Atom: The Beginning Vol 13 Preview

 

Hoshie Saruta is a shy young girl. On her first day at Ekoda Junior High School, her instructor asks her to stand at the front of the class and introduce herself. As she puts her bag away, and finds a desk, Hoshie wishes she could have remained in Australia. Will Hoshie find friends in a new city? And can she find her place in a country tearing itself apart in the wake of a crisis?

Here's all the info from Titan Manga:

 

ATOM: THE BEGINNING VOL. 13

Authors: Osamu Tezuka and Masami Yuuki

Artist: Tetsuro Kasahara

Publisher: Titan Manga

SC, 176 pages, B&W, $12.99

ISBN: 9781787747029

On sale January 20, 2026

 

Discover the thrilling prequel to Tezuka’s Astro Boy, where the future of robotics is forged in the fires of innovation and intense mecha battles. Experience a gripping journey into the origins of this series, based on the iconic anime streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Crunchyroll.

 

The countdown to a new era begins in ATOM: The Beginning Volume 13 as the team at Laboratory No. 7 prepares to complete A108, a revolutionary robot powered by the Omega system, the most advanced version of the Bewusstein system. With the dawn of the “robot era” rapidly approaching, the emergence of robots that are more sophisticated than ever before threatens to change the world forever.

 

As the final stages of A108’s creation unfold, the stakes rise to unprecedented levels. The boundary between man and machine blurs as these robots gain capabilities once thought impossible. But with this new power comes new dangers – ethical dilemmas, rival factions, and the question of whether humanity is prepared to handle the consequences of their own creations. With Laboratory No. 1 under the influence of Haido, and the looming threat of more powerful robots in the world, it becomes clear that the balance between human control and robotic autonomy is shifting.

 

Volume 13 is a pivotal chapter in this thrilling prequel, blending high-tech mecha action with complex philosophical themes about consciousness and autonomy. The advancements in robotics reach a critical juncture as the Omega system takes center stage, creating a tension-filled environment where each breakthrough brings both excitement and uncertainty.

 

Fans of the Astro Boy legacy and mecha-themed sci-fi, this volume dives deeper into the intricate world that Tezuka first envisioned. With stunning action sequences, rich storytelling, and thought-provoking questions, this series a must-read for fans of futuristic action and philosophical exploration.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

Order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Forbidden Planet for the UK & Europe.

 

Thanks to Titan Manga for sharing this preview with us. 

 

 

Atom: The Beginning Vol 12 Preview

 

I'm mostly familiar with Astro Boy from the Hollywood animated movie. (I saw it in the cinema, and have watched it several times at home! It's great!) But I reviewed Vol 9, and really enjoyed the story. I need to dig into these volumes and recapture the energy and rich storytelling of this fantastic series, cause it's terrific!

Here's all the info on the latest volume: 

ATOM: THE BEGINNING VOL. 12

Authors: Osamu Tezuka and Masami Yuuki

Artist: Tetsuro Kasahara

Publisher: Titan Manga

SC, 176 pages, B&W, $12.99

ISBN: 9781787741072

On sale September 23, 2025

 

Experience the thrilling prequel to Tezuka’s Astro Boy, with intense mecha battles and rich storytelling. Dive into the origins of this iconic series, based on the world-renowned franchise streaming on Netflix, Amazon, and Crunchyroll.

 

In Atom: The Beginning Volume 12, the origins of the iconic Astro Boy myth come to life with new intensity, as readers can enjoy a new side to the franchise that currently has an anime streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Crunchyroll.

 

As Laboratory No. 1, now under Haido's control, showcases its latest marvel, the robot Mu emerges as a formidable contender during a robot wrestling tournament. After a dominant victory over U-ran, Mu's power and prowess are undeniable. Meanwhile, the team from Lab No. 7 shifts their focus from the recent competition to refining its own robot creation, setting the stage for future advancements.

 

This volume is a crucial installment for fans of the legendary Astro Boy series, providing deeper insights into the prequel’s development. With high-octane robot battles and complex ethical dilemmas about robotics, it caters to fans of mecha manga and those intrigued by the broader implications of robotic technology.

 

Atom: The Beginning enriches the legacy of Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy, offering beautifully drawn action scenes and a compelling storyline that explores the roots of one of manga’s most influential works. Perfect for readers who enjoyed Battle Angel Alita and Ghost in the Shell, this volume continues to blend intense robot combat with philosophical questions about the nature of being.

 

With a quirky, lovable cast and rich backstories that set the stage for the beloved sequel series, this manga is a must-read for fans and newcomers alike.

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

  

Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Forbidden Planet for the UK. 

 

Thanks to Titan Manga for sharing this preview with us. 

Atom: The Beginning Vol 11 Solicit

 

I enjoyed reading Atom: The Beginning Vol 9 back in October. Although I had not read the earlier volumes in the series, I found it easy to pick up the story and bond with the characters. Here's all the info from Titan Manga on Vol 11 of this prequel series to the famous Astro Boy saga:

ATOM: THE BEGINNING VOL. 11

(W) Osamu Tezuka & Masami Yuuki

(A) Tetsuro Kasahara

Publisher: Titan Manga

B&W, SC, 224pp, $12.99, On Sale April 30, 2025

 

THE PREQUEL SERIES TO THE LEGENDARY ASTRO BOY CONTINUES!

