Summary
Osamu Tezuka is the godfather of manga, and probablyone of the biggest reasons why the industry is so massive today. From his first work in 1947 to his death in 1989, Tezuka has been a massive presence in the manga world, and the effects of his influence on the mangaka that came after him still resound to this day. Tezuka is a legendary figure in Japan, and is frequently compared to Walt Disney in terms of output and influence.
For modern manga fans, it might be hard to understand the full breadth of Tezuka’s influence and importance when it comes to the history of manga. While many of his works can be found easily, many of Tezuka’s works feel outdated to those who have grown up with modern sensibilities. Nevertheless, Osamu Tezuka is a massive figure in the world of manga, and any fan of the medium should understand why he is so influential.
The Godfather Of Manga
Osamu Tezuka’s manga career first began in the 40s, while he was studying medicine. His first major work wasNew Treasure Island, an adaptation of the classic novelTreasure Islandby Louis Stevenson. The manga was a massive success, starting the golden age of manga. Tezuka followed this up with a trilogy of sci-fi stories:Lost World,Metropolis, andNextworld, with each one being early examples of steampunk in manga. Tezuka would rise to even further prominence withJungle Emperor, known outside Japan asKimba the White Lion. The manga ran from 1950 to 1954 inManga Shonen, and would be one of his most famous works inside and outside Japan.
In 1951, Tezuka would begin publishingAmbassador Atomin Kobunsha’sShonenmagazine. The series would not be that successful, but the popularity of the character Atom convinced Tezuka to make a new series revolving around the character. The new manga,Tetsuwan Atom, began publishing in 1952 in the same magazine. The manga was massively successful,and it would receive an animated adaptation in 1963. This would be the first majorly successful anime to come out of Japan, and not only would it be brought over to the west in the same year, it would also be the first anime to be localized in English, receiving the nameAstro Boy. The anime would run from 1963 to 1966 and define how anime series would be produced. Many Tezuka works would continue to receive adaptations, such asKimba the White Lion, whose anime adaptation was the first in Japan to be in color.
The Gekiga Era
By the 1960s, Tezuka was famed for his work in children’s manga. However, a rise in gekiga manga,a style focused on more realistic artstyles and mature stories, started to gain popularity. Tezuka took notice of the trend and in response established the magazineCOM, where he and other artists would experiment with this new style of storytelling. Tezuka himself would publish his own gekiga manga here and in many other publications, changing his artstyle to a more realistic one in the process.
Tezuka’s first attempt at gekiga manga wasDororo, which was first published inWeekly Shonen Sunday, while his first true gekiga attempt,Swallowing the Earth, was published inBig Comic. Tezuka’s works in this period would become darker and more experimental, including the thrillersAyakoandMW, the sci-fi horrorOde to Kirihito, the medical dramaBlack Jack, and the biographicalBuddha. While most of these works would not be as popular as his more kid-friendly series likeAstro Boy, they remain strong parts of his legacy and required reading for anyone discovering his work. Tezuka released many shorter works during this period, and he would continue working in this style until his eventual death in 1989.
Tezuka’s Continued Presence In Manga And Anime
Despite his death in 1989, Tezuka’s influence continues to reverberate throughout manga and anime, with his presence still being felt even in the modern day. Those influenced by his work and career include contemporaries like Shotaro Ishinomori (Kamen Rider), Go Nagai (Mazinger ZandDevilman), and Monkey Punch (Lupin III). Other famous mangaka like Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball), and Naoki Urasawa (Monster) have also claimed influence from Tezuka as well.
Many of Osamu Tezuka’s works have been remade and reimagined over the years.Astro Boyhas seen several new anime series after the first adaptation, and one of Tezuka’s oldest works,Metropolis, was adapted into a feature-length movie in 2001.Dorororeceived a new anime adaptation in 2019, while Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki adapted anAstro Boystoryline into the mangaPluto,which received its own anime adaptation in 2023. The continued presence of Tezuka’s works in manga and anime proves its longevity, and the stories he has written are sure to influence newer mangaka for a very long time to come.
