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Buddha 6 Ananda [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2010] Tezuka Osamu
About the Book: Buddha: Ananda (Volume 6) The sixth volume in the eight-part epic graphic novel series byOsamu Tezuka, Buddha: Ananda (Volume 6) is the story of GautamaBuddha, the founder of Buddhism. In the eight books, the storyfollows the life of Gautama Buddha as he grows up, gets married,discovers his true faith and starts a religion with a millionfollowers the world over. In these graphic novels, Tezuka presentsa curious blend of themes and styles. Beautifully detailedlandscapes are marked by cartoon-like characters and the book isfilled with silly whimsy, fictional and non-fictional stories fromthe life of Buddha and a whole host of characters from modern dayfiction like ET and Yoda. In the sixth book, Osamu Tezuka takes off from where Book Fivefinished. This book is mostly about Ananda with Buddha being one ofthe characters on the periphery. Ananda is a bandit and the halfbrother of Devadutta. When Ananda is young, he is possessed by adevil named Mara. Mara hates Buddha and will do anything in herpower to destroy the enlightened one. She grants Ananda the powerof youth and immeasurable strength so he can come to no harm and inturn destroy her most hated enemy, Buddha. Buddha in the meanwhileis aging. In his sketches and drawing of Buddha, Osamu Tezuka showsan older, more wrinkled Buddha, one who is vastly different fromthe young prince who had become a wandering monk. As he ages hiswisdom and the power of his teachings grows, engulfing everythingin its path. Buddha now has many followers some of them his age-oldenemies. As time goes on, Ananda grows up and becomes a ruthlesskiller. He is impervious to injury and can come to no harm, butMara the devil who has possessed him will only let him have theseinhuman powers as long as he rejects his true love. Ananda and his band of bandits attack the Fire Shrine of thebrothers Kassapa. Fortunately for the brothers, Buddha is in thesame forest at not too far a distance. What ensues is a fight whereBuddha must confron
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 1983
29 people are currently reading
933 people want to read
About the author
Osamu Tezuka
2,153 books1,291 followersDr. Osamu Tezuka (手塚治虫) was a Japanese manga artist, animator, producer and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. He is often credited as the "Father of Anime", and is often considered the Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney, who served as a major inspiration during his formative years. His prolific output, pioneering techniques, and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such titles as "the father of manga" and "the God of Manga."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
February 21, 2023
This volume focuses mostly on the bandit Ananda - a young man who is protected by the demon Mara. In exchange Ananda is tasked with finding and killing Buddha.
Their paths cross at the Fire Shrine where a science inspired Brahmin has rigged a contraption that allows him to control fire.
The last few chapters of the book are the best - we get to see Buddha nearly at the height of his powers influencing corrupt Brahmin, flesh eating crocodiles, and of course Ananda.
This is still a wonderful volume. I felt like it was a bit more streamlined than the previous ones, a bit more predictable. I can't wait to read the next two... and then plan out my next Tezuka read (probably go back and read more volumes from his Phoenix series)
Their paths cross at the Fire Shrine where a science inspired Brahmin has rigged a contraption that allows him to control fire.
The last few chapters of the book are the best - we get to see Buddha nearly at the height of his powers influencing corrupt Brahmin, flesh eating crocodiles, and of course Ananda.
This is still a wonderful volume. I felt like it was a bit more streamlined than the previous ones, a bit more predictable. I can't wait to read the next two... and then plan out my next Tezuka read (probably go back and read more volumes from his Phoenix series)
March 23, 2017
The latter part of this series is good
May 25, 2008
Buddha is aging -- slowly but surely. This volume closes with a preview of the upcoming volume, and in it he looks downright old. I suppose he'll probably die before the end of the series, but I have to say I'm not looking forward to it. I'm getting attached.
October 25, 2011
Another one that includes a bunch of great sermons, etc. Second favorite in the series so far. Discusses desire. Crazy scene at fire temple! That makes it sound like I'm talking about a Legend of Zelda game?
