History Manga / Unico

* DarkerAndEdgier: ''Island Of Magic''; even the box art has this.
* DisneyAcidSequence: ''Island Of Magic'' has Lord Kuruku playing with his toys, while the first has "[[http://youtu.be/s7uvW_OXtdA Katy the Kitty Witch]]".

* WholesomeCrossDresser: While not present in the manga and animated adaptations. Unico is occasionally seen [[https://img17.shop-pro.jp/PA01167/688/product/111100823.png?cmsp_timestamp=20161216144821 wearing pink]] or [[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/814CxSBXz7L.jpg yellow/orange eyeliner]] around his face. Tezuka would occasionally depict him wearing [[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rjIAAOSw0JpV5cBA/s-l400.jpg a red bow around his horn]] in [[https://www.flayrah.com/sites/default/files/u/Fred/LyricaUnicoSpecial.jpg numerous illustrations]]. He appears to actually enjoy dressing up in female makeup and wearing eyeliner.

* ArtEvolution: In the first couple of volumes, [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Unico-1.jpg Unico's design was different]] compared to [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/0/0e/Unico_by_wogwog.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20170521023152&path-prefix=protagonist his standard design]]. Notably, [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/unicokey_7.gif his mouth was colored white]] and his body was a different shade of blue. Unico also had orange pupils before switching to blue (or black) by the 80s. His design in ''Unico Black Cloud and White Feather'' [[https://rubberslug.s3.amazonaws.com/user/9/a14c24acfa54cf7ab7c5c4d19d0f946/e86xviclrr_o.jpg closely resembled]] [[https://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/anime/9/78189.jpg his present day appearance. Occasionally Unico would [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkP6muTjLhLFokFYSJAJt-2YpLYmTosLGHxMporpf8NO5VsaI&s be depicted with pink eye shadow]] [[https://cdn.animenewsnetwork.com/hotlink/thumbnails/max1000x1500/cms/interest/111694/poster.jpg increasing his cute factor.]]

* AdaptationDyeJob: In the original manga and ''Unico: Black Cloud and White Feather''. Unico's pupils was originally orange. By the 1980s, his eye color was suddenly changed to blue or green. His hair color is usually pink, but would be colored red in some illustrations. In his first animated appearance, [[https://cdn.myanimelist.net/r/360x360/images/anime/9/78189.jpg?s=62119e82cf8ff1e9fd06880d8e42fdf3 his hair was colored darker.]] In some illustration and artwork, Unico's fur would switch between blue and white.

* ArtEvolution: In the first couple of volumes, [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Unico-1.jpg Unico's design was different]] compared to [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/0/0e/Unico_by_wogwog.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20170521023152&path-prefix=protagonist his standard design]]. Notably, [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/unicokey_7.gif his mouth was colored white]] and his body was a different shade of blue. Unico also had orange pupils before switching to blue (or black) by the 80s. His design in ''Unico Black Cloud and White Feather'' [[https://rubberslug.s3.amazonaws.com/user/9/a14c24acfa54cf7ab7c5c4d19d0f946/e86xviclrr_o.jpg closely resembled his present day appearance.]] Occasionally Unico would [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkP6muTjLhLFokFYSJAJt-2YpLYmTosLGHxMporpf8NO5VsaI&s be depicted with pink eye shadow]] [[https://cdn.animenewsnetwork.com/hotlink/thumbnails/max1000x1500/cms/interest/111694/poster.jpg increasing his cute factor.]]

