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The Astro Boy Essays: Osamu Tezuka, Mighty Atom, and the Manga/Anime Revolution
The pioneering genius of Japan’s “God of Comics,” Osamu Tezuka (1928–89), is examined through his life’s Tetsuwan Atomu, also known as Mighty Atom or Astro Boy , a comic series featuring a cute little android who yearns to be more human. The history of Tetsuwan Atomu and Tezuka’s role in it is a road map to understanding the development of new media in Japan and the United States. Topics include Tezuka’s life, the art of animation, the connection between fantasy robots and technology, spin-offs, and Astro Boy ’s cultural impact. Frederik L. Schodt is a translator and author of numerous books about Japan, including Manga! Manga! and Dreamland Japan . He often served as Osamu Tezuka’s English interpreter. In 2009 he was received the The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contribution to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2007
17 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Frederik L. Schodt
45 books38 followersFrederik Lowell Schodt is an American translator, interpreter and writer.
Schodt's father was in the US foreign service, and he grew up in Norway, Australia, and Japan. The family first went to Japan in 1965 when Schodt was fifteen. They left in 1967 but Schodt remained to graduate from Tokyo's American School in Japan, in 1968. After entering the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1970 Schodt returned to Japan, and studied Japanese intensively at International Christian University (I.C.U.) for a year and half. He graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1972, and after a brief bohemian stint at a variety of jobs and traveling became a tour guide in Los Angeles for Japanese tourists, also escorting them to Canada and Mexico. After trying to interpret for a group once at Sunkist, he realized that he could become an interpreter, but needed further training. In 1975, he was awarded a scholarship from Japan's Ministry of Education, to return to I.C.U. and study translation and interpreting. After finishing his studies at I.C.U. in 1977, he began working in the translation department of Simul International, in Tokyo. In mid-1978 he returned to the United States, and since then has worked in San Francisco as a free-lance writer, translator, and interpreter.
While working in Tokyo in 1977, he joined with several university friends in contacting Tezuka Productions. They sought permission to translate the Phoenix comic into English. Schodt is notable in manga and anime fandom for his translations of works such as Osamu Tezuka’s Phoenix, Tezuka’s Astro Boy, Riyoko Ikeda’s The Rose of Versailles, Keiji Nakazawa’s Barefoot Gen, and others.
His best known book is Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics, published in 1983 and reprinted several times, with an introduction by Tezuka. Manga! Manga! won a prize at the Manga Oscar Awards in 1983. Furthermore, in 2000 Schodt was awarded the Asahi Shimbun’s Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize "Special Prize" for his outstanding contribution to the appreciation of manga worldwide.
Schodt's father was in the US foreign service, and he grew up in Norway, Australia, and Japan. The family first went to Japan in 1965 when Schodt was fifteen. They left in 1967 but Schodt remained to graduate from Tokyo's American School in Japan, in 1968. After entering the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1970 Schodt returned to Japan, and studied Japanese intensively at International Christian University (I.C.U.) for a year and half. He graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1972, and after a brief bohemian stint at a variety of jobs and traveling became a tour guide in Los Angeles for Japanese tourists, also escorting them to Canada and Mexico. After trying to interpret for a group once at Sunkist, he realized that he could become an interpreter, but needed further training. In 1975, he was awarded a scholarship from Japan's Ministry of Education, to return to I.C.U. and study translation and interpreting. After finishing his studies at I.C.U. in 1977, he began working in the translation department of Simul International, in Tokyo. In mid-1978 he returned to the United States, and since then has worked in San Francisco as a free-lance writer, translator, and interpreter.
While working in Tokyo in 1977, he joined with several university friends in contacting Tezuka Productions. They sought permission to translate the Phoenix comic into English. Schodt is notable in manga and anime fandom for his translations of works such as Osamu Tezuka’s Phoenix, Tezuka’s Astro Boy, Riyoko Ikeda’s The Rose of Versailles, Keiji Nakazawa’s Barefoot Gen, and others.
