Photo/Illutration Original illustrations of “Cobra” and other manga works drawn by Buichi Terasawa are on display at the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture. (Hiroshi Miura)

TAKARAZUKA, Hyogo Prefecture--A special exhibition dedicated to Buichi Terasawa is running at the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum here.

The event features 100 or so handwritten manuscripts, original illustrations and other items from the late manga artist’s representative works, including “Cobra.”

Born in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Terasawa found his calling when he won a manga prize while he was preparing for college exams after finishing high school.

He moved to Tokyo in 1976 to join Tezuka Productions Co.’s manga department.

While working as an assistant to Osamu Tezuka, aka the “god of manga,” Terasawa received an honorable mention at an award bearing the name of the legendary artist hosted by Shueisha Inc.

“Cobra,” his debut manga serialized in the publisher’s Weekly Shonen Jump comic anthology, follows the titular space pirate whose left arm is replaced with an energy cannon called the Psychogun.

The manga became hugely popular and spawned animated adaptations.

Terasawa died in 2023 at age 68.

The artist once said he would retire when he could create a better story than Tezuka’s “Black Jack,” a medical drama about the genius doctor without a license.

The exhibition also introduces Terasawa as a pioneer who strived to create digital manga since 1985, when only eight colors were available on personal computers.

The event runs until Feb. 19.

Admission is 700 yen ($4.50) for adults, 300 yen for junior and senior high school students and 100 yen for elementary school pupils.

The venue is closed on Mondays except Jan. 13.

For more information, visit the official website at (https://www.city.takarazuka.hyogo.jp.e.pc.hp.transer.com/tezuka/).

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