* ArtEvolution: In the first couple of volumes, [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Unico-1.jpg Unico's design was different]] compared to [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/0/0e/Unico_by_wogwog.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20170521023152&path-prefix=protagonist his standard design]]. Notably, his mouth was colored white and his body was a different shade of blue. Unico also had orange pupils before switching to blue (or black) by the 80s. His design in ''Unico Black Cloud and White Feather'' [[https://rubberslug.s3.amazonaws.com/user/9/a14c24acfa54cf7ab7c5c4d19d0f946/e86xviclrr_o.jpg closely resembled his present day appearance.]] Occasionally Unico would [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkP6muTjLhLFokFYSJAJt-2YpLYmTosLGHxMporpf8NO5VsaI&s be depicted with pink eye shadow]] [[https://cdn.animenewsnetwork.com/hotlink/thumbnails/max1000x1500/cms/interest/111694/poster.jpg increasing his cute factor.]]

''Unico'' is a children's series of manga and anime films based on the character of Unico, a baby unicorn who was born with the very special gift of making all living creatures lighthearted and happy, though in the original manga, he could only use his powers for someone who shows him unconditional kindness. However, the gods are jealous of Unico's powers and send the West Wind to banish him to oblivion. Taking pity on Unico, the West Wind instead transports Unico to various faraway places across time and space, and whenever the gods learn of his whereabouts she takes him away to another land...but Unico rarely ever gets to say goodbye to the friends he has made, and his memories are taken away each time he goes somewhere new. Developed by Creator/OsamuTezuka, the manga consisted of two volumes running from November 1976 to March 1979.

* WholesomeCrossDresser: While not present in the manga and animated adaptations. Unico is occasionally seen [[https://img17.shop-pro.jp/PA01167/688/product/111100823.png?cmsp_timestamp=20161216144821 wearing pink]] or [[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/814CxSBXz7L.jpg yellow eyeliner]] around his face. Tezuka would occasionally depict him wearing [[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rjIAAOSw0JpV5cBA/s-l400.jpg a red bow around his horn]] in [[https://www.flayrah.com/sites/default/files/u/Fred/LyricaUnicoSpecial.jpg numerous illustrations]]. He appears to actually enjoy dressing up in female makeup and wearing eyeliner.

* AnthropomorphicZigZag: While Unico is typically seen walking and running on all fours, occasionally [[https://tezukaosamu.net/en/manga/img/m0511/m0511_main.jpg he would be seen standing on both legs]]. It's more notable for some of the covers for the manga ([[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/814CxSBXz7L.jpg Unico holding a flower while standing on two legs]], some [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/unicokey.gif illustrations]], and [[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UzQAAOSw1ktbXdAZ/s-l400.jpg Unico looking cute]]). In the movies, he's still walking on all fours, but rarely seen standing on two legs (with the exception of [[CryIntoChest hugging Katy]] in ''The Fantastic Adventures Of Unico'').

* AnthropomorphicZigZag: While Unico is typically seen walking and running on all fours, occasionally [[https://tezukaosamu.net/en/manga/img/m0511/m0511_main.jpg he would be seen standing on both legs]]. It's more notable for some of the covers for the manga ([[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/814CxSBXz7L.jpg Unico holding a flower while standing on two legs]], and [[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UzQAAOSw1ktbXdAZ/s-l400.jpg Unico looking cute]]). In the movies, he's still walking on all fours, but rarely seen standing on two legs (with the exception of [[CryIntoChest hugging Katy]] in ''The Fantastic Adventures Of Unico'').

* AnthropomorphicZigZag: While Unico is typically seen walking and running on all fours, occasionally [[https://tezukaosamu.net/en/manga/img/m0511/m0511_main.jpg he would be seen standing on both legs]]. It's more notable for some of the covers for the manga ([[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/814CxSBXz7L.jpg Unico holding a flower while standing on two legs]], and [[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UzQAAOSw1ktbXdAZ/s-l400.jpg Unico looking cute]]). In the movies, he's still walking on all fours, but rarely seen standing on two legs (with the exception of hugging Katy in ''The Fantastic Adventures Of Unico'').

* BittersweetEnding: In the films: [[spoiler: well, Lord Kuruku is destroyed...but Unico must go.]] The 2000 animated short "''Saving Our Fragile Earth: Unico Special Chapter '' is the only time Unico was able to gain a happy ending that isn't bittersweet or depressing.

