Paper Fortress

A collection of one-shots done during the 1970s, all regarding some aspect of Tezuka's early life. Includes a reflection of his time at the famous Tokiwa-so.

• Record of the Life of Gachaboy (がちゃぼい一代記, Gachaboy Ichidaiki, ALT. ENG. - The God of Manga): A reflection on Tezuka's career up to that point. Tezuka encounters the God of Manga right after the war, who nicknames Tezuka "Gachaboy". He is determined to see Tezuka become a great mangaka, no matter what - and restore manga's presence in Japan.
• Paper Fortress (紙の砦, Kami no Toride): Right at the end of the war, Tezuka is doing manga in private in high school. He meets a girl who fully understands his situation, and they get along well. In a society where manga, dancing, and even informal relationships are forbidden, how will Tezuka, crazy about manga, keep on?
• Hungry Blues (すきっ腹のブルース, Sukippara no Blues): Directly following Paper Fortress, Tezuka is now a hungry, desperate student with little luck on his path in manga. Things change when he comes across a young lady who works for a newspaper, and he manages to land a serial for it. However, in an era rife with turmoil and starvation, Tezuka's own stomach may prove to be a serious intrusion in not just his manga-making career, but his very life.
• Tokiwa-so Monogatari (トキワ荘物語, ENG. - The Tale of Tokiwa-so): Part of a series recounting memories within the famous apartment complex, Tezuka showcases its history through commentary from the building itself!
• The Letter that Came (という手紙がきた, Toiu Tegami ga Kita): Tezuka receives an ominous letter that may put him in hot water.
• Animal Tsurezuregusa (動物つれづれ草, Doubutsu Tsurezuregusa): Two reflections on animals Tezuka had encountered in his early years - the first a horse, the second two tanuki.

An excerpt of Dotsuitare featuring Tezuka is also included at the end. This excerpt is a compilation of scenes/segments of Tezuka's scenes.

• Animal Tsurezuregusa won the 21st Bungeishunju Manga Award in 1975, along with Tezuka's, very famous, Buddha

Volume 274 of the Osamu Tezuka Complete Works