Tezuka: God of Manga documentary launches Kickstarter campaign
The documentary about manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka is seeking US$49,999, with the film planned for completion in 2028.
Tezuka: God of Manga, an upcoming feature-length documentary about manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka, has launched a Kickstarter campaign seeking US$49,999. The project had raised US$10,726 when Anime News Network reported the launch on 14 October. 1
The campaign is being run by the documentary’s production team, led by director Jason Andrew Cohn and Bread & Butter Films. The film is planned for completion in 2028, which would coincide with the centenary of Tezuka’s birth. 1
What the campaign offers
Backer rewards listed in the launch report include an Astro Boy T-shirt, a Blu-ray or DVD of the documentary, a Black Jack giclée print by manga artist Yuko Shimizu, lithograph prints, a Tezuka colour manga cover and a supporting-producer credit. 1
The documentary is expected to feature interviews with creators and scholars including Katsuhiro Otomo, Riyoko Ikeda, Naoki Urasawa, Go Nagai, Yoshiyuki Tomino, Masao Maruyama, Rintaro, Ada Palmer, Fred Schodt and Helen McCarthy. The official trailer is available from Tezuka Productions. 2
The campaign is scheduled to close on 13 November. If it reaches its goal, the producers say the film’s Blu-ray and DVD editions are planned for July 2028. 1
Our opinion
This is a worthwhile anime-culture story because the campaign is tied to a substantial documentary rather than a routine merchandise announcement. Tezuka’s influence runs through far more than Astro Boy, and a film that gathers contemporary creators and historians around his work could make a useful record of that legacy. The 2028 target is a long way out, but the Kickstarter gives fans a concrete way to follow the project now.