Back in September, Digital Manga Publishing began hinting that a new Osamu Tezuka Kickstarter was coming. In October, that Kickstarter began. Digital Manga  wants help to publish the three-volume series Wonder 3 as standard size hardcover editions. The project started on October 2, and will end on October 29. DMP is looking for $46,500.

Wonder 3 takes place on an alternate Earth, in the year 196X, where the world is overrun with war and violence. The Galactic Federation, made up of the advanced races of the universe decide something must be done about Earth. But, since they have so little information on the planet, they decide to send a team down to gather information for one year. The three team members, Bokko, Nokko, and Pukko, disguise themselves as a horse, duck and rabbit, and begin to evaluate whether or not the human race is worth saving. They come across the Hoshi brothers, who work to defend the human race in their own way.

Included with the initial campaign is the stretch goal of publishing another standalone title, The Film Goes On. It is about Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro, two friends pursuing their dreams go becoming animators. They have a falling out, and Musashi loses over 500 cells of his animation as well as having his eyesight damaged after the yakuza family of the girl he falls for disapproves of their relationship. Despite it all, he perseveres to continue to make his animation. If the campaign hits $55,900, it will be available in print on paper similar to that used for Barbara and the reprint of Swallowing the Earth.

As of this writing, the campaign is at 26,249 from 290 backers with only 7 days left. That’s only 56% after three weeks. I’m kind of surprised that the campaign hasn’t done better. Wonder 3 was on of Tezuka’s animated series’ that was brought over here. It was renamed The Amazing Three. I would have thought more fans would have been interested in having the original manga. Perhaps because DMP is going for a hardback limited edition, not as many people are interested. The majority of backers, 176, are picking the print edition at $70 for all three volumes. The next highest is the digital edition at $25. So as expected, backers are more interested in getting the books, but the higher price for a hardback may be keeping more of them from backing the project.

It’s possible the project might get a sudden boost in the last week. but at only 56% with only a week left, I’m not so sure. Their last campaign, Storm Fairy, funded easily with stretch goals being met, but the base goal was three times lower than this goal. Looking at their last four Tezuka kickstarters, they get more backers when the goal is around $15,000, and often hit stretch goals. When they go over $20,000, the goal is a little harder to obtain. They make it, but only by a few thousand at most.

That said, I do hope they make this goal. Wonder 3 is a title that really should be available in English. It is up there with Astro Boy and Kimba/Jungle Emperor Leo. It’s a fond memory for those of us old enough to remember the anime, and a treat for new readers just learning the joy of Tezuka’s work.