Ultimo (manga)

Ultimo is a Japanese manga series created by Stan Lee and Hiroyuki Takei. The story revolves around Ultimo, a Karakuri puppet representing pure good, and Vice, a Karakuri puppet representing pure evil. These emotionless automatons were created by Dr. Dunstan, a scientist seeking to determine whether good or evil is stronger in humanity.

The manga follows Ultimo and Vice as they engage in battles, clashing ideologies, and uncovering secrets about their origins and the world around them. As the series progresses, other Karakuri puppets appear, each representing different aspects of virtue and sin, further complicating the conflict and forcing Ultimo to grapple with the nuances of good and evil.

The central theme of Ultimo explores the nature of good and evil, questioning whether these concepts are absolute or influenced by circumstance and perspective. The narrative is characterized by its action-packed battles, philosophical discussions, and intricate character development. The art style, a blend of Lee's superhero aesthetic and Takei's shonen manga style, contributes to the series' distinct visual identity. The manga was serialized in Jump Square magazine from 2009 to 2015.