Two Black Jacks Manga & Anime Storyboard Collection

Osamu Tezuka's original manga and Osamu Dezaki's OVA storyboards... This is a groundbreaking collection of "Black Jack" resources, featuring two Osamu artists!

Black Jack is a representative character of the many characters created by Osamu Tezuka, the "god of manga" who pioneered and led Japan's postwar culture.

Black Jack, a character fraught with contradictions—an egoist as a genius, unlicensed doctor who charges exorbitant medical fees, yet also a humanist who respects human life and the will to live above all else—is a complex and profound hero, beloved as one of Japan's most iconic manga icons.

The manga was born in 1973. It began serialization in Weekly Shonen Champion, touted as a "work commemorating the 30th anniversary of the manga artist's career." That same year, Mushi Production, a company that had produced numerous anime works and led the Japanese manga and animation business and culture, went bankrupt (November 1973). With the rise of gekiga, Tezuka's manga began to seem outdated, and even in the television animation market pioneered by "Astro Boy," numerous popular programs not based on Tezuka's original works took over, and the "Tezuka Osamu" brand became nothing special.

However, despite experiencing unprecedented setbacks and anguish, the writing of "Black Jack" also marked Tezuka Osamu's major rebirth and comeback as a manga artist.

Even after his death in 1989, the character of "Black Jack," a blend of good and evil, continues to live on. While it has recently garnered acclaim as a television drama, the animated "Black Jack" series, released as an original animation (OVA) in 1993, left a strong impression on film.

Directed by Osamu Dezaki. He made his directorial debut with "Ashita no Joe" at Mushi Productions before the company went bankrupt, and after leaving Mushi Productions, he continued to produce "Aim for the Ace!" He is one of the great directors of the animation world, having created many masterpieces such as "Gamba no Daibouken," "Treasure Island," and "SPACE ADVENTURE Cobra."

He started out as an animator under Osamu Tezuka, but after many twists and turns, he first worked on an original Tezuka work, the OVA "Black Jack," which was produced from 1993 to 2011.

This book, published as part of the 50th anniversary of the start of the BJ (Black Jack) serialization, combines the manga (original work) and animation sides of "Black Jack."

The storyboards for "Black Jack" were drawn by Osamu Dezaki, who made his debut as a manga artist in rental comic magazines before joining Mushi Production. From all 10 episodes, the book includes "Chart IV: Anorexia, Two Black Doctors," in which BJ's greatest rival, Dr. Kiriko, appears, as well as various setting drawings and materials from the animation side. From the original manga, "The Fearful Germs (Original Title: Incarnation of the Grim Reaper)," in which Dr. Kiriko first appears, is included, printed in a version of the original manuscript that makes use of pencil lines and other elements. Also included is the entire "Two Black Doctors," which has the same title as the anime, as well as all the cover pages of episodes featuring Dr. Kiriko (omitted from the comics).

Entitled "Two Black Jacks," this is a collaboration between Black Jack (and Dr. Kiriko) by two OSAMUs with a deep connection: Tezuka and Dezaki.

The book will also include interviews with people involved, including producer Maruyama Masao and director Sugii Gisaburo, who knew Tezuka and Dezaki from their days at Mushi Productions.

This is a must-have book for Tezuka, Dezaki, and BJ fans, as well as anyone interested in Japanese manga and anime culture.

This book is being published as part of the 50th anniversary of the start of the "Black Jack" serialization.

(c)2024 Tezuka Productions (c)2024 Tezuka Productions/Akita Shoten/Columbia Music Entertainment