The Osamu Tezuka Story: A Life in Manga and Anime

This graphic-format biography of Osamu Tezuka--Japan’s ＂God of Manga＂--looks at one of the twentieth century’s great creative artists (Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, Black Jack). It is also an anecdotal study of the evolution of Japan’s early manga and anime business and its heroes. A never-before-seen popular culture history of postwar Japan, it is sure to fascinate fans and anyone interested in manga, anime, and the potential of the graphic storytelling medium.

Toshio Ban joined Tezuka Productions in 1974 as one of Tezuka’s assistants. After working for a period as a free-lancer, he later re-joined Tezuka Productions in 1978 as the sub-chief of manga production for magazines, supporting Tezuka’s creative work until the end.

Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd., is the now-legendary company founded by Osamu Tezuka in 1968 to produce his own manga and anime. In the wake of Tezuka’s death in 1989, it has continued as a family enterprise, responsible for the development, production, merchandising, licensing, and distribution of his many manga and anime creations, including books, films, and characters.

Frederik L. Schodt is a translator, conference interpreter, and award-winning author of books on Japanese history and pop culture. He often served as Osamu Tezuka’s English interpreter and was a consultant on one of his animated features and a TV series.

Toshio Ban (b. 1953) was Osamu Tezuka’s subchief of manga production for magazines at Tezuka Productions, the company founded by Tezuka and responsible for the development, production, merchandising, licensing, and distribution of his many manga and anime creations, including books, films, and characters.

Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd., is the now-legendary company founded by Osamu Tezuka in 1968 to produce his own manga and anime. In the wake of Tezuka’s death in 1989, it has continued as a family enterprise, responsible for the development, production, merchandising, licensing, and distribution of his many manga and anime creations, including books, films, and characters.

Frederik L. Schodt is a translator and author of numerous books about Japan, including Manga! Manga!, Dreamland Japan, and Astro Boy Essays: Osamu Tezuka, Might Atom, and the Manga/Anime Revolution. He often served as Osamu Tezuka’s English interpreter in the U.S. and Canada and served as a consultant on one of his animated features and a TV series. In 2009 he received The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contribution to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture. He is also winner of the Asahi Shimbun’s Osamu Tezuka Cultural Award in 2000.