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This page is simple, no fancy stuff because I want everyone with any browsers to know about Dr. Tezuka Osamu. Who is he!?? For those who are not familiar with the history of Japanimation or Anime or Manga (japanese comics), Dr. Osamu had a profound impact on Manga and Anime. Indeed, he was regarded as the father of Manga and pioneered the new era for comics and anime in Japan. Many have regarded him as the Walt Disney of Japan, though his works were not limited to manga and Anime, but films. His cap and glasses are often the signitures of Dr. Osamu.
Born on 23rd November, 1928, at Osaka, Japan. The childhood of this Medical Doctor was influenced by the Walt Disney cartoons. Indeed those big eyes and human-like faces on Disney cartoon were reflected in Osamu's drawings. Although comic strip appeared as early as 700 AD in Japan, it was not until near the end of World War II that comic were read by the gereral public and was not even popular until Dr. Osamu 's publications. His comics were not just drawings on paper, but his characters and stories were able to bring the comic to live and interested many people in Japan. He was not only a comic writer but also a pioneer for producing animation. He brought what could only be found in alternative or feature movies into animation on big screen. Today, animation movie is as popular, if not more than, live action movies in Japan. In fact, comics and animation (TV and movie) are one of the mainstream japanese cultures. The anime and comics we see today are greatly influenced by Dr. Osamu 's work. It is not an exaggeration that he defined Manga and Anime. Some people would go as far as saying that he should have gotten the Noble Prize for Literature. His work had made Manga and Anime wide spread. The reader and audience of Manga and Anime are no longer limited to children , but almost everyone in Japan. Many Manga and Anime fans would notice that they contain serious subjects that touch many real life issues, this is a direct influence of Dr. Osamu's work.
Dr. Osamu's work was not known in Japan only, but also in the western world. I am sure a number of you would have heard of Astroboy , a robot boy with Atomic power, or known as Tetsuwan Atomu in Japan. What you are hearing on the background is the theme song of Atomu, in japanese, and for many this is a song for Tezuka Osamu. Osamu had touched the other side of Atomic power issue, atomic power can also used for the good rather than being a destruction weapon, reminded the post World War II japanese that atomic power can be harnessed as a useful tool rather than the tool for destruction. In this anime, Atomu is a robotic boy wishing he would become human, much like Pinnochio, but instead of being tricked by a fox , swallowed by a giant whale, Atomu has to fight against human injustine and insensitivity, he is being treated as a second class 'thing' in the world of humans.
There are other famous work from osamu that you might have heard of: Jungle King or Kimba, (1965 ?), which I think that is where Disney got the idea from for their hit movie, The Lion King, the story and the characters in the movie are too similar for it to be a coincident, though Disney has strongly denied plagarizing Osamu's work. Space Firebird, Phoenix, Ribon , Goldar (a giant golden robot with golden hair, too) . His medical knowledge wasn't completly forgotten as reflected in Blackjack , a outlaw, recluse, slightly disfigured medical doctor, who has a strange discease of his own and his story of helping others. I have read a few of this comics amd was very touched by the story and characters. in a way, I do feel pity for Blackjack.
As a child, Osamu was very interested in insects and this hobby had been shown in his works, many of the other characters he wrote have the elements of insects. Ironically, 'MU' in his name Osamu means insect in japanese.
In 1982, he left the world of Anime that he created and concentrated on making films. He still attended a lot of manga and anime festivals right until his final part of his life. Hmmm....why did I use past tense to describe him and his works? Well, our great pioneer was passed away at the age of 60, on 2nd February, 1989. In 1994, Tezuka Osamu Memorial building was built in Takarazuka. In 1997, his stamps were sold in Japan. there is just not enough words , paragraphs and pictures that can summarised his life and his contribution to the world of Manga and Anime. Many people would remember our great leader, peace makers, great scientists but as for me, he was (is) as great and influential as others in the history books and his works certainly have a profound impact on my life!
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