His best known book is Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics, published in 1983 and reprinted several times, with an introduction by Tezuka. Manga! Manga! won a prize at the Manga Oscar Awards in 1983. Furthermore, in 2000 Schodt was awarded the Asahi Shimbun’s Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize "Special Prize" for his outstanding contribution to the appreciation of manga worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 23, 2018
I gave my local library a lot of grief by holding onto this book for several months but I've finally finished! A little bit Tezuka biography, a little bit manga/animation/post-war Japanese history and of course plenty on Astro Boy. If you're interested in any of those topics it's a solid read with plenty of detail, but it's perhaps a little unexciting in the telling.
August 13, 2010
I can think of no better author for this book than Frederik Schodt. He was one of the first American "otaku," a leader in early Japanese-to-English manga translations and imports, translator of works such as Barefoot Gen, Astro Boy, The Rose of Versailles and Phoenix, writer of the groundbreaking Manga! Manga!, and personal friend of Osamu Tezuka. He's done so much to establish Japan as a major cultural producer internationally that he was given the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government in 2009, AND the Tezuka Cultural Prize in 2000. He doesn't just know his material - he's been intimately involved with it for decades.
Astro Boy Essays was an easy and engaging read, given my high level of interest in the material, and I found it to be built in such a way that it was both plugged into the moment in which it was written and of lasting value. Manga! Manga! is written in this way, as well: though very much a product of the late '80s, its value as a primer history of manga up to that point and as a snapshot of manga culture at the time remains high.
Schodt's writing style is journalistic more than it is scholarly, and you won't find any complex sociological theories here - but for what it is, his work is damned near perfect, and his influence has been enormous.
As for Tezuka-Sensei himself, what needs be said? Certainly a worthy subject.
Astro Boy Essays was an easy and engaging read, given my high level of interest in the material, and I found it to be built in such a way that it was both plugged into the moment in which it was written and of lasting value. Manga! Manga! is written in this way, as well: though very much a product of the late '80s, its value as a primer history of manga up to that point and as a snapshot of manga culture at the time remains high.
Schodt's writing style is journalistic more than it is scholarly, and you won't find any complex sociological theories here - but for what it is, his work is damned near perfect, and his influence has been enormous.
As for Tezuka-Sensei himself, what needs be said? Certainly a worthy subject.
April 30, 2024
L'autore è uno dei massimi esperti a livello globale di fumetto giapponese, e il libro lo dimostra.
A differenza di altri suoi testi, in cui affronta l'argomento con una visuale ampia e dettagliata, qui si concentra in maniera breve su una sola opera, Tetsuwan Atomu (noto all'estero anche come Astro boy), fumetto per bambini degli anni Cinquanta ormai considerato un classico in patria ma anche fuori dal Giappone, una sorta di icona nazionale che nei decennî ha conosciuto diverse incarnazioni su carta e su schermo con alterne fortune e con cui Tezuka ha vissuto un rapporto dialettico ma intenso.
Dal libro traspira il grande amore dell'autore per questo fumetto e soprattutto per il suo autore, amore sostenuto da una conoscenza puntuale dell'argomento e grandi capacità di analisi, ma il libro è anche un'occasione per divagare sull'opera di Tezuka in generale, autore su cui credo non si dirà mai abbastanza, e poi su cosa sono stati e sono ancora oggi il fumetto e l'animazione giapponesi, sia in patria che all'estero.
Insomma, si parla di un piccolo fumetto, con i tutti suoi limiti e tutta la sua grandezza, ma per vedervi rispecchiati gli umori e le contraddizioni di un'epoca che forse arriva fino ai nostri giorni.
