This graphic-format biography of Osamu Tezuka--Japan's "God of Manga"--looks at one of the twentieth century's great creative artists (Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, Black Jack). It is also an anecdotal study of the evolution of Japan's early manga and anime business and its heroes. A never-before-seen popular culture history of postwar Japan, it is sure to fascinate fans and anyone interested in manga, anime, and the potential of the graphic storytelling medium. Volume count differs by region, but they are all divided into three chapters: The Appearance of Osamushi, 1928~1945 (オサムシ登場, Osamushi Toujou) - Covers Tezuka's youth, his developing talents during his school days, fascinations with bugs, manga, and animation, and his trials and tribulations during the war. Dreams of Manga, 1945~1959 (漫画の夢, Manga no Yume) - Covers the immediate struggles of the Post-War period, his time in medical school and the decision between being a physician or a mangaka, his debut and career throughout out the 50s. Also covers the emergence of the assistant system, the many assistants that would later become famous mangaka themselves (Matsumoto, Ishinomori, the Fujios, etc.), the obsession with movies and the influence they have on manga, and the gradual shift toward animation. Dreams of Anime, 1960~1989 (アニメの夢, Anime no Yume) - Covers his time entering animation interning at Toei, the founding of his Anime Studio, Mushi Production, the culture of the studio, the anime adaptation of Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom) and the emerging anime production philosophies, the collapse of Mushi Production, the "Dark Tezuka" period, Tezuka Productions, Black Jack, the events leading to the Osamu Tezuka Complete Works, later anime productions, and his tragic passing. (Source: Stone Bridge Press)

This is a grand-scale hero action adventure in which a boy given an iron body via the secret weapon "Big X," possessed by the Nazis, battles against evil. Invited to Germany during World War II, Dr. Asagumo is asked by Hitler to collaborate with him on the research of the new weapon Big X. Concerned about the possible affects of the completion of Big X, Dr. Asagumo intentionally delays the progress of the research, conspiring with his co-researcher Dr. Engel. Immediately before Germany is defeated, Dr. Asagumo implants a card inscribed with the secret of Big X in his son, Shigeru, and is then shot to death by the German army. Twenty years later, the card is discovered in the body of Shigeru, who was then living in Tokyo. Then, an organization claiming alliance with the Nazis appears, steals the card, and completes the Big X project. Dr. Engel's grandson has joined the Nazi Alliance. The completed Big X is then revealed to be a drug that can expand the human body without limitation. Recovering Big X from the enemy, Shigeru's son Akira fearlessly challenges the Nazi Alliance and Hans Engel, who are plotting to conquer the world. (Source: tezukaosamu.net)

Anthology of stories relating to children in wartime.