Osamu Tezuka books in order
Japanese cartoonist and animator
- Lived
- 1928–1989
- Country
- Japan
- Books
- 37
Osamu Tezuka published 30 novels, 2 non-fiction books, 1 children's book and 4 other books, beginning with Shin Takarajima (1947). The best-known is Metropolis (1949).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Osamu Tezuka
Start here
Metropolis
Osamu Tezuka's most-read book.
Shortest way in
Buddha, Volume 1
One of the most-read, at about 256 pages.
Standalone novels in order
Shin Takarajima (Apr 1947)
Metropolis (1949)
Angel Gunfighter (Apr 1949)
Age of Adventure (Jan 1951)
The Book of Human Insects (1970)
Princess Knight (1977)
Princess Knight Volume 1 (1982)
Message to Adolf (Jan 1983)
Phoenix (1986)
Black Jack (1993)
Adolf (1995)
Adolf, An Exile In Japan (Adolf) (1996)
Adolf, Volume 1 (1996)
Adolf, Volume 3 (1996)
Adolf, Volume 4 (1996)
Adolf, Volume 5 (1997)
Buddha (2003)
Nextworld Volume 1 (2003)
The Four Encounters (2003)
Devadatta (2004)
Mw (2005)
Buddha, Volume 1 (2006)
Apollo's Song (2007)
Dororo Volume 1 (Dororo) (2008)
Swallowing the Earth (2009)
Barbara (2012)
Ayako (2013)
Melody of Iron (2021)
Record of Glass Castle (2021)
Unico (2024)
Non-fiction in order
Dororo (2008)
Manga! Manga! (2017)
Children's books in order
Astro Boy (2002)
Other books in order
Crime and Punishment (2021)
Ode to Kirihito (2022)
The Crater (2022)
I. L (2024)
Film and TV adaptations
- Metropolis (2001)Film · from Metropolis
- The Ribbon Hero (2026)Film · from Princess Knight
- Phoenix 2772 (1980)Film · from Phoenix
- Astro Boy (2009)Film · from Astro Boy
- PlutoTV · from Astro Boy
- Astro BoyTV · from Astro Boy
- Astro BoyTV · from Astro Boy
- Dororo (2007)Film · from Dororo
- DororoTV · from Dororo
- DororoTV · from Dororo
About Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka was a Japanese manga artist, cartoonist and animator. Considered to be among the greatest and most influential cartoonists of all time, his prolific output, pioneering techniques and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such titles as "the Father of Manga" , "the Godfather of Manga" and "the God of Manga" . Additionally, he is often considered the Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney, who served as a major inspiration during Tezuka's formative years. Though this phrase praises the quality of his early manga works for children and animations, it also blurs the significant influence of his later, more literary, gekiga works.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Osamu Tezuka FAQ
- How many books has Osamu Tezuka written?
- Osamu Tezuka published 30 novels, 2 non-fiction books, 1 children's book and 4 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Osamu Tezuka's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Metropolis.
- What is Osamu Tezuka's last book?
- Phoenix (1986).
- What is Osamu Tezuka's most famous book?
- Metropolis (1949) is Osamu Tezuka's most widely read book.
- Which Osamu Tezuka books have been adapted?
- 5 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Metropolis (film, 2001), Princess Knight (as The Ribbon Hero, film, 2026), Phoenix (as Phoenix 2772, film, 1980) and Astro Boy (film, 2009).
Authors like Osamu Tezuka
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.