April 13, 2019
Ananda a guy who is trapped by devil and keeps doing one wrong deed after another.
Well I guess we could take the devil as unfortunate circumstance to try and relate.
Eventually, he finds redemption after his encounter with Buddha.
In this series 'Buddha' by Osamu Tezuka, there are lots of vile characters.
When a character is introduced in the series, a brief of the character right from their birth is given. In almost all the cases the people who are vile have become the way they are because of some unfortunate event in the past.
This is the 6th book of the series. If you have been reading the series in order by now you have come across so many vicious characters with almost a similar lifestyle that it starts confusing.
Sometimes it feels like the series is more into these wicked, vile characters than Buddha.
In a way it's good because the more you get to know about such monstrous beings, the more we feel sorry for them.
The series asserts us that, no one is born vile and given a chance even the most monstrous being could evolve into someone breathtakingly beautiful inside and out.
Well I guess we could take the devil as unfortunate circumstance to try and relate.
Eventually, he finds redemption after his encounter with Buddha.
In this series 'Buddha' by Osamu Tezuka, there are lots of vile characters.
When a character is introduced in the series, a brief of the character right from their birth is given. In almost all the cases the people who are vile have become the way they are because of some unfortunate event in the past.
This is the 6th book of the series. If you have been reading the series in order by now you have come across so many vicious characters with almost a similar lifestyle that it starts confusing.
Sometimes it feels like the series is more into these wicked, vile characters than Buddha.
In a way it's good because the more you get to know about such monstrous beings, the more we feel sorry for them.
The series asserts us that, no one is born vile and given a chance even the most monstrous being could evolve into someone breathtakingly beautiful inside and out.
April 2, 2021
Ananda, Angulimala and the Kassyapa brothers enter into the fray...
More adventure... More story...
On Volume 7...
More adventure... More story...
On Volume 7...
January 18, 2017
Transformative!
January 17, 2012
Aah, sepertinya buku ke-6 ini adalah yang paling kurang menarik buatku.
Butuh waktu cukup lama untuk menyelesaikannya, selain juga agak-agak malas untuk memulai menulis review-nya... -_-'
Tapiii!
Secara kualitas masih tetap spektakuler, dari sisi art, cerita, dan sisi komikalnya. Makanya tetap kuberi bintang penuh.
Aku mungkin kurang merasa "klik" aja sama kisah di buku ini.
Alkisah tentang Ananda yang sewaktu masih bayi diselamatkan dari kematian karena suatu perjanjian antara orang tuanya dengan iblis berwujud campuran ular cobra + dewi Kali.
Karena penyelamatan itu, Ananda kemudian menjadi "anak iblis" dan memiliki kemampuan regenerasi.
Berhubung berasal dari golongan Sudra, hidup Ananda tidak mudah, makanya dia tergoda untuk berbuat jahat dengan menjadi bandit, merampok, dan membunuh orang. Ananda pun dikejar-kejar polisi.
Pada suatu ketika, Ananda bertemu dengan Lata, seorang gadis bisu dari golongan Sudra juga. Ternyata perasaan cinta Ananda pada Lata membuatnya teralihkan dari misi yang disiapkan sang iblis untuknya, yakni membunuh Buddha. Ananda pun harus memilih antara bersama dengan Lata atau tetap di jalan sesat.
Sebelum itu terjadi, Ananda bermaksud menyelesaikan usaha perampokannya yang terakhir bersama Ahimsa, seorang putra bangsawan yang kemudian menyimpan dendam kepada kaum Brahmana dan terkenal sebagai si Angulimala karena selalu memotong jari kelingking korbannya.
Ananda terpisah dengan Lata dan bersama Ahimsa, dia kemudian mencoba merampok Kuil Api milik Uruwela Kassapa, seorang pertapa tangguh.
Di luar dugaan, Lata pergi mencari Buddha dan membawanya ke Kuil Api untuk menyelamatkan Ananda. Maka terjadilah pertemuan antara Buddha dan Ananda untuk pertama kalinya.
