Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is still under copyright. Osamu Tezuka died in 1989; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2059. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.
In context
Astro Boy — Osamu Tezuka
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 61 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Osamu Tezuka (1928–1989) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/osamu-tezuka-astro-boy-D4CS4K-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Phthalo Green #1c1c1c
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 3 works by this artist, of which 2 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 2 of them, with 50.0% of that attention. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
About this artwork
Astro Boy — Osamu Tezuka
Tezuka’s ‘Mighty Atom’ Tetsuwan Atomu), better known by the English-speaking world as Astro Boy, initially appeared on television in 1959 in a live-action series, from which a number of episodes were compiled into a 1962 movie. This work features in Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics, a Barbican International Enterprises exhibition, curated by Paul Gravett. Mangasia presents a vivid journey through the art of Comics and visual storytelling across Asia. From its historical roots to the most recent digital innovations, the exhibition looks to popular Japanese ‘Manga’ and beyond, highlighting key creators, characters and publications.
Artist and museum
Born in Osaka, Japan
Born on November 3, 1928, in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, as 手塚 治 (Tezuka Osamu).
His family was well-educated; his father worked in management, and ancestors included lawyers and doctors.
Early exposure to art: His mother frequently took him to the Takarazuka Grand Theater, influencing his later costume designs and visual style.
Walt Disney was a major formative influence, particularly films like Bambi, which he watched over 80 times.
He also drew inspiration from Chinese animation, specifically Princess Iron Fan.
Tezuka began drawing comics in elementary school, heavily inspired by Disney’s animation techniques.
In 1947, he published New Treasure Island, considered a pivotal work that initiated the manga revolution in Japan.
He adopted the pen name “Osamushi” (meaning “insect”) after discovering a beetle with a similar pronunciation to his given name.
Tezuka’s style was characterized by large, expressive eyes – influenced by Disney and Takarazuka Revue performers.
Created numerous influential manga series across various genres:
Children's Manga: *Astro Boy, Princess Knight, Kimba the White Lion*.
Adult-Oriented Series: Black Jack, Phoenix, Buddha.
*Astro Boy* (1952) was Japan’s first televised anime series, achieving widespread popularity.
His works often explored complex themes such as humanity, morality, and the impact of technology.
Tezuka experimented with cinematic techniques in manga, including panel layouts and dynamic compositions.
He influenced countless manga artists and animators worldwide.
His storytelling approach and character designs became staples of the medium.
Tezuka’s work helped establish manga as a legitimate art form, both in Japan and internationally.
Often called “the Father of Manga,” “the Godfather of Manga”, or “the God of Manga”.
Tezuka’s death on February 9, 1989, from stomach cancer had a profound impact on the Japanese public.
A museum was constructed in Takarazuka dedicated to his life and work – The Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum.
Several animation projects were left unfinished at the time of his death, including final chapters of Phoenix.
His contributions continue to be celebrated through retrospectives, exhibitions, and ongoing appreciation of his extensive body of work.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/osamu-tezuka-astro-boy-D4CS4K-en/
Look closely
Astro Boy — Osamu Tezuka
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
Osamu Tezuka is also known as 手塚治虫.
The colors of "Astro Boy" by Osamu Tezuka have a muted saturation. Saturation describes how vivid or muted the colors are.
The copyright status of "Astro Boy" - still protected by copyright - follows from the artist's death in 1989.