Osamu Tezuka

OSAMU TEZUKA (Japan, 1928- 1989)
"Astro Boy".
Five celluloids + five drawings, two of them adhered.
Measurements: 23,5 x 26 cm (celluloids); 24,5 x 27 cm (drawings).
Astro Boy, known in Japan as Mighty Atom is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka. The story follows Astro Boy, a young android with human emotions who is created by Umataro Tenma after the recent death of his son Tobio. Eventually, Astro is sold to a robot circus run by Hamegg, but is saved from his servitude by Professor Ochanomizu. Astro becomes a surrogate son to Ochanomizu, who creates a robotic family for Astro and helps him lead a normal life as an ordinary human child, while accompanying him on his adventures.
Before the digital era, traditional Japanese animation (also known as anime) used the "cell animation" technique of meticulously hand-painting the frames onto sheets of acetate or celluloid. This method, predominant in animation before the advent of digital techniques, turned each celluloid into an original work of art, capturing a unique moment in the production of the series. The elaboration process was as follows: first the sketch was created and then inked on the acetate and painted by hand on this surface. The colors were applied to the back of the cell with acrylic or gouache paint, ensuring that the lines inked on the front remained sharp.
Due to their rarity and artistic value, these celluloids are not only coveted by collectors and fans of the most iconic series, but also represent a tangible testimony of the creative process of one of the most emblematic fields of animation and pop culture.