The Amulet graphic novel series is a popular fantasy adventure series written and illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi. It follows the story of a young girl named Emily and her younger brother Navin, who move to a new house after the death of their father. Upon discovering a mysterious amulet in their new home, they are transported to the magical world of Alledia. In this new world, Emily and Navin encounter various strange and dangerous creatures, as well as a powerful villain known as the Elf King. They embark on a quest to find their kidnapped mother and uncover the secrets of the amulet. Along the way, they befriend a robotic rabbit named Miskit and a talking fox named Leon.
Along the way, they befriend a robotic rabbit named Miskit and a talking fox named Leon. They also encounter a group of resistance fighters called the Cogs. Throughout the series, Emily learns to harness the powers of the amulet and discovers her own strength and courage.
Meet Miraitowa, the official mascot of the Tokyo Olympics
The cartoony Miraitowa is the official mascot of the Tokyo Olympics, and it comes with surprising powers the athletes can only envy.
Every Olympics has its own mascot, officially hailed as the ambassador of the Games. Tokyo has two: Miraitowa for the Olympics and Someity for the Paralympic Games. Their lofty, stated purpose? To “embody the spirit of the Olympics and play a vital role in welcoming athletes and visitors to the Games,” per the International Olympic Committee.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games mascot Miraitowa (L) and Paralympic mascot Someity (R) attend a countdown event on July 24, 2018. Kazuhiro Nogi / AFP via Getty Images
Olympic mascots run the gamut from cute to cuddly to quirky to downright catastrophic. Normally, they’re fictional characters or animals that either represent a native species or pay tribute to the cultural heritage of the locale. The mascots help sell the games: They’re on posters, bags, T-shirts, and live on in the form of plushies and stuffed animals.
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In Tokyo, the cartoony Miraitowa's name is a fusion of the Japanese words "mirai", which means “future”, and "towa", which means “eternity.” And it even has a personality. Yup, it’s based on the Japanese proverb: “Learn from the past and develop new ideas.”
What does that mean, you might wonder? Well, per the IOC, Miraitowa is “cheerful and remarkably athletic, with a very strong sense of integrity.” Oh and it can teleport, which will indisputably come in handy for organizers and athletes.
The Tokyo Paralympic mascot is Someity, which comes from the name of the cherry blossom someiyoshino. In English, it loosely translates to “so mighty.” According to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games website, Someity can fly, use the sensors on the sides of its head for telepathic powers, and move objects without touching them.
Olympic mascots the Hare, the Polar Bear and the Leopard stand by the extinguished Olympic flame during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics closing ceremony. Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images
The first mascot made its debut at the 1968 games in Grenoble. And its name was Shuss, a weird little dude. On skis. Even then, the IOC was savvy: You could buy Shuss keyrings, pins, magnets, watches and inflatables.
Even when mascots aren’t eyesores, they can still cause controversy. Take the threesome from 2014’s Sochi games: The Hare, the Polar Bear, and the Leopard. Vladimir Putin loves big cats, and was accused of rigging the vote to make sure that the Leopard made the final cut. Scandale!
Wenlock, the Olympic mascot and Mandeville (Blue), the Paralympic mascot are unveiled in London, England. Julian Finney / Getty Images
Or how about Wenlock and Mandeville, from the London games? It’s worth noting that London is one of the most surveilled cities in the world, with 73.31 cameras for every 1,000 people. So perhaps unleashing oddly-shaped mascots whose single eye was a camera lens — was a bridge too far.
Mascots of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon are unveiled in Beijing, China. Xinyu Cui / Getty Images
Beijing, host of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, recently unveiled its own mascot, named Bing Dwen Dwen, a wide-eyed panda in a suit of ice. Paris, the next city to host the Summer Games, will unveil its mascot either late this year or in 2022.
Every Olympics has its own mascot, officially hailed as the ambassador of the Games. Tokyo has two: Miraitowa for the Olympics and Someity for the Paralympic Games. Their lofty, stated purpose? To “embody the spirit of the Olympics and play a vital role in welcoming athletes and visitors to the Games,” per the International Olympic Committee.
The artwork in the Amulet series is visually stunning, with vibrant colors and intricate details bringing the world of Alledia to life. The story incorporates themes of family, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil. The Amulet series has received critical acclaim for its engaging storytelling and appealing artwork. It has won numerous awards and has gained a loyal fan following. The series has also been praised for its diverse cast of characters and its ability to tackle complex themes in a way that is accessible to young readers. Overall, the Amulet graphic novel series is an exciting and compelling read that will captivate readers of all ages. With its imaginative world-building, relatable characters, and thrilling plot, it is no surprise that the series is beloved by fans around the world..
Reviews for "The Transcendent Artwork of the Amulet Graphic Novel Series"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Amulet" graphic novel series. The artwork initially caught my attention, but the story didn't live up to my expectations. I felt like it was overly complicated and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. Overall, I found the series to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.
2. Mark - 3 stars - While I can appreciate the artistry and creativity in the "Amulet" graphic novel series, I personally didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The plot felt convoluted and hard to follow at times. Additionally, I found some of the character development to be lacking, which made it difficult for me to become invested in the story. Although the series had its moments, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - I was initially drawn to the "Amulet" graphic novel series because of the beautiful illustrations, but unfortunately, that was the only aspect I enjoyed. I found the storytelling to be confusing and scattered, making it difficult for me to fully understand the plot. The characters didn't feel fully developed, and it was hard to connect with their motivations and actions. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and let down by the series.
4. Alex - 2 stars - As a fan of graphic novels, I was excited to read the "Amulet" series, but I found it to be quite disappointing. The artwork was visually appealing, but the story lacked depth and substance. The characters felt underdeveloped, and their actions often didn't make sense to me. I also found the pacing to be off, with some parts feeling rushed and others dragging on. Overall, I wouldn't recommend the "Amulet" graphic novel series to others, as it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
5. Jessica - 2.5 stars - I couldn't fully get into the "Amulet" graphic novel series. The world-building seemed promising at first, but the execution fell flat for me. The plot progression felt disjointed and rushed, leaving me confused and disconnected from the story. Additionally, I found the dialogue to be lacking depth and emotion, making it difficult to connect with the characters. While the artwork was visually pleasing, it couldn't compensate for the weaknesses in the storytelling.