* BittersweetEnding: In the films: [[spoiler: well, Lord Kuruku is destroyed...but Unico must go.]]

* AdaptationDyeJob: In the original manga and ''Unico: Black Cloud and White Feather''. Unico's pupils was originally orange. By the 1980s, his eye color was suddenly changed to blue. His hair color is usually pink, but would be colored red in some illustrations. In his first animated appearance, [[https://cdn.myanimelist.net/r/360x360/images/anime/9/78189.jpg?s=62119e82cf8ff1e9fd06880d8e42fdf3 his hair was colored darker.]] In some illustration and artwork, Unico's fur would switch between blue and white.

** In the manga, one of the contestants in the pet contest is a dragon named WesternAnimation/GertieTheDinosaur, and its owner is named Creator/{{Winsor Mc Cay}}.

* ArtEvolution: In the first couple of volumes, [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Unico-1.jpg Unico's design was different]] compared to [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/0/0e/Unico_by_wogwog.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20170521023152&path-prefix=protagonist his standard design]]. Notably, his mouth was colored white and his body was a different shade of blue. Unico also had orange pupils before switching to blue (or black) by the 80s. His design in ''Unico Black Cloud and White Feather'' [[https://rubberslug.s3.amazonaws.com/user/9/a14c24acfa54cf7ab7c5c4d19d0f946/e86xviclrr_o.jpg closely resembled his present day appearance.]] Occasionally Unico would [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkP6muTjLhLFokFYSJAJt-2YpLYmTosLGHxMporpf8NO5VsaI&s depicted with pink eye shadow]] [[https://cdn.animenewsnetwork.com/hotlink/thumbnails/max1000x1500/cms/interest/111694/poster.jpg increasing his cute factor.]]

* AdaptationDyeJob: In the original manga and ''Unico Black Cloud and White Feather''. Unico's pupils was originally orange. By the 1980s, his eye color was suddenly changed to blue. His hair color is usually pink, but would be colored red in some illustrations. In his first animated appearance, [[https://cdn.myanimelist.net/r/360x360/images/anime/9/78189.jpg?s=62119e82cf8ff1e9fd06880d8e42fdf3 his hair was colored darker.]]

* ArtEvolution: In the first couple of volumes, [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Unico-1.jpg Unico's design was different]] compared to [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/0/0e/Unico_by_wogwog.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20170521023152&path-prefix=protagonist his standard design]]. Notably, his mouth was colored white and his body was a different shade of blue. Unico also had orange pupils before switching to blue (or black) by the 80s. His design in ''Unico Black Cloud and White Feather'' [[https://rubberslug.s3.amazonaws.com/user/9/a14c24acfa54cf7ab7c5c4d19d0f946/e86xviclrr_o.jpg closely resembled his present day appearance.]]

An anime pilot called ''Unico Black Cloud and White Feather'' from 1979 was created but rejected, and two films and a short were completed afterward (in 1981 and 1983 respectively for the films). The movies are ''Anime/TheFantasticAdventuresOfUnico'' (1981) and ''Anime/UnicoInTheIslandOfMagic'' (1983), later accompanied by the short ''Saving Our Fragile Earth''.

An anime pilot was created but rejected, and two films and a short were completed afterward (in 1981 and 1983 respectively for the films). The movies are ''Anime/TheFantasticAdventuresOfUnico'' (1981) and ''Anime/UnicoInTheIslandOfMagic'' (1983), later accompanied by the short ''Saving Our Fragile Earth''.

Unico has also appeared in the UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance game ''VideoGame/AstroBoyOmegaFactor'', and ''Columns GB: Osamu Tezuka Characters'' for the UsefulNotes/GameBoyColor. Manga/AstroBoy and HelloKitty also appear in Unico {{canon}}.

* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: Unico. The films were made with Sanrio; what else did you expect?

