- Hearing “Osamu Tezuka”, what are your impressions even if you haven’t read any of his works?
- If you’ve read any of his works, do you think it holds up to modern manga?
- What’s your take on old manga like these? Do they have similarities from other works in this era?
Introduction
Osamu Tezuka, often referred to as the “God of Manga,” was a prolific Japanese manga artist, animator, and film producer. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of manga and anime. Tezuka’s impact on the industry is immeasurable, as he pioneered many of the storytelling techniques and visual styles that continue to shape manga and anime to this day.
Short Bio
Osamu Tezuka was born on November 3, 1928, in Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan. He demonstrated an early interest in drawing and animation, creating his first manga at the age of five. Tezuka’s contributions to manga are so significant that he is often credited with shaping the modern manga industry. He played a pivotal role in moving manga from being primarily humorous and light-hearted to encompassing a wide range of genres and themes.
Tezuka’s major works include:
Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom) (1951)
Astro Boy is one of Tezuka’s most iconic creations. It follows the adventures of a robot boy named Atom in a futuristic world where robots and humans coexist. The series was groundbreaking for its exploration of complex moral and ethical dilemmas through the lens of science fiction.
Black Jack (1973)
Black Jack is a brilliant surgeon with a mysterious past and a penchant for performing miraculous medical procedures. The series delves into medical ethics, societal issues, and the human condition.
Phoenix (Hi no Tori) (1954)
Phoenix is an epic manga that spans multiple timelines and explores themes of immortality, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of human history. Each story arc is set in a different time period, from ancient Japan to a distant future.
Buddha (1972)
Buddha is a historical drama that retells the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Tezuka’s unique storytelling combines historical accuracy with imaginative elements.
Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Taitei) (1950)
Kimba the White Lion follows the adventures of a young lion named Kimba as he strives to bring peace and understanding between animals and humans. The series is known for its environmental and conservation themes.
Message to Adolf (Adolf ni Tsugu) (1983)
Message to Adolf is a complex narrative that weaves together the stories of three individuals named Adolf against the backdrop of World War II. It explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the impact of historical events on personal lives.
Legacy
Osamu Tezuka’s impact on the manga and anime industries is immeasurable. His innovative storytelling techniques, cinematic panel layouts, and diverse range of genres have shaped the medium for generations to come. Tezuka’s work laid the foundation for the development of more mature and socially relevant themes in manga, expanding its audience and artistic possibilities.
Fun Fact
Osamu Tezuka’s animation studio, Mushi Productions, faced financial difficulties due to ambitious projects and overexpansion. Despite its eventual bankruptcy, Tezuka’s creative vision and legacy continued to inspire countless artists and animators, leading to the vibrant industry we know today.
What do you think about this author and his works?
Hello, I’ll try to make at least one mangaka discussion post per week. Let me know in the comments which one you want to see next time.
Any suggestions to make these better are welcome.
Other Mangaka Discussion
I’ve only read Phoenix, Black Jack, and Mitsume ga Tōru. I read them in the 90s and I thought his mangas lacked detail and wasn’t that well drawn. But despite that, and me being a kid, I was drawn to his stories. I was way too young to understand the nuances (especially in Phoenix), but I still enjoyed them greatly.
I really like how his protagonists constantly “loses”. It makes the characters more relatable.
I’d like to see a discussion of Tsugumi Ohba x Takeshi Obata, particularly how people feel about their latest works and info on whether they would possibly work together again
I’ll do Ohba x Obata next, which is just good because I recently read Platinum End like a month ago.
I don’t remember Black Jack losing much but Astro Boy lost a lot of times and I understand what you mean.
There were plenty of times where BJ failed to save someone or something unexpected happens. The one example I recall is where a patient got part of a needle into his bloodstream. BJ used every trick in the book to find, isolate, and extract it, but ultimately failed. The needle miraculously came out from another end, and the needle did zero dmg the patient. It was a “win” since the patient survived but BJ took it as a huge loss. I thought that story depicted BJs personality very well.