Ultimo

Hiroyuki Takei, the mind behind Shaman King, returned to manga with this twelve-issue series from Viz, published from 2010 to 2016. Co-written with John Werry and illustrated by Takei himself, Ultimo follows a conflict between karakuri dolls—mechanical warriors embodying virtues and vices—as they clash across time. The story pits the virtuous doll Ultimo against his dark counterpart, Vice, in a battle with high-stakes implications for the future. It’s a compact, action-driven exploration of morality from a creator known for blending spiritual themes with dynamic combat.