A-DO 1 (A-DO, #1)

by Jaku Amano

A brash young woman and a boy with a mysterious arm search for answers while evading military assassins in this dystopian sci-fi action manga, perfect for fans of Akira and Sakamoto Days.

Following a wave of immigration, Japan has became a volatile mix of people and cultures, rocked by the protests of xenophobic extremists unhappy with the new status quo. A brash, job-hopping young woman named Riko is driving her scooter through one such protest when she sees a boy about to get run over by a truck. Riko just manages to shove him out of the way, and, in the hours that follow, she finds herself looking after the boy, named Eito.

Riko takes Eito out for a bowl of ramen, but just as they're about to dig in, Eito is fired upon by a distant army sniper. As the bullet pierces the restaurant window and comes whizzing toward Eito, plant-like tendrils snake out from his arm and stop it in mid-flight. Who in the world is this boy, and why is the army after him?!

• ISBN10: 1646519310
• ISBN13: 9781646519316
• Publish Date: 5 March 2024
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Kodansha Comics
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 256
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781646519316

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Summary:

Japan is being torn apart. There are those who welcome the new immigrants with open arms. And those who would rather see the world they once knew come back. Regardless of those desires, the culture clash is real.

Riko is not known for her even temper, but that is sometimes a good thing. For example, she didn’t hesitate to save a young boy in peril. Now she’s responsible for this boy named Eito. As it turns out, this will be the first of many events threatening his life.

Review:

I don’t know why, but while I was reading A-DO 1, I felt like this story I should have read/heard about ages ago (like when I first got into manga). Either it just has that vibe, or this is a new translation of a classic. I could see it going either way.

Maybe it’s because it has such strong Akira vibes? I’ve seen it described as “Akira with plants,” and I’ve got to say - that’s spot on. So, if you’re debating about reading A-DO 1, consider that comparison.

Overall, this is a fun story with high stakes, high action, and a fast pace. I would have liked more character development or even a dash more world-building before we were thrown into the deep end, but since I could keep up, it obviously works.

I loved the artwork and the overall style of A-DO 1. It’s worth a read, even if you’re not sure you’ll complete the series.

Highlights:
Dystopian Tale
Seinen
Science Fiction & Action

Will I continue the series? Nah

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