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Appleseed Book 1: The Promethean Challenge

From The MSHP Archives:

Appleseed Book One: The Promethean Challenge ( First Published 1985 )
Author: Shirow Masamune
Publisher(s): Seishinsha Co. Ltd. / Dark Horse Comics + Studio Proteus.

Summary Guide Notes: Side notes and further explanations on the summary or interesting points from the manga.
J vs E: Japanese vs English editions. Significant differences between the two versions highlighted here. J represents 'Japanese version' while E is 'English version'.

Book One of Appleseed takes place after the Fourth World War. We meet Deunan Knute and Briareos Hecatonchires- a pointsman and first marksman team who experienced the war and shares more than a professional relationship. Vying for survival in the harsh landscape of Badside (war affected regions) the inseperable duo were approached by Hitomi, a Bioroid with an offer of staying as 'guests' in the newly constructed nation Olympus. What's the purpose of the invitation? Is Olympus really the Utopian society it claims to be?

Chapter 1: Triple Hound Hunting

Deunan and Bri arrives at a deserted town somewhere in the ruins of Badside, where they discovered most of the food and water to be poisoned and the population wiped out by Sarin gas. Planning to move on after a few days, they had an unexpected visitor in the night. An armored figure clumsily made its way to Bri and Deunan's place and it takes little effort to pin the intruder down. Searching, they found some love letters and a photo of themselves taken by a spysat on the armor. Popping the armor they met Hitomi, who tried in vain to explain her presence. She was sent by the Central Management Bureau (CMB) from Aegis to find Bri and Deunan. Before long, they were interrupted yet again. This time its the noise of a heavily armed war-tank. They were sent by another party of the Bureau to investigate Hitomi's mission and probably with instructions to act as appropriate. Setting up with Deunan as a decoy, Briareos set on to take out the tank. After an intense chase and battle through the ruins of the abandoned town, the tank was finally blown to pieces with a grenade- planted by the cute lil' Hitomi! Sitting down and hearing out Hitomi over a cup of tea (or whatever hot drink) Bri and Deunan decided to take the offer to go with Hitomi to Olympus City.

Notes: 1) Triple Hound Hunting- The hunt for Hitomi, Deunan and Briareos. 2) The Central Management Bureau 'unified' the earth under a single administration called 'Aegis', but much of the world is still Badside where chaos and disorder reigns due to the prolonged war. 3) Deunan's first and second 'Farmer Bri' joke in this chapter.

J vs E: 1) Opening prologue, E has its earth flipped (Is that really necessary / unavoidable?). Ever seen the African and European continent facing the other way? Its there. The effects of the war is THAT bad. J got the world in the right order. Otherwise insignificant.

Chapter 2: Civvy Street

As they left Badside, Deunan had a bad dream about her early training days under the strict, uncompromising guidance of her father, Carl Knute. Waking up, she and Bri were greeted by the majestic high-rise Arcology protruding from the clouds, before parting to reveal the breathtaking view of the spectacular Olympus city from the sky. Landing in Olympus, Deunan and Bri were put under quarantine for a short period of time. Meanwhile at the management bureau Administrative Director Athena hears out the report by Chief of Staff Nike. Learning of the outcome of Hitomi's mission, she decided its time to have a word about it with the Bureau chief himself. Worried about the application for Landmates and Hitomi's activities, she began to suspect that the Council is up to something. As Deunan and Bri started to feel out of place in this new city, Hitomi shows up in her motorbike and lets them know that they were to stay at her place for the time being.

Zipping through the city in her ultra-lightweight superbike, Hitomi explains to Deunan about the nature and philosophy behind the city and its administration. Everything in the city is cybernetic and based on a 'people first' philosophy. the city managers were under instructions to adhere to the 'functional simplicity, structural complexity: the best life for all' maxim. A little detour on the way as the trio stopped at Akechi Motors. Here they met Yoshitsune, Hitomi's boyfriend and super mecha-freak. Yoshi went about explaining the basics, construction and principles of how a Landmate works, before passing a set of catalogues for Deunan to decide if she is interested to get one. Back at Hitomi's place, Deunan and Bri learned of the others that Hitomi helped recruit from Badside. Finally settling down in their room, Bri talks to Deunan about her interest in getting the Guges Landmate and joining the force in Olympus. After much discussion Bri decided to let Deunan have her way.

