His Name is 101

His Name is 101 was created by the legendary mangaka Mitsuteru Yokoyama, a foundational figure in the medium known for pioneering the giant robot genre with Tetsujin 28-go. First serialized during the late 1960s, this work emerged from a period of significant experimentation in Japanese manga, where creators were expanding the boundaries of science fiction and psychological suspense. The narrative centers on a protagonist who possesses supernatural abilities, reflecting the era's fascination with mutation, power, and the ethical dilemmas inherent in extraordinary human capacity.

The design and artistic execution of the series showcase Yokoyama's signature clean, cinematic paneling and expressive character work. At the time of its release, the series was received as a compelling departure from his more prominent mecha titles, offering a more grounded, albeit uncanny, exploration of identity. Its influence is often noted by scholars of manga history for how it blended the tropes of the teen-superhero archetype with a more somber, noir-adjacent atmosphere that was beginning to define the darker side of seinen storytelling.