Tezuka's Animated Shorts Coming to DVD!

I'm back, and with some big news!

Kino International has anounced that they will be releasing a DVD containing Osamu Tezuka's experimental animated short films. This is sure to be an incredible opportunity for fans in the US and Canada to finally see and officially own these unique pieces of animation history. Included in the collection are such classics as Jumping, Broken Down Film, and the original Legend of the Forest. A subtitled interview with Tezuka is also included on the disk.

This DVD is set for release on July 28th. Check out all the details on "The Astonishing Work of Tezuka Osamu" on Kino.com and watch a brief trailer with some examples of the animation included in the collection. The link below also has the product description and track listing. Make sure you pre-order, because I can't see this DVD lasting very long once it's released!

The Astonishing Work of TEZUKA OSAMU

Known as the “god of manga” and the “father of anime,” Tezuka Osamu (1928 – 1989) has created hundreds of comics, dozens of films, and even some television series (including such internationally beloved shows as “Astro Boy” and “Kimba the White Lion.”) His pioneering, unparalleled career is without rival for its extraordinary range of visual styles.

Included in this set are some of Osamu’s most legendary works, including Pictures at an Exhibition and Legend of the Forest. The former combines 10 individual short vignettes to create stunning visual riffs on classic fine art. But the 30-minute Legend of the Forest is the animator’s masterpiece. An epic of forest faeries, sprites, wizards, and animals defending themselves against greedy industrialists bent on destroying nature, the film stylistically traces the evolution of animation from 19th-century etchings, to Disney and Fleischer cartoons, to contemporary anime. The animation in Legend of the Forest is as ravishing and inventive as anything seen in Disney’s Fantasia.

Kimstim is proud to release this astonishingly imaginative collection of Osamu’s 13 most innovative pieces, many of which are the master’s own personal favorites.

1. Tales of the Street Corner / 1962 / 16:9 / 39:04 / English Subtitles
2. Male / 1962 / 4:3 / 03:09 / English Subtitles
3. Memory / 1964 / 4:3 / 05:40 / English Subtitles
4. Mermaid / 1964 / 4:3 / 08:17 / No Dialog
5. The Drop / 1965 / 4:3 / 04:18 / No Dialog
6. Pictures at an Exhibition / 1966 / 16:9 / 32:56 / No dialog
7. The Genesis / 1968 / 4:3 / 04:02 / English Subtitles / B&W
8. Jumping / 1984 / 4:3 / 06:22 / No Dialog
9. Broken Down Film / 1985 / 4:3 / 05:42 / No Dialog / B&W
10. Push / 1987 / 4:3 / 04:16 / English Subtitles
11. Muramasa / 1987 / 16:9 / 08:42 / No Dialog
12. Legend of the Forest / 1987 / 16:9 / 29:25 / No Dialog
13. Self Portrait / 1988 / 0.13 / No Dialog

Also includes:
Interview with Tezuka / 1986 / 4:3 / 18:19 / English Subtitles