To Terra...Volume 1 (v. 1) [Paperback]

Keiko Takemiya (Author), Dawn Laabs (Translator)

Book Description

Series: To Terra | Publication Date: February 20, 2007

The future. Having driven Terra to the brink of environmental collapse, humanity decides to reform itself by ushering in the age of Superior Domination (S.D.), a system of social control in which children are no longer the offspring of parents but progeny of a universal computer. The new social order, however, results in an unexpected byproduct: the Mu, a mutant race with extrasensory powers who are forced in exile by The System.

The saga begins on educational planet Ataraxia, where Jomy Marcus Shin, a brash and unpredictable teenager, is nervously preparing to enter adult society. When his Maturity Check goes wrong, the Mu intervene in the great hope that Jomy, who possesses Mu telepathy and human physical strength, can lead them back home, to Terra...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Provocative ideas animate this story by revolutionary female manga artist Takemiya. After seeing how uncontrolled humanity wrecked Earth, survivors form the Superior Domination and decide to move to other planets and improve on nature: henceforth, all children will be computer-designed for rationality, then purged of all memories at puberty so they can be supervised by a "mother" machine. Sometimes, however, testing discovers that the child is a Mu, a hyperemotional and uncontrollable telepath, who are driven underground by the S.D. Having been raised as a normal boy, 14-year-old Jomy desperately resists contact by the Mu, especially the news that he is an exceptionally powerful latent telepath who is destined to lead the Mu back to Terra. Meanwhile, cold-blooded Keith is rising in the ranks of the military forces designed to keep a rejuvenated Earth clean of Mu contamination. Takemiya's layouts are inventive, but her art is a bit fragile for space opera; in particular, her people look too wispy. Her story, though, is uncommonly compelling as it begins grappling with characters who, despite their one-sided upbringings, are looking for the same thing: Terra, family, a place to call home. With echoes of The Matrix and A.E. Van Vogt's Slan, this looks like the start of an interesting journey. (Feb.)
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Review

"To Terra... is an amazing piece of comic art, and no dedicated manga reader should pass it up." - Newtype USA

" An outstanding addition to the pantheon of great manga." - Comics212.net

"Either way this is sweet old skool sci-fi goodness (think Leiji Matsumoto) wrapped in Ooizumi Salon art with a flair for Ishinomori costume designs... Yeah this is a manga-wotaku's dream." - MangaCast

“The art stands out as unique as it did back 30 years ago. It feels both retro and progressive. Takemiya’s settings and organic spaceships are simply awing to look at in each page.” –About Heroes

“To Terra is an engrossing ride through the stars… “ —Manga Maniac Café

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Vertical (February 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932234675
• ISBN-13: 978-1932234671
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #725,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Elegant Space Opera, March 7, 2007

By 

L. J Lewis "Miss Amii" (Collierville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Terra...Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

With the manga boom tapering off, publishers are generally following two rules when it comes to licenses: nothing more than a few years old and nothing really long. Classic manga artist Keiko Takemiya's To Terra is over thirty years old, so its a minor miracle that we are seeing its first English edition. Although I was introduced to the artist through the more modern Clan of the Heavenly Horse, its easy to see from To Terra why Takemiya's work is considered a classic of the shojo genre. It's elegant, thought-provoking, and emotional.
Far in the future, Earth was nearly destroyed by human activities. For the planet to survive, human kind became strictly regulated by psychic, super computers that constantly monitor people's emotional state and decide their fates. Children are grown in labs, and kept segregated from adult society. Their foster parents are carefully selected to guide them through childhood. However, when they reach age 14, the computer gives them a maturity check that wipes away all their memories to remold them into model citizens of Terra, the home planet that only a chosen few ever get to set foot upon. To Terra follows to very different boys, trying to find there way if this hostile society.
Jomy Marcus Shin thought he was a normal boy. Secretly, he fears the maturity check, which is akin to an act of treason. He discovers that he is Mu, a physically frail, emotional race with ESP powers. The government wants him terminated as the Mu are not allowed to live. However, he is saved by a gang of Mu lead by Soldier Blue. And so begins his life among the Mu as they journey towards Terra.
Keith Anyan is a student at the adult re-education space station to prepare him for adult life as a Terran elite. He is not like the other young people. The Mother Computer rarely needs to even out his thoughts, and most troubling of all to Keith is that he can not remember his maturity check, something everyone else can. When one of his classmates becomes a Mu, Keith learns many shocking secrets about himself and the plans the Mother Computer has for him on Terra.
With the lives of the two set to intersect, will Jomy and Keith find themselves allies or enemies? Is Terra the promised land everyone thinks it is? I can't wait to find out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "a refreshing Story that is as important today as it was in 1977", September 8, 2007

By 

A. Balest "WhiteZero" (LA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Terra...Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

"To Terra..." is a refreshing Story that is as important today as it was in 1977. The Art is unique, creative and genuinely epic. It's narrative is well developed, mature and really does an excellent job of developing multiple characters in grand design.
A worthy piece of Sci-Fi Manga that speaks in a prophetical manner.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Begining..., August 18, 2007

By 

Kayuga - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Terra...Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

I have never read sci-fi manga before..but that's not really the point of the series....it's just the setting. I rate this volume on the threshold of reading the third volume. There's a lot of introspection in this first volume and lots of set up. But you have to set the stage so it's a vital part of enjoying what is to come even if it's not as enjoyable as when the ball gets rolling. however. i highly recommend this manga, it deals with concepts that are above your typical manga fare. there are no girls in school uniforms or boys fighting little monsters here. The drawing is very beautiful,...but not as forceful as the intensity of the story may dictate. hang in there for volume 2!! it's completely worth it!