Osamu Tezuka is the godfather of manga, and probably one of the biggest reasons why the industry is so massive today. From his first work in 1947 to his death in 1989, Tezuka has been a massive presence in the manga world, and the effects of his influence on the mangaka that came after him still resound to this day. Tezuka is a legendary figure in Japan, and is frequently compared to Walt Disney in terms of output and influence.