Osamu TEZUKA (1928-1989) Princess Sapphire - Ribon no Kishi With "Sultans of Manga" certificate dated 18/10/2024 (accident and small tear at the bottom) India ink and watercolour on paper 26 x 18 cm > Magnificent original colour plate drawn and watercoloured by Osamu Tezuka for one of his most emblematic series: Princess Sapphire or Ribon no kishi in Japanese. > This plate shows in great detail Tezuka's inspiration from Disney animated films from 1930 to the late 1940s, from the big ears reminiscent of Mickey, to the Gingo (Japanese onomatopoeia) and the little bandages reminiscent of the gags in episodes of Daffy Duck or Bugs Bunny! > This 1954 panel is absolutely iconic. The artist who created it is considered by many to be the "God" of manga, whose style forged a great generation of mangaka. > In fact, Princess Saphir is a princess with half her heart blue (boy's heart) and the other half pink (girl's heart), an avant-garde story published between 1953 and 1956 in Kodansha magazine, because it tackles themes such as gender identity and the androgyny of the character of Saphir and the challenges that await her as she attempts to accede to the throne of Silverland. The author was inspired by the Takarazuka Theatre, where all the male and female roles were played by women. With certificate from "Sultans of Manga" dated 18/10/2024. India ink and watercolour on paper (accident and small tear at bottom) 26 x 18 cm