The 21st Tokyo Int’l Film Festival (TIFF) will present a retrospective of works by the late Osamu Tezuka, widely regarded as the ‘Father of Japanese Manga and Anime.’ Commemorating his 80th anniversary of Tezuka’s birth, the event will take place during the festival next month. Tezuka received an official commendation at the very first TIFF for his many years of contribution to the production of animated films.
Tezuka is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, which was first introduced to Japanese manga readers in 1951. The comics told a Pinocchio-esque tale of a robot boy, modeled after the deceased son of a research scientist, who becomes a renowned superhero complete with laser-firing fingers, keen hearing and jet-powered boots.
A black-and-white Astro Boy toon series emerged in 1963, followed by a color update in 1980. The latest version, produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Tezuka Prods., debuted on Kids’ WB! in the fall of 2004. Hong Kong- and Los Angeles-based animation studio Imagi is bringing the property to the big screen with CG-animated movie being directed by David Bowers (Flushed Away). Summit Ent. will release the pic worldwide in 2009.
Tezuka, who ran Japanese animation studio Mushi Production, is also well known for creating the anime series Kimba the White Lion, which was a major inspiration for the Disney blockbuster The Lion King. His other creations include Black Jack, Phoeinx and Princess Knight, which was the first girl-oriented manga/animae franchise.
Hosted by UNIJAPAN (Japan Association for the International Promotion of Moving Images), TIFF is nine-day fest that begins on Saturday, Oct. 18 and concludes on Sunday, Oct. 26. Main venues are Roppongi Hills in Minato City and Bunkamura in Shibuya City, as well as other theaters, facilities and halls in Tokyo.
Win a Funko X Lilo & Stitch Prize Pack! 