A differenza di altri suoi testi, in cui affronta l'argomento con una visuale ampia e dettagliata, qui si concentra in maniera breve su una sola opera, Tetsuwan Atomu (noto all'estero anche come Astro boy), fumetto per bambini degli anni Cinquanta ormai considerato un classico in patria ma anche fuori dal Giappone, una sorta di icona nazionale che nei decennî ha conosciuto diverse incarnazioni su carta e su schermo con alterne fortune e con cui Tezuka ha vissuto un rapporto dialettico ma intenso.
Dal libro traspira il grande amore dell'autore per questo fumetto e soprattutto per il suo autore, amore sostenuto da una conoscenza puntuale dell'argomento e grandi capacità di analisi, ma il libro è anche un'occasione per divagare sull'opera di Tezuka in generale, autore su cui credo non si dirà mai abbastanza, e poi su cosa sono stati e sono ancora oggi il fumetto e l'animazione giapponesi, sia in patria che all'estero.
Insomma, si parla di un piccolo fumetto, con i tutti suoi limiti e tutta la sua grandezza, ma per vedervi rispecchiati gli umori e le contraddizioni di un'epoca che forse arriva fino ai nostri giorni.
May 7, 2023
A page-turner for any anime aficionado. Schodt delves deep into the world of Astro Boy, a classic anime character created by Osamu Tezuka, and explores how this beloved robot changed the landscape of Japanese animation. Schodt's extensive research and insightful analysis make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history of anime.
April 23, 2018
Schodt is without a doubt the expert to turn to on Tezuka Osamu, considering Schodt's scholarship, translation, and personal friendship with Tezuka. Entertaining and easily accessible for an undergraduate audience
February 23, 2025
3.5/5
Sometimes a bit too reverent to Tezuka (especially in discussions around race), but a fascinating and richly researched account of Astro Boy, his (re)creation, and his legacy. Wish there were more footnotes!
Sometimes a bit too reverent to Tezuka (especially in discussions around race), but a fascinating and richly researched account of Astro Boy, his (re)creation, and his legacy. Wish there were more footnotes!
May 7, 2024
An wonderful collection of essays about one of the most influential japanese writers and artists of the last 100 year's.
February 23, 2017
3.5 for being workmanlike but failing to be much more.
A narrow look at Astro Boy. Tezuka's life and other work are secondary as this is very focused on being a comprehensive timeline of all things Mighty Atom, whether they're interesting or not, gosh darn it! It felt like the author could have given the material broader relevance, but didn't. The book calls itself "essays" but really that's an excuse to have chapters that don't tie to a larger idea and build on one another.
It's decent. I learned some interesting things about the history of the medium and Tezuka specifically. But you have to be pretty invested in this niche to get much out of it.
A narrow look at Astro Boy. Tezuka's life and other work are secondary as this is very focused on being a comprehensive timeline of all things Mighty Atom, whether they're interesting or not, gosh darn it! It felt like the author could have given the material broader relevance, but didn't. The book calls itself "essays" but really that's an excuse to have chapters that don't tie to a larger idea and build on one another.
It's decent. I learned some interesting things about the history of the medium and Tezuka specifically. But you have to be pretty invested in this niche to get much out of it.
December 9, 2014
An essential read for every Osamu Tezuka fan and people who are interested in the origin of anime and manga. It doesn't only give detailed background on the person of the manga god Osamu Tezuka, his influences, his demons and his flaws, but also a rough but very precise info on the early history of animation from the 40s propaganda films by Mitsuyo Seo to the 80s work of Hayao Miyazaki. Furthermore it gives a good impression of some technical aspects of animation and the boundaries of limited animation in particular.
But of course the star of this book, aside from Tezuka, is his iconic creation Astro Boy. Schodt, who is a well-respected scholar of anime and manga, a first-generation otaku, Tezuka translator and personal friend of the master, analyzes the social impact of the little robot and elaborates the astonishing artistic debth of this children's comic, noting that the intelligent technological and anti-racist statements are relevant even today.
