HISTORY

January 28

Appears in TV Asahi's program "The Morning Terrace" as a guest. Tezuka Osamu continues to appear on the program through February 1.

March 3

The serial radio novel "Phoenix: Civil War" is aired by NHK Radio 1. The program runs through March 21.

March 15

The long theater animated cartoon "PHOENIX 2772 (SPACE FIREBIRD)" is released at the Toho cinemas nationwide. Tezuka Osamu writes the draft scenario for and storyboards the production, and also directs the entire project. On the same day, NTV airs a program entitled "All about the Phoenix 2772."

March 16-April 3

Osamu goes to the United Nations (March 18, 1980/New York, USA)
Standing in front of the United Nations Headquarters, which he visited as the Manga ambassador of the Japan Foundation.
Tezuka Osamu gave a lecture on Manga culture in modern Japan in the Dag Hammarskjold Library.

Travels to the United States as Manga ambassador of the Japan Foundation. Gives lectures on the Manga culture of contemporary Japan at the United Nations and universities across the country.

March 24

NHK's program "NHK Wide Special: Stones of the Sun" is broadcast by NHK Radio 1. Tezuka writes the basic framework of each scene for the program

April 20

TBS broadcasts a program called "All about Disneyland, Part 1: Tezuka Osamu's Adventures in Disney World."
The Second Tezuka Osamu Fan Club Meeting is held, during which Tezuka Osamu's 8-mm films from his boyhood are screened.

May

Moves to Higashikurume City, Tokyo.

May 20

Appears in the NHK General TV program "Women's Pocket Notebook: Conveying One's Ideas through Manga."

July

Handles art direction for the Kigure Circus's performance.

July 30

Participates in the 11th Comic Convention, held in San Diego, California through August 7. Tezuka wins the San Diego Comic Convention Inkpot Award for "PHOENIX 2772 (SPACE FIREBIRD)."

August 22-29

Travels to Canada to attend the Toronto International Animation Festival, and visits the Ulvana studios.

August 31

The special TV animated cartoon "Fumoon", produced by Tezuka Productions, is broadcasted by NTV. Its original title was "Next World."

September 6

The Astro Boy Festival: "Astro Boy Will Return !" is held.

October 1

NTV begins broadcast of "Astro Boy," produced by Tezuka Productions. Tezuka Osamu storyboards the first episode "Birth of Astro Boy", directed jointly by Tezuka Osamu and Anou Takashi.

October 8

"Astro Boy Episode 2: Astro Boy vs. Atlas", for which Tezuka Osamu wrote the script, is broadcasted.

November 10

Travels to China together with members of the Japan Animation Association to promote friendship with Chinese animation artists. During the trip, Tezuka Osamu visits the Great Wall, film productions in Shanghai, etc.

November 14

Wins the award the First Las Vegas Film Festival in the category of animated film for "PHOENIX 2772 (SPACE FIREBIRD)."

November 26

"Astro Boy Episode 9: Astro Boy vs. Atlas III: Crystal of the Desert", which Tezuka Osamu scripted, is broadcasted.

December 17

China Central Television begins broadcast of "Astro Boy" in China.

January 8

"Black Jack" is adapted for a drama starring Kayama Yuzo and is first broadcasted by TV Asahi. The program is aired through April 9.

January 23

Attends the "First Manga Convention Japan," held through January 27.

March 14

The animated film "Unico", produced by Sanrio Film Production, is released.

April 1

"Astro Boy Episode 26: Astro Boy vs. Atlas V: The Violent Gang Gadem", storyboarded by Tezuka Osamu, is broadcasted.

April 8

"Astro Boy Episode 27: Major Operations by Black Jack", for which Tezuka Osamu scripted, is broadcasted.

April 25

Tezuka Osamu receives the Animage magazine-sponsored Third Animation Grand Prix Special Award for his long-term contribution to the development of the culture of animation.

July 3

Tezuka Osamu's "The World of Animated Cartoons" takes place through July 8.

July 24

Attends the first "Manga Exposition," which is held through August 5.

August 2

The Tezuka Osamu Fan Club Meeting takes place at the Kudan Kaikan hall, during which a pilot film for "Don Dracula" is screened.

