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"Walt Disney of Japan", "God of Comics", "A Legend in his Own Time". Many of these phrases will forever be used to describe Dr. Tezuka, but mere words cannot even begin to describe his work, or how it changed an industry, or even the incredible wealth of material produced by this one man. While there isn't enough room here to tell his entire life story, suffice to say that Tezuka literally INVENTED anime. Tetsuwan Atomu (Mighty Atom, known here in the USA as Astroboy) was the first popular animation program, and Astro continues to this day to be the most recognizable animation character, second only to Mickey Mouse. The theme song continues to play at school sporting events in Japan. Tezuka was a manga artist with no equal, his body of work surpasses the combined output of almost everyone who came after.
Furthermore, Tezuka directed the first X-rated animated film, and dabbled extensively in experimental and independent animation efforts being a member of ASIFA and being the first animation artist recognized outside of Japan. (to this day, only Tezuka and Miyazaki are internationally known names). Although he never actively practiced medicine, he received a doctorate in human anatomy in 1958, (as if his achievements in the fields of manga and anime were not enough!).
Dr. Tezuka is known in Japan as manganokamisama which literally translates as "god of comics". His work continues to influence and inspire every artist in Japan, as every anime or manga that EVER uses "large eyes" to make the characters more appealing pays homage to Tezuka, as he was the one who started that trend (alternately, he was influenced by the works of Max and Dave Fleischer, who created Betty Boop). Tezuka created the film-language of anime, and every convention and standard that sets anime apart from non-anime animation holds true to his ideals.
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MW
Manga Review
A diligent and efficient bank employee, Yuuki Michio has another side: that of a cold-blooded kidnapper/torturer/killer who commits crimes one after the other. Yuuki often visits Father Garai at church; repenting for his sins each time he commits a crime.
The two had witnessed a terrible event on Okinomabune Island in the neighboring of Okinawa Island 15 years ago. During the incident, all the island residents were killed by a poisonous gas (called "MW," (Pronounced "Mu") a secret chemical weapon), which leaks from the storage area of American military forces on the island.
 Yuuki also goes mad under the affect of the gas, turning him into a brutal sociopath. While taking his revenge on the people who covered up the event (Japanese politicians who were in collusion with American forces), Yuuki finally locates the whereabouts of MW. Knowing that he has little time left, as his brain and heart are increasingly affected by MW, he plans to release MW all over the world when he dies, to bring the whole human race to extinction.
Graphically more adult than any of its predecessors, MW is an allegory about the atomic bomb. The shock and horror of the war have been replaced by the shock and horror of nerve gas/terrorism. The topics it approaches and raises are true adult storytelling. Furthermore, the hero of this story is a gay Catholic priest who used to be Yuuki's lover. And instead of stopping him from committing his crimes, Father Garai actually supports him. In this exceptional work, the author shrewdly reveals through these characters the vulnerability of human beings and the concept of latent "original sin" that lurks inside us.
Yep, this is not your ordinary comic and can only come from the mind of none other than Manganokamisama — Osamu Tezuka himself.
Created during the period of 1976-1978 MW is a shocker, especially for it's time, both in terms of the potential for terrorism and the phsychological effects on the reader, who, in some cultures, might not easily adapt to this nature of storytelling (for example, what would Hollywood do with this plot?)
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, August 2007
Astro Boy - The Complete Series (2003)
Anime DVD Review
No expense was spared to create this lavish 2003 'remake' of the classic series, the animation is breathtakingly lush and vivid — easily topping most big-budget features in terms of production value. Some episodes aired on cartoon Network, but this boxed-set contains the complete series of 50 episodes, including 29 never before seen in the US, as well as a featurette "The Making of Astro Boy".
Astro Boy is the classic anime story of a permanently youthful robot boy modeled after the son of a research scientist, Dr. Tenma. Originally intended to be kept a secret, the atomic-powered robot becomes a renowned superhero who fights for justice and peace for humans and robots alike.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, April 2005
Astro Boy, Vol. 1
Anime DVD Review
Here's where it all began. The anime "rosetta stone", the starting point for everything we know as anime and manga today is contained in this single seminal work. Created by "Manga-no-kamisama", Dr. Osamu Tezuka, this comic book lead to the animated series which became the worldwide phenomenon we all know and adore.
 Of interest to Tezuka fans is that the book is peppered with commentary by Tezuka (obviously, before his untimely death), as well as translation into English by Fred Schodt (author of Manga Manga! & Dreamland Japan). Young and old alike will enjoy this manga, with art and stories as only the God of Comics himself could tell them. Every anime collection should begin here, because this is where anime was born.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, March 2004
Osamu Tezuka Collection
(Anime Score Compilation)
Anime Soundtrack Review
Having a good clean copy of the Tetsuwan Atomu (Astroboy) theme makes this album worth the price alone, but hey, we love all these classics! "Dr. T" made so many kick-ass shows that almost all of these will ring a bell with you, particularly if you are over 30 and remember Kimba the White Lion or Princess Knight.
