HISTORY

April 29

The "Astro Boy Festival" is held at the Mukogaoka Yuen park.

May 5

Appears on NET TV's program "Focus Zero: The 0 Man Appears."

May 29

Appears in NET TV's program "Echoes of Tokyo: From the Viewpoint of Manga Artists" together with other Manga artists including Takeuchi Tsunayoshi, Horie Taku and Ueda Toshiko.

August

Builds a new house at Fujimidai, Nerima-ku, Tokyo.

August 14

Toei Animation releases its film "ALAKAZAN THE GREAT."

Year-end

The Tokyo Children Manga Association is disbanded.
Works with Kita Morio to write a scenario for Toei Animation's animated film "Arabian Nights: Sinbad the Sailor."

January 19

Receives a doctorate in medicine from Nara Medical University for his thesis "A Microscopic Study of the Membrane Structure of Heterotypic Spermtids (A Study of Mud Snail Spermatozoa.)"

April 3

"The Mysterious Boy" is adapted for a TV drama and broadcasted by NHK. The program is aired through March 31, 1962.
Appears on NET TV's program "The Early Morning Program: Mister Manga Artist" once a week through March 1962.

May

The mass media reports that Tezuka Osamu earned an annual income of 9.145 million yen, making him the top earner in the category of painters and manga artists in 1960.

June

he animation division of Tezuka Osamu Productionis established.

June 11

The picture-card show "The Super P" is first broadcast in the TV program, "Dark Ducks Show."

August 11

Tezuka Osamu's son Makoto, is born.

September 23

Joins the Children's Manga Festival, held at the Seibuen UNESCO Village through November 30.

November 6

"Sorry, Mama" is dramatized and broadcasted by Tokyo Television. The program runs through October 12, 1962.

January

"Tezuka Osamu Production" is renamed "Mushi Production."

April 10

Mushi Production moves to a newly built film studio.

May

It is reported in the mass media that Tezuka Osamu took second place in the 1961 list of top earners in the category of painters.

May 27

Participates in the first "Japan Science Fiction Convention."

July 21

Toei Animation's film "Arabian Nights: Sinbad the Sailor" is released.

September

Begins production of the pilot film for "Astro Boy."

October

The production of "Tales of a Street Corner" is completed. Tezuka Osamu writes a draft scenario and detailed storyline for the film.

November 5

The first "Presentation of Works by Mushi Production" took place. During this meeting, "Tales of a Street Corner", "Astro Boy Episode 1: The Birth of Astro Boy", directed by Tezuka Osamu, and "Male," produced by Tezuka Osamu, are screened.

December

Mushi Production is incorporated.
Storyboards for Toei Animation's "Doggie March."

January 1

January 8

"Astro Boy Episode 2: Frankenstein", directed by Tezuka, is broadcasted.

January 15

"Astro Boy Episode 3: Expedition to Mars", directed by Tezuka Osamu, is broadcasted.

January 22

Wins the 17th National Arts Festival Encouragement Award for "Tales of a Street Corner."

January 25

Wins the 13th Blue Ribbon Educational and Cultural Film Award for "Tales of a Street Corner."

January 29

"Astro Boy Episode 5: The Sphinx", directed by Tezuka Osamu, is broadcast.

February 2

Receives the First Ofuji Noburo Award at the 17th Mainichi Film Contest for "Tales of a Street Corner."

March

Travels to the United States to conclude a contract with NBC, the American national TV network. A preview of "Astro Boy" is held in New York on March 10.

March 12

"Astro Boy Episode 11: Time Machine", directed by Tezuka Osamu, is broadcast.

April 7

NHK first broadcasts "Galaxy Boy Troop", for which Tezuka Osamu wrote the draft scenario. The program is produced jointly by Mushi Production and the Takeda Ningyo Theater Company, and broadcasted through April 1, 1965.

May

A contract is signed with NBC providing the American TV network with 52 episodes of "Astro Boy."

May

The mass media reports that Tezuka Osamu ranked first in the 1962 list of top earners in the category of painters.

May 7

"Astro Boy Episode 19: Astro Boy vs. Garon", directed by Tezuka Osamu, is broadcasted.

May 14

"Astro Boy Episode 20: Gaseous Beings", which Tezuka Osamu storyboarded and directed, is broadcasted.

May 21

"Astro Boy Episode 21: Satellite R-45", which Tezuka Osamu storyboarded and directed, is broadcasted.

May 28

"Astro Boy Episode 22: Sea Serpent Island", directed by Tezuka Osamu, is broadcasted.

October 8

"Astro Boy Episode 41: X Bomb", directed by Tezuka Osamu, is broadcasted.

September 7

"Astro Boy", renamed from "Tetsuwan Atom," is first broadcasted by the American national network, NBC. It is subsequently broadcast on television in the United Kingdom, France, West Germany, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, and other countries.

