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Ryan Cecil Smith On Black Jack As A Character
posted November 29, 2008
 

You know, I've wondered the exact same thing about Black Jack. I live in Japan now and have been reading Black Jack in English and in Japanese editions (i.e. reading the pictures, which is very easy, and a good testament to Mr. Tezuka's cartooning!). In my opinion, there's not anything more for you to know. His much-beloved character makes sense in terms of Japanese manga, but I don't think he ever really develops deeper than the first volume. I think he's a very cultural-specific hero. I guess there's no other kind, right? But unlike Astro Boy, or, say, Kikuchiyo from Seven Samurai, his precise appeal doesn't really translate. I just read BJ and think, "cool," and go with it.