TO Capcom He is passionate about dislodging his fans with impossible crossovers. For decades, we have witnessed and participated in Ryu’s battles against Marvel, Namco, SNK or Nintendo characters in video games. However, the latest initiative from the Osaka company goes beyond our screens: Capcom vs. Osamu Tezuka Characters is an exhibition that brings together and combines Capcom’s artistic legacy with that of god of manga.
From the pen and the imagination of Osamu Tezuka some of the most iconic manga and animation characters from all over Japan were born, including Black Jack, Buddha, the Princess Knight, Kimba, the white lion or Astroboy, the latter being one of the great sources of inspiration when creating the mythical Mega Man. And that both lead this dream collaboration is no coincidence.
Currently installed in the Ikebukuro PARCO complex since the beginning of October, the current exhibition Capcom vs. Osamu Tezuka Characters is a second edition of this dream collaboration that adds new content for the occasion. Of course, the main attraction of it is the exhibition of artistic material related to the legacy of Capcom and Osamu Tezuka himself, being a double tribute to the rich culture of videogames and Japanese manganime.
Of course, in the exhibition we will not only see well-known art, but pieces created for the occasion in which the well-known Capcom characters adopt the aesthetics and style of Master Tezuka and even icons like Astroboy are transformed into successful 8-bit video game heroes.
In fact, several of Capcom’s most prominent and beloved artists have collaborated offering new original pieces created for the occasion when the heroes of Mega Man, Ace Attorney, Street Fighter or Monster hunter, among others, share prominence and style with the characters of Tezuka.
In addition to thematic areas and original art, and in keeping with Japanese traditions, all kinds of licensed merchandising have been developed for sale in the store. Ikebukuro PARCOThe star article being the art book, which, by the way, is also on sale on Amazon Japan at 2,750 yen (just over 21 euros). Quite a whim.
This is not the first time that we have seen how Capcom characters meet great icons of manga and animation: in 2008 came to Wii and arcade Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, a fighting crossover very much in the vein of Marvel vs. Capcom. What will be the next collaboration with which Capcom seeks to surprise us? We are looking forward to finding out.
The exhibit Capcom vs. Osamu Tezuka Characters It will be open at the Ikebukuro PARCO until October 18, although it cannot be ruled out that it will later be inaugurated in another exhibition center. In any case, the initiative itself deserves a little pilgrimage for fans of both companies.