AstroBoy & The World of Tezuka Osamu

Had the pleasure of taking in a TRULY AMAZING EXHIBITION this morning: The World of Tezuka Osamu - world known Japanese Artist/Illustrator, Father & Creator of much loved ANIME/MANGA comics, animation, characters such as Black Jack, Princess Knight, Kimba: The White Lion, PIKOKO, Phoenix, Buddha, and of course, AstroBoy!!! Even if you are not an ANIME DIE HARD - you must have seen or heard of AstroBoy - especially with the recent Hollywood treatment....

In Japan, he is often referred to as the "Godfather of Anime"... and is likened to America's Walt Disney - admittedly, an inspiration to Master Tezuka in his formative years. Of special note: The distinctive "large eyes" style of Japanese animation is very much attributed to Mr. Tezuka. It is said that he drew inspirations on cartoons of the time such as Betty Boop, Walt Disney's Bambi and Mickey Mouse.

Born in 1928, he started to draw comics around his second year of elementary school. At an early age, he came to the realization that he could use manga as a means of helping to convince people to care for the world. It was after World War II, that he created his first piece of work (at age 17), Diary of Ma-chan and then Shin Takarajima (New Treasure Island), this is attributed as the beginning of the golden age of manga, a craze comparable to American comic books at the time. Hence, Japanese manga artists started referring to him as: "Manga-no-kami sama" (the god of manga). And there was no stopping him ever since....

A succession of COMICS that were translated to Manga Books, then on to Anime Films - and the rest they say is history... and what a legacy he has left for Manga Lovers the world over.... his tales and illustrations are timeless - and like his IDOL,Mr Disney, himself - Mr Tezuka and his works will live on for generations and generations to come....

And again, THANK YOU Juliana for making sure I get to see this EXHIBITION... TRULY MUCH APPRECIATED!!! And was a PLEASURE meeting Frank and Laurie, too - FINALLY!!! :)

COMPLETE EXHIBITION PHOTOS HERE