Astro Boy Creator Osamu Tezuka Would be Proud of How His Vision for the Manga Industry Impacted Works Like One Piece & Chainsaw Man

The anime industry is thriving more than ever. With each passing year, it continues to make a huge impact not only on television but also in movie theaters. While many anime fans hail Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece as the greatest masterpiece, Osamu Tezuka significantly shaped the key elements that continue to enhance OP’s compelling narrative.

After enthralling fans for over 25 years, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece narrates an epic tale of friendship and adventure, captivating generations of viewers. Undoubtedly, One Piece is regarded as the most influential anime with the largest fanbase worldwide. On top of the high-spirited journey in search of treasure filled with adored comedic references, the series covers serious issues such as racism, slavery, and even human experimentation.

Not to mention, Eiichiro Oda is celebrated for his exploration of the gray areas of human morality, along with his intrigue in political dynamics and corruption. None of this would have been possible without Osamu Tezuka’s influence.

How Osamu Tezuka’s Vision Transformed the Anime-Manga Industry

Osamu Tezuka is one of the most important persons in the history of Japanese anime. The manga artist is often referred to as the ‘Godfather of manga’ and one of the greatest comic artists of all time, with his most recognizable work being 1952’s Astro Boy, or Tetsuwan Atomu in Japan.  

Not to forget, Naoki Urasawa’s Pluto, which is considered a comic masterpiece for its beautiful art and sophisticated storyline, incorporated fundamental elements from Osamu Tezuka’s celebrated manga series Astro Boy. Tezuka’s innovative style and storytelling have influenced numerous manga artists, including Hayao Miyazaki, leaving a lasting impact on the global animation industry.

Over the years Japanese anime industry has grown significantly, now even exploring complex themes such as the political and societal implications. Many iconic tiles, such as Eiichiro Oda‘s One Piece and Tatsuki Fujimoto‘s Chainsaw Man, left a memorable impression due to their exploration of corruption and human greed.

However, the anime industry has only reached this point due to the Godfather of manga’s influence and vision. Tezuka was deeply passionate about legitimizing manga as a significant form of Japanese culture. Tezuka’s ambition influenced other creators’ desires to narrate deep stories and themes that transcended the boundaries of language and generations.

As a child who suffered from a post-war and militarised Japan, Tezuka had the desire to promote harmony and love between all creatures, while highlighting the human’s inhuman acts towards each other, to cover the gray areas of our society.

This heavily influenced Tezuka’s work, evident in his most renowned titles such as Princess Knight, with the struggles of gender exploration, to Astro Boy, which features the potential danger of technological advancements.

Studio Ghibli’s Legendary Director Who Nearly Retired Before Crafting His Iconic Legacy

In the world of animated storytelling, Hayao Miyazaki-drawn animations are colorful and imaginative spectacles with strong female characters and fascinating fantasy creatures, that leave a memorable impression on its audience, captivating several fans.

Not to mention, the director explores mature coming-of-age themes such as embracing empathy, self-discovery, resilience, and independence. Miyazaki once shared that he initially intended to retire two decades ago, but something compelled the famous director to change his plans and continue his legacy. 

Back in 1999, Hayao Miyazaki shocked the world with his sudden retirement announcement. However, the legendary director never went through with his original plans and stayed in the industry for the next two decades.

During this period, Miyazaki’s influence only grew stronger, as he worked on another of his popular titles, the now-celebrated Spirited Away.

Astro Boy is available for streaming on Netflix