Osamu Tezuka - King of Manga and Anime
Considered by many as the founding father of modern-day manga, Osamu Tezuka is often reverenced in his native Japan as “the god of manga”.
In fact, the work of this Japanese writer, cartoonist, director, producer and animator not only won international acclaim and recognition, but revolutionised the comics and animation industry in Japan, becoming a seminal influence on subsequent generations of artists.
An influence that continues, according to experts, with every issue of modern manga carrying a bit of Tezuka in it.
So, how did a short and near-sighted schoolboy whose nickname was ‘messyhead’ become a king?
Osamu Tezuka was born on November 3rd, 1928 in Osaka, Japan.
An influence that continues, according to experts, with every issue of modern manga carrying a bit of Tezuka in it.
So, how did a short and near-sighted schoolboy whose nickname was ‘messyhead’ become a king?
Osamu Tezuka was born on November 3rd, 1928 in Osaka, Japan.
The eldest of three children, his father was a film and comics enthusiast, showing young Osamu animated films in private projections at home. It is said that Osamu was so entranced by Walt Disney’s “Bambi” that he watched the film over 80 times.
On the other hand, his mother was keen on theatre, and took little Osamu to the Takarazuka Theatre Revue, to watch romantic musicals performed by an all-female cast troupe.
On the other hand, his mother was keen on theatre, and took little Osamu to the Takarazuka Theatre Revue, to watch romantic musicals performed by an all-female cast troupe.
These early influences would leave a profound mark on young Osamu’s artistic style and aesthetic sensibility.
In fact, Tezuka admitted that his trademark ‘Big Eyes’ in manga and anime were inspired by Betty Boop, Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and other characters from early American animation.
Although Tezuka started drawing and creating comics at an early age - and was already known in school for his gift for manga -, the practicalities of the post-war era weighed heavily in the Tezuka family, and in 1945 Osamu enrolled at the Osaka School of Medicine.
In fact, Tezuka admitted that his trademark ‘Big Eyes’ in manga and anime were inspired by Betty Boop, Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and other characters from early American animation.
Although Tezuka started drawing and creating comics at an early age - and was already known in school for his gift for manga -, the practicalities of the post-war era weighed heavily in the Tezuka family, and in 1945 Osamu enrolled at the Osaka School of Medicine.
However, he continued drawing and writing throughout his student years, publishing his first comic book, “Diary of Ma-Chan”, at age 17.
This effort opened the door to new contacts in the manga world.
In 1947, manga artist Shichimai Sakai pitched Osamu the idea to create a manga based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, promising him publication.
This effort opened the door to new contacts in the manga world.
In 1947, manga artist Shichimai Sakai pitched Osamu the idea to create a manga based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, promising him publication.
Tezuka accepted and created the manga, Shin Takarajima (“New Treasure Island”), which became an overnight success in Japan.
With its dynamic drawing style, cinematic layout, use of perspective and rapid pace, “New Treasure Island” started a revolution in the manga style and began what is called the Golden Age of Manga in Japan.
Following the success of “New Treasure Island”, Tezuka went to Tokyo in search of publishers for more of his comics. Although he was turned down at the major publishers, two small editorials agreed to buy “The Strange Voyage of Dr. Tiger” and “The Mysterious Dr. Koronko”.
While still in medical school, Tezuka published a Sci-Fi trilogy in three volumes: “Lost World”(1948), “Metropolis” (1949) and “Next World” (1951).
Despite his success, Osamu knew he was living a double life, and sooner or later he would have to choose one path.
The pivotal moment came in 1951 after he received his medical degree. Thorn between the two options, Osamu asked his mother whether he should continue a career in medicine or shift to comics. His mother replied, “you should do what makes you happier”.
With its dynamic drawing style, cinematic layout, use of perspective and rapid pace, “New Treasure Island” started a revolution in the manga style and began what is called the Golden Age of Manga in Japan.
Following the success of “New Treasure Island”, Tezuka went to Tokyo in search of publishers for more of his comics. Although he was turned down at the major publishers, two small editorials agreed to buy “The Strange Voyage of Dr. Tiger” and “The Mysterious Dr. Koronko”.
While still in medical school, Tezuka published a Sci-Fi trilogy in three volumes: “Lost World”(1948), “Metropolis” (1949) and “Next World” (1951).
