Being small doesn't stop Issunboshi from pursuing his destiny to defeat an evil demon, or oni, in this graphic retelling of a Japanese folktale.It is said that when the world was new, the gods used the Heavenly Spear known as the Ame No Nuhoko to stir the oceans and create the islands of Japan. Aware of its great power, the gods divided the spear into four separate pieces, secreting them away so no one could use it for harm. One day, however, an oni found the shaft of the spear, spurring him to hunt down the remaining pieces and gain the power of the gods. The spirit of the spear fled his hiding spot in the sky and was reborn to an old couple desperate for children of their own as a thumb-sized baby boy named Issunboshi. His parents knew he was born for something extraordinary, but before he can leave home, an ominous bird kidnaps him, intending to take him to his master, the oni. Managing to escape, Issunboshi is faced with his destiny: to defeat the powerful oni. Lang re-creates a classic and beloved Japanese story as an exciting, action-packed graphic novel. Issunboshi's struggles show that even the strongest people have doubts and worries but that being a true hero means summoning courage and doing our best to stand against evil. The black-and-white graphics are visually stunning, with a cinematic quality enhanced by incredible lighting and details bringing to life the feudal setting.Visually impressive and well told. (Graphic folklore. 12-18)

Lang retells Issunboshi, a Japanese folktale about the titular one-inch samurai, in this impressively illustrated b&w debut. According to the tale, the world was first created by the gods using Ame No Nuhoko, or Heavenly Spear. Fearing that its power would be too great for any one person to wield, the gods split the spear into four parts and hid them throughout Japan: the hilt became a tree, the mount was turned into a flower, and the blade was rendered as stone. The final piece—the sword’s spirit—was reborn as Issunboshi, “a baby boy no bigger than a thumb.” After an incident reveals his true heritage, Issunboshi, now grown, leaves home to find and defeat the oni who has been gathering the pieces in order to become the king of all demons. The author’s bio describes his connection to the source material but omits details regarding further research. Though quick pacing is occasionally prioritized over character development, Lang’s Pixar background is evident in the animated facial expressions and intensely choreographed battle scenes, and overarching lessons regarding inner strength and sacrifice culminate in a satisfying, if somewhat pat, resolution. Ages 13–up. (Oct.)■