Kioxia Announces English Version of World’s First AI-Designed Manga
3.6.2020 12:30:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Kioxia Corporation today announced that an English version of “PHAEDO,” a new manga created and designed by AI and human collaboration, inspired by the artistic style of manga legend Osamu Tezuka, will be released on June 3 as part of TEZUKA 2020, the first phase of Kioxia’s #FutureMemories brand campaign. PHAEDO, which debuted in February in Japanese comic magazine “Morning,” will be made available for English-language audiences on Kioxia’s TEZUKA 2020 website. PHAEDO is the world’s first1 international manga created through human collaboration, high-speed and large-capacity memory and advanced AI technologies.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200603005356/en/
"PHAEDO" (Graphic: Business Wire)
The process of developing PHAEDO involved using AI technology to generate the story and create the characters. As a first step, to learn the essence of Tezuka’s work and his characteristics as a writer, AI analyzed 130 manga episodes, written and drawn by Osamu Tezuka, including globally famous titles such as “Astro Boy” and “Black Jack”. Based on this analysis, the AI then generated 129 candidate storylines. As a next step, the AI studied 6000 images and applied transfer learning to generate visuals for the characters.
By analyzing Tezuka’s works, AI was able to generate the physical characteristics of new characters, outlines of new stories, after which illustrators hand-drew clothing and other Tezuka inspired details and writers added dialogue. The project team consisted of engineers from Kioxia, who optimize semiconductor fab productivity and product performance using AI technology, illustrators and writers from Tezuka Productions Co., and AI researchers from Keio University and Future University Hakodate.
PHAEDO is the story of a homeless philosopher and his robot bird, Apollo, who try to solve crimes in Tokyo in 2030. This marks the first time Tezuka’s work has been recreated in 30 years.
Kioxia launched its #FutureMemories campaign last October to commemorate the company’s rebranding as Kioxia. PHAEDO is one of the many ways Kioxia intends to change the world by pursuing the potential of memory to create new value with never-before-seen experiences.
For details about PHAEDO, including videos and interviews, please visit TEZUKA 2020 website.
Notes
1. As of June 3, 2020. Kioxia Corporation research.
About Kioxia
Kioxia is a world leader in memory solutions, dedicated to the development, production and sale of flash memory and solid state drives (SSDs). In April 2017, its predecessor Toshiba Memory was spun off from Toshiba Corporation, the company that invented NAND flash memory in 1987. The company pioneers cutting-edge memory solutions and services that enrich people's lives and expand society's horizons. Kioxia's innovative 3D flash memory technology, BiCS FLASH™, is shaping the future of storage in high-density applications, including advanced smartphones, PCs, SSDs, automotive and data centers.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200603005356/en/
Contact information
For more information
Sam Ghirardello (phone: +81-3-5427-7396, SGhirardello@webershandwick.com)
Satoshi Ito (phone: +81-3-5427-7309, SIto@webershandwick.com)
Weber Shandwick (Tokyo)
Natalie Telson (ntelson@webershandwick.com)
Weber Shandwick (New York)
Public Relations
Kota Yamaji (kioxia-hd-pr@kioxia.com
)
Kioxia Holdings Corporation
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
IQM Appoints Craig Ciesla, Former Illumina VP, as CTO; Inés de Vega Becomes Chief Scientist19.6.2026 10:00:00 EEST | Press release
IQM Quantum Computers, the global leader in superconducting quantum computers, today announced the appointments of Dr. Craig Ciesla as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Dr. Inés de Vega as Chief Scientist, as she transitions from her role as Vice President of Quantum Solutions, deepening IQM´s leadership as the company prepares for its planned Nasdaq listing through a merger with Real Asset Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: RAAQ). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260619693929/en/ From left to right: Dr. Inés de Vega, Chief Scientist, and Dr. Craig Ciesla, Chief Technology Officer. Ciesla, an experienced deep tech executive with more than 25 years delivering products across multiple industries from startups to Fortune 500 companies, will advance IQM's technology strategy and drive its implementation into systems and products. De Vega, meanwhile, will be responsible for ensuring scientific feasibility and system-level
