Announcements
Shin Tezuka in English!
That's right, it's here, it's now, it's the new and improved Tezuka in English. Although there is a lot of content on the site, much of it is still in the process of being organized and reformatted to fit our new layout. We thank you for your patience while we work through and clean up each of the sections. If you're looking for something but you can't find it, feel free to contact us!
Did You Know?
Tezuka met Disney
Osamu Tezuka briefly met Walt Disney at the 1964 World's Fair in New York and was told Disney "admired" Astro Boy and wanted to do something like it.
Welcome to Tezuka In English
Osamu Tezuka (手塚 治虫) was a manga author and creator of many of the first Japanese animation. While Tezuka’s best known creation is, arguably, the world-renowned children’s series Astro Boy, he drew more than 150,000 pages of manga in his lifetime - touching on every style and genre. He wrote for every age-group, from young children to mature audiences, and single-handedly created the majority of the genres and character-types we see in manga and anime today.
"...All Life is Sacred"
Though he is one of the most respected cultural figures of 20th century Japan, finding information in English on his work can be difficult. As such, we'd like to welcome you to Tezuka In English - home of the global community for English-speaking Tezuka fans. Here you will find information on the many manga and anime series Tezuka created, his beloved "Star-System" cast of characters, what's available in English and what's not. You'll also find links to many other useful web resources including publishers’ sites, official publicity sites, and other fan sites. While you're at it, join our forums and and meet other Tezuka fans from around the world!
Tezuka In English is a volunteer-run fan site working in conjunction with TezukaOsamu.net, the official Japanese website. We're always looking for help, so if you have a link to suggest, please contact us!
Latest News
After publishing the first Osamu Tezuka production notes and early works compilation book in December 2010, the Japanese publisher Shogakukan has now released another compilation book of Osamu Tezuka's production notes and early works. For the first time, the Osamu Tezuka Production Notes and Early Works Collection 2 (Tezuka Osamu Sōsaku Note to Shoki Sakuhin Shū 2) includes the first creations from the "God of Manga" when he was a 14-year-old middle school student in 1943. more...
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From February 19th through February 25th, The Manga Critic will hosting a week-long tribute to legendary manga-ka Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy, Black Jack, Buddha, Dororo, Jungle Emperor Leo, MW, Ode to Kirihito, Phoenix, Swallowing the Earth, and many other titles. more...
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Discotek Media announces via its Facebook page that The Fantasic Adventures of Unico and Unico in the Island of Magic will both receive a May 15th 2012 release on DVD. more...
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Anime News Network is reporting that Osamu Tezuka's historical medical drama, Tree in the Sun (Hidamari no Ki) is getting a live-action television adaptation featuring Hayato Ichihara and Hiroki Narimiya. more...
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Gardena, CA (January 13th, 2012) As part of its effort to accelerate the licensing and publishing of high-quality niche and classic manga in the United States, Digital Manga, Inc., today launched a campaign on crowd-funding site Kickstarter to translate Barbara by Osamu Tezuka, an adult drama never before published in English. For the next 30 days, fans will be able to pledge in exchange for a variety of rewards, including copies of Barbara and exclusive bonuses. If the target total of $6,500 is reached by the deadline (Feb. 12, 2012), production of Barbara will move forward. more...
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In The Spotlight...
Osamu Tezuka (手塚 治虫) was born on November 3, 1928 to Yutaka (father) and Fumiko (mother) Tezuka. Although he was born in Toyonaka, a city near Osaka, the family soon moved to Takarazuka City, Hyogo - the home of the famous Takarazuka Revue. This theatre, known for its romantic musical works performed by an all-female cast, had a tremendous impact on the young Tezuka. Even before he was old enough to go to school, his mother would often take him to go see the latest Takarazuka Revue productions. Their often flamboyant costuming and set-design had a lasting and significant influence on Tezuka's later works – especially those aimed at young girls. more...
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Meet Tezuka's Stars!
James Block is a young black man approached in prison by a scientist who offers him invisibility technology. The technology goes wrong, rendering James Block’s face hideously translucent, and he is twisted by his disfigurement, and spends the remainder of the series carrying out an extensive and vicious revenge. more...
Hamegg is one of Tezuka's longest-running characters, appearing for the first time in The Old Man's Treasure Island in 1945. He generally plays a part of minor villainy, usually taking orders from one of Tezuka's more powerfully evil characters more...
Named after a popular soft-drink in Japan, Kalpis is one half of the comedic duo Ramune & Kalpis (also commonly known as Tick & Tuck) modeled after classic American comedians Abbott & Costello. Usually depicted as happy-go-lucky, but bumbling, henchmen or assistants, Ramune & Kalpis often make an appearance when the story is in danger of becoming overly serious or dark. more...