Yoshitsune introduces the Landmate

Notes: 1) Civvy Street- The transfer from Badside to a civilized world. 2) Hitomi's mission is codenamed 'Doroci'. (Any significant meaning unknown. However Orochi is the nine-headed Naga / Snake-dragon in Japanese mythology. Also found in Orion) 3) A 'Landmate' is basically an exoskeleton (or synchro-protector) where the machine copies the exact movements of its driver. A kind of master-slave system. 4) The Deunan-Hitomi shower scene at the end of the chapter sees Hitomi passing out partly due to alcohol. But more because of missing her periodic longevity processing. This results in anemia (red blood cells deficiency) and a sharp drop in energy levels. Logically a Bioroid such as Hitomi should be able to cope with alcohol substances without much trouble. 5) Another 'Farmer Bri' joke by Deunan when she is discussing her plan to join the force with Bri in the room at Hitomi's.

J vs E: 1) Noticeboard inside Coffee House Onimal at Hitomi's, E reads 'Cerebus Rules OK | Mangaka Paranoia'. J reads ' Parkinson's Law 1755~1824 | Comicist Paranoia'.

Chapter 3: Even Bets

The third chapter begins with a Seven Elders' Council conference session. In the meantime, Admin director Athena is having a heated arguement with the Bureau Chief regarding the recent turn of events. Suspicious of the Council's study of how Homo Sapiens (humans) react to the present environment in Olympus, she is concerned with the necessity of making Landmates available in the open market. However the chief has other more important issues he'd rather Athena concentrate on than keeping watch of the Council's every move.

Back at the Seven Elders' conference, after screening the latest round of Data from embassy attachments around the world the discussion starts. The controversial subject of the Council's debate centers around the instability of humanity to cope with the present situation. Very soon, all the world would be modelled on Olympus and the Council elders felt that it can only work if the human race upgrades to Bioroid systems. This is the basis of Hitomi's Doroci mission, to prove that humans (guests from Badside) were unable to cope with Olympus' advancements and environment. That is the only hope for humanity's survival- left as it is they will eventually lose their biological vitality in three generations, morals collapse, society deteriorates, power hungry and provoking war- just too unstable to sustain any longer. The Elders came to this conclusion, and feels justified to proceed hastily on their planned proposal.

Athena leaves the Bureau headquarters in deep thought, and Chief of Staff Nike finally found her and offered her a ride. Athena tells Nike of the danger of the present situation. For the moment there is nothing they can do but to sit and wait.

Notes: 1) Even Bets- The controversial debate on replacing the entire human species with Bioroids. 2) The Seven Elders are the main members of the Olympus CMB Legislative Body who form an advisory body that aids Gaia (the central computer) in managing Olympus. In charge of making laws and policies. Refer to the Olympus CMB Organization page for more details. 3) Athena herself is a Bioroid, and is in charge of the Police Force, ESWAT and Internal Affairs of Olympus. 4) Bri, Deunan and Hitomi did not make any appearances in this chapter.

J vs E: 1) The Bureau Chief's bookshelf. In E, of course the book titles have been changed but I doubt that the Chief reads Akira... (in J that particular book is titled 'Terorizm') and if you noticed, he even had Appleseed (kanji title, and in J is The Byo Tech Book) there. Wonder if he saw the similiarity of his situation with those contained in the book.

Chapter 4: Hospitality

Its a girls' day out and Hitomi left Deunan with Chiffon (another guest from Badside) to roam the city as she heads off to work. The first stop for Deunan is Akechi Motors. She wants to place an order for her personal Guges. While Yoshi knows his stuff to the dot, he isn't exactly happy to know that Deunan wants a Landmate as he is against the idea of a girl running around in a machine designed specifically for heavy duty applications. However Deunan's persistence (and stubornness) prevails. Yoshi agreed to take care of all the necessary paperwork and get the Guges ready in about three hours. Meanwhile at Athena's office, the admin director is going through Deunan's records with Nike. Athena decided that it is time to make the first move. She ordered Nike to drug the Badside crowd's food to see what they will do. It is a risk she is willing to take- to gauge the danger and damage they could inflict in order to control and set up counter-measures.

Deunan wants her Landmate

Notes: 1) Hospitality- Getting comfortable in a safe, peaceful place. 2) Hitomi's flextime working hours allows her to start and stop work at her convenience, as long as the total number of work hours are fulfilled. 3) The Deunan-Yoshi exchange is a goldmine of Landmate specifications. 4) Athena's plan is unknown to the Council or the Bureau. She is drugging the 'guests' to incite violence rather than letting them react naturally to Olympus' environment as proposed by the Council.

J vs E: The Station in the second page of the chapter is 'Gakusha' in E and 'Pedantic' in J.