August 6

Attends the "Asakusa Manga Convention '81".

August 23

NTV broadcasts the special animated cartoon "Bremen 4: Angels in Hell", which is produced by Tezuka Productions under the auspices of Tezuka Osamu. Tezuka Osamu writes the draft scenario and script for the production.

December 23

"Astro Boy Episode 52 (Last Episode): Astro Boy's First Love", which Tezuka Osamu scripted and directed, is broadcasted.

December 25

Becomes a member of the general planning committee for the 1985 Tsukuba International Science and Technology Exposition.

December 25-29

Traveled to China, where he collects data on the status of school education and the actual condition of children in Shanghai. He also takes part in a campaign for "Jungle Emperor Leo", which was scheduled for broadcast starting in January 1982, and appears in a program broadcasted by China Central Television.

January 27

Attends the 10th Comic Convention, which takes place in Angouleme, France through February 1. At the convention, Tezuka Osamu becomes acquainted with the artist Moebius.

January 29

Appears in TV Tokyo's program "Pops Club: Tezuka Osamu Praises Walt Disney."

April 5

TV Tokyo begins broadcast of the TV animated cartoon "Don Dracula", produced by Sankyo Planning. The program airs through April 26.

May 3

Appears in NHK Educational TV's program "Junior Encyclopedia." The program airs through May 7.

July 10

Participates in the 13th Comic Convention, held in San Diego through July 15. During the convention, Tezuka Osamu sees the animated cartoon "Tron."

July 22

The Manga Kingdom takes place in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Manga Shudan group.

July 24

July 27

Accompanies Moebius on his trip to Kyoto and Nara. The French artist came to Japan for the promotion of the animation film "Les Maitres du Temps."

July 31

Attends a symposium held at the Ikebukuro Seibu Studio 200 to commemorate Moebius's visit to Japan.

September 4

The theater company "Urinko" performs the play "Buddha" in Nagoya. Oda Kenya scripts and directs the performance.

October 12

The grand costume party held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Manga group. Tezuka Osamu disguised himself as a picture-card showman. He creates picture cards "Golden Bat" especially for this particular contest.

November 21

Appears in the NHK Educational TV program "The Sunday Museum."

December 1

January 4

Tezuka Osamu's mother, Fumiko, passes away at the age of 74.

January 8

The TV film "The Chronicle of Mars" is broadcasted by TBS together with Tezuka Osamu's comments.

April 29

Exhibits the three-dimensional "Alien Marspiaria" and the illustration "Genko Planet Man" at the Showmanship Exhibition, held through May 5.

May 29

A ceremony to unveil an image of Astro Boy built in Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture is held.

June 5

"A Thousand and One Nights" and "Cleopatra" are selected for entry in the International Animation Festival, which takes place in Annesy, France through June 14.

July 5

As the second performance of the theater company Dengeki, "Princess Knight" runs through July 17.

July 10

The 40 Years of Tezuka Osamu Exhibition is held in Nihombashi, Tokyo through July 30.

July 16

The animated film "THE FANTASTIC ADVENTURE OF UNICO-2", produced by Sanrio Films, is released.

July 21

Participates in the Manga Exposition '83, held at the Ueno Royal Museum through August 9.

July 24

"Manga Kingdom" is held again and Tezuka Osamu is appointed king. The event runs through August 21.

August 15

Travels to Ishigaki Island in Okinawa with his family.

August 21

NTV broadcasts the special "A Time Slip of 10000 years: Prime Rose", produced by Tezuka Productions.

October

Tezuka Productions completes production of the animated cartoon "The Green Cat" (Lion Books) with its own resources.

October 6

NHK General TV broadcasts the program "The Tezuka Osamu Show."
Appears in TV Asahi's program "Superman Special." Becomes honorable chairman of the Superman Fan Club.

October 10

The Fourth Tezuka Osamu Fan Club Meeting is held. "The Green Cat" is screened and a picture card show produced for this particular event is presented using a slide projector.

October 29-November 3

Travels to China with a delegation from the Japan Manga Association, visiting Beijing, Nanjing, and Shanghai.

November 16

Attends as a guest the Japan Animation Festival '83.

