Appleseed (manga)

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Appleseed


caption = Cover of "Appleseed": The Promethean Challenge
ja_name = アップルシ－ド
ja_name_trans = Appurushīdo
genre = CyberpunkInfobox animanga/Manga
title =
author = Masamune Shirow
publisher = flagicon|Japan Kodansha
flagicon|Japan Seishinsha (Tankōbon) [http://www.takotech.net/archive_mshp/apple/apple_books.html MANGA & BOOK INFORMATIONS.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.]
flagicon|Japan Media Factory (Bunkoban)
publisher_en = flagicon|Canada flagicon|United States Eclipse Comics (Former)
Dark Horse [http://www.takotech.net/archive_mshp/apple/apple_books.html MANGA & BOOK INFORMATIONS.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.]
publisher_other = flagicon|France Glénat
flagicon|Germany Egmont
flagicon|Italy Star Comics
flagicon|Netherlands Mana
flagicon|Spain Planeta de Agostini
demographic = Shōnen
magazine = flagicon|USA Super Manga Blast
first = 15 February 1985
last = 15 April 1989
volumes = 4

nihongo|"Appleseed"|アップルシ－ド|Appurushīdo is a science fiction manga authored by Masamune Shirow. The series follows the adventures of ESWAT members Deunan Knute and Briareos Hecatonchires in Olympus.

Like much of Masamune's work, "Appleseed" merges elements of the cyberpunk and mecha genres with a heavy dosage of politics, philosophy, and sociology.

The series spans four volumes, released between 1985 and 1989 [ [http://www.shirowledge.com/appleseed.html Appleseed Information Page.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008. ja icon] . It has been adapted to direct-to-video movie, two feature films, and a series of video games.

Plot

"Appleseed" takes place in the 22nd Century, after the non-nuclear Third World War decimates the Earth. While states like Great Britain, France and China have difficulty maintaining order and power, international organisations like the "Sacred Republique of Mumna" and "Poseidon" have been established in the aftermath.

The main characters are Deunan Knute and Briareos Hecatonchires, former SWAT members of the LAPD. They are found in the desolated city and invited to join the prestigious ESWAT (Extra Special Weapons And Tactics) organisation in the utopian city of Olympus, the new world's most powerful state. Roughly one half of Olympus's population are bioroids.

The series follows Deunan and Briareos as they protect their new home from enemies, both foreign and domestic.

Publication

Originally published in Japan in 1985, Book One "Appleseed: The Promethean Challenge" was published directly to paperback instead of being serialized, a rarity in the Japanese manga market [http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/1073/apple.htm Appleseed.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.] . This was soon followed by the publication of Book Two, "Appleseed: Prometheus Unbound", Book Three "Appleseed: The Scales of Prometheus" in 1987, and Book Four "Appleseed: The Promethean Balance" in 1989.

In 1990, Shirow produced the "Appleseed Databook", a detailed look into the history, the people, and the technology found in the world of "Appleseed". The book includes the short story, called "Game".

"Appleseed Hypernotes" was serialised in "Comic Gaia", followed by a collected volume in 1996. The "Hypernotes" consist of a four chapter story followed by technical information about the world, mechs, and equipment much like "Appleseed Databook".

Rumors of a possible Volume 5 still persist today, though Shirow had mentioned that he has no plans of pursuing it for the meantime [http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/1073/apple.htm Appleseed.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.] .

English language releases

From 1988 to 1992, "Appleseed" was published in English by Eclipse Comics, packaged by Studio Proteus. The manga is currently published by Dark Horse Comics.

An English language version of "Appleseed Hypernotes" was serialised in Dark Horse Comics' "Super Manga Blast" (issues 25–36). One of the terms for "Hypernotes" publication stated that "Appleseed Hypernotes" could not be released in English in collected format.cite news | title=Manga News from Studio Proteus | date=May 24, 2002 | publisher=Anime Tourist | url=http://www.anime-tourist.com/article.php?sid=177] [ [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-08-30/super-manga-blast-article Super Manga Blast article.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.] The reason for this is because Shirow was unsatisfied with the work and wanted to fix it before releasing it as a complete book for English readers.cite news | title=Manga News from Studio Proteus | date=May 24, 2002 | publisher=Anime Tourist | url=http://www.anime-tourist.com/article.php?sid=177] Dark Horse released an English TPB of "Hypernotes" in October 2007.

"Appleseed ID" (short for "Illustration & Data") was released October 10, 2007 by Dark Horse Comics [ [http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=13-377 Official Appleseed Hypernotes TPB.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.] . As a replacement for the discontinued "Appleseed Databook", the book includes the short story called "Game". [ [http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=14-255 Official Appleseed ID TPB Page.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.] The trade paperback collection came out in December, 2007.

Adaptations

Masamune Shirow's manga is the inspiration for the 1988 Appleseed (OVA), directed by Kazuyoshi Katayama.

A new CGI feature film was released in 2004 entitled "Appleseed" and directed by Shinji Aramaki. The sequel to this film, "Appleseed Ex Machina", was released on October 20, 2007 in Japan with Aramaki again directing and John Woo producing.

A videogame tie-in, "Appleseed EX", was released for PlayStation 2 on February 15, 2007 by Sega.

Reception

"Appleseed" won the 1986 Seiun Award for Best Manga. [ [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-04-15/japanese-national-sci-fi-con-award-nominees-announced Japanese Science Fiction Con Award Nominees Announced.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.]

Reviews on the manga series have been seen as positive. Manga Review noted that Shirow's works on Appleseed are both cool and functional [ [http://www.popcultureshock.com/manga-review-appleseed/43143/ Manga Review's Appleseed, Vol. 1: The Promethean Challenge.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.] . Anime.com points out that the manga's storyline does not detract despite the combination of both action and humor [ [http://www.anime.com/Appleseed/ Anime.com's Appleseed manga review.] Retrieved on May 13, 2008.] .

References

External links

*ann manga|2414|Appleseed