* BreakingTheFourthWall: This is a Tezuka manga so it is to be expected. A notable example is when one character [[MediumAwareness throws her own speech bubbles on the fire]] and their letters precede to pop like corn.

* DownerEnding: The manga: [[spoiler: The final chapter ends with the West Wind once again taking Unico away, leaving the Demon of Solitude alone at the end of time and robing him of the only friend he was ever going to have. There is also no indication that Unico will ever be reunited with, or even remember, Psyche and the cycle of Unico making friends just to be taken from and forgetting them will probably continue indefinitely.]]

* FauxAffablyEvil: Kukuruku is polite enough when he's in a good mood, but he is a cruel being at heart and won't hesitate to make you a part of his castle. His mannerisms are very much like [[Manga/{{Dragonball}} Freeza's]].

* HeartIsAnAwesomePower: When he feels loved by those around him, Unico [[spoiler: is able to turn into a full-grown unicorn, complete with the ability to fly.]] This allows him, in ''The Fantastic Adventures of Unico'', to [[spoiler: fly through the chest of a 50-story tall demon, killing him instantly]].
* HeroicBSOD: Unico has one after [[spoiler: Cheri gets turned into a puppet.]]

* SamusIsAGirl: [[spoiler: Marschka]] in the manga.

* StarCrossedLovers: Tipi and Mary, and [[spoiler: Marschka and Romanov]] in the manga.
* SweetPollyOliver: [[spoiler: Marschka]] in the manga dresses like a boy for her job as a thief.
* TheImp: Beezle.

* ThePowerOfFriendship: Literally, Unico can do all sorts of things, but only for those he considers his friends. [[spoiler: It also gives Unico the power to change into a giant, flying unicorn capable of drilling a supersonic hole through a fifty-story-high demon. Yeah. Not so harmless now, is he?]]

* ThePowerOfHate: [[spoiler: Hate is the only thing keeping Kuruku animate]].
* ThePowerOfLove: [[TheFourLoves Agape to be precise.]] Unlike in the films where Unico's powers are [[ThePowerOfFriendship fueled by friendship]], in the manga he can only use his powers on people who have shown him unconditional kindness.

* VillainousBreakdown: [[spoiler: Kuruku, during the climax.]]

* AdaptationInducedPlotHole[=/=]AdaptationExplanationExtrication: In the ''Fantastic Adventures'' no reason is given as to why the gods can't just keep Unico for themselves. In the original manga it is explained that if Venus did kept Unico with her Eros would just steal him back for Psyche.

Unico has also appeared in the GameBoyAdvance game ''VideoGame/AstroBoyOmegaFactor'', and ''Columns GB: Osamu Tezuka Characters'' for the GameBoy Color. Manga/AstroBoy and HelloKitty also appear in Unico {{canon}}.

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Unico ''can'' kick some ass, despite himself.

* DownerEnding: The manga: [[spoiler: The final chapter ends with the West Wind once again taking Unico away, leaving the Demon of Solitude alone at the end of time and robing him of the only friend he was ever going to have. There is also no indicative that Unico will ever be reunited with, or even remember, Psyche and the cycle of Unico making friends just to be taken from and forgetting them will probably continue indefinitely.]]

-> Love is a song eternally repeated. \\

love is always coming, and always passing away...

'''''Unico''''' is a children's series of manga and anime films based on the character of Unico, a baby unicorn who was born with the very special gift of making all living creatures lighthearted and happy, though in the original manga, he could only use his powers for someone who shows him unconditional kindness. However, the gods are jealous of Unico's powers and send the West Wind to banish him to oblivion. Taking pity on Unico, the West Wind instead transports Unico to various faraway places across time and space, and whenever the gods learn of his whereabouts she takes him away to another land...but Unico rarely ever gets to say goodbye to the friends he has made, and his memories are taken away each time he goes somewhere new. Developed by Creator/OsamuTezuka, the manga consisted of two volumes running from November 1976 to March 1979.