Buddha kemudian mendapat banyak cobaan, termasuk dari iblis yang menghantui Ananda, serta harus membuktikan diri di hadapan Uruwela Kassapa dan kedua saudara laki-lakinya yang total ketiganya memiliki kurang lebih 1.000 pengikut.
Lalu apa yang dilakukan Buddha dalam menghadapi semua cobaan itu?
Apakah Ananda dapat diselamatkan? Bagaimana nasib kisah cintanya dengan Lata?
Semuanya hanya di buku ke-6 serial komik/manga Buddha! *gaya iklan* (halah)
Omong-omong, kuperhatikan ternyata juga ada penggantian penyunting mulai dari buku ini sampai buku terakhir lho.
Penyunting tiga buku terakhir adalah Andya Primanda.
Kira-kira kenapa ya berubah? Hmm...
Butuh waktu cukup lama untuk menyelesaikannya, selain juga agak-agak malas untuk memulai menulis review-nya... -_-'
Tapiii!
Secara kualitas masih tetap spektakuler, dari sisi art, cerita, dan sisi komikalnya. Makanya tetap kuberi bintang penuh.
Aku mungkin kurang merasa "klik" aja sama kisah di buku ini.
Alkisah tentang Ananda yang sewaktu masih bayi diselamatkan dari kematian karena suatu perjanjian antara orang tuanya dengan iblis berwujud campuran ular cobra + dewi Kali.
Karena penyelamatan itu, Ananda kemudian menjadi "anak iblis" dan memiliki kemampuan regenerasi.
Berhubung berasal dari golongan Sudra, hidup Ananda tidak mudah, makanya dia tergoda untuk berbuat jahat dengan menjadi bandit, merampok, dan membunuh orang. Ananda pun dikejar-kejar polisi.
Pada suatu ketika, Ananda bertemu dengan Lata, seorang gadis bisu dari golongan Sudra juga. Ternyata perasaan cinta Ananda pada Lata membuatnya teralihkan dari misi yang disiapkan sang iblis untuknya, yakni membunuh Buddha. Ananda pun harus memilih antara bersama dengan Lata atau tetap di jalan sesat.
Sebelum itu terjadi, Ananda bermaksud menyelesaikan usaha perampokannya yang terakhir bersama Ahimsa, seorang putra bangsawan yang kemudian menyimpan dendam kepada kaum Brahmana dan terkenal sebagai si Angulimala karena selalu memotong jari kelingking korbannya.
Ananda terpisah dengan Lata dan bersama Ahimsa, dia kemudian mencoba merampok Kuil Api milik Uruwela Kassapa, seorang pertapa tangguh.
Di luar dugaan, Lata pergi mencari Buddha dan membawanya ke Kuil Api untuk menyelamatkan Ananda. Maka terjadilah pertemuan antara Buddha dan Ananda untuk pertama kalinya.
Buddha kemudian mendapat banyak cobaan, termasuk dari iblis yang menghantui Ananda, serta harus membuktikan diri di hadapan Uruwela Kassapa dan kedua saudara laki-lakinya yang total ketiganya memiliki kurang lebih 1.000 pengikut.
Lalu apa yang dilakukan Buddha dalam menghadapi semua cobaan itu?
Apakah Ananda dapat diselamatkan? Bagaimana nasib kisah cintanya dengan Lata?
Semuanya hanya di buku ke-6 serial komik/manga Buddha! *gaya iklan* (halah)
Omong-omong, kuperhatikan ternyata juga ada penggantian penyunting mulai dari buku ini sampai buku terakhir lho.
Penyunting tiga buku terakhir adalah Andya Primanda.
Kira-kira kenapa ya berubah? Hmm...