Despite his success, Osamu knew he was living a double life, and sooner or later he would have to choose one path.
The pivotal moment came in 1951 after he received his medical degree. Thorn between the two options, Osamu asked his mother whether he should continue a career in medicine or shift to comics. His mother replied, “you should do what makes you happier”.
Then, there was no more questioning in Tezuka’s mind.
By then, Tezuka had already published “Jungle Emperor Leo” (1950) which was later produced in anime form as “Kimba, the White Lion”. The serial manga was Tezuka’s first major success, but his most famous creation was yet to come.
By the end of 1951, Tezuka published the manga “Ambassador Atom”.
By then, Tezuka had already published “Jungle Emperor Leo” (1950) which was later produced in anime form as “Kimba, the White Lion”. The serial manga was Tezuka’s first major success, but his most famous creation was yet to come.
By the end of 1951, Tezuka published the manga “Ambassador Atom”.
The audience's reception was lukewarm, but Tezuka’s producer saw promise in the story and suggested that he’d give the humanoid robot, “Atom”, human emotions.
Tezuka did so and in 1952 he released the first “Tetsuwan Atom” (Astro Boy) manga. The success was immediate, and Astro Boy became an instant phenomenon.
Following the success of Astro Boy, in 1953 Tezuka published “Ribon no Kishi” (Princess Knight), the first manga specifically directed towards the feminine audience (shojo manga).
A year later, Tezuka published what he would call ‘my life’s work’ in “Phoenix”, a comic based on Ancient Greek legends which mixed fantasy and humanistic themes.
But animation was only a step away.
In 1958, one the largest animation companies in Japan, Toei Animation, approached Tezuka to animate his manga “Son-Goku” (The Monkey). Although Tezuka did not take part in any of the production areas, the experience opened the possibility of animation to his eyes.
In 1961, a year after the movie was released (as “Alakazam The Great“), Tezuka opened his own animation production company, “Mushi Productions” (later renamed Tezuka Productions).
Just as he had done in the manga realm, Tezuka broke boundaries in the anime field.
In 1963, Mushi Productions pioneered the broadcast of anime on Japanese TV with the Astro Boy TV series, which became the first anime dubbed into English (for release in the United States) and provided the model for subsequent anime production in Japan.
Continuing the revolutionary trend, in 1965 “Jungle Emperor” (a.k.a. “Kimba, the White Lion”) became the first anime TV series in color.
Tezuka did so and in 1952 he released the first “Tetsuwan Atom” (Astro Boy) manga. The success was immediate, and Astro Boy became an instant phenomenon.
Following the success of Astro Boy, in 1953 Tezuka published “Ribon no Kishi” (Princess Knight), the first manga specifically directed towards the feminine audience (shojo manga).
A year later, Tezuka published what he would call ‘my life’s work’ in “Phoenix”, a comic based on Ancient Greek legends which mixed fantasy and humanistic themes.
But animation was only a step away.
In 1958, one the largest animation companies in Japan, Toei Animation, approached Tezuka to animate his manga “Son-Goku” (The Monkey). Although Tezuka did not take part in any of the production areas, the experience opened the possibility of animation to his eyes.
In 1961, a year after the movie was released (as “Alakazam The Great“), Tezuka opened his own animation production company, “Mushi Productions” (later renamed Tezuka Productions).
Just as he had done in the manga realm, Tezuka broke boundaries in the anime field.
In 1963, Mushi Productions pioneered the broadcast of anime on Japanese TV with the Astro Boy TV series, which became the first anime dubbed into English (for release in the United States) and provided the model for subsequent anime production in Japan.
Continuing the revolutionary trend, in 1965 “Jungle Emperor” (a.k.a. “Kimba, the White Lion”) became the first anime TV series in color.
In the following years, Mushi Productions released other TV series and films based on Tezuka’s comics, such as “Princess Knight” (1967), “Triton of the Sea” (1972), and “Unico the Unicorn” (1979), to name a few.
In tandem with his commercial animation, Tezuka also produced experimental animation shorts, which not only explored broader styles of animation but also dived into conceptual ideas, often exploring humanistic themes, providing a deeper level of content to this creator’s work.
Some of these shorts include: “Pictures At An Exhibition” (1966), “Genesis” (1968), “The Legend of the Forest” (1983), “Broken Down Film” (1985), “Muramasa” (1987) and “Self Portrait” (1988).
