The Fall 2023 Manga Guide

One Hundred Tales

What's It About? 

One Hundred Tales is a story about being careful what you wish for.

Ichirui Hanri is an ordinary accountant servicing his master. Though innocent, he is ordered to commit hara-kiri after being entangled in some trouble in his master's house. Just then, a witch named Sudama appears. She signs a contract with Hanri to obtain his soul in exchange for fulfilling three of his wishes. Hanri gets what he wants...but the price he pays is too high.

One Hundred Tales manga has a story and art by Osamu Tezuka. The English translation is by Iyasu Adair Nagata, with lettering by Aidan Clarke. Published by Ablaze Manga (November 21, 2023).

Is It Worth Reading?

Rebecca Silverman

Rating:

The wonderful thing about reading Osamu Tezuka is that each story feels completely unique. Sure, he may use the same gags from time to time – One Hundred Tales indulges in some fourth-wall-breaking and guest appearances by Tezuka himself, as well as cameos from Astro Boy and, bizarrely enough, Popeye the Sailor. But the story is very much its own thing, even as Faust inspires it, and Tezuka beautifully captures the adventures of a man who starts not ready to die because he feels he hasn't lived.

The man in question is Ichirui, a samurai who functions much more as an accountant. He can't bring himself to commit seppuku during the Sengoku era because he is dissatisfied with his punishment despite never having gone to war. That's when he meets Sudama, a yokai referred to as both a witch and the devil's daughter. She's a shapeshifter and our Faustian figure, and she offers Ichirui three wishes. Once those are fulfilled, she'll claim his soul. Well, you know what they say about deals with the devil, and as Ichirui (who gains a new appearance and the name Fuwa Usuto) learns, what they say is true: there's no real winning once you've taken that deal. Or is there? The real meat of this story isn't just how Sudama grants his wishes – and the various technicalities that come along with them – but within Ichirui/Fuwa himself. He refused to die at the start because he was so displeased with what life had handed him. Doesn't it make sense that he might feel differently once his wishes are fulfilled?

On the surface, this is a silly story. Tezuka has a heavy hand with humor, and Ichirui is a hapless hero, falling for the wiles of kitsune Tamamo no Mae and nearly ending up with his daughter Masago in his new Fuwa form. His enemy is a laughable little twerp of a lord, and mostly it feels like he careens from one potential disaster to another. But what this is exploring is what makes up a satisfying life. Is it wealth? Luxury? Love? Or is it just the knowledge of a whole life, whatever it's full of? The title implies that Ichirui has one hundred stories to live, even as the turning of the final page will end his book.

Interestingly enough, this edition has a preface from both publisher Ablaze and Tezuka Productions, noting that because it dates to 1971, it may contain racially insensitive stereotypes. While this book is far less egregious than others I've seen, I appreciate the acknowledgment. It speaks to the effort made to ensure that readers today can continue to experience Tezuka's works, and this is a good place to start.