Chapter 5: Hot Potato

The view from the high-rise Coffee House was breathtaking as Deunan and Chiffon settled down for some small talk over tea. After marvelling at the scenery and reminiscing, the two girls exchanged views on how it feels to be in Olymous. While Deunan is still somewhat overwhelmed by the peacefulness and sense of security, Chiffon felt dead. She agreed that Olympus is an ideal city for society to flourish but she felt it was like a zoo built by weird animals to keep themselves locked inside. (Maybe Chiffon sensed that they were brought here for some sort of experiment? - Lucas). Later in the day, Deunan met up with Briareos for a casual stroll through the park and recounted her conversation with Chiffon to her partner. Bri isn't too concerned with what Chiffon said as the peaceful life in Olympus is definitely much better than living dangerously back in Badside. Deunan is still doubtful but she put the thought to rest. As they parted company Bri headed off to hand in their applications to the police force and Deunan trots off to Akechi Motors... At the Olympus Police Station, Bri noticed a guy who he thought he knew from the war days, Verund. However he seemed not to recognize Bri. Shocked, Bri demanded information from the guy at the counter who told him that the guy's name is Arugess, a public sevant reporting straight to the director and has been here since before the war. The only explanation would be that he is a clone of Bri's old colleague. This is when Bri first learned about Bioroids and was told that they were basically the example that Olympus wanted the world to follow. And they are the majority - 80% - of Olympus' population (*More in the Notes section).

Flower Deunan gets Philosophical

Back at home as night falls, Bri contemplates what he had just learned. 80% of the population are Bioroids... is that why this is a Utopian society? By artificial rather than natural means? What Chiffon said to Deunan begins to make sense... then the phone rings. Its a call for Hitomi from the BCSC (BioControl Service Center) to inform her that she is two days late for her Periodic Longevity Processing. So, Hitomi is Bioroid too. Then it dawned on Bri... what need does a 'perfect' Utopian society of Bioroids for human residents? Deunan arrives home with her new Guges (and a pretty tight little outfit). Happy with their new condition, Deunan was shocked when Bri told her about the situation at hand and that something was very wrong with their presence in the Bioroid-dominated society. Refusing to believe that, Deunan stormed out angrily and headed off to Chiffon's for the night under Bri's instructions. However it appears that Hitomi herself have no idea of what the Olympus administration have in mind for the human guests from Badside.

Notes: 1) In the Coffee House conversation with Chiffon, Deunan mentioned Saint Elmo's Fire - The glow accompanying the brushlike discharges of atmospheric electricity that usually appears as a tip of light on the extremities of such pointed objects as church towers or the masts of ships during stormy weather. It is commonly accompanied by a crackling or fizzing noise. The name St. Elmo is an Italian corruption, through Sant' Ermo, of St. Erasmus, the patron saint of Mediterranean sailors, who regard St. Elmo's fire as the visible sign of his guardianship over them. (Source: Encyclopedia Brittanica. Copyrights theirs) Not the cute Elmo in Sesame Street mind you! ^_^ 2) A Clone is a human artificially created from the genetic pattern of a specific donor. When the genetic material is from various mother-sources, they are Hybrids, and after special processing become Bioroids. Bioroids are trained, conditioned and educated in a controlled environment, making them the most complex, compact and sophisticated robots imaginable i.e. their personality and emotion can be programmed to be 'human' with enhanced biological flesh and blood. 3) Deunan's skin tight outfit is to be worn under the Landmate armour for purpose of weight reduction. It is also heat and chemical resistant as well as tough enough to repel shrapnel. 4) Deunan 'Farmer Bri' joke No. IV at the park. 5) Hot Potato- Things are heating up! ^_^

J vs E: -None-

Chapter 6: The Battle of Titan

Sleeping on Chiffon's couch, Deunan was woken by mechanical sounds checking only to see Chiffon putting on her armour. Thinking nothing of it Deunan went back to sleep. The second time around, Deunan put on her dagger and went outside. Tracking the sound source downstairs of the house, Deunan saw a group of armed landmates piloted by Chiffon and others from Badside ready to leave. Bad timing as they spotted Briareos heading up the stairs to join Deunan at Chiffon's. Caught offguard, the terrorist landmates opened fire on the unarmed Bri to Deunan's horror. The commotion awakes a shocked Hitomi who immediately seeks out medical help. Realizing the situation at hand, Bri urges Deunan to get into action as the terrorist Landmates are too tough for Olympus' inexperinced police force to handle. Still worried about Deunan, Bri instructs Hitomi to contact ESWAT for help before being shut up by the temperamental Dr. Matthews. Meanwhile, Deunan powers up her Landmate as the terrorists rush their plan, pushed by the police force's earlier than expected response. While a team created a diversion in the city, two terrorists entered the Director's bedroom seeking the location of the Gaia Supercomputer. Getting the info, they left and the Director calmly intercoms his assistant to alert Gaia and the strike unit as well as Athena.

