Tezuka Osamu Research

Today I will be talking about the artist Tezuka Osamu. This artist was the original artist that created the famous Astro boy (where I’ve done research too). Tezuka Osamu was born on November 3rd, 1928, in Toyonaka City, Osaka. His whole life, he was exposed to animation and Manga all his life, making him like it. 

Having developed an intense understanding of the preciousness of life from his wartime experience, Tezuka Osamu aimed to become a physician and later earned his license, but ultimately chose the profession he loved the most: manga artist and animated film writer. (Osamu, n.d.)

His manga and animated films had a tremendous impact on the shaping of the psychology of Japan's postwar youth. His work changed the concept of the Japanese cartoon, transforming it into an irresistible art form and incorporating a variety of new styles in creating the "story cartoon." Changing the face of literature and movies, his work also influenced a range of other genres. (Osamu, n.d.)

His impact on animated film was equal to that which he had on the manga world. The lovable characters appearing in works such as Japan's first animated TV series "Astro Boy" the color animated TV series "Jungle Emperor Leo", and the two-hour animated special "Bander Book," captured the hearts of the Japanese through the medium of television, propelling the animated film to tremendous popularity in Japanese general society. (Osamu, n.d.)

In 1963, Tezuka finally realized his dream of producing serial animation in Japan, with the TV debut of the anime version of Tetsuwan Atomu, performed by his own production company, Mushi Productions. In 1964, Tezuka became the first anime producer to export a series abroad, when Tetsuwan Atomu (Astro Boy) was shown in the United States. (Cultura Japonesa, n.d.)

Much of the Japanese illustrator's work, around 700 comic books, is not known across borders, due to “the abundance of material and because the process of licensing, translation and publication is time-consuming and difficult”. (Observador, n.d.)

However, the obstacles did not prevent director Stanley Kubrick from inviting Tezuka to be an art director in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The illustrator refused because he was unable to reconcile the film with the work he had in Japan. Even after Tezuka's death in 1989, the relationship of his work with the North American film industry, and with Disney in particular, was the subject of some controversy. Many believe that the success of the film “The Lion King” is just plagiarism of Tezuka's “Kimba, The White Lion”. Some comparisons of the Japanese work with the Disney film reveal that some of those involved in the tape were familiar with the anime, while other members of the team denied knowing Osamu Tezuka's work. (Observador, n.d.)

Apart from this, the research helped me to understand how the artist came to be what he was at the time. It’s very inspiring to know how his life was all around animation and his inspiration for Disney. I've done research about one of his Mangas (Astro Boy) to know how his style works. 

(Osamu, n.d)

References:

Osamu, T. (n.d.) About Tezuka Osamu [online] Available from: TEZUKA OSAMU OFFICIAL [accessed on: 30/04/21]

Cultura Japonesa (n.d.) Quem foi Osamu Tezuka? [online] Available from: http://www.culturajaponesa.com.br/index.php/cultura-pop/quem-foi-osamu-tezuka/ [accessed on: 01/05/21]

Observador (n.d.) Osamu Tezuka. A biografia em inglês do "padrinho do anime" [online] Available from: https://observador.pt/2016/08/10/osamu-tezuka-a-biografia-em-ingles-do-padrinho-do-anime/ [accessed on: 01/05/21]