November 25

Receives the Fourth Japan Culture Design Award for the significant effect that his works, especially "Astro Boy", have had on Japanese peoples' view of robots.

December

Tezuka Productions completes production of the animated cartoon "Rain Boy" (Lion Books) with its own resources. Tezuka designs the mascot "Yunitan" for the 1985 Universiade student games.

March 2

Wins the 29th Shogakukan Manga Award in the category of youths and adults for "A Tree in the Sun."

March

The pilot animated cartoon "Jumping", directed by Tezuka Osamu, is completed. He also writes a draft scenario for and storyboards the production.

April

A French version of "Black Jack" first appears in serialized form in "France" magazine published by Hakusuisha Publishing.

April 19

Appears as a special guest in the TV drama "Girl Detective Super W".

May 3

Attends the 1984 Asia Manga Hiroshima Conference. On May 4, gives a keynote lecture on the theme "The Role of Manga as a Common Language in the International Community."

June 15

Receives the Grand Prix and UNESCO Prize at the Sixth Zagreb International Animation Festival for "Jumping."

July 22

"Tezuka Osamu World" is held at the Irako View Hotel in Aichi Prefecture through August 25.

August 19

NTV broadcasts the special animated cartoon "Bagi, the Monster of Mighty Nature", directed by Tezuka Osamu and produced by Tezuka Productions. Tezuka Osamu also writes a draft scenario for and storyboards the production.

September 12-14

Travels to Shanghai on the Peace Boat.

September 15

The TV drama "Hello! Einstein," with Tezuka Osamu's commentaries, is broadcasted by NTV.

September 28-October 12

Travels to Brazil to give lectures in Sao Paulo, Manaus, and Rio de Janeiro at the request of the Japan Foundation.

October 3

The publication of the 300-volume "The Complete Manga Works of Tezuka Osamu" is completed.

November 16

A "meeting of appreciation" is held at the Akasaka Prince Hotel to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Tezuka Osamu's career as a Manga artist.

November 22

Admitted to the Hanzomon Hospital with acute hepatitis and cholelithiasis.

January 18

Twenty-five animated cartoons selected by Tezuka Osamu himself are shown at the Image Culture Center over the period through January 30.

March 13

The opera "Phoenix: Yamato" composed by Aoshima Hiroshi premiers.

March 21

Yomiuri TV broadcasts the program "11 P.M.: Tezuka Osamu Naniwa Graffiti."

April

The production of the pilot animated cartoon "Broken Down Film", directed by Tezuka Osamu, is completed. He writes the draft scenario and storyboards for the production.
Tezuka Productions completes production of the animated cartoon "Lunn Flies into the Wind"(Lion Books) with its own resources.

May 31

Tezuka Osamu wins official commendation at the First Tokyo International Film Festival/The Tera Pina Animation Festival for his many years of contribution to the production of animated films.

June 14

Tezuka Osamu receives the Special Award of the Kodansha Manga Awards because the year 1985 marked the 40th anniversary of his career as a Manga artist, and the publication of "The Complete Manga Works of Tezuka Osamu" was completed.

June 16

On Father's Day, the Japan Men's Fashion Association chooses Tezuka Osamu as the "Best Father of the Year."

July 1-8

Travels to France to attend the Japan-France Cultural Summit '85 held in Arc-et-Senans. Tezuka Osamu's wife accompanies him overseas for the first time. At the summit, he gives a lecture on the theme "Manga as a Common Language."

July 17

Visits the site of the Tsukuba Science and Technology Exposition together with Te Wei, Yan Ding Xian, and other staff from Chinese animated cartoon productions.

July 19

The "40 Years of Manga by Tezuka Osamu Exhibition" is held. Subsequently, the exhibition tours the country.

August 17

Attends the First Hiroshima International Animation Festival.

August 23

Wins the Grand Prix at the First Hiroshima International Animation Festival for "Broken Down Film."

August 25

NTV broadcasts the special animated cartoon "THE THREE-EYED ONE-PRINCE IN THE DEVIL ISLAND," produced by Toei Animation.

August 30

Attends an international symposium sponsored by the Japan Society for Future Research.
The "Chronicle of Animated Cartoons by Tezuka Osamu" takes place at the Laforet Museum Harajuku.

