PROFESSIONAL LUNCHEON
Takayuki Matsutani, Kazushi Inui, & Frederik L. Schodt,
English-language Digital Library of Japanese Cartoonist Osamu Tezuka

The speeches and Q & A will be English and Japanese with interpretation

Have you ever wanted to read Astro Boy from your mobile phone on a packed rush-hour train, or Black Jack while waiting for a table in a crowded restaurant? Manga lovers will soon have that option with the introduction of a digital library of Japan's "Godfather of Anime" Osamu Tezuka.

Beginning in this July, the library will be offered to iPad users in the English-speaking world, allowing subscribers to carry around a large digitalized archive of translated volumes of Tezuka's work. The library will expand to Android PC tablets later this year, with services provided in French, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese and Korean also planned.

In addition to digital manga, the application also includes video versions with voiceovers from top actors and special effects for added entertainment called "Motion Manga" (with English Subtitles).

Joining us at the presentation will be the co-producers of the service, Takayuki Matsutani, President of Tezuka Productions Co. Ltd. and Kazushi Inui, President of SOBA Project. Manga scholar, Frederik L. Schodt, who has translated many of Tezuka's classics into English, will be participating by teleconference from overseas.

The new service will be shown on the big screen, and before the press conference all attendees will be able to it out on an iPad device.

Please come and be the first to experience this unique project, which is expected to bring Osamu Tezuka's manga into the digital era.

Menu
Sauteed Mahi mahi (Shiira) with Balsamic Sauce, Vegetable Rice and Green Vegetables, Seasonal Salad

Takayuki Matsutani, President of Tezuka Productions Co. Ltd.

Frederik L. Schodt, Manga Scholar