Summary
Search & Destroy reimagines Dororo as a female protagonist on a quest for revenge, resonating with readers around the world. Atsushi Kaneko's Cyberpunk manga captures Dororo's dark fantasy spirit in a nostalgic futuristic setting. The intense action and social commentary in Search & Destroy offer a fresh take on Tezuka's timeless themes.
Osamu Tezuka is beloved for many of the industry's most iconic manga and anime series, including Astro Boy, Jungle Emperor Leo, etc. But his work on Dororo has grown in popularity among readers and viewers worldwide, between the 1969 anime adaptation and the 2019 updated anime, among other adaptations. But one of the most prominent works to emerge from this seminal dark fantasy series is Search & Destroya cyberpunk horror film reimagined by Atsushi Kaneko, with volume #1 due out on July 23, 2024.
Search & Destroy will be available to North American readers thanks to Fantagraphics and MSX: Mangasplaining Extra. Many of the elements of Search & Destroy carry Dororo's DNA, specifically the protagonist, gender-swapped and renamed Hyaku, on a quest for revenge to take back what the world took from her, destroying robotic “creatures” and harvesting their organs.
But the comments section in Search & Destroy, along with a tribute to Dororo, will resonate with readers in potentially unpleasant ways, When the human elite and the creatures that serve them come under attack, orphaned boy Doro bonds with Hyaku in unexpected ways.
The preview shows a fun retro-futuristic look at Dororo
Cyberpunk and even Atompunk elements are present in Search & Destroy
Search & Destroy quickly establishes itself as a story where the protagonist's rage drives them to commit extremely violent acts, resulting in spectacular scenes that benefit greatly from the black-and-white manga presentation while still remaining true to the spirit of Dororo. This includes detailed previews of one of the creatures protecting its master from the cloaked attacker, Hyaku. Aesthetics reminiscent of mid-twentieth century imageryincluding retro-futuristic car and weapon designs, and a brief glimpse of Doro wearing an ushanka hat, effectively a glimpse into the post-Cold War alternate future of feudal Japan in Dororo.
“Kaneko-sensei creates a stunning, high-contrast setting reminiscent of post-war Cuba and Tokyo with an unforgettable cast of fearless heroes and creepy monsters on a non-stop ride filled with action and suspense. This deft retelling updates the rebellious 1960s spirit of the original Dororo to the turbulent 2020s to breathe new life into a timeless tale.”
-Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics
However, the action and gloomy atmosphere only get more intense from there. Humans are almost treated as a delicacy for their organs, like rare or endangered animals. At same time, Hyaku's anger at her situation gives Doro reason to believe that she still has humanity.However, the premise of Dororo being placed in an alternate Cold War setting with a nearly unstoppable protagonist is likely to resonate with entirely new readers.
Atsushi Kaneko brilliantly recreates the characters in Search & Destroy
Western readers will soon see Dororo in a new light.
The prospect of Hyakkimaru not only being reimagined as a female character but also having prosthetics that resemble a more modern version could resonate with readers in a meaningful way in Search & Destroy. It introduces a complex and insightful look at the complex relationship between humans and machines. This is a theme that runs through Tezuka's work, perhaps most notably in other series like Astro Boy, which has also been reimagined in a modern way with Pluto. Reimaginings like Search & Destroy allow readers to consider concepts introduced by Tezuka in a way that can engage even longtime fans in ways they haven't before.
“A mix of action, social commentary, and all-out rage, SEARCH & DESTROY is a fresh and timely work from Tezuka-sensei that only Atsushi Kaneko could create. It's the story of a young girl, more machine than human, who hunts down and steals body parts from some pretty pathetic creatures.
-Christopher Butcher
Search & Destroy will be available just in time for San Diego Comic-Con, and its provocative themes, particularly its depiction of the consequences of conflict between humans and those who choose to manipulate it, will resonate in the West. For readers craving a more classic Dororo, there's the recent anime, one of the best adaptations of 2019, and 2018's The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru, a more traditional remake. But Search & Destroy is a dark, gloomy version of Dororo that doesn't lose Tezuka's vision while still showcasing Atsushi Kaneko's deep writing and wonderful illustrations.