Review: MAICO 2010

As inconsistent as Cutey Honey might have been, later artists would prove that you could take the 'sexy android' concept and make an even bigger mess out of it.

MAICO 2010, by Toshimitsu Shimizu.  First published in 1997 and first published in North America in 2001.

PLOT:

Otari Masudamasu has used all of her skill, ingenuity, and money to create Maico, a beautiful android built for sex but possessing an innate understanding of the human heart.  Masudamasu wants to keep Maico's sordid purpose a secret, setting her up as the latest DJ at the failing radio station where she works.  Despite the threats of jealous coworkers and vengeful robots, the biggest threat to Maico might be the growing love triangle between her, her creator, and the handsome yet hapless assistant director of the radio station.

Review: CUTEY HONEY

Seven Seas' recent foray into classic manga has given us delights like Devilman and Claudine, but it was inevitable that one of these golden oldies would be a little more...problematic than the rest.

CUTEY HONEY (Kyuti Hani), by Go Nagai.  First published in 1973 and first published in North America in 2018.

PLOT:

Honey Kisaragi is her father's pride and joy.  She's a powerful, beautiful android with a built-in device that grants her strength and the ability to change appearance on a whim, but those same qualities make her a desirable target for the group of witches, brawlers, and thieves known as Panther Claw.  Honey has to use all of her wits and strength to keep one step ahead of them, all while trying to keep her modesty in the face of perverted teachers and allies.

Review: METROPOLIS

It's August, so once again we're focusing on old-school manga, spotlighting some of the classic titles of decades past.  Today's might be one of the oldest we'll ever cover, a one-volume wonder dating all the way back to the late 1940s. 

METROPOLIS (Metoroporisu), by Osamu Tezuka.  First published in 1949 and first published in North America in 2003.

PLOT:

The city of Metropolis is under threat by the wicked Duke Red, who ropes an unwitting scientist into creating an artificial humanoid named Michi.  The scientist fakes his death to hide himself and Michi from Duke Red, but eventually Michi escapes to learn about the world.  Meanwhile, a group of international detectives are trying to hunt down Duke Red, and these plots end up crossing thanks to Michi making friends with a couple of local children.