Customer Reviews

Buddha: Volume 6: Ananda

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This volume is mostly about Ananda, who as a boy was given to a demon by his father in order to save himself from invaders. The demon possesses the boy making him indestructible. After the death of his father, and watching his mother get killed, Ananda embraces the life of a bandit. When he comes face-to-face with the demon that possesses, and protects him, Amanda learns it's because she (the demon) wants him to kill Buddha. When the Buddha encounters him, Buddha enters into a battle for Ananda's soul.

This is a good entry in the series. It's much darker in tone then other volumes, as the subject matter would suggest. The message of the book is, no matter how much bad has been done, there is always redemption. All beings have cause suffering, some have caused more. But with the Buddha's teachings, one can over come these past deeds.

The book was mark free and in excellent shape. We were very happy with the delivery time as well. Wish all our used books were this nice.

I don't have a review for this volume in particular. I read the whole series at once, and the volumes were just a detail.

I love the entire series. It is a somewhat simplistic view of the Buddha, but it makes up for that by mystical interpretations of well know events.

I recommend the series highly.

Osama Tezuka is a legend, often called "Japan's greatest cartoonist." He is worthy of this praise. His detailed black and white drawings are moving, vivid and cinematic. In this wonderful volume, he tells the tale of Ananda, a young man that is born in adversity and blessed by a demon god, who commands him to kill the Buddha.

The secret to Osama Tezuka's power is his story-telling ability. His tales are like the Arabian Nights fables, stories within stories within stories. I am simply astounded by his raw story-telling finesse. Throughout all of his work, he advances themes of environmentalism, the dangers of modern society, redemption, and the simplicity of Buddhism. What is remarkable is he is able to do this while entertaining; as readers, we become spellbound by his picture-perfect drawings and fantastical settings. Wow - Buddha Vol 6 is a tour-de-force; an engaging, fast-paced treat to lovers of the graphic novel medium.

Essential and classy book. 4* only because it's so hard to find a hardcover copy. Otherwise, it's perfection.