In 1984, Tezuka released the animated short “Jumping”.
In tandem with his commercial animation, Tezuka also produced experimental animation shorts, which not only explored broader styles of animation but also dived into conceptual ideas, often exploring humanistic themes, providing a deeper level of content to this creator’s work.
Some of these shorts include: “Pictures At An Exhibition” (1966), “Genesis” (1968), “The Legend of the Forest” (1983), “Broken Down Film” (1985), “Muramasa” (1987) and “Self Portrait” (1988).
Video - The Legend of the Forest (fragment) (3:02)
In 1984, Tezuka released the animated short “Jumping”.
Eons away from the anime style he’s known for, the short simply shows the world as seen from the eyes of someone who jumps higher and higher, without any words or music. Its detailed level of animation and originality earned him the Grand Prix of the Animafest Festival in Zagreb.
During the 1980's, Tezuka semi-retired from anime and manga creation, concentrating instead on the managerial aspects of his company.
Video - “Jumping” (fragment) (3:12)
During the 1980's, Tezuka semi-retired from anime and manga creation, concentrating instead on the managerial aspects of his company.
But he continued writing, producing some of the most beloved characters in manga and anime history: “Black Jack”, “Dororo”, “Buddha”, “Marvelous Melmo”, “Ambassador Magma” among others.
Part of Tezuka’s interest in comics stemmed from his conviction (in the years following the end of WWII) that, through comics he could inspire people to care for the world.
This humanistic intention is palpable not only in his drawing style, but also in the subjects which often populated his stories, whether fantastic or more realistic: fight for peace, use power for good, protect nature and children, keep an open mind to the world and never stop dreaming.
Osamu Tezuka died in 1989 of stomach cancer, an ailment that, as a former doctor, he determined himself when his doctor refused to provide his own diagnosis.
Part of Tezuka’s interest in comics stemmed from his conviction (in the years following the end of WWII) that, through comics he could inspire people to care for the world.
This humanistic intention is palpable not only in his drawing style, but also in the subjects which often populated his stories, whether fantastic or more realistic: fight for peace, use power for good, protect nature and children, keep an open mind to the world and never stop dreaming.
Osamu Tezuka died in 1989 of stomach cancer, an ailment that, as a former doctor, he determined himself when his doctor refused to provide his own diagnosis.
His last wish was to continue working and creating.
A wish that his son, film and anime director Makoto Tezuka, his successors, his many apprentices and followers honour and continue up to this day.
Among other Tezuka Production achievements, in 2001 the animated film “Metropolis” opened, based on Tezuka’s namesake manga from 1949. In 2009, a new Astro Boy film was released following the original story in a contemporary setting, which gave way in 2017 to a TV series.
In 1994 the Tezuka Museum opened in Takarazuka, the city where Osamu grew up, to keep and exhibit his work and legacy.
A wish that his son, film and anime director Makoto Tezuka, his successors, his many apprentices and followers honour and continue up to this day.
Photo: Getty Pictures
Among other Tezuka Production achievements, in 2001 the animated film “Metropolis” opened, based on Tezuka’s namesake manga from 1949. In 2009, a new Astro Boy film was released following the original story in a contemporary setting, which gave way in 2017 to a TV series.
In 1994 the Tezuka Museum opened in Takarazuka, the city where Osamu grew up, to keep and exhibit his work and legacy.
Here the visitor can meet the characters of Tezuka’s manga and anime works, and dive in an environment fitting to the vast imagination of its creator.
In 1997 the Japanese postal service released stamps with his effigy, an honor reserved only for historical figures, thus recognising his importance in Japanese culture and his artistic influence on a global scale.
Although since 1971 the Tezuka Award had been fostering the most promising talent in story manga every other year, in 1997 the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize was established to honor the greatest achievements in the arts, culture and manga in Japan every year. Another important recognition to the contribution of Osamu Tezuka to the cultural heritage in Japan.
Osamu Tezuka was one of the most prolific manga creators ever, with over 700 different titles to his credit which received multiple awards in his lifetime and posthumously, including the Japan Cartoonist Association Award (1975), the Inkpot Award at the San Diego Comic Con (1980), and the prized Eisner Award in 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2014.
