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The Feb. 8 release of the animated film Buddha 2: Tezuka Osamu no Buddha - Owarinaki Tabi is closing in. Preceding this, a world premiere of the film will take place at the Louvre in Paris. Syncing up with this premiere, original pictures by Osamu will be on display at the event “The God of Manga: Tezuka Exhibition” being held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 28 at Gallery Barbier & Mutton in Paris. The event is a joint effort between Toei and Tezuka Productions.
Though Osamu is known throughout the world as the father of manga, this event in France introducing a large portion of his original pictures is unexpectedly the first of its kind to be held. Many of his representative works will be introduced at the exhibit. More than 50 pieces of art from such works as Buddha, Atom Boy, Black Jack, Kimba the White Lion, Phoenix, Princess Knight, Bomba, MW, Ode to Kirihito, and Ningen Konchūki will be on display.
Before opening to the public, a private showing was held on Jan. 26. In attendance were the president of Tezuka Productions, Takayuki Matsutani; the director of Buddha 2: Tezuka Osamu no Buddha - Owarinaki Tabi, Toshiaki Komura; and executive producer Kōzō Morishita. “Due to the acceptance of manga, there are many in Paris who love the works of Osamu Tezuka, so I’m happy we were able to hold this exhibit for the first time,” Matsutani began his greeting. He continued with, “If Tezuka were here, I think he would be in extremely high spirits.”
Matsutani continued, touching on the movies he has directed: “Even though the works are difficult to get into like Buddha, I think everyone in France will sympathize with the dramatic stories, and I think we will be able to reaffirm Tezuka’s achievements.” Morishita also expressed his wishes for the future: “Japanese animation has wonderful characters and works created by the likes of Osamu Tezuka, Akira Toriyama, Eiichirō Oda, and others, and I think it would be beneficial to give more thought to how to adapt these wonderful works into films and what to do with them.”
Source: animeanime
Source article written by Yushi Makari
© 2014 Tezuka Osamu’s Buddha 2 Production Committee
