Osamu Tezuka  

Osamu Tezuka was a renowned Japanese manga artist, cartoonist, animator, and film producer known for his groundbreaking techniques and redefinitions of genres. He earned numerous accolades such as "the father of manga," "the godfather of manga," and "the god of manga." Tezuka's work served as a significant inspiration to Walt Disney during his formative years, making him the Japanese equivalent to the legendary animator. Tezuka kick-started Japan's manga revolution with New Treasure Island in 1947. His prolific output produced some of the most influential and successful manga series like Tetsuwan Atom, Jungle Taitei, Black Jack, and Hi no Tori, which won multiple awards. Despite his untimely death from stomach cancer in 1989, Tezuka's legacy continues to impact Japan and the world of animation. A museum was constructed in Takarazuka as a tribute to Tezuka's memory and life works. Posthumously, he received numerous awards, and several animations were still in production at his death, including the final chapters of Hi no Tori, which were never released.