View source for Ludwig B

{{Short description|Unfinished Japanese manga series by Osamu Tezuka}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
|name            = Ludwig B
|image           = Ludwig B cover art by Osamu Tezuka.jpeg
|caption         = Cover art by Tezuka
|ja_kanji        = ルードヴィヒ・B
|ja_romaji       = Rudovihi B
|genre           = [[Biography]]<ref name="indie-eye"/>
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
|type            = Manga
|author          = [[Osamu Tezuka]]
|publisher       = Ushio Shuppan
|publisher_en    = 
|demographic     = ''[[Gekiga]]''
|magazine        =
|first           = 1987
|last            = 1989
|volumes         = 2
|volume_list     =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{nihongo|'''''Ludwig B'''''|ルードヴィヒ・B|Rudovihi B|lead=yes}} is a Japanese [[manga]] series written and illustrated by [[Osamu Tezuka]] as a biographical adaptation of the early life of the composer [[Ludwig van Beethoven]]. The manga focuses on Beethoven's struggles and passions as a youth, including the [[Ludwig van Beethoven#Deafness|deterioration of his hearing]], his relationship with his abusive, alcoholic father, and his self-expression through music.<ref name="Kamen">{{cite magazine|first=Matt|last=Kamen|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/rare-osamu-tezuka-manga-anime-digital-distribution|publisher=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|title=Rare Osamu Tezuka manga now available as digital comics
|magazine=Wired UK|date=November 19, 2015|access-date=May 26, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Hamilton"/> The manga began in June 1987 with intentions to encompass the entire artistic path of Beethoven until his maturity, but was interrupted by Tezuka's death in 1989.<ref name="indie-eye">{{cite web|first=Michele|last=Faggi|url=https://www.indie-eye.it/cinema/covercinema/osamu-tezuka-ludwig-b-j-pop-manga-recensione.html|publisher=indie-eye.it|title=OSAMU TEZUKA – LUDWIG B. J-POP MANGA: RECENSIONE|date=November 19, 2021|access-date=May 26, 2021|language=it}}</ref> After Tezuka's death, the manga was left unfinished and published only in Japanese until a [[Kickstarter]] campaign funded its translation into English.<ref name="Hamilton">{{cite web|first=Tiara|last=Hamilton|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-27/digital-manga-launches-kickstarter-to-publish-tezuka-ludwig-b/.81521|publisher=Anime News Network|title=Digital Manga Launches Kickstarter to Publish Tezuka's Ludwig B|date=November 27, 2014|access-date=May 26, 2021}}</ref>

==Plot==
The story begins in [[Vienna]] with the birth of Franz Kreuzstein, a young man who avows to hate anyone named "Ludwig" since the screech of a peacock of the same name caused the death of his mother. In 1770, Ludwig van Beethoven is born in [[Bonn, Germany]]. Young Beethoven is relentlessly pushed by his father to practice the piano in order to secure a rich aristocrat to serve as the family's benefactor. Six-year-old Beethoven receives renown while his father spirals into alcoholism. While in Bonn, young Ludwig and Franz Kreuzstein cross paths, resulting in Franz flying into a rage and striking Ludwig in the ear, causing the boy's deafness.

Undaunted, Ludwig strives to continue excelling in his musical studies, leading him to a short tutelage under an older [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]] before returning home. Ludwig presses on in honing his talents regardless of the many setbacks around him, including his father's alcoholism, a fling with a beautiful aristocratic lady, and the [[French Revolutionary Wars]]. After securing a mentorship under famous composer [[Joseph Haydn]], Ludwig strives on toward musical greatness.

==Production==
With the success of the ten-year project ''[[Buddha (manga)|Buddha]]'', Tezuka became inspired to write an epic biographical work based on Beethoven. After the [[Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] sent him to a conference in [[Nancy, France]], Tezuka took the opportunity to visit other parts of Europe. During his trip, he visited [[Vienna]] and went to many memorial sites dedicated to Beethoven, including his old room where Tezuka touched the composer's own piano.<ref name="indie-eye"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Anime News Network|manga|8933}}

{{Osamu Tezuka}}
{{Ludwig van Beethoven}}

[[Category:Anime and manga set in Germany]]
[[Category:Biographical comics]]
[[Category:Comics based on real people]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Ludwig van Beethoven]]
[[Category:Historical anime and manga]]
[[Category:Osamu Tezuka manga]]
[[Category:Gekiga]]
[[Category:Gekiga by Osamu Tezuka]]