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Reviewed by Michael Deeley Osamu Tezuka’s epic tale about the life and philosophy of the man history knows as Buddha begins with a beggar, slaves, and a holy man. The story begins before Buddha is born. Naradatta, a priest of the Brahmin, is ordered to find a person of extraordinary power. He finds Tatta, a pariah with the power to possess animals. Tatta had already Chapra and his mother, two slaves that escape with Tatta’s help. The adventures of these four people demonstrate the injustice of the caste system in ancient India. They will play a role in the life of Siddhartha, newborn prince of Kapilavastu. Tezuka adds one important quality to his story about the Buddha: Humor. Tezuka often throws in physical humor, sight gags, modern references and the occasional pun into an otherwise serious story. But this doesn’t diminish the drama of the tale. Nor does it take away from the tragedy of loss suffered by the characters. If anything, it gives the reader a brief relief from the narrative. It also heightens the drama. A death brings more tears after a pratfall. Tezuka chose to show the world into which the Buddha was born. Rather than retell the facts of his life, Tezuka adds characters that represent aspects of Indian society. Naradatta is a holy man of the Brahmin caste, highest in the land. Chapra was born a slave, but is adopted by the warrior caste. He pays dearly for his social climbing. Tatta, despite his power, is the lowest of the low. He has no future except as a beggar and a thief. Through this cast, Tezuka demonstrates the need for the Buddha. Suffering, death, and the caste structure will shape the Buddha’s philosophy and drive him towards enlightenment. I wish a similar story could be written about Jesus Christ. Even the novel “The Greatest Story Ever Told” lacks the scope and humanity displayed here. ‘Buddha’ is the story of more than a man: it’s about a country about to be changed. Interested in writing for MangaLife? We're always looking for talented reviewers and columnists, so drop us a line! Charles Webb Editor-in-Chief, MangaLife.com |
1 September 2010
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