October 10

Receives the best-in-the-category award at the Fourth Varna International Animation Film Festival for "Broken Down Film."

October 27

TBS broadcasts the TV program "40 Years of Tezuka Osamu: The Complete Works of Astro Boy."

October 29

Appears as a guest on TBS's quiz show.

November 3

Receives the "Silver Spike Award" at the Valladolid International Animation Festival for "Jumping."

December 10

A meeting commemorating for animation-related awards to Tezuka Osamu is held.

December 16

Packin Video starts sales of the original video animation "LOVE POSITION, LEGEND OF THE HALLEY" for which Tezuka Osamu wrote the draft scenario.

December 26

Receives the honorable Tokyo citizen medal from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

January 10

NHK General TV broadcasts a special feature TV program entitled "Tezuka Osamu: The Secret of Creative Work."

January 17

Appears in the NHK Educational TV program focusing on "Message to Adolf."

February 21

Interviewed by a reporter of the British newspaper "The Guardian" for a feature article on Japan about trends in the Manga.

March 1

Attends round-table discussions on "The World of Astro Boy and Robot Technology," sponsored by the Robotics Society of Japan.

March 14-28

Travels to the United States to attend the "Japan Week" event held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give a comprehensive introduction of Japan. Tezuka Osamu gives lectures in Washington, D.C., San Diego, Nashville, and other cities and between the lectures visits Lucas Film

March 20

Appears on TV Asahi's talk show as a guest.

April 16

"Wonder Beat S" is first broadcasted. Tezuka Osamu supervises scenario writing and appears in the program to comment on the animated cartoon.

May 14

Tezuka Osamu's father, Yutaka, passes away at the age of 86.

May 27

Interviewed by a reporter of a West German TV station about "Buddha" and "Message to Adolf."

June 3

Oden Shrine (June 3, 1986/Tokyo)
Tezuka Osamu played the role of a Shinto priest in the video 'Yokai Tengoku' (aka Apparition Heaven), produced by his eldest son, Tezuka Makoto.

Appears in the video "The Paradise of Ghosts" directed by Tezuka Osamu's eldest son, Makoto.

June 18-21

Travels to the United States to give a lecture in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

June 20

Receives the 10th Kodansha Manga Award in the general category for "Message to Adolf."

June 22-29

Attends the seventh Zagreb International Animation Festival as an international judge.

July 20

The World Manga Exposition is held in Osaka through August 31. Tezuka Osamu exhibits his works and travels to Osaka many times during the exposition.

August

Tezuka Productions completes the production of the animated cartoon "Yamataro Comes Back!" (Lion Books) with its own resources.

August 24

NTV broadcasts the special animated cartoon "Galaxy Investigation 2100: Border Planet", produced by Tezuka Productions under the auspices of Tezuka Osamu. He also writes the draft scenario for the production.

August 27-September 4

Travels to Italy and visits Vatican City to see Michelangelo's ceiling painting in the Sistine Chapel.

September 14-17

Travels to Shanghai and Beijing, China.

October 25

Laser Disk Company launches the laser disk version of "Jumping/Tezuka Osamu."

December 13

Appears in NTV's program "Man of the Times" as a guest.

December 20

The animated film "The Phoenix: Chapter of Ho-o", produced by Kadokawa Haruki Office, is released.

February 17

Receives the 14th Kinema-jumpo Readers Award for his essay "Watching, Shooting, Screening."

March 21

The Aoi Exposition Okazaki '87, for which Tezuka Osamu served as general producer, is held through May 17. At the Okazaki Future Pavilion, the slides entitled "Okazaki City in 70 Years" for which he wrote the draft script and produced, are projected .

March 21-29

April 29

Another meeting of the Tezuka Osamu Fans Club is held. The animated cartoon "IN THE BEGINNING The Bible Stories: The Story of Noah", presentation video "Brave Fire SO9", and slides "Okazaki City in 70 Years" are screened at the meeting.

May 25

Attends the Annecy International Animation Festival, and later visits Spain for sightseeing.

July 24

Exhibits his works at the "Card Gallery and the Charity Exhibition of Original Illustrations by 25 Artists."

