I was planning to do two or three posts on the history of manga to tag on to my history of anime posts. I spent a lot of time this weekend researching for those posts, and I realized that was just going to require more time for research and writing than I have at the moment. Instead, I’ll be listing some major mangakas and manga magazines alongside animators and studios in these Key Frames posts.
Key Frames #2: Mangakas
Osamu Tezuka
Born: November 3, 1928
Died: February 9, 1989
Major Works: Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, Princess Knight, Phoenix
Biography: Sometimes referred to as “the god of manga,” Tezuka was born in Toyonaka. Tezuka was a leading figure in the development of modern manga and anime. In addition to his numerous contributions to manga, Tezuka also worked in animation. He began at Toei but left in the early ’60s to found his own studio, Mushi Productions. Astro Boy was the first anime to air on American television.
Machiko Hasegawa
Born: January 30, 1920
Died: May 27, 1992
Major Works: Sazae-san
Biography: Hasegawa, born in Taku, was one of the first women mangaka. She created her best known series, Sazae-san, in 1946. Sazae-san revolved around its titular character, a rebellious housewife in modern Japan, and it ran until 1974. Sazae-san was initially quite controversial, running contrary to traditional beliefs in Japanese society. Today, the franchise is considered especially nostalgic. The anime based on Sazae-san has been running since 1969.
Ryoko Ikeda
Born: December 18, 1947
Age: 70
Major Works: The Rose of Versailles, Orpheus no Mado, Der Ring des Nibelungen
Biography: Ikeda was born in Osaka and is a member of the prominent Year 24 Group, a group of women all born in the late ’40s who had major impacts on manga. As a member of the Year 24 Group, she played a major part in developing shojo manga. Ikeda is known for her manga pulling from historical, Western sources and being excruciatingly historically accurate. The Rose of Versailles earned the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur for her contributions to Japan’s understanding of France.
Shotaro Ishinomori
Born: January 25, 1938
Died: January 28, 1998
Major Works: Cyborg 009, Kamen Rider, Super Sentai
Biography: Born in Tome, Ishinomori is associated with live action television as much as with anime. His early career included working as an assitant for Tezuka. In addition to the manga Cyborg 009, Ishinomori created television show and manga Kamen Rider and the television show Super Sentai, which would eventually become Power Rangers when it got stateside.
Go Nagai
Born: September 6, 1945
Age: 72
Major Works: Cutie Honey, Devilman, Mazinger
Biography: Born in Wajima, Nagai is noted for a wide variety of styles and weirdness in his works. Nagai helped codify genres like mecha and magical girl. He began working at Ishinomori’s studio in 1965. His work is often controversial due to extreme instances of sexuality and violence appearing in the pages of his series.
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