Common Sense Media Review
By Julian Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Third stellar installment in Tezuka's classic manga reboot.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In LOST, Unico finds himself alone once more as he searches for possibly ally Queen Titana of the Woodland Fey. Along the way, he befriends young sphinx Marusu, who aids him on his adventure. Meanwhile, Unico's cat friends, Chloe and Toast, are recruited by Zephyrus (the West Wind) and Starrow in their search for Unico. Venus, the jealous Goddess of Love and Beauty grows more and more angry and dangerous as the hunter Iver fails to find Unico. Unico and Marusu face new threats in the form of human bounty hunters and a suspicious old man with a hidden past. Will Unico's journey reveal his forgotten memories, or will Venus find and destroy his magic first?
Is It Any Good?
Another stellar entry in Osamu Tezku's manga reboot, fans will not want to miss this installment. Girihuru's artwork in Lost: Unico is colorful and engaging with well-drawn panels of fantastical locations and thrilling action sequences. Themes of identity, courageousness, optimism in the face of overwhelming darkness continue to be central to the plot in this third entry. Unico's not just an adorable character, he'll inspire readers to be better, too.
While Unico's quest remains the focus of the series, writer Samuel Sattin gives Unico's allies more breathing room for character development. Charming Marusu, who was introduced in Awakening, gets to share the spotlight with Unico here, and she grows from a sheltered young sphinx whose anxious about the outside world and making friends into a strong, confident character. Readers will be eager to see how she develops as a character in future volumes. Chloe and Toast, the magical shapeshifting cat-humans Unico befriended are driven with determination, willing to do what it takes to find and reconnect with Unico. The West Wind and Starrow also have character arcs that will become integral to the next installment. Like with the previous books, this one ends on a cliffhanger, though there are some promising story breadcrumbs of what's to come.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Lost: Unico explores courage as a means to overcoming hardship. How do Unico, Marusu, Chloe, and Toast show bravery in the cours eof this book? What are other manga characters who rely on courage to reach their goals? Why is this a common theme in fantasy stories?
Compassion is another theme of the story. Unico shows compassion toward Marusu, who endured a lot of suffering before they met. How does his support remind Marusu that despite all she's been through, exploring the world and making friends is worth it? When has someone's compassion helped you feel more confident?
Chloe and Toast's perseverance in learning to master time travel is a critical part of this story. What was a moment in your life where you persevered in a difficult situation?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : Gurihiru
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Cats ) , Fantasy ( Magic , Monsters , Time Travel , Unicorns ) , Friendship , Space
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Graphix
- Publication date : July 7, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle, App
- Last updated : July 8, 2026
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