November 17, 2017
Book 6 of Osamu Tzuka’s 8 volume version of Buddha, sub titled Ananda is like book 5, something of a let-down. Taken as part of a longer sequence this is a mid-way slump like I have experienced in many another long book. Having achieved Godhead status as the Enlightened One Buddha will be challenged by Ananda. Ananda is the child of humans. His parents were hunted down and murdered for the crime of belonging to a now defeated nation race. He is placed under the protection of an evil demon spirit. She intends to use her foreknowledge that Ananda is fated to confront The Buddha and the price of her protection is that Ananda should defeat The Buddha.
Is it really a spoiler to mention that a human (even with a demon backup) against a godhead is not a fair fight?
Mostly this book is about Buddha meeting and collecting his inner circle of followers. This is a fairly traditional sequences of set piece conversion stories. Tezuka pretty much follows conventions with a few details making them his own.
There are his usual anachronisms. For a change almost all are confined to spoken ones and almost all serve to help keep a link between ancient and modern worlds. The level of art work is not as beautiful as some of the earlier books, but there are still many pages that are beautiful.
This is a very violent world so we can expect the killings and tortures to continue. The Buddha does get to share his wisdom, but the emphasis on the themes of Let it be and accept what you have ring hollow. The logic of these philosophies only work if you accept that life can only be lived in extremes. Indeed, the entire series to date could be re focused on the need to be moderate while taking care when you may be tempted to compromise principals.
A mid-section slump is not rare in this volume of labor. I already own Volume 7 and will certainly finish this version of Buddhism lite.
Is it really a spoiler to mention that a human (even with a demon backup) against a godhead is not a fair fight?
Mostly this book is about Buddha meeting and collecting his inner circle of followers. This is a fairly traditional sequences of set piece conversion stories. Tezuka pretty much follows conventions with a few details making them his own.
There are his usual anachronisms. For a change almost all are confined to spoken ones and almost all serve to help keep a link between ancient and modern worlds. The level of art work is not as beautiful as some of the earlier books, but there are still many pages that are beautiful.
This is a very violent world so we can expect the killings and tortures to continue. The Buddha does get to share his wisdom, but the emphasis on the themes of Let it be and accept what you have ring hollow. The logic of these philosophies only work if you accept that life can only be lived in extremes. Indeed, the entire series to date could be re focused on the need to be moderate while taking care when you may be tempted to compromise principals.
A mid-section slump is not rare in this volume of labor. I already own Volume 7 and will certainly finish this version of Buddhism lite.
October 4, 2014
Das Feuer in uns
Menschen hoffen, erwarten, bedenken, verlangen, wünschen, wollen, suchen, finden, benötigen, brauchen, erträumen, erbitten, nehmen, geben, vergleichen und wenn sie alles haben, geht es wieder von vorne los - das wahre Glück finden sie nicht. Warum nicht? Weil sie nicht erkennen, dass all das nur illusorische Verknüpfungen sind, die die Seele an den Staub des Materiellen binden. Erst, wenn man vergisst, sich und seine Umgebung, kann man die wahre Glückseligkeit erlangen.
Der Streit zwischen Dualismus und Monismus, und zwischen Materialismus und Idealismus, verfolgt mich nun schon eine Weile bei meiner Lektüre. Kaum habe ich den Eindruck, eine Meinung gefasst zu haben, schleicht sich durch ein neues Buch ein nagender Zweifel ein. Ich fühle mich wie manche der Protagonisten dieses Mangas, die sich ihrer Sache eigentlich völlig sicher sind, und diese sogar an Schüler weitergeben, nur um sich in Buddhas Predigt am Elefantenkopfberg einzugestehen, dass die Welt so einfach nicht ist.
Das Feuer in uns, das Buddha in seiner Predigt als Wurzel allen Übels ansieht, das zu Krieg, Trauer und Hass führt, zu löschen - kann das wirklich ein Ziel sein? Wollen wir sein wie die Steine auf dem Feld?
