| Karakuridōji Ultimo | |
|---|---|
 Japanese cover of Karakuridōji Ultimo volume 1 |
|
| 機巧童子ULTIMO (Karakuri Dōji Urutimo) |
|
| Genre | Action, Science fiction |
| Manga | |
| Karakuridōji Ultimo:0 | |
| Author | Stan Lee (concept) Hiroyuki Takei |
| Illustrator | Hiroyuki Takei |
| Publisher | Shueisha |
| English publisher |   Viz Media |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | Jump SQ.II (Second) |
| English magazine | Shonen Jump |
| Original run | April 18, 2008 – unknown |
| Volumes | 1 |
| Manga | |
| Author | Stan Lee (concept) Hiroyuki Takei |
| Illustrator | Hiroyuki Takei |
| Publisher | Shueisha |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | Jump SQ. |
| English magazine | Shonen Jump |
| Original run | March 2009 – ongoing |
| Volumes | 2 as of 3 February 2010 |
Karakuridōji Ultimo (機巧童子ULTIMO Karakuri Dōji Urutimo, lit. "Mechanical Boy: Ultimo"), commonly referred to as Ultimo, is a manga series created by Hiroyuki Takei and Stan Lee (and his production company Pow Entertainment). The pilot was inked in by Daigo and painted by Bob, the other art staff are, Ka-Toon, Akira Yuki, Killer-R, Reki, and Crazy-Lili. The pilot chapter Karakuridōji Ultimo:0 (機巧童子 ウルティモ: ゼロ) was published in the special issue of Jump SQ. called Jump SQ.II (Second) on April 18, 2008.
Karakuridōji Ultimo was serialized in the main Jump SQ. magazine in March 2009. It follows the story of two robots named Ultimo and Vice which were created by Dr. Dunstan 1,000 years ago. Vice and Ultimo are set to be unleashed when the last war begins. In West Tokyo, Farmless City a monster wearing a noh mask levels an observation deck on a city skyscraper. Ultimo is shown flying above the city and the monster wearing a noh mask transforms into Vice, the two get into a massive duel stunning pedestrians who have come to the scene.
The manga was later translated into English by Viz Media and chapter 0 was published in the September 2008 issue of Shonen Jump. Serial publication of chapters beginning with chapter 1 started in the July 2009 issue. In promotion of the English adaptation a press conference was held at the 2008 New York Comic Con with promotional artwork.
Contents |
1,000 years ago in a one hundred-storied pagoda, two "mechanical boys" named Ultimo and Vice were created by a scientist named Dr. Dunstan (drawn to resemble Stan Lee). Ultimo was created to be "perfect good", while Vice is "perfect evil", and both contain ultimate power and the creator's noh abilities. It is said that when the world finally begins its last war, Ultimo and Vice will be awakened. 1,000 years later in West Tokyo, Farmless City, a monster wearing a "noh mask" levels the observation deck of a city skyscraper. The S.K.A.T. Police attempt to stop the monster, but to no avail. The monster then attempts to crush a woman and her child, but Ultimo plunges in and guards her before destroying the monster. Dahlman, a local Farmless police, confronts Ultimo asking him about the chaos just caused by the monster. Ultimo, interrupting Dahlman, explains the creature is turning into its true form. Vice, Ultimo's evil counterpart, emerges from the monster's "corpse". Member K of the S.K.A.T. team becomes enraged and fires at Vice, trying to kill him. Vice analyzes the weapon (a gun) and creates several copies for himself, and begins firing bullets at the crowd. Ultimo blocks the bullets and begins fighting with Vice, severing Vice's arm in the ensuing battle. As a last resort, Vice attempts to destroy the city with a "demon drum". The ensuing battle leads them both into outer space. Later, three mysterious men began to head for Tokyo, where the incident began, from Kyoto. Member K, meanwhile, finds Vice's powerful shape-shifting arm and takes it for himself. Ultimo's body was later found in Mt. Fuji by a hiker.
The story then cuts back to 12th century Japan, where Dunstan is transporting Ultimo and Vice in a cart. Dunstan is halted by a gang of bandits, who, despite Dunstan's warnings, open the boxes containing Ultimo and Vice. The two mechanical boys quickly awaken, and Vice's demeanor provokes several bandits to fire a volley of arrows at him. Vice quickly counterattacks, and then transforms himself into a large demonic monster. Unfazed by Vice's power and appearance, the bandits stand their ground and prepare to battle Vice. Ultimo, unwilling to allow Vice to kill anymore people, attacks Vice. Dunstan, who has already explained that Ultimo and Vice are "ultimate good and evil", states that he created Ultimo and Vice to see which force, good or evil, is stronger. The bandit leader threatens to kill Dunstan, but Dunstan simply disappears, claiming "I do not die."
