An entertaining and enlightening quick read! A rewarding message that takes the reader on a journey of exploring deeper thought. ( )

This series of eight graphic novels tells the story of Buddha's life through the stories of surrounding characters based both on actual historical figures and fictional ones. Told in the Japanese manga style it has a specific style and humour, and the themes are very mature including violence and nudity.

It should go without saying that everything I wrote in my review of the previous volume about Tezuka's writing and artwork should also be true here. That is, they are fantastic. And indeed, the storytelling is even better in this volume. The plot is gathering steam and reaching the more familiar ground of Buddha's enlightenment. There are fewer asides and introduction of new characters, and the one significant exception to this rule is already tied into the main storyline by this volume's end.

Also, in this book, the mirroring and contrast of the monks' self-imposed torments in the forest versus the horrible injustices committed in the name of the caste system contribute to a sense of moral urgency, a greater need for a relief from all this suffering, or at least some perspective on it. And that relief is provided within this volume as well. Yet so many volumes remain! Clearly, there is no choice but to continue the story... ( )

Story is bit slow for this one. Thatha, Migella, Dhempa, Prasenjit and Bimbasara are still here. Assaji true to his won prophecy is gone. Sujata was here as a girl who had crush on Siddhartha, but I used to think she was his mother.

Budhdha is finally enlightened. ( )

Much much better than what we get in India via Amar Chitra Katha. Not that the value of an ACK is any less - their effort at retelling the stories are noteworthy. But Tezuka brings out the true struggle of the Buddha - the pain, the deep insights, the shift in the mind. ( )