FOUR ENCOUNTERS  (English, Paperback, Tezuka, Osamu)

The Four Encounters is the second volume in Osamu Tezuka’s Buddha manga series.

Summary of the Book

Siddhartha Gautama isn’t allowed to leave the palace of his birth. He has everything he needs to live inside the confines of the palace, except the change his heart desires. He doesn’t know the omens which speak of his destiny as he tries to leave the palace. He succeeds and encounters four people who awaken him to the death and decay in the world around him. However, these encounters will send him on a quest for meaning which will change his life forever. Indeed, the quest is the most important event in the life of Siddhartha, for it will transform him into the legendary character he is fated to become: the Sakyamuni Buddha, the Enlightened One.

About Osamu Tezuka

Osamu Tezuka was a Japanese mangaka, animator, film director and film producer. He is widely considered the Father of Manga and the Kamisama of Manga. He is best known for creating the Astro Boy franchise, Kimba the White Lion, Message to Adolf, Princess Knight and Black Jack.

Tezuka-san won several accolades for his work and contribution to the genre. He is the recipient of the 1983 Shogakukan Manga Award, the 2004 and 2005 Eisner Awards for Buddha, and the 2009 Eisner Award for Dororo.

The Buddha series was adapted into an animated film by Kozo Morishita, produced by Tezuka Productions, animated by Toei Animation and distributed by Toei Company and Warner Bros. Pictures.