Menschen hoffen, erwarten, bedenken, verlangen, wünschen, wollen, suchen, finden, benötigen, brauchen, erträumen, erbitten, nehmen, geben, vergleichen und wenn sie alles haben, geht es wieder von vorne los - das wahre Glück finden sie nicht. Warum nicht? Weil sie nicht erkennen, dass all das nur illusorische Verknüpfungen sind, die die Seele an den Staub des Materiellen binden. Erst, wenn man vergisst, sich und seine Umgebung, kann man die wahre Glückseligkeit erlangen.
Der Streit zwischen Dualismus und Monismus, und zwischen Materialismus und Idealismus, verfolgt mich nun schon eine Weile bei meiner Lektüre. Kaum habe ich den Eindruck, eine Meinung gefasst zu haben, schleicht sich durch ein neues Buch ein nagender Zweifel ein. Ich fühle mich wie manche der Protagonisten dieses Mangas, die sich ihrer Sache eigentlich völlig sicher sind, und diese sogar an Schüler weitergeben, nur um sich in Buddhas Predigt am Elefantenkopfberg einzugestehen, dass die Welt so einfach nicht ist.
Das Feuer in uns, das Buddha in seiner Predigt als Wurzel allen Übels ansieht, das zu Krieg, Trauer und Hass führt, zu löschen - kann das wirklich ein Ziel sein? Wollen wir sein wie die Steine auf dem Feld?
September 8, 2007
Seri 6 ini...bercerita mengenai Ananda dan Ahimsa..2 orang yang dibimbing Budha untuk dilahirkan kembali..Ananda berhasil sedangkan Ahimsa menolak..dan memilih penderitaannya sendiri..
Di seri ini juga diceritakan juga mengenai bagaimana Budha mendapatkan murid-murid baru yang notabene lebih senior ( he..lebih tua ) dari dia.
Lumayan juga..perjalanan naik busway dari Blok M ke Kota..Bolak-balik....
Di seri ini juga diceritakan juga mengenai bagaimana Budha mendapatkan murid-murid baru yang notabene lebih senior ( he..lebih tua ) dari dia.
Lumayan juga..perjalanan naik busway dari Blok M ke Kota..Bolak-balik....
January 28, 2011
Sinopsis singkat: Buddha berkelana, menyebarkan ajarannya sambil menolong sesama manusia (well, memang itu inti ajarannya, jadi ia tidak sekedar 'talk', tapi 'do' juga ^^).
Kesan: Ada tokoh baru, Ananda. Suka sama kisah cintanya yang romantis XD.
Art: Babi-babi kecil mencurigakan tampak di mana-mana... o.o
Kesan: Ada tokoh baru, Ananda. Suka sama kisah cintanya yang romantis XD.
Art: Babi-babi kecil mencurigakan tampak di mana-mana... o.o
March 25, 2019
This volume is, for me, two major parts. One is the story of Ananda and how he came to be, his mis-adventures, and his struggle against the demon within him. The second part is when Buddha first appears in the book. Once he appears, the book takes on an almost surreal feel as he is able to perform multiple miracles, including reviving people from the brink of death, to controlling the weather, to having a halo that is visible from long distances.
Buddha is now at a point where he is about to "break out" locally. In other words, his reputation is growing, but now it is about to spill over worldwide. This book I believe represents one of the most momentous feats that Buddha accomplishes in order to cement his place as the enlightened one in not only "Normal" people's minds, but also in "masters" who them themselves have followers and subscribe to their own way of thinking.
Buddha is able to not only save Ananda from the devil within him, but also convert three "masters" who have hundreds of followers. The situation is similar to the Beatles right before they went on the Ed Sullivan show, where they were already very popular, but after that show their renown exploded.
The book feels like a legendary tale, and Tesuka presents it wonderfully with his trademark drawings and sense of humor. Again he lets the story flow in an effortless way. The book really lends itself to a well placed entertaining book that will leave you thinking about the philosophy behind not only Buddhas words, but the story of how he came to be.
Two more volumes left, cant wait to read the conclusion!
