The Big O was one of the most interesting new anime series to debut on the Cartoon Network this year (see 'Two Toons With Merchandising Potential').  Since the look of The Big O was clearly influenced by the modern Batman Beyond animated series, it is no surprise that the series developed lots of American fans during its short run.  Unfortunately The Big O anime, which was produced in Japan in 1999, only ran for 13 episodes, which limited its exposure on American TV compared with long-running series such as Dragon Ball Z.  But Viz is preparing to publish The Big O manga series, which is written and drawn by Hitoshi Ariga (Rockman).  The manga series, which has already reached five volumes, will expand upon the story told in the anime version by going beyond the series finale to give the full story climax.  At the Metreon Festival of Anime last weekend, Viz announced that it would be publishing a monthly 48-page Big O comic beginning in February of 2002.  The black-and-white Big O manga will sport a $3.50 cover price.

 

Bandai Entertainment will release the fourth Big O DVD in December (collecting episodes 10-13), and all four volumes should be in print when the Viz comic debuts.  Bandai America, the U.S. subsidiary of the giant Japanese toy company, included 'The Big O' in their series of Anime Collectors Sets (see 'Bandai to Produce Anime Sets for the U.S. Market'), and these toys should also be around when the Viz manga series appears.  While The Big O doesn't have the enormous commercial potential of a Pokemon, the series, with its echoes of Batman animated and Metropolis (both Fritz Lang's and Tezuka's versions) and its manga meets film noir sensibilities, has already created quite a following in the U.S.  Given the limited number of anime episodes available, fans will have to turn to the Viz manga series in order to enjoy more Big O adventures.