samuel Sattin’s interview with GamesRadar+/NEWSARAMA. We’ve added the quote below, as well as the original interview if you’d like to read.
One of the many reasons I adore Tezuka’s work is that he saw manga/comics as an international language. Which it is. And he loved collaboration. He loved reinterpreting the stories of others, and having his stories reinterpreted in turn. Tezuka himself was working in a different era, and his work was obviously of his time. The new Unico series is of our time, while respecting the past.
– Sattin, 2024, After 45 years, Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga gets revived as Unico: Awakening, with a new ending authorized by Tezuka’s estate | GamesRadar+
The page also includes an area introducing the characters from Unico: Awakening. This includes: Unico, Venus, Zephyrus (West Wind), Psyche, Chloe, Toast, Granny, Sphinx, Marusu, Baron, Sirens, and Night Wind.
Page 72
Page 72 features Reboot Point 2, which is about Gurihiru’s visuals for Unico: Awakening. The blurb mentions Gurihiru’s work with American publishers, including Marvel, as well as how well they bring the characters in Unico to life. Again, Venus has had the biggest changes and is even more villainous than her previous version.
Below this blurb is an interview with Gurihiru. The artist team answers several questions which include how they got involved with the project, when did they first learn of Unico, favorite character, etc.
Page 73
This page has Reboot Point 3 and shows off the charm of full-color American comics. It has a small blurb sharing the differences between black and white Japanese manga and full-color American comics. Since Unico: Awakening is being published in America, the comic is expressed in beautiful colors. The rest of page 73 includes several panels from the manga to illustrate the range of colors you’ll find when reading the manga.
Page 74
Pages 74 and 75 include information on the original manga. On page 74, you’ll get to learn about when the original Unico manga was published in Lyrica magazine. It showcases Unico’s origins, powers, and friends by sharing several panels from the manga.
Page 75
While this page continues to share information on the original manga, it focuses on the two chapters used for Unico: Awakening, which are “Cat on the Broomstick” and “The Fangs of Athens.” It describes the plot for each chapter and characters involved, which is great for those wanting to learn more about the original series. If you’re familiar with the original series, it’s a nice refresher.