Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989) is regarded by many as the "god of manga." His birth 90 years ago is being marked by a host of new publications and reprints.
Sci-fi masterpiece "Fushigi na Shonen" (The Strange Boy) -- about Sabutan, a boy with the ability to stop time in a four-dimensional world -- is being reissued in full color by Shogakukan Creative Inc. The manga was previously adapted into a drama, and the protagonist's signature phrase -- "Time, be still" -- became a sensation.
"Fushigi na Shonen" was originally serialized in boys magazine Shonen Kurabu from 1961 to 1962. It was later published in book form, albeit with two installments not included.
The new release, though, is a complete edition -- including every installment, a karuta card game and articles detailing the concepts of time and a four-dimensional world. Over 300 of the book's about 1,000 pages carry brand-new content.
"The word 'sci-fi' was not well-known when the manga series started," said Tetsuya Kurosawa of Shogakukan Creative. "The work reflects [Tezuka's] various attempts to explain the concept of 'stopping time.'"
Tezuka's manga were often edited when serialized again or published in book form. But many fans prefer the originals -- a demand some of the newly published books are aiming to meet.
When compiled in book form, the cover drawings of manga installments that ran in magazines are usually omitted. But Genkosha Co. has published two books featuring Tezuka's covers: one spanning 1950 to 1970, and the other spanning 1971 to 1989.
Takayuki Hamada, who planned the books, says manga artists tend to put great focus on the covers of their magazine installments. "Tezuka's," he says, "are lively, with a fine balance of color, and also rather elegant.
"We took time to photograph his original drawings, including his touch-ups."
Publisher Rittorsha has released two compilations of rarely-seen-before sketches by Tezuka: "Osamu Tezuka Vintage Art Works Manga Edition" and "Osamu Tezuka Vintage Art Works Animation Edition."
"They are notes Tezuka kept when he created his works," said Hamada, who was also involved in these two books. He added that the sketches show how Tezuka sometimes struggled.
Rittorsha has also released a series of Tezuka's memoirs in paperback form. One is about his roots and musical tastes, one is about his travels, and another is about his childhood and how he developed his career. They also feature articles by the manga artist that were carried in newspapers and magazines, and also include pieces that have hitherto never been published in book form. Readers might be surprised to learn how knowledgeable Tezuka was.
The precious original drawings by this manga legend are kept in a temperature- and humidity-controlled archive at Tezuka Productions to ensure they will never fade.
"These latest publications feature drawings that we rarely have the opportunity to admire," said Hajime Tanaka, who is in charge of the archive. "I used to be a member of Tezuka's fan club, and I was so excited [to see his works] when involved in editing those books."
Kurosawa and Hamada have also been fans of Tezuka since childhood. Although they love the artist's stories, they both said the way he drew is even more fascinating.
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