The Badside group soon crashed into Gaia's central processor with the intention of destroying it. However, it seems that Athena had a lead on them and cornered the two intruders. Not going to lay down without putting a fight, the terrorists engaged fire and blasted their way out, damaging part of the Supercomputer. What follows is an intense chase through the city where we first see Olympus' forces in action. Admittedly, they were a clumsy bunch and lacking in tactics, but the firepower and weaponry arsenal is overwhelming. Also, the competition between the Director and Athena doesn't make life easier for the hunted terrorists. As the strike force guns down the hostile Landmates one by one, the two Landmates fleeing from Gaia ran into Deunan and her machine. After much hand to hand combat and stalking, Deunan had the upper hand. Coincidentally, the last enemy standing was Chiffon who tried to reason with Deunan but was shot off (this is not revenge for Bri. Sensei Shirow explains in the Databook). The Director's team was first to arrive at the scene, and it appears that the Director and Athena were even in their little 'race'. In the aftermath of an intense night, Athena discusses with Nike about the source of the group's firepower and mindset, which she appears to conclude is backed by the Council all along. And back at the HQ, the Seven Elders sensed that the whole incident had been Athena's plan, but nevertheless it answered their questions and dispelled all doubts- it is time for the human race to make way for a full Bioroid society...

Notes: 1) The Battle of Titan - Huge things fighting against each other. Could be anything! ^_^ 2) While I mention Chiffon's group as 'terrorists' they are not exactly that, and their tactics are more guerilla style. Just that I thought their use of arms/weapons and violence to achieve their ends justify the use of the term. 3) Do keep in mind that beneath all those gadgets, cables, wires and accessories, Bri is flesh and blood human, which is why he bleeds and gets injured. 4) Note the two teams in action. The Special Forces are under the Director and the Police force listens to Athena. 5) I am not very sure why the supposedly drugged group from Badside would want to destroy Gaia. If its the Elders' plan all along, I don't know if they had a hand in the whole affair or they just let the humans draw out a plan all by themselves. If its Athena's then, it must be one powerful drug as the group cooperates and coordinates well to carry out their plan. 6) Deunan shooting Chiffon in the end was not trigger-happy on Deunan's part. Chiffon's cannon's were aimed directly at her ready to fire and Deunan has been involved in too many situations to put down her guard despite Chiffon's attempt to talk things over (as pointed out by Sensei Shirow in Appleseed Databook). Remember it was Chiffon who started the aggression, and despite knowing that Deunan was the enemy after knocking off the LM's cover she still tried to fire and then took a swipe at the off-guard Deunan.

J vs E: Dr Matthew's ambulance in J has the label 'M.D Mashu & Invincible Six Nurse' on the side body which I find highly amusing! ^_^. 2) The final panel after Deunan shot Chiffon was a sign 'That's All' on the floor in J which was reduced to an undecipherable 'Owaru'(?) in E.

Chapter 7: Rest

The ending to Book 1 sees Deunan visiting the hospitalised Bri, where the couple have the chance to rest and relax a bit. While Bri isn't very happy about the way things turned out, he has decided that its alright for Deunan to keep the Landmate, and they would settle down in this new city. Thus begins the life of Deunan Knute and Briareos Hecatonchires as citizens (or pawns, depending on the way you see things ^_^) in the Utopian city of Olympus. Happy life ever after? We'll find out next issue! ^_^

Notes: 1) Rest- Uhmm... taking a break! 2) Deunan got off the hook due to Hitomi and the Council's authority, but she is now trapped in whatever plot they are devising. Plus Bri's hospital debts and Deunan's LM repair bills will keep the couple plenty busy for a long time in Olympus!

Appendix: Book One

Shirow Sensei's typical way of rounding up an Appleseed book- with a mini side-chapter that is often hilarous and rich in information. In Book One's Appendix, Sensei Shirow highlighted Yoshi's obsession with all things mecha and how Hitomi decided to cope with the situation- by reading her personal Bioroid relationship and social interaction manual! Hah?!? Is there such a thing?? ^_^...

Note that in the English SP/DH Edition tradepaperback, there are extra materials at the closing of the book, namely articles written by Mr Toren Smith and Sensei Shirow himself. Mr Smith talks about the idea and the effort in bringing Appleseed to the English readership as well as his thanks to the many individuals and parties involved in making the translated work a success. Sensei Shirow on his part commented about the status of Appleseed in Japan, its progress and a general overview of what he is trying to portray and achieve with each book. Also a bit about his change in art styles between books 1 & 2 to 3 & 4, as well as explaining (an advanced warning actually! ^_^) to his US readers to expect a LONG wait for his works. Do you mind? I don't, cos' Sensei Shirow's mangas are worth waiting for! ^_^

- End - Updated: Jan 2005

posted by: Lucas at 01/31/05 18:27 | link | comments | Category: appleseed

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