53 Years Later, Legendary Creator’s Most Underrated Series Gets Official New Release

The renowned Japanese manga artist, animator, and producer, Osamu Tezuka, is known as the “God of Manga” and the “Father of Anime.” He gained the title as a form of respect from fans and even fellow creators. Tezuka revolutionized the manga and anime industry with his captivating storytelling, expressive characters, and dynamic panel layouts. His career, spanning over four decades, laid the foundation for modern manga and influenced generations of artists, while pioneering the “big eyes” style that became a staple we see today. The creator’s influence can be seen in countless manga artists, including Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball, Naoki Urasawa’s Monster, and many iconic series that are praised to this day.

Tezuka’s manga Astro Boy was a trailblazer in countless ways, shaping both anime and manga into what they are today. It was Japan’s first animated TV series, and it remains his most memorable work till now. Astro Boy also introduced the episodic anime format that became the norm later on. Apart from Astro Boy, he worked on over 700 manga titles throughout his career, which is why his legacy is unmatched even to this day. One of his most acclaimed yet forgotten stories, Black Jack, never received the recognition it deserved. The manga is finally returning with a new release 53 years after its debut.

Black Jack Confirms a Deluxe Edition’s Release Date

The official X handle of Kodansha confirmed that the English version of the first volume of the manga’s deluxe edition will be out on November 3rd, 2026. Along with the stunning cover, the account also reveals that the first volume is available for pre-order on the official website of Penguin Random House. The volume is only available in hardcover for $54.95. The links to the sellers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many others, have also been shared. More volumes will be released later on, and we can expect an update in a few months or in early 2027.

What Is Black Jack About?

The manga was originally serialized in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shonen Champion magazine from 1973 to 1983. A decade later, Tezuka Productions debuted an OVA in 1993 and finally released a TV series in 2004. The story centers around Kuroo Hazuma, also known as Black Jack. He is an unregistered doctor with a mysterious past and continues to work with his little assistant, Pinoko. The two of them together deal with several medical cases that are rather rare and even dangerous. However, as a genius, he can save almost all of his patients’ lives if he is well-compensated for it.

Black Jack is known to many around the world, especially those in the medical field. The story continues his journey, introducing several new challenges for him as the truth behind his clouded past finally comes to light. While the manga was originally compiled in 25 volumes, the English release later on finished the entire story in 17 volumes. All translated volumes are available on the official website of Kodansha, where you can get the details on how to purchase them.

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