 

THE ELEVENTH VOLUME OF ATOM: THE BEGINNING MARKS THE TEAM’S RETURN FROM THEIR ADVENTURES IN VIETNAM, WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO UNCOVER CLUES ABOUT THE ‘ROBOT BOY’ FROM THE FUTURE.

 

They have the chance to ponder the various pieces of information they gathered, whilst resuming their research and daily life. But before everything can become completely normal again, an unexpected visitor disrupts the harmony!

 

Order code: JAN250413     

 

To learn more about the series see my review for Atom: The Beginning Vol 9.

Atom The Beginning Vol 9 Review

 

Original Story: Osamu Tezuka

Concept: Masami Yuuki

Artist: Tetsuro Kasahara

Supervision: Macoto Tezka

Collaborators: Tezuka Productions

Publisher: Titan Manga

Price: $12.99

Release Date: October 23, 2024

 

Hiroshi Ochano-Mizu and Umataro Tenma have connected Dian with A106. But now, neither the medical robot nor "Six" functions. Can the inventors diagnose Dian's malfunctions and separate the robots without damaging them? Let’s leap into Atom The Beginning Vol 9 and find out!

 

Story

Hiroshi and Umataro became friends while pursuing Masters degrees. Umataro Tenma speeded through the education system to enter the program at age 19. Hiroshi obsessed over developing an artificial intelligence code that would give robots a heart, missing classes, and repeating subjects until finally entering the program at age 26. Despite their age difference, Hiroshi and Umataro like each other and care about their creations. So, when they realize Six has fused with Dian, and they can’t disconnect the robot without erasing its identity, Hiroshi and Umataro are heartbroken.

 

Having traveled from Japan to Vietnam with Hiroshi’s grandfather, the three men stay with their friends Pink and Dr Tam in Atom The Beginning Vol 9. Director Nghiêm of the Ho Chi Minh Central Hospital has been harassing Dr Tam for conducting surgery on people who cannot afford care in his hospital. The police were on the trail of drug smugglers and reluctant to investigate her claims. So, Dr Tam made sure she was on their radar. The next time Director Nghiêm arrives with his armed guards, the police are watching.

 

The situation escalates after Dr Tam reattaches a poor patient’s severed arm. Nghiêm’s guards start trashing her clinic. When Pink arrives with Hiroshi and Umataro, his guards shoot Pink in the leg. Director Nghiêm dislikes the Japanese. So when Hiroshi complains, Nghiêm shoots him in the head. The police arrest Nghiêm and his thugs, but that doesn’t help Pink and Hiroshi. Thankfully, the bullet passed through Pink’s leg but caused minor damage. Hiroshi's situation proves more dire in Atom The Beginning Vol 9.

 

Despite Dr Tam’s expertise, she hesitates to dig into Hiroshi’s skull. With the clock ticking on Hiroshi’s life, Umataro orders Pink to disconnect the robots and restart Dion. What happens next is surprising, heartbreaking, and miraculous. It repays Hiroshi's years of sacrifice and hard work while building on Umataro’s genius and a programming language developed by Hiroshi’s lighthearted grandfather.

 

Art

Hiroshi has a large nose and eyes filled with wonder. His friend Umataro cloaks his feelings behind a mask of indifference. Pink and Dr Tam are young and lean. Dr Tam resembles a beanstalk as she sweeps the wooden planks before her clinic on the riverside pier. Director Nghiêm is a well-fed man sandwiched between two suited guards. A thug named Lizard throws a bucket of muck on Dr Tam's doorstep. His face protrudes to a point like a carnivorous dinosaur, and his wide mouth sports sharp teeth. Bald Kong's muscle shirt displays his fleshy arms and ample midsection. Dian rumbles along on treads and a pillar and claims the cover of Atom The Beginning Vol 9. The surgical robot’s appearance changes with the situation. Six evokes C-3PO without “skin” and radiates humanity like a sun emits light.

 

Generously sized uppercase letters inhabit dialogue balloons. Sound effects enhance fights, gunfire, surgery, a submarine surfacing in the Mekong River, an insect-like robot flying over Ho Chi Minh City, Six activating rockets, and a ferocious battle with a samurai-like robot that graces the cover of Atom The Beginning Vol 10. The English sound effects appear beside their Japanese counterparts, heightening the drama and heart-stopping action in Osamu Tezuka, Masami Yuuki, and Tetsuro Kasahara’s story. Thanks to Titan Manga for providing a copy for review. 

 

Final Thoughts

Hiroshi, Umataro, Pink, and Dr Tam sacrifice for their friends and others regardless of the cost. As they risk injury and death to combat government corruption, they create a robot with a heart. A106 may not be the Astro Boy we know and love, but Six yearns for a friend, rescues A.I.s in distress, and awakens a consciousness in other robots in Atom The Beginning Vol 9.

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

To learn more about this manga and look inside see my preview at The Dragon's Cache.