Orion [Paperback]

Shirow Masamune (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2008

In the mighty Yamata Empire, magic and technology are one and the same. Now, the Empire is preparing its ultimate feat of psycho-science: the destruction of all the negative karma in the galaxy! But will this mystical purification be the salvation of humanity - or the trigger of its ultimate destruction? Only one being can save the Empire from its folly: Susano, the God of Destruction. Wild, arrogant, and homicidal, Susano has come to teach the world the true nature of power! Shirow Masamune, creator of Appleseed, Dominion, Intron Depot and Ghost in the Shell, has earned a huge worldwide following with his unique, eclectic, and visually stunning blend of science-fiction and fantasy, and Orion is Shirow at his wildest, and now for the first time in America published in right-to-left reading format, as originally published in Japan. Plus a variety of great bonus features: art gallery, Orion glossary and notes on the text composed by Shirow himself!

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse; 3rd edition (March 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593076959
• ISBN-13: 978-1593076955
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the beginning..., October 19, 2008

By 

B. B. Bridenbaugh "KingNot" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Orion (Paperback)

Though this was just an excellent sci-fi/fantasy romp, it was so masterfully done it belongs as a classic. Shirow even as a much younger and less developed artist made a world so fantastic yet so believable.


My favorite part of it was when they tied in the Yin/Yang mysticism to both binary code and essentially the rest of the universe. It's this that got my mind sparking to later discover "Sacred Geometry" or a collection of interesting mathematical correlations and patterns in the universe. How the universe indeed could be a mathematical concept.

And the story itself is also good, beyond just the exciting action. The concept of an Empire at the zenith of it's rise trying to avert it's inevitable fall by using it's near god-like technology to destroy the 'evil karma' that will bring it down. Shirow's good at putting themes in his works. Orion was about morality. Appleseed was about the attempt to create paradise. Ghost in the shell about the end of the true definition of humanity in the face of advanced technology.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-translated, September 15, 2008

By 

T. Y. Ahn "Timmm" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Orion (Paperback)

It must have been hard to translate this manga, in which Japanese and Chinese metaphysicism mix weirdly with Lovecraft. But the translator pulled it off, and the reader is left with a uniquely enjoyable manga.

5.0 out of 5 stars Shirow's best path, November 19, 2011

By 

Dan Bergevin (danbergevin dot com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Orion (Paperback)

Shirow Masamune had all kinds of sci-fi paths he first created, then wandered down. Some he followed farther than others. Orion is the best example of a path he followed just far enough. Originally only six issues (I think), this comic mixed non-stop, insanely fast-paced battles with some incredibly interesting "fusion mysticism" which, in this particular compilation, is explained to some level of detail in an appendix. I loved it enough to want more, but feel better knowing Shirow quit while he was ahead.

Orion provokes thought, rewards multiple readings, and while it has its share of images of the scantily dressed villainess/heroine Seska it's not blatantly tasteless like Shirow's more recent work. As an avid non-manga reader I'd say this is definitely a must-read.