The Big O

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Alternative Titles

Japanese: Theビッグオー

Information

Type: Manga

Volumes: 6

Chapters: 21

Status: Finished

Published: Jun 26, 1999 to Sep 26, 2001

Genre: Action

Serialization: Magazine-Z

Authors: Yatate, Hajime (Story), Ariga, Hitoshi (Art)

Statistics

Score: 7.12¹ (scored by 460 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #7110²

² based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #10448

Members: 1,646

Favorites: 14

Resources

Wikipedia

7.12

Ranked #7110Popularity #10448Members 1,646

MangaMagazine-ZYatate, Hajime (Story), Ariga, Hitoshi (Art)

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Volumes: /6

Chapters: /21

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Synopsis

The official comic adaptation of Bandai's Cartoon Network hit, a stylish "manga meets film noir" story which goes BEYOND the plot of the TV series!

Paradigm City is the city of amnesia—40 years ago, SOMETHING happened that wiped out the memories of the residents, forcing them to recreate their culture from scattered fragments.

In this world only 40 years old, Roger Smith is a negotiator—a go-between for police, citizens and criminals in high-risk diplomatic situations. But something else survives from the forgotten past. They are the MegaDeuses—giant robots created by the city's former inhabitants, or perhaps by the forgetful citizens themselves. When crime and madness strike, Roger Smith brings the guilty to justice with the giant robot called THE BIG O.

(Source: Viz)

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Background

The Big O was published in English by VIZ Media as a montly comic from March 2002 to June 2003, for a total of 17 issues. The compiled books were published from November 5, 2002 to April 7, 2004.

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Related Manga

Adaptation:

The Big O

More characters
Characters

Wayneright, R. Dorothy

Main

Smith, Roger

Main

Burg, Norman

Main

Dastun, Dan

Main

Rosewater, Alex

Main

Seebach, Michael

Supporting

Beck, Jason

Supporting

Instro, R.

Supporting

Reviews

Oct 1, 2014

Astros

Recommended

Produced alongside the anime variant, this manga is just that, a variant. Not to be confused by the synopsis quote "Which goes BEYOND the plot of the TV series!". It's a story that goes beyond it fully, being a new story all to itself, but still based on Keiichi Sato's concept designs. If you're starting it with the impression of learning more about the anime you may end up, dissatisfied. With that cleared up I'll attempt to review The Big O without comparing it to the anime.

With the same plot, it features Roger Smith. The top negotiator of Paradigm City, a city which lost it's ... memories forty years ago. The premise surrounded in mystery is one that's prominent throughout the series but not stressed with importance. It's like the saying goes, "The journey is more important than the destination". Being shrouded in mystery the series has quite a bit that isn't explained or told straight to you.

While this could be viewed as a bad thing, it's a unique approach. One of which I both liked and disliked, probably because I'm use to knowing the truth behind everything. These holes fit well with the setting in that no one remembers much from forty years ago. Also it limits and humanizes the perspective of the reader. Instead of being the all knowing god with everything explained, you're left feeling much like the characters in the story, confused and unsure about things. Though luckily for you, you remember who you are.

On the topic of characters, The Big O manga has a good variety of them. From the cool and confident ladies man Roger Smith. To his diligent and loyal butler Norman. The antagonists as well have traits specifically only to themselves, which adds a good amount of individualism. They aren't your generic evil or corrupt individuals bent on seeing others suffer. No they each posses their own agenda and have distinct ways of going about achieving their goals.

The pacing of the manga is a bit weird for me personally. It might be because I read it too quickly or my inexperience with reading manga. Broken up into chapters it usually begins and completes stories between them. Sometimes introducing new characters without much back story, it at times seems to rush the plot forward. Though I attribute it to the mystery aspect, in that you aren't explained everything to begin with.

As for character development, there isn't much. It's more along the lines of character expression. You slowly get introduced to the personality and thoughts of the characters through their actions and dialogue. This spans the majority of the manga even up to the very end. I enjoyed this representation as it made me feel more like a bystander watching instead of being inside the mind of the characters.

The mecha or megadeus as they're referred to in the story are unlike conventional giant robots. Not exhibiting ninja-like speed nor grace, they're metal behemoths that rely on brute strength and "old school" weaponry. Their purpose and creators a mystery to those who control them. Though this hardly stops them from duking it out in the streets of Paradigm.

Finally the art of the manga which is a critical part was overall, really good. As I've said I don't have much experience with manga, so put beside newer and more well received manga it probably doesn't compare. Though for me I quite enjoyed the art and it's "Noir film" and "Batman The Animated Series" similarities. Which apparently was a big influence for the series as a whole. I've read many times where The Big O has been labeled, "batman with mechas". While very similar I'll agree, it still holds a uniqueness that makes it one of a kind.

In summary, it's a good short series to read if you're into noir, mecha, or mystery. I enjoyed all of these aspects and how they were brought together. It stuck true to Sato's concepts and did a great job. A true classic for what it strived to be at the time and for it's presentation.

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Gift

Mar 15, 2024

gbupp

Not Recommended

Spoiler

I write this from the perspective that I have not watched the Anime. Since they are different stories anyway, I don't think that really matters.

I went into this really wanting to like it. A mystery about forgotten memory, a noir story throughout it with big giant mecha! That checks so many boxes for me - but its execution is dreadful. First let's work back from the giant Mecha. The art is cool, but the battles are indecipherable. The art is done in a way that you have to constantly be trying to piece together what the machines are doing in the worst possible way. It ...