Tezuka himself is described in much more facets than standard hailings of his work bother to describe. Schodt deconstructs the eccentric genius, who was undeniably an insanely hard-working intellectual who only slept 5 hours a day but also seemingly incompetent at most business-related aspects of the anime industry. Tezuka was a man highly biased towards his most famous creation, Tetsuwan Atomu.
I would actually recommend to read the works of Tezuka before you read this work - you should start with Astro Boy for obvious reasons. This fine book serves better as a consolidation of knowledge than as an introduction to the Tezuka universe, which is majestically complex and rewarding if you once managed to get into it.
8/10
But of course the star of this book, aside from Tezuka, is his iconic creation Astro Boy. Schodt, who is a well-respected scholar of anime and manga, a first-generation otaku, Tezuka translator and personal friend of the master, analyzes the social impact of the little robot and elaborates the astonishing artistic debth of this children's comic, noting that the intelligent technological and anti-racist statements are relevant even today.
Tezuka himself is described in much more facets than standard hailings of his work bother to describe. Schodt deconstructs the eccentric genius, who was undeniably an insanely hard-working intellectual who only slept 5 hours a day but also seemingly incompetent at most business-related aspects of the anime industry. Tezuka was a man highly biased towards his most famous creation, Tetsuwan Atomu.
I would actually recommend to read the works of Tezuka before you read this work - you should start with Astro Boy for obvious reasons. This fine book serves better as a consolidation of knowledge than as an introduction to the Tezuka universe, which is majestically complex and rewarding if you once managed to get into it.
8/10
December 11, 2011
The perfect book for me to pick up at Shibuya Tower. Somewhere between my personal desire and what others in Japan have given me, I find myself surrounded by Astro Boy toys and books. When I first started to go to Japan, Osamu Tezuka was one of the sources of understanding that culture and it was such a pleasant adventure. Frederik L. Schodt's book on the culture and history of Astro Boy is a must-read for anyone who have even the slightest interest in manga and its history.
Tezuka is without a doubt a major figure in pop Japanese culture - perhaps the key figure, and without a doubt a genius in his field. He is also a mega-figure to write about, and Schodt's book is a good starter in the world of Tezuka, and by mostly focusing on his most famous work in the west - Mighty Atom aka Astro Boy.
The story of a boy robot made by a scientist who was grieving over his deceased son. But that 'father' eventually disowns the robot due to the fact he doesn't age. And therefore we have the consistent tension between robot and human. Tezuka thought long and hard on this and Astro Boy is not a simple subject. He's a mixture of popular science and all the hope it brings, but also the inner-danger of nuclear power and the arrogance of science. And it is this tension that makes 'Astro Boy' into a major work. Also Tezuka's skills as a writer and illustrator is pretty amazing. For sure he's the Disney of Japan, but I think he's more then that - way more. Schodt did a remarkable job introducing the world of Tezuka and why he's important.
Tezuka is without a doubt a major figure in pop Japanese culture - perhaps the key figure, and without a doubt a genius in his field. He is also a mega-figure to write about, and Schodt's book is a good starter in the world of Tezuka, and by mostly focusing on his most famous work in the west - Mighty Atom aka Astro Boy.
The story of a boy robot made by a scientist who was grieving over his deceased son. But that 'father' eventually disowns the robot due to the fact he doesn't age. And therefore we have the consistent tension between robot and human. Tezuka thought long and hard on this and Astro Boy is not a simple subject. He's a mixture of popular science and all the hope it brings, but also the inner-danger of nuclear power and the arrogance of science. And it is this tension that makes 'Astro Boy' into a major work. Also Tezuka's skills as a writer and illustrator is pretty amazing. For sure he's the Disney of Japan, but I think he's more then that - way more. Schodt did a remarkable job introducing the world of Tezuka and why he's important.
January 15, 2011
An excellent collection of essays analyzing the Astro Boy canon and examining Tezuka's life as both a scientist and a manga-ka. A lot of great insight in one book.
