My library, while attempting to get the published volumes of the original manga, bought this. And although I had already watched the 2003 adaptation, I read this.

NOTE: The English translation I read had terrible print quality, please seek out a fan translation or the original print if you plan on reading this.

It's honestly not so bad. Some story lines are a little rushed through, but clearly it had some thought put into it. I wouldn't recommend it before the original manga, as perhaps the original tried to say what it had to say clearer. But I don't think this manga should get a bad rap.

Story - 6
Some plot-lines get rushed in order to focus more heavily on the altered main story. While I think this was a good idea for this manga it means some characters suffer. The altered main story is a little less dense than the original, probably to appeal to a modern younger audience. Not necessarily bad but it does kind of make the story loose some of its weight, the reasons behind characters actions are just less powerful.

Art - 8
Actually very good! The print quality isn't amazing but I was reading the official English translation, I can't say what the original Japanese print is like. The backgrounds are quite good for a re-adaptation and some panels are genuinely really great to just look at. It's been a while since I read it, and at the time I had read significantly less manga, but I still feel as though the art I can remember was well done. I would maybe seek out the artist's other work even, and it was a real shame the print quality made the lines kind of fuzzy and ink faded.

Character - 4-5
Unfortunately the characters are scuffed a bit by the book's attempts to slim down. Some supporting characters are much stronger, but most main characters suffer hits to their motivation and some characters changes of heart just hold less power. I wish each chapter just had a few more pages just so that each of them had the time to expand the character’s personalities.

Enjoyment - 7-8
Was pretty great. I had fun. If you've already read the original manga or watched the 1980s adaptation or 2003 adaptation (The one with the same plot as this manga and which I can't discern was made before, alongside, or after this manga) I would recommend. I think the anime of this adaptation does a better job, especially in the character department (it's better balanced/paced) but the manga shouldn't be ignored. Panel arrangement from what I remember is excellent. If it's in your local library and you've got time to kill check it out

Overall - 6-7
Better than average and I would recommend over a lot of manga that gets published just to get pages out. Engaging but not a slow long read. I recommend for its art and the supporting characters. It was based off Tezuka's masterpiece after all, it can't be all bad.