Stone Bridge Press will release an English translation of the graphic novel biography of the “godfather of manga,” Osamu Tezuka: The Osamu Tezuka Story- A Life in Manga and Anime.

(Click either image for larger view.)

The book is written by Toshio Ban, who was Tezuka’s subchief of manga production for magazines at Tezuka Productions. The book is translated by Frederik L. Schodt, who has translated many books about Tezuka and served as Tezuka’s English interpreter in the U.S. and Canada. The book chronicles Tezuka’s life, as well as serving as an anecdotal study of the evolution of Japan’s early manga and anime business.

 The 928-page 7" x 9” trade paperback has a MSRP of $29.95. Release is planned for July 2016.

The creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, Black Jack, and Phoenix is known by many titles: “the father of manga,” ‘the godfather of manga,” or simply “the god of manga.” He has won many awards, including four Eisner Awards, all awarded for English adaptations after his death (see “2014 Eisner Award Winners”).