The 1950s: The God of Manga
Osamu Tezuka popularized the 'large eyes' aesthetic, drawing heavy inspiration from early Disney animations. This era set the foundation for modern manga visual language.
The 1980s & 1990s: Gritty and Bold
This era saw a shift towards more detailed, sometimes grittier art styles. Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo set a new standard for cyberpunk aesthetics and mechanical detail.
The Modern Era: Digital Precision
Today, the widespread use of digital tools like Clip Studio Paint has resulted in incredibly clean linework and complex screentone patterns that would take weeks to do by hand.