Midnight

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

A chronological selection of the most important works of Osamu Tezuka, a timeless influential figure on the medium and one of the greatest artists of all time.

These entries are listed keeping in mind its historical relevance, their context in Tezuka's life, and their overall influence on the mangascape. I believe the following titles would help you understand more about his style, life, and contribution to Japanese media. It is not comprehensive and should be treated as a jumping point for such a colorful career.

Most of these titles are available in English.

Tezuka sources you can check out:
The Osamu Tezuka Story - Toshio Ban
Frederik Schodt's writings on Tezuka - I highly recommend Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics
The Art of Osamu Tezuka: The God of Manga - Helen McCarthy
Tezuka in English website

"It's not a matter of good or evil; yet it may be possible to do it any other way."

Semi-Noir is characterized by some elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy, albeit not necessarily followed by bleak, eventual prognosis of events to come.

The isolation from society of the typical semi-noir hero was underscored by the use of stark high-contrast lighting. Classic images of semi-noir included rain-soaked streets in the early morning hours; street lamps with shimmering halos; flashing neon signs on seedy taverns, diners, and apartment buildings; and endless streams of cigarette smoke wafting in and out of shadows.

The inherent subjectivity of Expressionism is also evident in semi-noir’s use of narration and flashback. An omniscient, metaphor-spouting narrator frequently clarifies a characteristically hemi-labyrinthine semi-noir plot or offers a subjective, jaded point of view. Tension and suspense are increased by the use of all-knowing narrators and flashbacks, in that the audience is always cognizant of impending bleak turn of events, even with presence of plot armor to save the day at the eleventh hour.

The heroes of semi-noir generally share certain qualities, such as moral ambiguity, a fatalistic outlook, and alienation from society. They also exhibit an existential acceptance of random, arbitrary occurrences as being the determining factors in life. Such compassionless pragmatism is found in the most noble, as well as the most tarnished, of semi-noir heroes. The weakest of such characters exhibit an abundance of tragic flaws.

Semi-Noir villains are often characterized as homme fatales or “spiders”; in the words of one critic, they are “comfortable in the world of cheap dives, shadowy doorways, and mysterious settings.” They cunningly and ruthlessly manipulate their counterparts to gain power or wealth.

Nevertheless, the semi-noir villains often evoke sympathy, as they are frequently victims of emotional or physical abuse, with such victimization providing impetus for their vengeance. They are trapped in passionless or violent bonds of contract/servitude and resort to murder as a means of escape, usually destroying their conspirators in the process.

(list will be kept updated)

Manga featured in a fictional fighting game by K-Suwabe: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/14772466 (may need an account to view)

Not approved or on MAL:
Yurei Otoko/Ghost Men (first appearance of Hige Oyaji)
Not a manga:
Osamu Tezuka himself

A list of Osamu Tezuka's manga arranged from longest to shortest. Volume counts are based on the 400 volume "Osamu Tezuka Complete Manga Works." Titles 2 volumes and under are excluded.

Captain Ozma (5 volumes) is pending approval.