Peanuts Creator’s Life Becomes Heartfelt New Manga

Image Courtesy of Good Comics for Kids/UDON Entertainment

By Dean Robbins

Charles Schulz was a giant in the cartooning world, and now, mangaka (manga author) Yuzuru Kuki has adapted his life into a new manga. UDON Publishing is releasing a series of Manga Biographies on famous figures in English. The publisher has teased future installments on Mother Teresa, Thomas Edison, and others to be released three times a year. Manga Biographies: Charles Schulz, which was first released in Japan in 2019, was published here earlier this week on October 1. 

Kuki brilliantly realizes the life of Schulz in around 140 pages of mostly black & white manga. All of the figures are lovingly realized in stereotypical manga style. The book traces Charles, who was called “Sparky” by his loved ones, from early childhood to the legacy he left. The narrative focuses on three key elements: the origins of Peanuts and its characters, Schulz’s struggles with shyness, and, trying everything together, his unrequited love for Donna Mae Johnson. The latter was a relationship Schulz missed out on due to his shyness who later became the inspiration for the mysterious “little red-haired girl” character. This romantic pain forms the emotional throughline of the whole volume. 

As to be expected in this page count, Kuki breezes through many eras, especially Schulz’s high school years and time serving in World War II. There were a few moments where it felt like things skipped forward too abruptly. The most affecting sequences were when it slowed down, as when Schulz had his first big success. Nevertheless, in its three focuses, the result is a winner. 

Any reader with a heart bigger than the Grinch will find the story of Schulz and his “little red haired girl” touching and maybe even relatable. Near the end, Kuki reminds us that Peanuts is chiefly about the ups and downs of life. Charles Brown famously fails time and again but he never folds. The life of Charles Schulz was filled with joyous triumphs and searing aches. This may be the reason why the comic strip has stood the test of time over seventy years since its inception. 

In addition to the manga, the last fifteen pages are composed of “bonus features” explaining more about Schulz’s life, including real pictures of him, and fun facts about Peanuts characters. These additions seem especially geared towards children and their parents. 

This book comes just in time for the 75th anniversary of Peanuts next year. Many watch the various holiday television specials decades later and Apple TV+ is continuing to produce new content in the universe, including an upcoming feature film. Cedar Fair amusement parks, including Cedar Point and Knott’s Berry Farm, still attract families to their Peanuts-themed lands. 
Manga Biographies: Charles Schulz is a great cozy read for manga fans new to Western comic strips and families. There is less appeal for a Peanuts diehard beyond the novel art style and the opportunity for a more complete collection. There is likely not a whole lot of new information here. The book can be purchased for $13.99 at local bookstores, Amazon, and other storefronts.