Teijin Receives Approval for Additional Indications of XEOMIN ® for Cervical Dystonia and Blepharospasm in Japan19.6.2026 10:00:00 EEST | Press release
Teijin Pharma Limited, the core company of the Teijin Group’s healthcare business, and Merz Therapeutics GmbH, a leading player in neurology-focused specialty pharma, jointly announced today that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved the additional indications for XEOMIN® (incobotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of cervical dystonia and blepharospasm. This approval represents the fourth and fifth indications for XEOMIN® authorized in Japan, alongside its existing approvals for the treatment of upper limb spasticity, lower limb spasticity and chronic sialorrhea. Cervical dystonia is a focal dystonia characterized by involuntary contractions of the neck muscles, resulting in abnormal or repetitive movements and postures.1 Blepharospasm is also a focal dystonia, characterized by excessive involuntary contractions of the muscles surrounding the eye.2 Both conditions significantly impact patients’ quality of life. The approval by MHLW is based on Phase III clinic
Incyte Japan Announces Approval of Minjuvi ® (tafasitamab) in Combination with Lenalidomide for the Treatment of Adults with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)19.6.2026 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
Incyte Biosciences Japan G.K. today announced that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved Minjuvi® (tafasitamab) in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). “This approval provides a new option for patients in Japan living with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, an aggressive disease with historically limited treatment options,” said Yasuyuki Ishida, General Manager, Incyte Biosciences Japan. “We are committed to helping address critical unmet needs for patients and their families affected by this challenging cancer.” DLBCL is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is an aggressive malignancy of B lymphocytes. While many patients respond to initial therapy, outcomes remain poor for those with relapsed or refractory disease, particularly for patients who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant.1 The approval is based on results from the MOR208C203 Trial: L
Amazfit Introduces Helio Strap Pro, Bringing Body-Worn Movement Intelligence to HYROX and Hybrid Training18.6.2026 20:07:00 EEST | Press release
Amazfit, a leading global smart wearable brand owned by Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), today announced Helio Strap Pro, a body-worn training system designed to help HYROX and hybrid athletes better understand how their bodies perform under load. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260618031434/en/ Amazfit Introduces Helio Strap Pro, Bringing Body-Worn Movement Intelligence to HYROX and Hybrid Training Building on the screen-free Helio Strap, Helio Strap Pro adds a dedicated waist-mounted motion sensor that captures core-body movement and stability during training. Combined with upper-arm heart-rate sensing and compatible Amazfit smartwatches, the system provides a more complete picture of cardio effort, movement quality and muscle load than wrist-based tracking alone. Helio Strap Pro represents the next evolution of Amazfit's Hybrid Training System, extending performance tracking beyond heart rate to help athletes bett
HyperLight Announces $80 Million Series C to Accelerate TFLN Deployment for AI Infrastructure18.6.2026 18:30:00 EEST | Press release
HyperLight Corporation (“HyperLight”), a leader in thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonics, today announced the closing of an $80 million Series C financing round led by MediaTek. The round includes participation from UMC Capital, Jabil, Foxconn, EDBI (arm of SG Growth Capital, the investment platform of the Singapore Economic Development Board and Enterprise Singapore), CDIB-TEN Capital, and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), as well as strategic investors from leading silicon IC and networking companies. Existing investors Summit Partners, The Engine, Foothill Ventures, and Xora Innovation continue to actively support the company’s growth. The financing brings together companies across the AI infrastructure value chain — including silicon ICs, foundry manufacturing, electronics manufacturing services, networking, and global infrastructure investment — reflecting broad ecosystem support for scaling TFLN photonics into production. “This financing is about more than capital — it is ab
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom