Osamu Tezuka is most definitely the most important mangaka of all time, as made evident by his title as the “Godfather of Manga”. Often compared to Walt Disney, his work in the world of manga is both massive and incomparable, and even now, manga fans continue to praise Osamu Tezuka’s work.
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Naturally, Osamu Tezuka’s works are extremely influential, and have become a big part of Japanese culture. His unique use of characters in what is called his “star system”, as well as his ability to utilize a variety of art styles andtell stories in a variety of genreshelped to expand what manga would eventually become. Here are some of his most influential works.
10The Book Of Human Insects
While Osamu Tezuka is generally known for his more light-hearted works,he has written many serious and mature stories as well. One good example of this isThe Book of Human Insects, a mystery-thriller featuring a strange woman named Toshiko Tomura, who seems to be able to steal the talent of others.
The Book Of Human Insectswas a very short series, running for less than a year. The story is a great showcase for Tezuka’s ability to write stories aimed towards adults rather than teens or children.
9Message To Adolf
This work is another example of Osamu Tezuka’s ability to write compelling, mature stories.Message to Adolffollows the lives of three different men named Adolf (one of them being the dictator Adolf Hitler himself) during the tumultuous era of World War II.
Message to Adolfis anincredibly serious historical story, covering themes of political intrigue, racism and nationalism, and wartime drama. Initially running from 1983 to 1985,Message to Adolfis considered Osamu Tezuka’s last finished work, and it is essential reading for fans of the author.
8Metropolis
Another short work from Osamu Tezuka,Metropolisisa science fiction storyabout a robot named Michi, who was raised as a normal young boy. Michi soon learns about his robotic powers as people of all kinds attempt to use his powers for themselves.
Metropolisis one of Osamu Tezuka’s earliest works, having been released in 1949. It was a bigger success than Tezuka expected, inspiring many to become mangaka. In 2001, it was turned into a feature-length animated movie, although the plot was very different, featuring different characters and plot points.
7Dororo
Dororois a dark fantasy story that follows the story of two characters, Hyakkimaru and Dororo. Hyakkimaru was born disfigured and limbless due to a pact that his father had made with demons in exchange for power. After receiving strange prosthetics and magical abilities, Hyakkimaru sets out to kill the demons to restore his body, with the thief Dororo in tow.
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Dororois an early example of Osamu Tezuka attempting to write manga aimed at adults rather than children. While the originalDororowas not very successful, it has received several adaptations, including one as recent as 2019.
6Kimba The White Lion
Also known asJungle Emperorin Japan,Kimba the White Lionfollows the adventures of a lion cub named Kimba, whose parents are killed and captured by hunters. Kimba’s mother rescues him from the ship, and Kimba eventually returns to the jungle where his parents reigned, and resolves to become a ruler like his father.
Kimba the White Lionreceived an anime adaptation in 1965, making it the first ever color animation on Japanese TV. The popularity ofKimbasparked controversy in Japan when many perceived similarities withThe Lion Kingled many to believe that the movie was based on Tezuka’s work.
5Buddha
Osamu Tezuka has created many works in his career, many of them short stories. However, Tezuka has had many long-running series as well, with one of the very last of them being Buddha. The historical manga is a biographical interpretation of the life of Gautama Buddha, and ran from 1972 to 1983.
Buddha is considered one of Osamu Tezuka’s best works, and has won several awards. The manga is so popular that it is even used in actual Buddhist temples in order to teach young people about the Buddha’s life.
4Phoenix
Phoenix is definitely Osamu Tezuka’smost ambitious work. Published erratically over many magazines between the years 1954 and 1988, the manga consists of a multitude of differing stories, each taking place in completely different eras with different characters. The stories all have the same theme of pursuing eternal life, symbolized and granted by the mythical Phoenix.
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Phoenix was unfortunately never completed, as Osamu Tezuka died before that could happen. However, as many of its stories were self-contained, they can still be enjoyed for what they are.
3Princess Knight
Princess Knightis a very different story compared to Osamu Tezuka’s usual works. The story features a young girl named Sapphire, who must pretend to be a prince to inherit the throne of Silverland. Sapphire’s main enemy is Duke Duralumin, who has designs to take the throne for himself and rule Silverland with an iron fist.
Princess Knightwas amassive influence on shojo manga, proving that intense narratives would work in this demographic as well. Sapphire pioneered the concept of androgynous heroines, influenced by the Takarazuka Revue, which featured women playing male roles.
2Black Jack
Black Jackis one of Osamu Tezuka’s most successful works and his second best-selling manga of all time. The manga features a mysterious doctor known as Black Jack. Although he is incredibly skilled surgeon, he charges exorbitant prices for his services, causing many to doubt his moral compass.
While the manga itself is quite beloved, the character of Black Jack himself has managed to transcend even that. Many mangaka have paid homage to the legendary doctor, and IGN has acknowledged him as one of the greatest manga characters of all time.
1Astro Boy
Out of Osamu Tezuka’s many different works,Astro Boyis easily his most famous. The manga features the titular character known as Astro Boy (called Atom in the original Japanese), a robot boy who goes on various adventures in a futuristic world.
Astro Boyis widely successful, and one of the best-selling manga of all time. It was adapted into what would bethe first ever anime series in 1963, and it would also be the first ever anime shown in the US.Astro Boy’s influence on manga and anime is undeniable.