Buddha is now at a point where he is about to "break out" locally. In other words, his reputation is growing, but now it is about to spill over worldwide. This book I believe represents one of the most momentous feats that Buddha accomplishes in order to cement his place as the enlightened one in not only "Normal" people's minds, but also in "masters" who them themselves have followers and subscribe to their own way of thinking.
Buddha is able to not only save Ananda from the devil within him, but also convert three "masters" who have hundreds of followers. The situation is similar to the Beatles right before they went on the Ed Sullivan show, where they were already very popular, but after that show their renown exploded.
The book feels like a legendary tale, and Tesuka presents it wonderfully with his trademark drawings and sense of humor. Again he lets the story flow in an effortless way. The book really lends itself to a well placed entertaining book that will leave you thinking about the philosophy behind not only Buddhas words, but the story of how he came to be.
Two more volumes left, cant wait to read the conclusion!
January 12, 2019
Komik keenam ini bercerita tentang asal-usul murid paling setia Buddha yaitu Ananda. Tokoh yang menarik tapi sebetulnya mirip Tatta. Ananda dirasuki mara sejak bayi sebab perjanjiian bapaknya dengan mara. Ananda jadi perampok setelah kematian ibunya kemudian bertemu dengan Lata, gadis dari golongan sudra. Keduanya jatuh cinta namun dihalangi oleh mara. Kisah cinta mereka manis sekali.
Ananda bertemu dengan Angulimala yang dijahati oleh gurunya sendiri. Ahimasa, itu nama aslinya, mengajak Ananda untuk berkomplot merampok kaum brahma. Sasaran mereka adalah Guru Kassapa.
Karakter Guru Kassapa ini juga cukup menyedot perhatian karena sebagai pemuja api ia menggunakan science. Dalam modus operandi perampokan itu Ananda dan Ahimsa hampir mati. Untung saja Lata menemui Buddha dan meminta bantuan untuk membebaskan Ananda.
Misi penyelamatan Buddha membuat Ananda tobat dan menjadi pengikut Budhha begitu juga dengan Lata. Ahimsa yang membenci kaum brahma menolak Buddha. Tiga bersaudara Kassapa sendiri juga jadi pengikut Buddha bersama dengan ratusan pengikutnya.
Ceramah Buddha sangat menarik menggunakan tamsil-tamsil dan tidak terkesan memaksa.
Ananda bertemu dengan Angulimala yang dijahati oleh gurunya sendiri. Ahimasa, itu nama aslinya, mengajak Ananda untuk berkomplot merampok kaum brahma. Sasaran mereka adalah Guru Kassapa.
Karakter Guru Kassapa ini juga cukup menyedot perhatian karena sebagai pemuja api ia menggunakan science. Dalam modus operandi perampokan itu Ananda dan Ahimsa hampir mati. Untung saja Lata menemui Buddha dan meminta bantuan untuk membebaskan Ananda.
Misi penyelamatan Buddha membuat Ananda tobat dan menjadi pengikut Budhha begitu juga dengan Lata. Ahimsa yang membenci kaum brahma menolak Buddha. Tiga bersaudara Kassapa sendiri juga jadi pengikut Buddha bersama dengan ratusan pengikutnya.
Ceramah Buddha sangat menarik menggunakan tamsil-tamsil dan tidak terkesan memaksa.
March 20, 2023
Strange as it is to say, I find Buddha himself the weakest part of his own series. He's less a character in his own right, at least by this time, and more an archetype, a symbol, a dispenser of grand parables and profound teachings. He seems to have completed his own character arc by now and there's not much left I'm looking forward to about him. I'm far more interested in all the characters surrounding him, and how his example comes to change their lives for the better.
And this volume had some of the best of the lot. A bandit blessed by demonic forces and spreading violence and misery wherever he goes, gradually redeemed with the power of (kind of out of nowhere, admittedly) love. And a whole bunch of fire priests, demonstrating how well Buddha can preach to the masses. Masses of human, that is: they're all too often so much less reasonable than deer or crocodiles.