Back in the 21st century, a student named Yamato Agari (with the same name and face as the bandit leader) and his friend Rune Kodaira walk into an antique store, only to spot Ultimo among the store's wares. Yamato, upon saying the name "Ultimo," unwittingly awakens Ultimo, who bursts out of the glass case he was contained in and hugs Yamato, but in doing so Ultimo accidentally impales Yamato with glass shards. It is quickly revealed that the bandit leader had become Ultimo's master a thousand years ago, and that Yamato was his reincarnation (revealing why he remembered Ultimo's name, but not Ultimo himself.) The Karakuri Dōji require a master to enhance their already significant powers. Ultimo explains that Vice "has appeared in this time period," and that he required a master to combat him. However, Yamato declines, wanting simply to buy a birthday gift to impress Makoto Sayama, the girl he secretly loves.
Yamato and Rune ride back to school on a bus. Rune mulls over the oddities of Ultimo, including the fact that Ultimo was dirty and damaged in his case, but became "clean and shiny" when he embraced Yamato. Yamato is unconcerned, instead agonizing over the fact that he cannot find a birthday present for Sayama. Rune reflects to himself that although Yamato does not want to be involved with Ultimo and Vice's battles, Yamato is the type to not let a conflict go.
Suddenly, Vice (who now has his arm restored) appears in front of the bus and slices it in half with a Karakuri Henge named "Turtle Saw." Ultimo appears and holds the bus halves in the air to protect the riders, and admits that he had followed Yamato there. Vice reveals that he already has found a master, and is now more powerful than Ultimo. Vice stabs Ultimo in the chest, barely missing his "spirit" (a kind of battery that the Karakuri Dōji require to survive). Yamato bravely attacks Vice with his book bag, distracting him and giving Ultimo an opening to attack with a Henge named "Crane Sword", employing the attack "Millenium Cut." As Ultimo cuts Vice in half, the remains of the bus explodes, and Vice's blade creates a small scratch on Ultimo's spirit, nearly killing him.
Out of nowhere, K, who has quit his law enforcement job, appears and reveals himself to be Vice's master. Angry at Vice for being defeated and nearly destroyed so easily, K takes his frustration out on Vice's disabled body. Yamato becomes angered and punches K, who demonstrates no will to defend himself. Suddenly, Police Inspector Darumada appears, having come to investigate the cause of the explosion, and attempts to place Yamato under arrest for assault and battery. K attempts to frame Yamato for the exploded bus, but as Yamato punches at K again, K orders the barely functional Vice to help him escape.
Later, at Senju Academy, Hibari Oume is recounting the bus battle she witnessed, her enthusiasm met with skepticism by her classmates. As Sayama arrives, Oume also recalls seeing Yamato and Rune at the scene, this fact catching Sayama's attention.
At the same time in an alley, Yamato and Rune argue over their next move, Yamato stating his intent to repair Ultimo. Rune is doubtful, but then shows a little faith in his friend and departs for school. With strong resolve, Yamato sneaks back to his apartments through a back route, where he is discovered by Agari Fushimi, his mother. He is able to hide Ultimo from her, and after his close call, successfully gets Ultimo into his room. There, Yamato studies Ultimo's limp form and recognizes that Ultimo is not completely destroyed, since his spirit sphere had been seen shining in the dark alley. Yamato readies himself to renew the pledge of devotion, but then realizes that he does not know how to do so. Recalling fairy tales, Yamato figures that a kiss will revive Ultimo, but before he can do anything else, Ultimo awakens on his own, able to speak. Right after that, Sayama opens the door, telling Yamato that she had skipped out of school to check on him out of concern over his absence at school. However, upon seeing Yamato kneeling over Ultimo posed to give a kiss, Sayama makes an understanding face and departs. Yamato collapses, horrified that Sayama had seen him that way, causing Ultimo alarm. The image of Dr. Dunstan can be seen over the apartments, laughing genially.
A distance away, the silhouette what appears to be a third Karakuri Dōji is seen, placing one of its pointed hand tips into its mouth and growling.
That night, Yamato has a dream about the past. The bandit leader has become Ultimo's master, and he and his bandits have been traveling the countryside laying waste to the possessions of the "evil nobles" for three years.
Karakuridōji Ultimo was first announced as an unnamed work between Stan Lee, the co-creator of iconic superhero titles such as Spider-Man and X-Men, and Hiroyuki Takei, the creator of Shaman King.[1][2] According to Stan Lee in an audio interview,[3][4][5] he was called by Dream Ranch and JEA told that they wanted him to create a manga with them, and was to be published by Shueisha. Stan Lee stated that he has never made a comic about two robots of the same level of power, with one not being as heroic as the other.[5] In conceptualizing Karakuridōji Ultimo, Stan Lee wanted to create something that both Japanese and American readers would enjoy.[6] The first fully colorized picture of Vice and Ultimo was released on the Jump SQ. website on April 4, 2008.[7] The pilot chapter was finally finished and published in the off-shoot issue of Jump SQ.—Jump SQ.II (Second).[1]
I am deeply honored for this great opportunity to collaborate with an award-winning artist/writer of the stature of Hiroyuki Takei. I enthusiastically expect that the combination of an American story-telling style merged with Takei-san's acclaimed Japanese style will result in our joint creation Ultimo presenting an original, exciting type of manga that will appeal to comic book fans around the world.
