The Astro Boy Essays : Osamu Tezuka, Mighty Atom, and the Manga/Anime Revolution

The pioneering genius of Japan’s “God of Comics,” Osamu Tezuka (1928–89), is examined through his life’s masterwork: __Tetsuwan Atomu,__ also known as __Mighty Atom__ or __Astro Boy__, a comic series featuring a cute little android who yearns to be more human. The history of __Tetsuwan Atomu__ and Tezuka’s role in it is a road map to understanding the development of new media in Japan and the United States. Topics include Tezuka’s life, the art of animation, the connection between fantasy robots and technology, spin-offs, and __Astro Boy__’s cultural impact. **Frederik L. Schodt** is a translator and author of numerous books about Japan, including __Manga! Manga!__ and __Dreamland Japan__. He often served as Osamu Tezuka’s English interpreter. In 2009 he was received the The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contribution to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture.

a Tribute To Japan's God Of Manga By His Longtime American Friend And Translator.

steve Raiteri - Library Journal

little Robot Hero Tetsuwan Atomu (mighty Atom), Called Astro Boy In The United States, Is The Best-known Creation Of Revered Manga Master Tezuka (1928-89). Schodt Not Only Wrote The First Book In English About Manga In 1983 (manga! Manga!: The World Of Japanese Comics) But Also Knew Tezuka Personally And Has Translated Several Of His Works, Including Dark Horse's 23-volume Edition Of astro Boy. Here, Schodt Describes Astro's History, From His Genesis In A 1951 Story Titled Ambassador Atom Through The Hugely Popular Black-and-white 1963-65 tetsuwan Atomuanime (japan's First Full-length Animated Tv Series) And Later Incarnations. He Delves Into The Influence That Tezuka's Editors, Societal Trends, And The Rise Of gekiga(dramatic, Realistic Manga) Had On Astro's Stories; Astro's Influence On Robotics Research In Contemporary Japan; And Tezuka's Conflicted Feelings About His Most Famous Character. Though Proud Of The Series' Achievements, Tezuka Sometimes Referred To It As His Worst Work, Repeatedly Killed Off Astro (only To Revive Him Later), And Was Frustrated When Pundits Praised The Series As Forecasting A Glorious Technological Future; Tezuka Himself Was Skeptical Of Over-reliance On Science. This Engaging Book Will Be Of Wide Interest To Fans And Pop-culture Students; Recommended For All Collections.

The pioneering genius of Japan’s “God of Comics,” Osamu Tezuka (1928–89), is examined through his life’s masterwork: Tetsuwan Atomu, also known as Mighty Atom or Astro Boy, a comic series featuring a cute little android who yearns to be more human. The history of Tetsuwan Atomu and Tezuka’s role in it is a road map to understanding the development of new media in Japan and the United States. Topics include Tezuka’s life, the art of animation, the connection between fantasy robots and technology, spin-offs, and Astro Boy’s cultural impact.

Frederik L. Schodt is a translator and author of numerous books about Japan, including Manga! Manga! and Dreamland Japan. He often served as Osamu Tezuka’s English interpreter. In 2009 he was received the The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contribution to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture.

"The pioneering genius of Japan's 'God of Comics, ' Osamu Tezuka (1928-89), is examined through his life's masterwork: Tetsuwan Atomu, also known as Mighty Atom or Astro Boy, a comic series featuring a cute little android who yearns to be more human. The history of Tetsuwan Atomu and Tezuka's role in it is a road map to understanding the development of new media in Japan and the United States. Topics include Tezuka's life, the art of animation, the connection between fantasy robots and technology, spin-offs, and Astro Boy's cultural impact. Frederik L. Schodt is a translator and author of numerous books about Japan, including Manga! Manga! and Dreamland Japan. He often served as Osamu Tezuka's English interpreter. In 2009 he was received the The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contribution to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture"--Provided by publisher. The pioneering genius of Japan's "God of Comics," Osamu Tezuka (1928–89), is examined through his life's masterwork: Tetsuwan Atomu, also known as Mighty Atom or Astro Boy , a comic series featuring a cute little android who yearns to be more human. The history of Tetsuwan Atomu and Tezuka's role in it is a road map to understanding the development of new media in Japan and the United States. Topics include Tezuka's life, the art of animation, the connection between fantasy robots and technology, spin-offs, and Astro Boy 's cultural impact. Frederik L. Schodt is a translator and author of numerous books about Japan, including Manga! Manga! and Dreamland Japan . He often served as Osamu Tezuka's English interpreter. In 2009 he was received the The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contribution to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture. Japan expert Frederik L. Schodt examines Osamu Tezuka's life, the art of animation, the connection between fantasy robots and technology, spinoffs, and Astro Boy's cultural impact. The book includes over 40 black-and-white images and 16 pages of full-color Astro Boy art