The God of Manga Returns to the Screen: New Drama Announced About Osamu Tezuka's War Years

Japan's national broadcaster NHK Osaka has announced a special project that will shed light on the life of Osamu Tezuka, who is considered the greatest name in the world of manga. Titled "Tezuka Osamu no Sensou" (Tezuka Osamu's War), this special drama series will tell the story of the artist's most difficult career periods and his youth spent in the shadow of World War II through a parallel narrative. Talented Japanese cinema actor Kengo Kora will play the lead role.

The story of the series is inspired by Tezuka's semi-autobiographical works "Kami no Toride" (Paper Fortress) and "Godfather no Musuko" (The Godfather's Son). The production will take the audience to two different time periods: Osamu Tezuka in 1973 Tokyo, struggling with the bankruptcy of his company and heavy debts, criticized by the public as "outdated," and the young Tetsuro Ohsawa (Tezuka's alter ego) in 1945 Osaka, who continues to draw manga secretly despite the destruction and prohibitions of the war. Rising star Kohsuke Harada will bring the young Tetsuro character to life.

Known by the nickname "The God of Manga," Osamu Tezuka is known as the person who laid the foundations of the modern manga and anime industry. The artist, who is the creator of immortal works such as Astro Boy, Black Jack, and Kimba the White Lion, survived the 1945 Osaka air raids, which became the main source of the deep humanism and peace themes in his works. This drama aims to paint a portrait of the artist not only as a genius but also as a human being who clung to his creativity even in his most hopeless moments.

Recently, the Takarazuka City Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum