Artist #2

OSAMU TEZUKA

Osamu Tezuka, often called the "God of Manga," was a pioneering Japanese manga artist, animator, and medical doctor whose career transformed the landscape of Japanese popular culture. Beginning in the late 1940s with influential works like New Treasure Island, Tezuka introduced cinematic storytelling techniques, complex themes, and emotionally rich characters that revolutionized manga. He is best known for creating Astro Boy, Black Jack, Buddha, and Princess Knight, among many others—each exploring deep philosophical, ethical, and social issues while remaining accessible to a wide audience. Tezuka also played a foundational role in the anime industry, founding Mushi Production and producing early television anime that set the tone for decades to come. His prolific output and innovative spirit laid the groundwork for modern manga and anime, earning him a place as one of the most influential creators in global pop culture history.

1. Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom)

(1952–1968)

Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Drama

Perhaps Tezuka’s most iconic creation, Astro Boy tells the story of a humanoid robot with human emotions, created by Dr. Tenma after losing his own son. Although rejected by his creator, Astro becomes a symbol of justice and empathy in a world grappling with the ethics of technology and artificial intelligence.

This manga pioneered the "big-eyed" character design, later popularized across anime, and introduced mature storytelling into what was once considered a child-only medium. Astro Boy laid the groundwork for countless science fiction narratives and was adapted into one of Japan’s first successful TV anime series in 1963.

2. Black Jack

(1973–1983)

Genre: Medical Drama, Thriller

Black Jack features an unlicensed, genius surgeon who charges exorbitant fees but performs miraculous operations. Each chapter acts like a short morality play, exploring the value of life, medical ethics, and the human condition.

This darker, more mature series showed that manga could handle adult themes without losing narrative depth. Black Jack remains one of Tezuka’s most critically acclaimed works and is widely read by both medical professionals and general audiences alike.

3. Dororo

(1967–1968)

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Action, Horror

In Dororo, a ronin named Hyakkimaru hunts down demons to reclaim parts of his body that were sacrificed by his father to gain power. He’s joined by a young thief named Dororo.

Combining samurai-era setting with body horror and emotional storytelling, Dororo is a dark, fast-paced adventure with moral undertones about war, greed, and identity. It remains a fan favorite and was recently revived in a 2019 anime adaptation.