August 1

The animated cartoon video "The Phoenix: Chapter of Yamato", produced by Kadokawa Haruki Office, is put on the market.

August 2

The space fantasy film "Phoenix" is screened at the festival for commemorating the completion of Greenpia Minamiaso's Aspecta Hall.

August 21

The Second Hiroshima International Animation Film Festival is held through August 26. Tezuka Osamu serves as chairman of the international judge for the festival. The pilot animated cartoons "Push" and "Muramasa", directed by Tezuka Osamu, are exhibited. He also writes a draft scenario and storyboards for the productions.

September 15-23

Travels to Canada to give lectures in Ottawa and Montreal at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and continues on to the United States to give a lecture in Hartford as well.

October 3

Members of the Society of Picture Books by Manga artist work together to produce a large panel painting for the "Saitama Fair '87 for National Urban Forestation" held at the Prefectural Omiya Park.

December 18

The pilot animated cartoon "The Legend of the Forest: Part - 1" is completed. Tezuka Osamu writes a draft scenario for and storyboards the animated cartoon, which is directed jointly by Tezuka Osamu and Ui Takashi.

December 21

The animated cartoon video "THE PHOENIX: -SPACE-", produced by the offices of Kadokawa Haruki, is launched. Tezuka Osamu wins the Second Image Software Grand Prix (Ministry of International Trade and Industry Award) in the video category for his laser disk "Jumping/Tezuka Osamu."

January 10

Appears in TBS's TV program "TV Detectives" as a guest.

January 29

Receiving the Asahi Prize (January 29, 1988/Tokyo)
Tezuka Osamu received the 1987 Asahi Prize for his creative achievements in the world of Manga and animation since the second World War.

Tezuka Osamu receives the Asahi Award for his creative contribution to postwar manga and the animation industry.

January 29

He also receives the 25th Ofuji Noburo Award at the Mainichi Film Contest for "The Legend of the Forest: Part - 1."

February 13

Gives a lecture at the Asahi Hall Yurakucho Marion to commemorate his receiving the Asahi Award. The film "The Legend of the Forest: Part - 1" is screened.

March 15

Admitted to the Hanzomon Hospital with pain in the abdomen.

March 17

Undergoes a first round of operations.

March 19

NHK General TV broadcasts the program "Kayama Yuzo Show" in which Tezuka Osamu appears as a guest. "The Legend of the Forest: Part - 1" is screened

April

The production section of Tezuka Productions relocates to its new studios in Niiza, Saitama Prefecture.

May 12

Discharged from the hospital.

June 3

Receives the CIFEJ Award at the Eighth Zagreb International Animation Festival.

June 24

Talks with George Lucas, who visited Japan to promote his film "Willow", for an article to be published in "Shukan Post" magazine.

June 26

Talks with Canadian animated cartoon artist Frederic Back in a special "talk-in" event held at the Seibu Seed Hall in Shibuya.

August 9

Talks with movie director Robert Zemeckis, who directed the film "Who Framed Rodger Rabbit?", for an article to be published in "Spa!" magazine.

September 23

A representative from the Episa TV station in Basque, Spain visits Tezuka Productions' Niiza studios for an interview.

October 1

The Astro Boy Culture Forum is held through October 2. During the forum, "Astro Boy" is screened and celebrities from various circles give speeches.

October 3

Hospitalized again

October 19

Receives the Youth Judge Award in the short film category at the Animation Film Festival for Youths in Bourg-en-Bresse, France, for "The Legend of the Forest: Part - 1."

November 1

Making smiling faces (August 27, 1988/Tokyo)
Producing the model for the sculpture 'Laughter', which is on display at the Kawasaki City Museum.

The Kawasaki City Museum opens. Tezuka Osamu created the object "Laughter" for the museum, and the "Special Exhibition: The World of Tezuka Osamu" is held at the museum through April 23, 1989.

November 8-18

December 5

Undergoes another operation at the hospital.

January 8

TBS Radio broadcasts the special program "Mom Tells Old Stories."

February 8

A performance of the musical "Phoenix" is given at the Zenrosai Hall, Space Zero, in Shibuya, which runs through February 28.

February 9

Tezuka Osamu passes away from stomach cancer at the age of 60.