Rice paddy cartoons celebrate Japanese artist

The Japanese village of Inakadate transforms its rice paddies into a visual spectacle each year.

This year, the intricate rice art celebrates the 90th anniversary of innovative manga artist Osamu Tezuka.

The huge rice paddy art is created by using nine different coloured varieties of rice plants.

Some of Mr Tezuka's most famous characters, such as Astro Boy, Black Jack and Kimba the White Lion, have been created in the rice.

Manga is the Japanese word used to refer to comics or cartoons.

Mr Tezuka was a prominent and innovative artist, animator and film producer in this style.

He is referred to as a father-like figure for the manga genre and often considered to be the Japanese equivalent of Walt Disney.

New Treasure Island, published in 1947 when Mr Tezuka was a 19-year-old medical student, is considered to be his debut work.

He later created other long-lasting manga such as Astro Boy, Princess Knight and Jungle Emperor Leo.

Mr Tezuka died of stomach cancer in 1989. His death had a big impact on the Japanese public and other manga artists.

Different varieties of rice were planted in June. As the rice has grown, the fields have been transformed.

The residents of Inakadate live-stream their rice paddies and post daily photos.

Japanese social media users have been sharing their pictures of the rice artwork online.

Shirasu0911 tweets: "I've seen rice paddy art!"

@ohmura_hideaki tweeted a picture showing the scenery of Nagoya port, the largest and busiest trading port in Japan.

Nagoya Port Aquarium and an orca are also depicted.

@JapaninCanada tweeted: "This year is the 90th anniversary of manga artist Osamu Tezuka! Inakadate village in Aomori prefecture is celebrating with rice paddy art of Tezuka's most famous characters! #manga #art".

The Japanese public have shared more rice paddy art on Twitter and Instagram.

By Kris Bramwell, UGC & Social News