Chi-Chikyū no Undō ni Tsuite: Manga Artist Natsuko Taniguchi Wins Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize

The Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize was created in 1997 in order to commemorate the late manga artist and animator Osamu Tezuka on what would have been his 60th birthday. The prize is awarded every year to those who have made significant contributions to the promotion and development of manga and animation. It consists of two parts: the Grand Prize, which is given to an individual or organization, and the New Face Award, which is given to up-and-coming new talent.

Past winners of the Grand Prize include such legendary figures as Hayao Miyazaki, Akira Toriyama, and Leiji Matsumoto. This year’s winner is Natsuko Taniguchi, a manga artist best known for her work Chi-Chikyū no Undō ni Tsuite.

On March 3, 2017, the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize was awarded to manga artist Natsuko Taniguchi for her work Chi-Chikyū no Undō ni Tsuite. This prestigious award is given every year to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the promotion and development of manga and animation. Taniguchi is only the second woman to ever win this prize, which is a testament to her incredible talent and achievements.

Born in Osaka in 1984, Taniguchi began her career as a manga artist after being inspired by the work of legendary creator Osamu Tezuka. Her debut manga series, Chi-Chikyū no Undō ni Tsuite, was serialized in Monthly Flowers from 2009 to 2011. The series follows the everyday lives of a group of friends living on an isolated island and has been praised for its heartwarming portrayal of human relationships.

Taniguchi’s winning of the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize is a well-deserved recognition of her talent and hard work. We can only hope that this will inspire more women to pursue careers in manga and animation, and help break down the barriers that still exist in these male-dominated industries.