Unico's friends race to save him from the evil goddess Venus!
Lost and alone in a windswept desert, Unico seeks help from the Fey queen Titania. But danger lurks. The goddess Venus and the monstrous hunter, Iver, remain bent on destroying Unico. Meanwhile, Starrow, a celestial scientist, trains Unico's friends, the cats Chloe and Toast, to travel across time and space. But can they reach Unico before Venus does?
Samuel Sattin is an American writer. His books include the multi-volume Unico series for Scholastic Graphix, Buzzing, Side Quest, The Silent End, and (as co-author) both A Kids Guide to Anime and Manga and The Essential Anime Guide: 50 Iconic Films, Standout Series, and Cult Masterpieces. He has also adapted the Academy Award-nominated films WolfWalkers, Song of the Sea, and The Secret of Kells to the graphic novel format. He graduated with an MFA in comics from the California College of the Arts and works as a studio writer for Schulz Creative Associates, aka Snoopy Central. Samuel resides with his wife in Northern California, and travels frequently to Japan.
Counting books in my reading challenge that I copyedited or proofread, when they're available here on Goodreads for me to add in a timely manner. It's only fair. It's a damn lot of reading I'm not including otherwise.
This manga-style graphic novel is SOOOOOO CUUUUUTE. 🥰
Lost beautifully continues the reimagined Unico series, capturing the heart, imagination, and emotional depth that made Osamu Tezuka's original creation so beloved while confidently establishing its own identity. Samuel Sattin and Gurihiru deliver a story that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
What impressed me most was the balance between wonder and genuine emotional stakes. Unico's journey through unfamiliar worlds is filled with danger, friendship, and courage, while the supporting cast including Chloe, Toast, and the intriguing Starrow adds warmth, humor, and momentum to the adventure. The looming presence of Venus creates a sense of urgency that keeps the story engaging from beginning to end.
Gurihiru's artwork is absolutely exceptional. Every page bursts with expressive characters, vibrant colors, and imaginative settings that perfectly complement the emotional rhythm of the story. The visual storytelling is every bit as captivating as the narrative itself, making the book a joy to experience.
More than simply an adventure, Lost explores themes of loyalty, hope, sacrifice, and resilience, making it equally rewarding for longtime fans of Unico and readers discovering the series for the first time.
A wonderful addition to the reboot and a testament to the enduring legacy of one of manga's most iconic creations.
Oh, I do love Unico. Every book in this series feels like a delightful throwback, and you can tell lots of love and passion has gone into every page. I will admit this is my least favorite of the 3 so far, it feels a bit scattered, focusing on characters too briefly for me to be invested as much as I was with the other books. I do wish there was a way to end these volumes with something other than "oh no, Unico's in trouble... again!" but that is his lil' unicorn schtick, so I'll deal with it.
Not quite as good as the first 2. It definitely felt like a bit of an intermission after the events of the last books and setting up more for the next one. Felt like a lot of information was thrown at the reader. More Star system cameos for Tezuka fans though and that is always the first reason for my continued reading.