Japanese Village Makes Art Out of Rice Paddies to Honor Manga Artist

July 20, 2018

A Japanese village transformed its rice paddies into gigantic pieces of art in honor of a renowned manga artist.

Inakadate, located in Japan’s Aomori prefecture, creates them every year to honor Osamu Tezuka, known as the “Japanese Walt Disney.”

The design used in the rice paddies features Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, Pinoko Hazama, Black Jack, Princess Knight and Dr. Tezuka. Image via Spoon & Tamago

This year, villagers are celebrating the 90th anniversary of the artist, who was the creative genius behind iconic characters such as Astro Boy, Princess Knight, Jungle Emperor Leo and Black Jack.

The rice art as of July 16, 2018. Image via inakadate-tanboart.net

The intricate art covering a hectare of rice field was revealed in a PR event on July 12, Sankei reported.

The rice field as of June 1, 2018. Image via inakadate-tanboart.net

Eleven varieties of rice were planted in early June, producing seven different colors and giving life to three-dimensional characters.

Osamu Tezuka. Image via YouTube / Dandy707070

Born in 1928, Tezuka, a prominent artist, animator and film producer, started his career at the age of 19 with “New Treasure Island” as a medical student.

He died of stomach cancer in 1989.

The artwork begins to emerge as of June 30, 2018. Image via inakadate-tanboart.net

Spectators can best see the art until mid-August when the colors start to fade.

Those unable to visit Inakadate can still see the paddies through a dedicated live-stream.

A part of the artwork visible as of July 19, 2018. Image via inakadate-tanboart.net

Netizens shared their own snaps from the rest of the paddies:

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