I'm no student of religion and have little to no clue of Buddha or his teachings outside of the context of this story - for all I know, Tezuka could be making it all up - but it's all doing it for me too. It could all be so simple. Alas, the ones that never listen will forever ruin it for the rest of us.
And this volume had some of the best of the lot. A bandit blessed by demonic forces and spreading violence and misery wherever he goes, gradually redeemed with the power of (kind of out of nowhere, admittedly) love. And a whole bunch of fire priests, demonstrating how well Buddha can preach to the masses. Masses of human, that is: they're all too often so much less reasonable than deer or crocodiles.
I'm no student of religion and have little to no clue of Buddha or his teachings outside of the context of this story - for all I know, Tezuka could be making it all up - but it's all doing it for me too. It could all be so simple. Alas, the ones that never listen will forever ruin it for the rest of us.
March 10, 2020
So far, this is the worst Buddha book.
The first two thirds are almost entirely dedicated to the story of Ananda, a villainous anti-christ who acts as a foil to Siddhartha. The problem is, Ananda's tale isn't particularly interesting. The whole evil foil turned loyal disciple was covered much more interestingly with Devedatta's arc in Book 3, and subsequently Depa's chapters in Book 5. While Devedatta's animalistic ferocity was compelling, Ananda's simplistic sadism is boring. Depa's conundrum of faith was hugely important- there were no added layers of theological rhetoric here.
I also felt Tezuka's artwork weaning a little bit, which is such a bummer.
It's not bad per say, just redundant. The latter half is more interesting- watching Siddhartha perform miracles and the such is always a good read. I am very excited to finish this wonderful series- hopefully books 7-8 will not disappoint.
The first two thirds are almost entirely dedicated to the story of Ananda, a villainous anti-christ who acts as a foil to Siddhartha. The problem is, Ananda's tale isn't particularly interesting. The whole evil foil turned loyal disciple was covered much more interestingly with Devedatta's arc in Book 3, and subsequently Depa's chapters in Book 5. While Devedatta's animalistic ferocity was compelling, Ananda's simplistic sadism is boring. Depa's conundrum of faith was hugely important- there were no added layers of theological rhetoric here.
I also felt Tezuka's artwork weaning a little bit, which is such a bummer.
It's not bad per say, just redundant. The latter half is more interesting- watching Siddhartha perform miracles and the such is always a good read. I am very excited to finish this wonderful series- hopefully books 7-8 will not disappoint.
March 3, 2020
This volume begins with the baby Ananda being offered to a demon in exchange for the life of his parents. The demon saves him and makes him nearly immortal, so he can be a pawn against the Buddha. But, after a life of murder and destruction, when he meets the Buddha, he is awakened to his teachings and finds rebirth. The Buddha also converts monks and animals to his way, teaching his philosophy through powerful parables, teaching that greed and desire are destructive, but instead we need to follow nature.
Although this volume started slow and seemed to follow many of the similar stories of other volumes, it got better when Buddha showed up and started teaching. This series is a great, thoughtful tale of heroism, wisdom, self-examination, and morality and ethics, as well as action and humor.
Although this volume started slow and seemed to follow many of the similar stories of other volumes, it got better when Buddha showed up and started teaching. This series is a great, thoughtful tale of heroism, wisdom, self-examination, and morality and ethics, as well as action and humor.
August 3, 2017
What a switcheroo of a character introduction. I certainly did not expect Ananda's role to be what it was by the end of the story at the point I met him in the story. Kudos to Tezuka for pulling this off convincingly. But why introduce such a heavy dose of the supernatural at this point in the story, when it seems so grounded in reality, especially in its harshness? Perhaps it is to offer an illusion of an easy out. All in all, though, it still feels bizarre. If this guardian "angel" can happen, why can't Buddha retain his commune-with-animal-souls power more often or bring back more people from the dead? To illustrate that such an act isn't easy even for the Enlightened One? Eh. I'm not convinced by the narrative.