With his dynamic drawing style, fantastic histories and trademark ‘Big Eyes’, Tezuka inspired generations of artists well beyond the boundaries of manga and anime, and even of his native Japan.
The short near-sighted boy followed his dream and became a king in his field. 90 years after his birth, Osamu Tezuka remains a guiding star for generations of anime and manga fans and creators all over the world.
* Tezuka used a beret partly for practical reasons (loose hairs should not fall onto the artwork when working) and also as a trend followed by most Japanese artists in imitation of the French Artists at the turn of the XX century.
* Tezuka met Walt Disney in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair. Disney was so impressed by Tezuka’s work that he wanted him to collaborate on a potential Science Fiction project that, unfortunately, never crystallised.
* Iconic film director Stanley Kubrick contacted Tezuka in 1965 to offer him the position of art director for “2001: Space Odyssey”. Although deeply honoured by the offer, Tezuka could not afford to leave his production company for the time required for the production of the film, and thus he had to decline.
* A lifelong baseball fan, Tezuka licensed the adult white lion from “Jungle Emperor” as the logo for the Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball League.
Osamu Tezuka’s Official Website - https://tezukaosamu.net/jp/
Site in Japanese and English - the layout of the English version is more rustic and contains less information than the original Japanese, but it’s still worth a look to get drenched in the vast amount of work created by this superb artist.
Tezuka Museum - https://tezukaosamu.net/jp/museum/
Although only in Japanese, it provides vistas of this gorgeous museum in Takarazuka honouring everything-Tezuka, and contains a links to a biographic video of the famed artist.
Tezuka in English - http://tezukainenglish.com/wp/
A good resource of translated manga and other material for non-Japanese speakers.
Sources: Wikipedia, TezukaOsamu.net, IMDB.
In 1997 the Japanese postal service released stamps with his effigy, an honor reserved only for historical figures, thus recognising his importance in Japanese culture and his artistic influence on a global scale.
Although since 1971 the Tezuka Award had been fostering the most promising talent in story manga every other year, in 1997 the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize was established to honor the greatest achievements in the arts, culture and manga in Japan every year. Another important recognition to the contribution of Osamu Tezuka to the cultural heritage in Japan.
Osamu Tezuka was one of the most prolific manga creators ever, with over 700 different titles to his credit which received multiple awards in his lifetime and posthumously, including the Japan Cartoonist Association Award (1975), the Inkpot Award at the San Diego Comic Con (1980), and the prized Eisner Award in 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2014.
With his dynamic drawing style, fantastic histories and trademark ‘Big Eyes’, Tezuka inspired generations of artists well beyond the boundaries of manga and anime, and even of his native Japan.
The short near-sighted boy followed his dream and became a king in his field. 90 years after his birth, Osamu Tezuka remains a guiding star for generations of anime and manga fans and creators all over the world.
Did You Know...?
* Tezuka used a beret partly for practical reasons (loose hairs should not fall onto the artwork when working) and also as a trend followed by most Japanese artists in imitation of the French Artists at the turn of the XX century.
* Tezuka met Walt Disney in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair. Disney was so impressed by Tezuka’s work that he wanted him to collaborate on a potential Science Fiction project that, unfortunately, never crystallised.
* Iconic film director Stanley Kubrick contacted Tezuka in 1965 to offer him the position of art director for “2001: Space Odyssey”. Although deeply honoured by the offer, Tezuka could not afford to leave his production company for the time required for the production of the film, and thus he had to decline.
* A lifelong baseball fan, Tezuka licensed the adult white lion from “Jungle Emperor” as the logo for the Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball League.
To Learn More...
Osamu Tezuka’s Official Website - https://tezukaosamu.net/jp/
Site in Japanese and English - the layout of the English version is more rustic and contains less information than the original Japanese, but it’s still worth a look to get drenched in the vast amount of work created by this superb artist.
Tezuka Museum - https://tezukaosamu.net/jp/museum/
Although only in Japanese, it provides vistas of this gorgeous museum in Takarazuka honouring everything-Tezuka, and contains a links to a biographic video of the famed artist.
Tezuka in English - http://tezukainenglish.com/wp/
A good resource of translated manga and other material for non-Japanese speakers.
Sources: Wikipedia, TezukaOsamu.net, IMDB.
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