Unveiling the Futuristic Black Jack Adaptation: AI's Masterpiece This Fall!

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original manga, the legendary Osamu Tezuka's classic series, Black Jack, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Utilizing AI technology, a brand new chapter of Black Jack is being created in collaboration with Tezuka Productions and Macoto Tezka, the son of the original series' author. This AI-produced manga, set to be released in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine this fall, is an exciting addition to the TEZUKA2023 project, further showcasing the potential of AI in the anime and manga industry.

Black Jack, created by Osamu Tezuka, is a captivating story about an enigmatic medical practitioner who travels the globe, utilizing his exceptional surgical skills and extensive medical knowledge to heal individuals afflicted with rare ailments. This renowned manga was conceived to commemorate Tezuka's 40th anniversary in the industry and spans an impressive 25 volumes, published from November 1973 to October 1984. Regarded as Tezuka's second most remarkable work after Astro Boy, Black Jack is often seen as the author's alter ego, delving into his personal experiences as a licensed physician. The popularity of the series has led to numerous adaptations, including animated series, OVAs, and even live-action films.

The upcoming 2023 version of Black Jack will be powered by the advanced AI system, ChatGPT-4. This revolutionary technology has been developed through a collaboration between NEDO, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization in Japan, and Professor Satoshi Kurihara from Keio University's Faculty of Science and Technology.

Black Jack 2023, which is set to be released this fall, is the latest project following the TEZUKA2020 initiative. This project, known as Paidon, involved the creation of a manga series through the use of AI technology in an attempt to replicate Osamu Tezuka's distinctive style. It comes shortly after the release of Japan's first fully AI-produced manga, Cyberpunk: Peach John, which debuted in March. This groundbreaking manga was created entirely using AI tools such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion to generate the visuals. The introduction of AI into the industry has sparked a range of reactions from both fans and artists, with some expressing criticism while others see it as a valuable tool to be embraced rather than resisted.