Tezuka Goes Digital

[Parsifal]

Coming via the Anime News Network is word that Tezuka Productions, founded by the late (and very great) Osamu Tezuka has embarked on a major new project. Starting this month they are setting off to scan into digital format and computer colorize the complete illustrated works of Tezuka.

Totaling a stated 150,000 pages that is no small task. The studio project leads are all former personal assistants to Osamu Tezuka and are supervising the process. Having recreated the original color charts for his works (to match the exact colors used at the time they were first drawn as perfectly as possible) they say things should get going at a rate of 1000 pages a month.

As for the purpose of this endeavor, besides for the sake of archiving them, Tezuka Productions has explained that the digital pages will be destined for various business purposes. One such purpose is for posting onto Manga no Mushi Deluxe (Manga Insect Deluxe) subsidary, responsible for the digital distribution of comic books to cellular phones in Japan.
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[Parsifal]

A quick rundown of the manga currently on offer via Manga no Mushi Deluxe (with more to come):

Astro Boy -Osamu Tezuka's iconic work about a mechanical boy who fights to protect others from various thugs and super villains

Black Jack -A story about a mercenary doctor who offers both his combat and incredible medical skills up to the highest bidder

Ribbon Knight -A medieval tale of a boy born into the body of a girl due to angelic mischief, and born to a king and queen. Since a princess cannot claim the throne "her" parents and maid conspire to present the princess as a male and contender for rule against various claimants while fighting off threats to the kingdom.

Dororo -A Japanese feudal tale of a young orphaned thief and a ronin who's father sold the child's soul and parts of his body to demons in exchange for great power. Using artificial limbs the two hunt down the demons, reclaiming pieces of the ronin as they go.

Phoenix -The story of the spirit of life, death, and rebirth and the lives she's touched. Going from the dawn of time to the passing of Man the book recounts meetings over several lifetimes and past actions affecting the future.

Fushigi na Merumo -After losing her mother in a car accident 9 year-old Melmo is left to care for her two younger brothers. Visited by the ghost of her deceased mother she is given the means (a seemingly inexhaustible bottle of two kinds of pills) to either temporarily become an adult, a infant, or any kind of animal. Using her new abilities she manages through various clever acts to take care of her siblings and solve any problems that come their way.
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