The Astro Boy Essays

The pioneering genius of Japan’s “God of Comics,” Osamu Tezuka (1928–89), is examined through his life’s masterwork:Tetsuwan Atomu, also known asMighty Atom orAstro Boy, a comic series featuring a cute little android who yearns to be more human. The history ofTetsuwan 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, andAstro Boy’s cultural impact.

Frederik L. Schodt is a translator and author of numerous books about Japan, includingManga! Manga! andDreamland 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.