Manga of the Month - May

I'm late doing this... sorry. But i do have a brilliant Manga lined up for this post. It was drawn by the ex-doctor Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro boy, Black Jack and Pheonix. It was published 40 years ago in 1970 and is considered one of the best medical thrillers made.

It's name is 'Ode to Kirihito' and centres around a conspiracy against a doctor called Kirihito Osanai (western naming) organised by his supervisor and leading professor at a reputous University Hospital. Due to be engaged, Kirihito is sent away to a distant village called 'Doggodale' in order to contract a rare disease named 'Monmow'.

Monmow disease is a cross between Ricket's Disease (bone deformation) and Paget's Disease (facial reconstruction) but later discovered to be a disorder of the pituitary gland (involved in many hormonal functions), the end result is the appearence of a dog, with altered limbs and extensive hair growth, However, intelligence and mental abilities remains fully intact. Despite being a fiction disorder, Monmow disease holds many traits that patients with disabling disease suffer, such as alienation, the feeling of impotence and social inferiority.

The story follows Kirihito's journey to discover the root cause of Monmow Disease, to come to terms with his illness and to avenge the rape and death of his wife. He meets many people, and many towns, where he struggles to gain human identity through his practice as a doctor.

Ode to Kirihito is a remarkable tale of Medical Politics, the medical heirarchy of Japanese healthcare, racism against non-whites (and it's contribution to medical malpractice), Christianity, the choking power of disease, human identity, inteligence vs appearance, displayed humiliation, conspiracy in medical research and Mental illness.

The drawing style is branch off from what Tezuka usually does, but it is suitable and powerfully used in portraying Kirihito's story. A definite must read, and a well earned 9/10 Dessa rating.