Originally serialized in Big Comic from September 1976 to January 1978, MW was created as part of Tezuka’s continued response to the Gekiga movement which opposed the cartoonish nature of Tezuka’s earlier works in both art and storytelling.
Sometimes referred to as Tezuka’s Ancestor Dr. Ryoan, Osamu Tezuka’s series A Tree in the Sun (1981-86) was originally published in Big Comic from April 25, 1981 to December 25, 1986. Based on the life of Tezuka’s real-life ancestors, Ryoan Tezuka, it is one of Osamu Tezuka’s three medical dramas, with the other two being Ode to Kirihito (1970-71) and Black Jack (1973-83).
Seen by many as Tezuka's response to the more dramatic-style geikga movement of manga in the 1960's, Swallowing the Earth (1968-69) began serialization in Big Comic in April 1968 and ran until July 1969.
Originally serialized in Big Comic from April 1970 to December 1971, is part of Tezuka's general shift in the late 1960's/early 1970's towards more mature subject matter. It is also Tezuka's first step into a genre he would later master with Black Jack (1973-83) and A Tree in the Sun (1981-86) - the medical drama.
Following hot on the heels of Swallowing the Earth (1968-69), Tezuka’s next project, I.L (pronounced “Aye-El”), was originally intended to a more straight-forward "comic for men" (as the name of the publication branded itself), however eventually became more of a "fairy tale for adults" instead.
Following hot on the heels of Swallowing the Earth (1968-69), Tezuka's next project, I.L (pronounced "Aye-El"), was originally serialized in Big Comic from August 1969 to March 1970.
Also known as ビッグコミック (Biggu Komikku) it is the original home to some of Tezuka's darkest, most biting social commentaries, such as Swallowing the Earth, Ayako, and Barbara.
One of Osamu Tezuka's most adult and sexually-charged works, Barbara (1973-74) was originally serialized as a follow-up to Ayako (1972-73) in Big Comic from July 1973 to May 1974.
Ayako is another of Tezuka's dark social commentaries on the effects of war on society. It was originally serialized in Big Comic from January 1972 to June 1973.
Types of Tezuka Manga
Ongoing Serial: a series of episodes, published over a span of weeks/months/years where the story plot is connected from chapter to chapter and must be read in chronological order for it to be understood properly.
Chapter Serial: a series of episodes, published over a span of weeks/months/years where the story plot is self-contained to a single chapter. There may be an overarching plot, but the stories can generally be read in any order and be understood
Book: an all-in-one self contained story published as a one-off.
Supplement: an an all-in-one self contained story published as a stand-alone supplement to a regular weekly/monthly periodical.
Short Story: an all-in-one, self contained story that was published in a regular weekly/monthly periodical
Anthology: a collection of all-in-one, self contained stories that were published in a regular weekly/monthly periodical but are generally grouped together.
