Regarded in Japan as “The God of Comics” and “The God of Animation,” Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989) is heralded as an icon of the Japanese manga (graphic novels) movement; acknowledged as an artistic master, and revered as the figurehead of the manga and anime industries. Creating over 700 manga titles during his lifetime, he is best known in the West for his cartoons of Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, which were serialized for television in the 1960s. Tezuka’s work is acclaimed for its complexity and originality and his drawings showcase an extraordinary calligraphic dynamism. His prolific manga work contains two main streams: manga ‘comic pictures’ for a youth audience, including Astro Boy, Kimba and Princess Knight; and gekiga ‘drama pictures’—more seriously-toned, adult oriented narratives such as Song of Apollo and Ludwig B, that stress realistic effect and emotional impact.

This major exhibition—the first of its kind to be staged outside of Japan––features more than 200 works including original drawings, covers, and posters that trace the artist’s development, the television and anime series inspired by his work, as well as his adult-oriented manga, introducing Western audiences to the complexities and extraordinary range of the manga form. An accompanying resource room will offer activities and anime screenings. The Asian Art Museum will serve as the only U.S. venue for the exhibition.

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