Manga review: Unico
Over the years I have become somewhat numb to romance stories, and the more emotionally evocative or convoluted the plot twist, the less I seemed to enjoy the simple tale of love between two people.
And here enters Unico, a story about an infant unicorn with magical powers that only work if she is loved. And I rate it an 8/10, so obviously something is wrong with me.
Or maybe not. Because, yes, on the surface, Unico is a story for children who want some colourful adventure to immerse in. But as I read the story, it was clear to me that there is more than meets the eye, which did not surprise me seeming as this is Tezuka we’re talking about.
The 2 volumes cover 8 different short stories as Unico travels on a flying spirit that leaves her in the company of a variety of different people and other furry animals. Each story conveys a different type of love, some of which are: young love, mature love, the love between friends, the love of family, the love of pets, and even forbidden love. The majority of these stories starts with two people meeting and ends with them falling in love. And with the two characters falling in love, without the need for Unico’s love, they discard her, leaving her to once again travel alone. And quite appropriately, one of the later stores delves a little into the isolation of not being loved by anyone at all.
The charm this manga conveyed caught me by surprise, and the raw feelings shown through very obvious means (giant hearts in the sky for example) humbled me. Sure there were simple and cliché plot twists, and the “love” could be seen as mere lust or affection, but I like to think that Unico is somewhat of a cupid, bringing two people together in the name of love.
Many questions are pondered by our little one-horned friend, such as what even is love? What does it mean to be alone? And does it really even matter either way as long as you’re happy? By no means do you have to take these as anything meaningful – which is why Unico is so family-friendly – but if you choose to, then the story can actually have some merit even for hardened adults. Just be aware that the cutesy film covering the story is not all this series has to offer.
I will quickly end saying the art style is good old Tezuka, but with a twist. Because I am yet to mention that the entire series is in full colour. I need say no more.
Overall, I give Unico an 8/10, as any lower would be a mockery and any higher would be an overstatement, as yes, there are inherently “better” stories written by Tezuka (namely MW and Ode to Kirihito).