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The opening volume sets the stage in the ancient kingdom of Kapilavastu, where Siddhartha is born into royal privilege. Tezuka contrasts the luxury of palace life with the brutal realities faced by the lower castes, immediately introducing one of the series’ central themes: social injustice. Alongside Siddhartha’s early years, readers follow characters such as Tatta, whose suffering highlights the cruelty of the caste system. This volume focuses less on enlightenment and more on the conditions that make Siddhartha’s future quest inevitable, grounding the spiritual story in a harsh, vividly depicted human world.

Osamu Tezuka’s Buddha is an ambitious eight-volume manga series that reimagines the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. First serialized between 1972 and 1983. The series blends historical research, philosophical inquiry, and Tezuka’s unmistakable narrative style.

Rather than presenting a distant, idealized saint, Tezuka portrays Buddha as a deeply human figure shaped by suffering, doubt, compassion, and moral struggle. Alongside Siddhartha’s journey, the manga introduces fictional characters whose lives intersect with his, allowing Tezuka to explore themes such as caste oppression, violence, desire, and spiritual awakening. The result is a sweeping epic that is both accessible and profound, appealing to readers interested in history, religion, and visual storytelling.

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