Osamu Tezuka Cultural Award 10th Anniversary

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of its annual Osamu Tezuka Cultural Award event, and the many manga artist and judges involved, Asahi Shimbun will be hosting the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Award 10th Anniversary event, "Manga Mirai Seiki " (Literally: Manga Future Century), on 9/10 at the Yurakucho Asahi Hall.

Past award winners, nominees, judges, and other manga artists will take part in the event. The event has three sections, which will feature and discuss the history of the Tezuka award, the future and potential of manga, and an "art showdown" between artists.

First Section: Personal Manga Outlook 2006 Hiroshi Aramata and Jun Ishikawa

Author Hiroshi Aramata and Jun Ishikawa have been judges of the Tezuka Cultural Awards since its inception. The two will discuss their favorite manga, and things that make them remember and care about a manga.

Second Section: Art Showdown Seven Rounds ~ You Two, Did You Really Graduate From an Art University? Kotobuki Shiriagari and Rieko Saibara

Kotobuki Shiriagari, winner of the Award for Excellence (5th), and Rieko Saibara, winner of the Short Story Award (9th), will be participating in this event. There will be 7 topics, and the bids of both competitors will be broadcasted on the Hall's screens.

Third Section: Continuing the Way of Osamu Tezuka - Mangaka of the 21st Century Hagio Moto, Naoki Urasawa, and Fusanosuke Natsume

A dream meeting between Hagio Moto (winner of the 1st Award for Excellence, Current Judge), Naoki Urasawa (3rd and 9th Grand Prize winner), and Fusanosuke Natsume (winner of the 3rd Special Award). The three will discuss manga's current situation, as well as its possibilities.

As part of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary, events such as a Tezuka Osamu-sensei Corner, Nominee Signing Panels, and Composition Introductions are also being planned.

Translated by Lijaka