Anybody who knows anything about anime at all knows that manganokamisama didn't just inspire the legions who followed him, he quite literally invented the entire genre as we understand it today. This album brushes the tip of the iceberg with 33 tracks of some of the more well known theme songs to his vast expanse of works.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, September 2003
Kimba Boxed Set
Anime DVD Review
 Who's the king of deepest darkest Africa? Well, it sure ain't Simba — it's KIMBA! Watch the series that Disney shamelessly ripped off to make one of their hottest movies of all time. This classic (from 1965!) Osamu Tezuka anime series was a trend-setting show that gave Japanese animation a strong foothold in America, backed by the voice acting of Astro Boy's Billie Lou Watt.
So crank out this retro-tv-series and re-live your childhood with your kids! Kimba (tv) is 40 years old and still going strong. You may also want to check out the updated Jungle Emperor Leo if your kimba memories are still intact.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, March 2005
Black Jack – Seizure
Anime DVD Review
Straight out of the brilliantly influential and most-loved manga from the universe of Manganokamisama - the legendary Dr. Osamu Tezuka! A brilliant renegade surgeon known only as Black Jack operates outside the law, performing medical miracles and often setting things right in a world where the divide between the "haves" and "have-nots" is too great.
 This celebrated anti-hero, who made facial scars cool, has a series of DVDs out by Central Park Media - SEIZURE, INFECTION, and .... Watch them in any order as many of the episodes are self-contained stories and very little background info is needed to figure out what's going on.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, June 2004
Metropolis
Anime DVD Review
Director Rin Taro takes Osamu Tezuka's epic manga METROPOLIS (giving more than a nod to the Fritz Lang film of the same name), and attempts to condense it down to a movie format of under 2 hours, which is a daunting task alone. Additionally the movie breaks new ground in melding computer and cel animation in spectacularly innovative ways. Borrowing heavily from Blade Runner as well as Akira (Katsuhiro Otomo wrote the screenplay), Rin Taro tries to bring all of the Tezuka subplot, intrigue and idea-laden brilliance, but somehow it all gets lost in the opulent visuals. Only on the third or fourth viewing will you begin to understand it all.
 It's wonderful to see the classic Tezuka characters animated with this much money behind them, but we must admit that they clash somewhat with all that high-tech 3-D. Nevertheless the film overall is a spectacle, and needs to be seen just for all the work involved - the art direction and design of the film are breathtaking. However, if you really want to delve deeply into the poignant issues presented within the story, read Tezuka's manga instead. This DVD also includes a second "Pocket DVD" which includes some really cool extras.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, November 2002
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Osamu Tezuka Website Links:
The official Osamu Tezuka Website (Japanese)
Osamu Tezuka Comics (Japanese)
Encyclopedia of Osamu Tezuka (Japanese)
Tezuka in English
Tezuka Osamu Overview
The Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum: Article
Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum Info and Directions
Osamu Tezuka's Art
Anime News Network entry for the God of Manga
Lambiek.net entry for Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka entry at IMDB
Osamu Tezuka entry at Wikipedia
The Anime Encyclopædia entry for Osamu Tezuka
Cool Stuff Kimba Page
Anime News Network entry for Jumping
Anime News Network entry for Broken Down Film
Anime News Network entry for Cleopatra Queen of Sex (Adult)
Tezuka Osamu Animation World (Japanese)
Osamu Tezuka DVD-ROM (Japanese)
Osamu Tezuka World e-Giftshop (Japanese)
Blackjack Japan (Japanese)
Astroboy Online
The official site for everyone's favorite atomic powered boy.
50 years of Kimba
From the Manga to the redone OVA series, Kimba is 50+ and still going strong.
Tezuka School of Animation Vol 1
Anime Book Review
If you are going to buy a book on how to do animation, why not get one from the man who practically invented anime, Osamu Tezuka! Dr. T's series of books use familiar characters such as Astroboy to guide you, step-by-step through the process of how things move and how to accurately represent that in animation drawings.
Much like the old large-format Preston Blair books of the heyday, these are books you'll referr to again and again as the basic techniques shown here apply to all types of animation, not just "anime". Make these a part of your bookshelf.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, June 2004
Astro Boy Lighter and ID Case
Anime Goodies Review
Anime.com does not advocate smoking, but this item is just so damn cool, we had to highlight it. Having a lighter, however, is always handy, as you can at least give a light to girl next to you at the dance club. And this piece is a great conversation starter that may get you her number...
Combined with the equally cool ID case (also made from stainless steel), this item is guaranteed to turn heads wherever you flash it. Celebrate your old-skool style with Astro Boy, *the* most recognizable animated character since Mickey Mouse.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, March 2005
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