January 9, 2025
This volume focuses on Ananda who is possessed by the devil Mara in her efforts to defeat the Buddha who has become truly enlightened and godlike. Ananda becomes a ruthless killer who is impervious to physical harm, but is he impervious to Buddha's philosophies? There are some very thought provoking messages spouted by Buddha in the last part of the book, particularly how everything in nature must be balanced for the benefit of all. I can see why Buddhism is practiced by millions. Tezuka continues to shine as both an artist and a writer, showing Buddha's growth in both words and pictures.
June 18, 2019
Really enjoying the series, but I'm annoyed at how every female character is essentially an empty vessel who suffers tragedy to further the story of a male character. This is especially obvious in this book, which features a submissive slave girl who literally can't speak. This sexism could be a result of the culture in which Buddha lived, the culture in which Tezuka lived, or both. So it's not really surprising, but it makes the manga a little less enjoyable for me.
May 20, 2017
At this point in the series Buddha is gaining followers. This book centers on someone named Ananda who is a thief. Ananda is involved in a number of robberies. At one point he is robbing some Hindu holy men. Buddha finds himself in the middle of things and comes away with many followers. As usual in the series nice graphics.
September 16, 2019
Tau2 si Siddhartha udah sakti aja ya? Well, I skip the number five siy hehehe And ilustrasi2-nya kok makin vulgar ya? Apa seiring bertambah-nya umur lakon utama? Ngga ngerti juga. Mungkin juga cuma karena aq perempuan berjilbab 😜
Tapi pesan yg tersirat itu tetep bagus and buat aq semakin semangat hunting yg nomer lima neh... Sama nomer tujuh juga siy 💪
Tapi pesan yg tersirat itu tetep bagus and buat aq semakin semangat hunting yg nomer lima neh... Sama nomer tujuh juga siy 💪
April 27, 2025
Di saat saya rasa sudah cukup banyak karakter berwarna di komik ini, rupanya masih ada Ananda, murid paling dekat dengan Buddha, yang latar belakangnya juga tragis. Selanjutnya ditutup dengan cerita Buddha yang mengkonversi para pemimpin kuil api, yang bagi saya kurang berkesan. Mungkin karena kotbah Buddha di sini terlalu normatif.
November 29, 2018
This series gets more amazing every volume!
This one is full of action and has a really interesting villain. And although Buddha has trascended, he still has so much to learn and do!
I'm loving these books, kinda sad they're just 8 altogether!
This one is full of action and has a really interesting villain. And although Buddha has trascended, he still has so much to learn and do!
I'm loving these books, kinda sad they're just 8 altogether!
March 18, 2019
I thought the drawings in the manga were a little vulgar albeit amusingly humorous. I especially found it funny when Tata in a combat suffocates in his helmet and he goes, "I'll remove it. Tezuka says it's hard to draw anyway" Haha. But wait, was that in Vol. 5?
September 21, 2022
If this is all somewhat true, Ananda’s back-story is pretty wild considering what I've heard of his life.
“The world works because we help one another. If you show mercy to something, then in turn, something else will assist you.”
“The world works because we help one another. If you show mercy to something, then in turn, something else will assist you.”
September 2, 2023
Another fantastic volume. Tezuka's ability to mix humour, biographical details, action, and morality all come together beautifully in this volume. This entire series is a masterpiece, and there's something here for everyone in my view.
April 17, 2025
As the series progresses, more of it seems to be based on actual teachings of the Buddha rather than stories made up by the author.
This makes it entertaining and interesting to read since you’re not just repeating similar stories over and over again.
This makes it entertaining and interesting to read since you’re not just repeating similar stories over and over again.
June 29, 2017
Takes a bit of a detour compared to the last one, involving some new characters, but still very good.
October 26, 2017
I'm kind of lost in the order of these books because I was pretty sure one of the characters died in the previous one, and here he's back...
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