A new documentary titled Tezuka! God of Manga, dedicated to the influential work of Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy, has launched a Kickstarter campaign. Directed by Jason Andrew Cohn, the film aims to explore Tezuka's profound impact on manga, comics, and animation.
The documentary will feature interviews with a notable roster of creators and scholars, including Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), Riyoko Ikeda (Rose of Versailles), Naoki Urasawa (Monster), Go Nagai (Devilman), and Yoshiyuki Tomino (Gundam). Anime producer Masao Maruyama and director Rintaro are also slated to appear, alongside authors Ada Palmer, Samuel Sattin, and Jorge R. Gutierrez. These interviews will delve into how Tezuka's pioneering work influenced their own creative endeavors and reshaped popular culture.
Additionally, the film will include discussions with experts such as Helen McCarthy, Natsu Onoda Power, and Fred Schodt, who have extensively studied Tezuka's legacy. The producers plan to schedule further interviews with artists like Paul Pope and Ron Wimberly once the campaign reaches its funding goals.
"TEZUKA! God of Manga celebrates Tezuka-sensei as a preposterously prolific, enigmatic creator who forever altered popular culture by introducing young readers to a brand-new, DIY medium that rocketed around the world," stated Cohn. "The creative cross-fertilization between artists in Japan and the rest of the world made Tezuka one of the most beloved and influential artists of the 20th century. This film will celebrate his legacy and introduce his incredible creations to a new generation."
The Kickstarter campaign is currently live, offering various pledge tiers. IGN has exclusively revealed a selection of art prints that are being offered as rewards to backers. Further details on the film can be found on the project's Kickstarter page, along with a trailer and information on related projects like Unico: Awakening.