Osamu Tezuka, often referred to as the ‘Godfather of Manga’ and ‘The Walt Disney of Japan,’ is one of the most influential figures in the world of anime and manga. His works, like Astro Boy, Black Jack, etc. not only defined the visual and narrative structure of contemporary manga but also laid down the foundation of the industry’s aesthetic philosophy. Tezuka’s innovative narrative, emotionally invested characters, and dynamic animation technique made anime popular from just an art form to a global phenomenon.
Even today, decades after his death, his influence persists throughout the world. But this legacy now stands at the center of a heated controversy. A recent revelation by Osamu Tezuka’s son Makoto, has sparked outrage among fans and industry professionals. His decision to use artificial intelligence to recreate his father’s work has been met with widespread criticism, once again sparking debates over the use of AI in art.
Makoto Tezuka’s AI experiment: An artistic tribute or a betrayal to Osamu Tezuka’s legacy?
According to Pia Japan, during an event titled ‘The Future of AI-driven Animation Expression,’ Makoto Tezuka revealed that he has been attempting to produce an anime in his dad’s distinctive style with AI for about five years. He wanted to utilize AI to generate new material that would be able to capture Osamu Tezuka‘s creative genius. He said,
This is exactly what I have been researching for the past five years, and I have been trying to learn the drawings of Tezuka Osamu’s manga to see if I can create an anime in the style of Tezuka Osamu.
Despite the fact that Makoto Tezuka had spent so many years on it, the AI project simply could not capture his dad’s true artistic soul. Okay, the computer program could perhaps create pictures that mimicked Tezuka’s style, but it simply could not capture the creative flash and emotional depth that made his work so compelling.
This failure came as a relief to critics who worried that AI-created work would water down Osamu Tezuka’s legacy. It also validated the notion that art is not just a series of lines and colors rather it’s a manifestation of the emotions, experiences, and worldview of an artist.
Osamu Tezuka’s stories were personal, relying on his own childhood, his vision of humanity, and his passion for cinematic storytelling. Many fans argue that an algorithm, no matter how advanced, can never replicate this level of depth. As a result, what may have been intended as a tribute quickly became a flashpoint for controversy.
Fan backlash: The outcry against AI-driven art in anime and manga
The fandom of the anime and manga has responded with overwhelming negativity to Makoto Tezuka’s AI experiment. Social media is abuzz with criticism, with fans accusing Makoto of commodifying his father’s work and prioritizing profit over artistic integrity.
Some of the fan reactions are as follows:
Dudes Dad basically created anime manga and influenced thousands of manga artists who created art like Speed Racer Doraemon Dragon Ball and instead of taking advantage of that he does this smh
— User101 (@Zen0WasHere000) March 21, 2025
Shame on you. Tezuka would be totally against AI.
— D. Luca 🟥⬜⬛ (@lucalulucaluca) March 21, 2025
I feel so bad for Tezuka rn. There’s nothing someone with this much legacy on the industry could have done to get a son this stupid.
— Mango Kamen (@Strongman_Front) March 21, 2025
What a way to dishonor your father man
— Nosde (@SYNGOED) March 21, 2025
5 years is insane imagine your own son trying to recreate your work not in an original way but a messy , faulty and the wrong way. He could’ve started to learn animation from scratch in those 5 years and still would be doing a decent job than whatever this bs he’s trying.
— slime• (@zeeeevs_) March 21, 2025
Osamu Tezuka in heaven would be very disappointed in his son.
— Marcelo Lopez 🇪🇨 (@Marcelo09465003) March 21, 2025
I hate sons that exploit their parents legacy
— Jano Gabor (@Garmon321) March 21, 2025
Meanwhile, this recent controversy also taps into broader concerns within the anime industry regarding AI-generated content. A lot of artists and animators are strongly resisting how much AI is coming into play when it comes to creativity, fearing it detracts from what makes human art unique.
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The backlash against Makoto’s project has only reinforced these concerns, with many seeing it as an example of how AI cannot replace the heart and soul of artistic storytelling. So far, Makoto Tezuka has not commented on the backlash or whether he’s going to continue with AI work credited to his father.
However, with all the blowback he’s receiving, any future AI attempts at replicating Osamu Tezuka’s work will likely see a lot of backlash from creators and fans. Also, the entire uproar regarding Tezuka art created by AI actually raises a significant question regarding the future of anime and manga: should technology ever attempt to recreate what was once deeply human?
Astro Boy and Black Jack are currently available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
