The Three-Eyed One

Mitsume ga tōru

Cover art from the third volume of the manga The Three-Eyed One
三つ目がとおる
Genre Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Psychological, Sci-fi
Manga
Written by Osamu Tezuka
Published by Kodansha
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine
Original run 7 July 1974 – 19 March 1978
Volumes 13
Anime television film
悪魔島のプリンス (Akumatō no Purinsu, Prince of the Devil Island)
Studio Toei Animation
Released 1985-8-25
Anime television series
Directed by Hidehito Ueda
Studio Tezuka Production Company Ltd.
Network TV Tokyo
Original run 18 October 1990 – 26 September 1991
Episodes 48
Game
Developer Natsume
Publisher Natsume
Platform NES
Released 1992

The Three-Eyed One (三つ目がとおる Mitsume ga Tōru) is a science fiction romance manga by Osamu Tezuka. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 7 July 1974 through 19 March 1978 and was later published into thirteen tankōbon by Kodansha. This story is about Hosuke Sharaku ("the Prince of Darkness" 悪魔のプリンス), the heir to the long lost super civilization of the "Three Eyed Ones", and his best friend, Chiyoko Wato, with whom he solves various problems, often of his own doing.

In 1977, The Three-Eyed One tied with another Tezuka manga, Black Jack, for the Kodansha Manga Award. The manga has since spawned a TV special by Shueisha and later an anime whose 48 episodes ran from 18 October 1990 through 26 September 1991. The main character appears in three video games: Mittsume ga Tooru by Natsume on the MSX in 1989, Mittsume ga Tooru/The Three-Eyed One by Tomy on the NES in 1992, Astro Boy: Omega Factor by Sega on the Game Boy Advance (as Astro Boy's arch-enemy) and Astro Boy by Sega on the PlayStation 2 (as an ally to Astro Boy in a sidequest).

Plot

To learn about his roots, Sharaku must investigate the mysterious ruins that a long lost civilization called the Three-Eyed Ones bequeathed to him. In his worldwide search, which takes both he and Chiyoko Wato to locations like Arizona, Easter Island, and Mexico, Sharaku deciphers ancient scriptures and uses gadgets he invents to help solve (or start) problems and mysteries.

Sharaku is frequently bullied for his childishness, and as such the story is also about how he fights back when the x-shaped bandage that covers his third eye is removed. Behind the bandage is hidden Sharaku's malicious third eye, and the boy's hidden evil genius emerges when it can see. Sharaku's rivalries with teachers or students are occasionally developed into major plot points.

Some of the story's appeal is that Osamu Tezuka, the story's author, has Sharaku investigate actual historic ruins that are shrouded in mystery and offer his own unique ideas.

External links