69 Tezuka Osamu $@!{DM!{Cn(B
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This article is from the Manga FAQ, by Steve Pearl starbuck@cybercomm.net with numerous contributions by others.
69 Tezuka Osamu $@!{DM!{Cn(B
Often referred to as ``manga no kami-sama'' (``the god of manga''), [Image]
whose importance to the world of manga cannot be overstated. Tezuka's
first manga appeared when he was 20, while he was studying at university. He
continued his studies and went on to become a qualified doctor; in the
meantime, he kept drawing manga, borrowing ideas from many sources and pushing
the medium forward. His innovation paid off, inspiring his contemporaries and
catalysing the growth of today's vast manga industry. (Tezuka's personal
contribution eventually amounted to over 150,000 pages.) Today, time has not
diminished the impact of Tezuka's mangas, which are characteristically
intelligent, mature and expertly told. His death was justifiably regarded as a
national tragedy. Just prior to his death, some Japanese journalists suggested
that he should be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Only the most recent editions of Tezuka's mangas are listed here. Older
printings can probably be obtained more cheaply.
(born 3 November 1926, Osaka - 9 February 1989)
------------------------
Tetsuwan Atom $@E4OS%"%H%`(B [aka Astroboy, Mighty Atom] - published by
Kodansha, 18 volumes @ Y570.
Originally about a 100000hp robot in shape of a boy. Made into a
phenomenally successful TV series in the early '60s, and remade into
another TV series in the '80s. It even ran in newspapers for a while.
Jungle Emperor $@%8%c%s%0%kBgDk(B [aka Kimba the White Lion] - published by
Kodansha, 3 volumes @ Y520.
Story of Leo the white lion. Achieved blockbuster success as a TV series,
first Jungle Taitei, then Shin-Jungle Taitei and Shin-Jungle Taitei,
Susume Leo. The TV serialization basically lost all the drama of the
original, though.
An article in the July 13, 1994 LA Times pointed out that there were many
uncanny similarities between this manga and Disney's movie, The Lion King.
Common elements include the basic story, the talkative bird, the wise old
baboon, the evil hyenas, some names (Kimba/Simba, Claw/Scar), and a scene
where clouds form the shape of the main character's dead father. It is
also rumoured that the opening sequence to Kimba was printed and pinned up
on the wall of some of Disney's studios while The Lion King was being
animated, and that Simba was originally going to be white. Matsutani
Takayuki, the president of Tezuka Productions Co., holder of the Jungle
Taitei copyrights, said Tezuka would have been pleased by any borrowing,
but considered The Lion King to be ``Disney's original work''. However,
dozens of anime and manga personalities (eg. Satonaka Machiko) signed a
letter of protest to Disney. Disney has declined to comment or disclaimed
all knowledge through `anonymous employees'.
See also: Tezuka's Jungle King and Disney's Lion King
<http://bronze.ucs.indiana.edu:80/~tanaka/Tezuka_Disney/Tezuka_Disney.html>
W3 $@%o%s%@!<%9%j!<(B - serialized on Kodansha, 3 volumes @ Y570.
Story of 3 intergalactic agents sent to earth to investigate whether the
Earth should be destroyed to save the galaxy from its barbaric ways. They
disguise themselves as a rabbit (Colonel Bokko), a duck (Lieutenant Pukko)
and a horse (Sergeant Nokko).
Big X - published by Kodansha, 4 volumes @ Y570.
The story of an heir to the secret formula of the Nazi V4 project and his
struggle against a Neo-Nazi organization. (Apparently, current reprints
don't contain all the original stories.)
Vampire $@%P%s%Q%$%d(B - published by Kodansha, 3 volumes @ Y570.
Contrary to what the title suggests, it's actually about Werewolves and
werebeings. Heavily features Tezuka's two regular characters: Manabe
Rokuro (Rock) and Hige Oyaji. The TV series had both live action and cel
animation.
Dororo $B$I$m$m(B - published by Kodansha, 4 volumes @ Y570.
An unborn child's body is promised to a hundred monsters in exchange for
power by a 16th century noble. The child grows up and start killing off
the monsters to regain his missing body-parts (he is heavily
prosthesized). Dororo is a hanger-on child of a brigand.
A Knight with Ribbons $@%j%\%s$N53;N(B - published by Kodansha, 3 volumes @
Y570.
One of the few Tezuka shojo-manga. The story is about this princess who
has to pretend she is a man to prevent succession problems.
Microid S $@%_%/%m%$%I#S(B - published by Kodansha.
Small sized humanoids with insect wings attempt to destroy humans. (Or
something like that.)
Triton of the Seas $@B3$N%H%j%H%s(B - published by Kodansha, 4 volumes @
Y570.
The manga wasn't all that popular, but the TV version became phenomenally
popular, especially among teenage female anime fans. The last of the
Triton tribe fights against the Poseidon tribe.
Ambassador Magma $@%^%0%^Bg;H(B - published by Kodansha, 3 volumes @ Y?.
Another short Tezuka series. This was made into a TV live action monster
series (kind of like Ultraman) and was pretty popular.
Hi no Tori $B2P$ND;(B [Firebird] - published by Kodansha, 1977-80, 13 volumes
@ Y600.
Tezuka's most profound and ambitious work, dealing with man's quest for
immortality, ranging from the distant past to the far future. It remains
unfinished.
Black Jack $B%V%i%C%/!&%8%!%C%/(B - serialized on Shonen Champion, 12 volumes
@ Y1000.
Medical Manga. Black Jack is an illegal but talented surgeon. He is in
conflict with the conservative medical establishment, for using radical
and supernatural techniques to combat rare afflictions. One of Tezuka's
most outstanding titles, whose basic premise has been extensively copied.
Adolf ni Tsugu $@%"%I%k%U$K9p$O(B [Aufruf an Adolf!, I announce to Adolf] -
published by Bunshun Bunko, 1992, 5 volumes @ Y500.
``This is a story about three men named Adolf. Although each led different
lives, they were tied to one another by a single string called destiny.
Now that the last Adolf has died, I would like leave this story to our
sons. My name is Sohei Toge..... the main supporting role and narrator of
this story....''
Some netters have given this a `6 out of 5' rating. ``It has one of the
most compelling plots in the history of manga. It is Tezuka's masterpiece,
and one I'd recommend to anyone... provided they have a translation to go
with it... If you can understand Japanese and have the money, just go out
get this... It's worth it.''
Crime and Punishment $B:a$HH31Q8lHG(B - translated by Frederik Schodt,
published by the Japan Times, Y1030.
An adaptation of Dostoevsky's classic work. The Japan Times edition is in
English, with Japanese footnotes; the intended audience is Japanese, but
as a language learning tool, it should be just as useful to Westerners.
Nanairo Inko $@<7?'$$$s$3(B - published by Akita Shoten, 5 volumes @ Y500.>
Kuuki no Soko $@6u5$$NDl(B - published by Akita Shoten, Y1000.>
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