Award-winning Works

Manga Division

PLUTO
© URASAWA Naoki/TEDUKA Production/NAGASAKI Takashi/Shogakukan
Excellence Prize

PLUTO

Story Manga

Artist : TEZUKA Osamu ・ URASAWA Naoki / NAGASAKI Takashi / TEZUKA Makoto / Tezuka Production

Profile

URASAWA Naoki・NAGASAKI Takashi・TEZUKA Makoto

URASAWA Naoki・NAGASAKI Takashi・TEZUKA Makoto

URASAWA Naoki: Born in Tokyo in 1960. He started his career as a manga artist with BETA! in 1983. His major works are PINEAPPLE ARMY, YAWARA!, MASTER KEATON, Happy!, and 20th Century Boys. He received the Excellence Prize at the first Japan Media Arts Festival for MONSTER.
TEZUKA Makoto: Born in Tokyo in 1961. As a "Visualist", his work includes experimental short films, CDs, and multi media. His most representative works are HAKUCHI and Black Jack. He is both director and script writer for his latest film, Black Kiss.
NAGASAKI Takashi: Born in Miyazaki in 1956. Prior to becoming a freelancer, he worked as the editor in chief of Shogakukan's magazine, Big Comic Spirits. He was the producer of both PLUTO and 20th Century Boys, as well as the being author of the original stories for ILIAD-Iriyado KENBUNROKU and SEIKYO-Bluehood.

Comment

This prize has greatly encouraged me; as I am currently attempting, perhaps recklessly, to remake one of the most famous works of TEZUKA Osamu. I will strive to make it as good as the original. (URASAWA Naoki)

Reason for Award

Astro Boy was one of the great, horizon expanding, manga masterpieces of its time. For the ordinary observer, it is almost all we can do just to be impressed by Astro Boy, but here, the maestro, URASAWA Naoki, has turned his attention to multiple structural universes, perhaps even beyond the horizon of manga's potential. It leaves one speechless; it is an exciting, forward looking and much appreciated work; hats off to Mr. URASAWA, who always gives his fans such joyful surprises. The concept of this work itself is impressive, and we really appreciate the effort and passion of all the people involved. Finally, we would like to point out that it was suggested this work should be awarded the Grand Prize when it ended.