Big X
| Big X | |
 Cover of Big X volume 1 from the Osamu Tezuka Manga Complete Works edition | |
| ビッグX (Biggu X) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Osamu Tezuka |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | Shōnen Book |
| Original run | November 1963 – February 1966[1] |
| Volumes | 4[2] |
| Anime television series | |
| Studio | TMS Entertainment |
| Network | TBS |
| Original run | August 3, 1964 – September 27, 1965 |
| Episodes | 59 |
Big X (ビッグX Biggu Ekkusu) is a science fiction manga series and an anime series by Osamu Tezuka, based on actual experiments conducted by the Nazis to create secret weapons toward the end of World War II.
Storyline
Invited to Nazi Germany during World War II, Dr. Asagumo is asked by Hitler to collaborate in researching the new weapon "Big X". Concerned about the possible effects this weapon, Dr. Asagumo intentionally delays the progress of the research, conspiring with his co-researcher, the devious Dr. Engel. Immediately before Germany is defeated by the Allies, Dr. Asagumo, before being shot to death by the German army, implants a card inscribed with the secret of Big X into his son, Shigeru. Twenty years later the card is discovered; an organization claiming alliance with the Nazis appears, steals the card from Shigeru, who now lives in Tokyo, and completes the Big X project, which is revealed to be a drug that can expand the human body without limitation. Along the way it is discovered that Dr. Engel's grandson has joined the Nazi Alliance. Recovering Big X from the enemy, Shigeru's son Akira fearlessly challenges the Nazi Alliance and Hans Engel, who are plotting to conquer the world.
Controversy
In the anime, Akira transforms into Big X by using a magical amulet, since the TV censors thought that the injections from the original manga looked too uncomfortable and similar to drug use for a younger audience.[citation needed]
Other appearances
Big X makes a cameo appearance in the Astro Boy: Omega Factor game for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance released in 2004, along with many other characters also created by Osamu Tezuka.
In Pop Culture
Urd watches a parody of Big X on TV in one of the chapters from the Oh! My Goddess manga.
See also
References
- ↑ Big X manga at TezukaOsamu@World. Accessed on 2007-06-13.
- ↑ Publication List for Big X at TezukaOsamu@World. Based number on Osamu Tezuka Manga Complete Works editions. Accessed on 2007-06-13.
External links
- Big X anime at TezukaOsamu@World
- Big X in Animemorial