On the same day as the release, Viz hosted a press event in the Shonen Jump panel,[9] attended by Stan Lee, Takanori Asada (Jump SQ. editor), and Marc Weidenbaum (Shonen Jump editor-in-chief) at the 2008 New York Comic Con.[2][10][11] Also at the press event, Stan Lee and Hiroyuki Takei signed the first copy of Jump SQ.II (Second) to the winner of a Shonen Jump sweepstakes.[2][11] It was optional whether the winner could come over to the press event and get the issue signed in person or get it sent in the mail.[8] The Shonen Jump sweeps ended in April 11, 2008.[12] Two promotional art pieces by Hiroyuki Takei were created, one with Ultimo and the other with Dr. Dunstan both including the manga's logo.[13] "I'm so happy that we can work with such a great creator as Stan Lee. I am so happy that two great actors are working together, and I know that Ultimo will be a great work," said Takanori Asada at the press event.[6]
The 32-page pilot chapter premiered in the first issue of Jump SQ.'s Jump SQ.II (Second) with the first three pages in full color.[2][14][15] The first three pages were revealed as part of a preview for Jump SQ.II (Second) on Shueisha's S-Manga.Net.[16] Karakuridōji Ultimo was later translated to English by Viz Media,[17] and published in the September issue of their Shonen Jump manga anthology,[18][19][20] which went on sale on August 5.[18] The original script was written in Japanese by Hiroyuki Takei and the English was adapted by Stan Lee with the English version being edited by ASDF.[4][21] The manga in the United States underwent some editing, for example: the monster wearing a noh mask's buttocks line was edited out.[22] There were also other changes to the graphics, for example: the logo of Karakuridōji Ultimo:0 simply took out the :0 and put "Chapter: 0" under the logo, and on the second color page the names of Ultimo and Vice were altered to remove Japanese.[22] A side note of Karakuridōji Ultimo claimed that the series would be continued in the main Jump SQ. anthology,[23] no further information was announced until recently that the series will be serialized in the March 2009 issue.[24]
A pamphlet inside of Jump SQ.II (Second) entitled "Spider-Man" "X-Men" o Tsukutta Otoko: Stan Lee the Book! (｢スパイダーマン｣｢X-MEN｣を作った男 スタン·リー the Book!, lit. "The man who created "Spider-Man" and "X-Men": Stan Lee - the Book!"), features artwork of Marvel Comics characters by Weekly Shōnen Jump and Jump SQ. artists, including Masakazu Katsura, Yamato Yamamoto , Yusuke Murata, Tatsuya Endo and Yutaka Minowa.[6][25] The book also includes a Question & Answers page with additional sketches of Ultimo by Hiroyuki Takei and a page explaining the English comic series Stan has created. The translated title is a reference to the saying "Stan the Man".[25] The rest of the magazine featured an interview with Stan Lee.[6] According to Marc Weidenbaum the Marvel character pin-ups will also be released in the United States.[26]
In the May 2008 issue of Jump SQ., a two-sided poster of Karakuridōji Ultimo was announced with Tista on the other side.[27] A picture of the poster was also revealed in the Promotion Movie "Fusion!!" (created by Tera-Engine (テラエンジン)) to promote the magazine's sales.[28] A Karakuridōji Ultimo postcard of the pilot chapter was released in the second issue of Jump SQ.II (Second) as one of many SQ. Special Supplements.[29][30][31]
Dream Ranch (a Sony music company) is helping Stan Lee on making an anime of the full upcoming series.[24][26][32] "I am tremendously thrilled and excited to be partnered with Sony's Dream Ranch in creating and producing Ultimo, a brand-new animated superhero TV series which I hope will one day be as popular as Spider-Man. Working with the talented artists and writers at Dream Ranch has both been an honor and pleasure and together we're doing our best to make sure that Ultimo will become a household name throughout Japan-and later, the world!" Stan Lee quoted about the anime adaptation of Karakuridōji Ultimo.[32]
The English adaptation of the Karakuridōji Ultimo pilot chapter was reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux of Comic Book Bin. "This prologue of Ultimo doesn’t really offer enough to evaluate it, except to say that the dialogue and exposition are awkward and clunky enough to seem like the work of an amateur rather than a seasoned veteran" said Leroy Douresseaux. Leroy referred to Karakuridōji Ultimo as a blend of mecha manga, Dragon Ball, and Green Lantern. "I’m too intrigued to be disappointed by what I read. Stan Lee’s best work was created when he riffed off unique and powerfully imaginative creators (Jack Kirby and Stan Lee), so I’m curious to see what this combo of Lee and a manga-ka like Takei can do."[33]
|
|
Wikis
Quiz
Map
Search
