Released on: September 19, 2007, 12:24 pm

Press Release Author: Aaron H. Bynum/Animation Insider Online

Industry: Entertainment

Press Release Summary: Animation Insider recently had the opportunity speak with
writer and translator Frederik L. Schodt, author of the recent book \'The Astro Boy
Essays\' (Stone Bridge Press, 2007). A seasoned researcher of the manga/anime
culture and lecturer of Japan-U.S. relations, Fred Schodt brings together his
interest and experience with the late Osamu Tezuka to craft a marvelous publication
on the greatest comics artist and Japanese animator.

Press Release Body:

AnimationInsider.net Interviews Fred Schodt, Author and Manga Scholar
This press document is a notification that recognizes AnimationInsider.net as
interviewing Frederik L. Schodt--writer, author, translator and interpreter--whose
devotion to researching and documenting the Japanese manga/anime culture in the book
publication \'The Astro Boy Essays\' (Stone Bridge Press, 2007) is invaluable.

September 2007 --- Internet news and information group AnimationInsider.net is
pleased to announce a recently published interview with Fred Schodt, one whose
personal and professional experience interacting with the late Osamu Tezuka has born
fruit of great interest with his latest book, \'The Astro Boy Essays.\' Tracking the
creative birth of Tezuka\'s most famous manga/anime creation, \"Astro Boy,\" and
viewing Osamu Tezuka\'s subsequent presence in the manga production and Japanese
animation industries through the eyes of this character as a sort of narrative lens,
author Fred Schodt is able to give readers a uniquely encompassing observation of
the evolution of Japan\'s comics and animation arts.

Undoubtedly one of the most highly recognized artists in all of Japan, Osamu Tezuka
(1928-1989) has left an indelible impression on the countries diverse arts and
entertainment interests. His dominant presence in the minds and hearts of Japanese
animation and comics enthusiasts comes from his forty years of dedication to both
media. Out of the hundreds of stories and thousands of characters that Osamu Tezuka
created, \"Atom\" of \'Tetsuwon Atomu\' (or \"Astro\" of \'Astro Boy\') is the icon that
resonates the most; and it is with this character that author Fred Schodt uses as
guide for readers of \'The Astro Boy Essays\', espying Tezuka\'s evolving influence on
the anime and manga industries.

Discussing \'The Astro Boy Essays,\' Schodt is well aware of the fact that as much of
a cultural icon that Osamu Tezuka is, the impossibly imaginative artist remains just
slightly out of reach for English-language devotees of the artist\'s work. \"I have
always felt that Tezuka should be much better known outside of Japan,\" Fred Schodt
comments to AnimationInsider.net, \"and I have always wanted to help out in that
regard.\"

Frederik L. Schodt, previously interviewed by Animation Insider for his biography
\'Native American in the Land of the Shogun\' (Stone Bridge Press, 2003), returns as
the first-ever second-interviewee for the animation news and reviews website. His
latest book \'The Astro Boy Essays\', also published by Berkeley, CA-based Stone
Bridge Press, is an well researched and highly insightful observation of the
artistic realms of animation and circulated comics as they developed throughout the
life of Osamu Tezuka.

In the exclusive Animation Insider interview, Schodt comments on his personal and
professional desire to research the influence of Osamu Tezuka and how his diverse
findings have contributed to his interest in Tezuka\'s remarkable, creative reach.
Fred Schodt also answers questions about the artist himself, about the Second World
War, about competitive industry rivalries, about his literary influences, and much
more. The Animation Insider interview, much like Schodt\'s book \'The Astro Boy
Essays,\' is tightly packed with information that is biographical as well as anime
and manga-industry specific.

An individual heartily contributive to today\'s current surge of interest in manga;
Mr. Schodt is knowledgeable of Japanese culture and its history; and for years has
published various texts regarding the industry of Japanese comics and the diversity
their appeal. Frederik L. Schodt continues to write and lecture on Japanese culture
and Japan-U.S. relations. Fred Schodt\'s authored texts include \'Native American in
the Land of the Shogun\' (2003; Stone Bridge Press), \'Dreamland Japan: Writings on
Modern Manga\' (1996; Stone Bridge Press), \'America and the Four Japans\' (1994; Stone
Bridge Press), \'Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese\' Comics (1983; Kodansha
International).

Translated texts include: \'Astro Boy\' Vols. 1-23, by Osamu Tezuka (2002-2004; Dark
Horse Comics), \'Ghost in the Shell\' by Shirow Masamune as trans. with Toren Smith
(1995; Dark Horse Comics/ Studio Proteus) and \'The Rose of Versailles\' Vols. 1-2, by
Riyoko Ikeda (1981; Sanyusha). Translated novels include: \'Mobile Suit Gundam:
Awakening, Escalation, Confrontation\' by Yoshiyuki Tomino (2004; Stone Bridge
Press).

About Animation Insider: Animation Insider (www.animationinsider.net) launched
January 7, 2003, in an effort to provide animation fans with an up-to-date, reliable
information news source. Built through a network of fans themselves, Animation
Insider provides readers with only the most diverse news from both Eastern and
Western animation industries. The network of websites and web forums/bulletin
boards prides itself to be an animation news portal that is deeply integrated with
the online community. Animation Insider features a young, diverse staff of
reporters, reviewers and forum moderators, and continues to be a strong, confident
and independent endeavor.

AnimationInsider.net Interviews Fred Schodt
URL: http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=1492

Web Site: http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=1492

Contact Details: For Immediate Release \\ Aaron H. Bynum, Animation Insider News \\
Chicago, Illinois USA \\ press contacts: abynum.ai[at]gmail.com