One issue: I wish Schodt did not try to brush off Tezuka's overtly racist artwork (the images of black people as grass skirt-wearing savages with big lips and so forth) as just a sign of his being influenced by Disney or that he didn't intend the art to be racist. Authorial intent means jack squat when the actual finished product depicts people in color in a racist light. It's okay to say Tezuka had problematic issues in his work! He isn't a man to be worshipped as someone without faults or problems.
Still, overall, a great volume of meta about everyone's favorite boy robot from the future.
One issue: I wish Schodt did not try to brush off Tezuka's overtly racist artwork (the images of black people as grass skirt-wearing savages with big lips and so forth) as just a sign of his being influenced by Disney or that he didn't intend the art to be racist. Authorial intent means jack squat when the actual finished product depicts people in color in a racist light. It's okay to say Tezuka had problematic issues in his work! He isn't a man to be worshipped as someone without faults or problems.
Still, overall, a great volume of meta about everyone's favorite boy robot from the future.
May 18, 2012
The Astro Boy Essays details many aspects of Osamu Tezuka's personal life, and the surroundings that led to the robot's creation. Yes, it's a history lesson, but Tezuka is a fascinating person to learn about. He was heavily influenced by old Walt Disney cartoons, and was always creating new and unique characters. The book focuses primarily on Astro Boy, but it briefly mentions some of his other works. One particularly fascinating aspect of Tezuka's manga was how he would treat his characters as actors. Dubbed the "star system", characters would cross over and take on other roles in different manga. It's just one fun fact of many in this well-researched book, written a friend and translator of Tezuka's manga.
October 11, 2009
Highly enjoyable. Schodt is a real mensch, as well as being Tezuka's long-time interpreter. Interesting stuff on how Tezuka presferred the comic Astro Boy to the anime, and was crestfallen how the rest of his works (on the Buddha, Hitler, vampires, princesses, etc.) were overshadowed by this one work. Lots of good images & photos. The photo of a model of Ab lying in state at the 2003 Robocon, lovingly attended by a phalanx of Mitsubishi industrial robots, is priceless, as is the jewel-encrusted AB collectible.
October 30, 2012
Astro boy made an incredibly impression on me as a young 8 year old boy. I enjoyed this work very much. Schodt did a wonderful job in exploring the person (Osamu Tezuka) behind the great creation of Tetsuwan Atomu (Astro boy), as well as the iconic character himself. This well researched book also contains excellent illustrations with an episode list in the appendix. Highly, highly recommend for fans of Anime, Manga, or the history of cartoons or anyone interested in this popular form of culture
October 2, 2012
I got this book in university as research material for a project, partly... but I am a huge Astro Boy fan too and I highly recommend this to anyone who is.
I read it from cover to cover, even though I was partly reading it for reasearch. I don't really know what to say about it though. I thoroughly enjoyed it and at the same time, I learned more about Atom than any sane person probably should.
I read it from cover to cover, even though I was partly reading it for reasearch. I don't really know what to say about it though. I thoroughly enjoyed it and at the same time, I learned more about Atom than any sane person probably should.
July 25, 2013
Light read. Author is certainly one of the best people to write this, but I feel there's too much time spent on the tv show when the manga is ultimately far more interesting and will draw people to this book.
August 13, 2016
One of two books I claim as my Scriptures of anime and manga research. Schodt has never shirked his research as a manga scholar and knows his stuff.
This biographical account of Tezuka and his many creations covers a lot of ground, all of it necessary.
This biographical account of Tezuka and his many creations covers a lot of ground, all of it necessary.
June 9, 2008
Did you know that Astro Boy pioneered shoddy animation? I didn't until I read this well written book. It's a breezy read and interesting history of first anime program!
Want to read
March 7, 2010This is a must read. I'm going to get back to this asap.
April 22, 2012
Anyone who loves anime and manga should read this! Tezuka started it all!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews