Unico: Awakening (Volume 1): An Original Manga

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

An adventure across space and time awaits!

UNICO tells the incredible story of a young unicorn who, after enraging the evil goddess Venus, is banished from the heavens and forgets all he once was. Saved from oblivion by the kindhearted West Wind, Unico continues to help others, before having to escape Venus again and begin a new adventure.

In this first manga, Unico awakes in a mysterious land and is befriended by a resourceful watch cat, Chloe, who feels protective of the young unicorn. When they find themselves near a small village in the forest, they take refuge with a kindly, but helpless, old woman. To take care of her, Chloe begs Unico to turn her into a human girl, but that act of kindness has unforeseen consequences: Unico's love has awakened Venus and her minion, Byron, who want to destroy them both!

Conceived anew by author Samuel Sattin and artist team Gurihiru, and developed in collaboration with Tezuka Productions, UNICO: Awakening is a groundbreaking reboot of a beloved story by Astro Boy creator Osamu Tezuka, the "God of Manga." With striking full-color artwork and reading left to right in the Western comics style to match the original manga, UNICO is a brilliant manga series featuring storytelling at its best. Join Unico on an unforgettable journey!

About the Author

Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989) was a visionary Japanese cartoonist, animator, and film producer. His prolific output, pioneering techniques, and innovative redefinitions revolutionized Japanese comics and anime and he is often honored as the "God of Manga."

Samuel Sattin is an American writer. His books include Buzzing, Side Quest, The Silent End, and (as co-author) both A Kid's Guide to Anime & 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.

Gurihiru is an Eisner Award-winning illustration team based out of Saitama, Japan. Though widely known for their work in American comics, they also work in games, manga, and anime in Japan. Their clients include Disney Japan, Nintendo, Square Enix, Tsuburaya Production, and many others. Major works include It's Jeff, Superman Smashes the Klan, Gwenpool, The Unstoppable Wasp, and Spider-Man & Venom: Double Trouble.