1970年代的日本漫畫界出現三部具有劃時代意義的不朽傑作——《惡魔人》、《怪醫黑傑克》和《凡爾賽玫瑰》，它們不僅在題材上各具特色，更在風格與敘事手法上開創新的篇章，成為日本漫畫從早期單純娛樂向多元化、成熟化轉型的重要里程碑。這三部作品分別以黑暗反英雄、醫療倫理探討以及歷史與愛情交織的華麗表現，展現漫畫作為文化載體的深度與廣度。

《惡魔人》（Devilman）由永井豪創作，是1970年代漫畫中最具衝擊力的作品之一。它打破傳統英雄主義的框架，呈現出人類與惡魔界線模糊、充滿末世感與悲劇色彩的世界觀。作品中對暴力、性與人性陰暗面的描寫，使其不僅僅是一部奇幻漫畫，更是一種對社會現實與人性弱點的深刻反思。《惡魔人》對後世的黑暗奇幻題材漫畫，以及成人向漫畫的發展產生了深遠影響，其反英雄角色的塑造更成為後來許多漫畫與動畫的重要參考。

《怪醫黑傑克》（Black Jack）由手塚治虫創作，被公認為醫療漫畫的開山之作。透過主角黑傑克高超卻矛盾的醫術，以及對收費與不收費的道德掙扎，作品探討生命、金錢、倫理與社會不公等議題。以單元劇形式呈現的每個故事，都蘊含手塚治虫對社會現象的深刻觀察與批判，同時啟發了無數後來的醫療與倫理題材漫畫。黑傑克的人物設計與情感表現，讓讀者在懸疑與感動中反思醫療倫理與人性本質。

《凡爾賽玫瑰》（The Rose of Versailles）由池田理代子創作，則以華麗的歷史背景和精緻的角色描寫，引領少女漫畫的新潮流。作品以法國大革命為時代背景，女主角Oscar的英氣與柔美並存，結合政治陰謀、革命悲壯與愛情糾葛，展現少女漫畫中少見的宏大敘事和深刻人性探討。其藝術風格華麗，情感張力強烈，不僅深受當時讀者喜愛，也對後來歷史題材及女性向漫畫產生持久影響。

這三部作品在1970年代日本漫畫界的異軍突起，不僅在故事本身引人入勝，更重要的是它們在主題深度、敘事方式與藝術表現上都遠超早期漫畫的框架。它們映射當時社會氛圍和年輕一代對傳統價值觀的質疑，促進漫畫題材的多樣化、敘事技巧的成熟化以及風格的多元化，成為日本漫畫進入現代化的重要轉捩點，也奠定漫畫作為文化與藝術形式的深厚基礎。

In the 1970s, the Japanese manga scene witnessed the emergence of three monumental works—Devilman, Black Jack, and The Rose of Versailles—each of which left an indelible mark on the industry. These works were not only distinctive in their subject matter but also groundbreaking in their narrative techniques and artistic styles, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of manga from simple entertainment toward a more diverse, mature, and sophisticated medium. Each of these series—through dark antiheroes, explorations of medical ethics, and lavish historical-romantic narratives—demonstrated the depth and breadth of manga as a cultural vehicle.

Devilman, created by Go Nagai, stands as one of the most shocking manga of the 1970s. It broke away from traditional heroism, portraying a world in which the boundary between humans and demons is blurred, filled with apocalyptic tension and tragic undertones. Its exploration of violence, sexuality, and the darker aspects of human nature elevated it beyond simple fantasy, offering a profound reflection on society and human flaws. Devilman has had a lasting influence on subsequent dark fantasy and adult-oriented manga, and its portrayal of antihero characters has become a key reference for later manga and anime.

Black Jack, created by Osamu Tezuka, is widely regarded as the pioneering medical manga. Through the titular character’s extraordinary yet morally complex medical skills, combined with the tension between charging for services or providing them for free, the series addresses issues of life, money, ethics, and social injustice. Each self-contained story unit reflects Tezuka’s incisive observations and critiques of societal issues, inspiring numerous later works in medical and ethical storytelling. Black Jack’s character design and emotional depth allow readers to engage with both suspense and moral reflection, questioning the very nature of medicine and human ethics.

The Rose of Versailles, created by Riyoko Ikeda, led a new wave in shōjo manga by combining a lavish historical setting with intricate character portrayals. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the heroine Oscar embodies both courage and femininity, while the narrative intertwines political intrigue, revolutionary tragedy, and complex romantic relationships. Its visually rich style and emotional intensity captivated readers, influencing subsequent historical and female-targeted manga for decades.

These three works emerged as transformative forces in the 1970s, not only captivating audiences with compelling stories but also pushing the boundaries of theme, narrative structure, and artistic expression. They reflected the societal climate of the era and the younger generation’s questioning of traditional values, paving the way for diversification of genres, maturation of storytelling techniques, and artistic innovation in manga. Together, they laid the foundation for modern manga as a culturally and artistically significant medium.