December 17

"Astro Boy Episode 51: The Little Elephant Pura", which Tezuka Osamu storyboarded, is broadcasted.

December 21

Toei Animation's "Doggie March" is released.

February 18

Tezuka drawing Astro Boy (Fujimidai, Tokyo, in 1960’s)
At Mushi Production
Tezuka producing the first TV animation series, Astro Boy

Wins the second TV Reporters Society Award (Special Award) for "Astro Boy."

April 30

Tezuka Osamu's eldest daughter, Rumiko, is born.

July 26

"Astro Boy: THE BRAVE IN SPACE" is released at Nikkatsu cinemas nationwide.

August 3

The TV animated manga "Big X", produced by Tokyo Movies, is first broadcasted by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). The program is aired through September 27, 1965.

September

Becomes a member of the Manga Shudan group.

September 21

The pilot animated cartoons "Memory" and "Mermaid", for which Tezuka Osamu wrote the draft scenarios and storyboarded as well as directed, are screened at the Fourth Sogetsu Animation Festival.

October 3

"Astro Boy Episode 89: Gomes' Ghost", for which Tezuka Osamu wrote the scenario, is broadcasted.

October 10

"Astro Boy Episode 90: The Robot Fortress", storyboarded and directed by Tezuka Osamu, is broadcasted.

January 2

"Astro Boy Episode 102: Queen of the Devils' Place", storyboarded and directed by Tezuka Osamu, is broadcasted.

January 3

FNS broadcasts Tezuka Osamu's first hour-long TV animated cartoon "New Treasure Island", directed by Tezuka Osamu.

January 9

Receives Stanley Kubrick's letter, postmarked January 9, in which the American movie director asks Tezuka Osamu to handle art direction for the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey."

January 10

Begins to appear on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting's radio program every Monday.

January 24

The "Astro Boy Festival" takes place at the Kanda Kyoritsu Kodo Hall.

April 24

"Astro Boy Episode 116: The Biggest Robot on Earth - Part 1", for which Tezuka Osamu scripted, is broadcasted.

May 31

Wins official commendation by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for "Astro Boy."

June 5

"Astro Boy Episode 122: The Monster Mantler", which Tezuka scripted and directed, is broadcasted.

June 6

The TV animated cartoon "The Amazing Three" is first broadcasted by FNS. Tezuka Osamu storyboards and directs the first episode, "Three Beings from Outer Space." The program is aired through June 27, 1966.

June 26

The Mushi Production Movie Show is held. "The Amazing Three" and the first episode of "Jungle Emperor Leo" are presented at the show.

August 15

"The Amazing Three Episode 11: The Duel in the North Valley", which Tezuka Osamu scripted and directed, is broadcasted.

August 28-September 23

Travels to the United States and Europe, where he visits UPA studio, Hannah Barbera Productions, and other places.

October 1

The pilot animated cartoons "Drop", directed by Tezuka Osamu, and "Cigarettes and Ashes", produced by Tezuka Osamu are shown at the Fifth Sogetsu Animation Festival.

October 6

"Jungle Emperor Leo", the first domestically produced color TV animated cartoon in serial form, is first broadcasted by FNS. The program is aired through September 28, 1966.

October 16

The character Astro Boy appears in FNS's talk show in which he talks with the moderator. He becomes the first cartoon character to be featured on this program.

February 22

Wins the Fourth TV Reporters Society Award (Special Award) for "Jungle Emperor Leo."

March 1

"Jungle Emperor Leo" is chosen as the year's best film by the Ministry of Health and Welfare's central childrens' cultural assets division.

March 15

Astro Boy's image is adopted as the symbol for the professional baseball team Sankei Atoms (later renamed Yakult Atoms).

May 9

Receives the "Children's Welfare and Cultural Award" in the broadcasting category for "Jungle Emperor Leo."

June 12

The Mushi Production Movie Show is held. During the show, "ADVENTURES OF THE MONKEY KING (Pilot Film)" is presented.

July 4

FNS starts broadcast of the special effect TV film "Ambassador Magma." The program is produced by P-Production, and runs through September 25, 1967.

July 31

The animated film "Feature Film: Jungle Emperor Leo" premiers nationwide.

September 1

The Mushi Pro Shoji trading firm is formed.

October 5

The TV animated cartoon "New Jungle Emperor, Go ahead Leo!" is first broadcasted by FNS. The script for the first episode "White King" is written by Tezuka Osamu, and the program airs through March 29, 1967.

October 22

Appears in the 200th broadcast of the animated cartoon series "Astro Boy" as a special guest. An English version of the animated cartoon is also put on the air. Mr. and Mrs. Tezuka Osamu appear in Nippon Television Network (NTV)'s program "Wonderful Married Couples."

