Search & Destroy Reimagines Tezuka’s Dororo

Osamu Tezuka’s Manga Masterpiece Dororo is Reimagined by Atsushi Kaneko

Fantagraphics and MSX are set to publish Atsushi Kaneko’s reimagining of Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga, Dororo, as a cyberpunk thriller titled Search & Destroy. This exciting project promises to captivate fans with its kinetic and visually rich storytelling. Kaneko, known for his punk rock-infused narratives, offers a fresh take on Tezuka’s timeless tale, merging it with a dystopian future.

Search & Destroy: A Bold Cyberpunk Thriller

Best known in the United States for his cult classic manga Bambi and Her Pink Gun, Atsushi Kaneko draws inspiration from Western cartoonists, punk rock music, and films by David Lynch. In Search & Destroy, he crafts an action-thriller about an outsider seeking meaning and vengeance in an unjust world. Officially authorized by Tezuka Productions and originally serialized in TezuComi from 2019 to 2021, this manga is a tale of rage against hypocrisy and exploitation.

Reimagining Dororo for a New Era

Fantagraphics Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds describes Search & Destroy as one of the best sci-fi manga of recent years. The story transplants the vengeful action of Dororo from feudal Japan to a dystopian post-cold-war future. In this setting, mercenary robots, known as “creatures,” serve the human elite and victimize the desperate masses. An orphaned thief named Doro and a mysterious girl with deadly cybernetic implants embark on a mission to dismantle these creatures.

Excitement Builds for the Upcoming Release

Scheduled for release on July 23, ahead of San Diego Comic-Con International, Search & Destroy is the latest manga to be published by Fantagraphics in partnership with MSX. This collaboration, spearheaded by Deb Aoki and the Mangasplaining team, aims to introduce great manga to new readers. The first manga from this partnership, Susumu Higa’s Okinawa, has already received critical acclaim.

Fans can anticipate a thrilling ride with Search & Destroy, a manga that blends action, social commentary, and full-on rage. For more information, follow Fantagraphics on their social media platforms.