November 11

The pilot animated cartoon "Pictures at an Exhibition" is presented during the Mushi Production Festival. Tezuka Osamu writes a draft scenario for the production and also produces and directs it.

November 23

"New Jungle Emperor, Go Ahead Leo! - Episode 8: The secret of Moonlight Stone", which Tezuka Osamu scripted and directed, is broadcasted.

December 25

The cover of the first issue of COM

"COM" magazine is founded, and "Phoenix" is first published in the magazine in serial form.

December 31

"Astro Boy Episode 193 (Last Episode): The Greatest Adventure on Earth", which Tezuka Osamu scripted and directed, is broadcasted.

January 7

FNS begins broadcast of the animated cartoon "Goku's Great Adventures". The program is aired through September 30.

January 21

Receives the 21st National Arts Festival Encouragement Award for "Pictures at an Exhibition."

January 31

Wins the 17th Blue Ribbon Educational and Cultural Film Award for "Pictures at an Exhibition."

February 4

"Pictures at an Exhibition" is chosen as an educational film recommended by the Ministry of Education for release at general movie theaters, and premiers at the Marunouchi Piccadilly theater.

February 25

The Fifth Ofuji Noburo Award is awarded to Tezuka Osamu for "Pictures at an Exhibition" at the Mainichi Film Contest.

April 2

April 28

Receives the Sixth Japan Television Film Technology Award for "New Jungle Emperor, Go Ahead Leo! - Episode 14: The howling glacier."

May 26

Wins the Fourth Broadcasting Critics Round-table Galaxy Award for "Astro Boy" and other works.

July

The theater version of "Jungle Emperor Leo" wins the San Marco Silver Lion Prize at the Venice International Film Festival

July 29

Appears in TBS's program "Good Morning, Japan"

August

Chosen as a member of the Government Exhibition Committee for the 1970 Japan World Exposition

August 5

Appears in TBS's program "Japan over the Past 100 Years: Dad Loved Norakuro and I Love Astro Boy"

August 27

"Princess Knight Episode 22: Coronation", which Tezuka storyboarded for and directed, is broadcasted.

September 11

The "Exhibition of Works by Tezuka Osamu" is held through September 25. On September 24, an event is held where he talks with fans, and "Tales of a Street Corner", "Pictures at an Exhibition", "Memory", and "Drop" are screened.

September 30

Appears in NHK Educational TV's program "The Future of Animated Films."

October 3

Wins the 14th Asian Film Festival Animation Prize for "Pictures at an Exhibition."

January 2

The Japan Manga Association's First Exhibition: "100 Years of Manga" is held at the Seibu Department Store in Ikebukuro through January 16. The exhibition is organized under the leadership of Tezuka Osamu. He exhibits his work "Future Orthopedic Surgeries" for the exhibit area "The Next 100 Years of Children and Manga"

January 23

Establishes Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd. to produce Manga.

May 6

The junior Manga class opens at the Tokyo Design College, where Tezuka gives lectures as head professor.

May 25

The second "Tezuka Osamu Exhibition" is held through June 24, and an event where Tezuka talks with fans is held on June 9.

June 1

Tezuka Productions begins publication of "The Manga Newspaper."

August 2

The Manga "Crime and Punishment" is translated into English and first published in The Student Times. It runs through February 28, 1969.

August 14

Joins the Awa dance tour organized by the Manga group.

October

The pilot animated film "Genesis", produced by Tezuka Osamu, premiers.

October 3

The special-effect TV film "The Vampire", produced by Mushi Pro Shoji, is first broadcasted by FNS. The program is aired through April 5, 1969.

December 7

The screening committee of which Tezuka Osamu is a member makes a final decision on time capsule content for the 1970 Japan World Exposition.

December 15

Plays the piano at a year-end get-together organized by the Manga Shudan group. Tezuka Osamu gives a lecture under the title "The Songs of Boat Bugs." He also serves on the screening committee that examined proposals for the 1970 Japan World Exposition.

January 2

The synthesized animation drama "Wonder-kun's Space Travel in the First Dreams of the New Year", for which Tezuka Osamu wrote the draft scenario, is broadcasted on NHK General TV.

February 2

The animated cartoon, "Constructing an Undersea City", for which Tezuka Osamu wrote the draft scenario, is broadcasted on the NTV's program.

April 6

The animated cartoon "Dororo" is first broadcasted by FNS. It runs through September 28.

June 11

Tezuka Osamu's second daughter, Chiiko, is born.

June 14

The long animated film "A Thousand and One Nights", distributed by Nippon Herald Films, premiers and becomes a great success. Tezuka Osamu writes the draft scenario and detailed storyline for the film, and also leads the entire production project.

October 2

Publishes a book entitled "I am a Manga artist." Following the success of "A Thousand and One Nights", a meeting is held to encourage Tezuka Osamu further.