Entertainment One has acquired the rights to develop a TV series based on Japanese manga Black Jack by prolific Japanese manga artist and animator Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy, Buddha).

The spec pitch came to eOne from U.S. screenwriting team Marty Scott and Toni Kotite.

Action-adventure story Black Jack chronicles the journey of the world’s greatest detective-doctor, who works for a government special-ops team that fights biological and terrorist threats against the U.S.

The manga has sold more than 50 million copies in Japan alone.

Taka Ichise and Doug Davidson, who have also partnered on feature adaptations of Japanese properties The Ring and The Grudge, will executive produce, along with Dave Brown and Zadoc Angell of Artist International, who packaged the project.

eOne will produce the series, with Michael Rosenberg, Jen Chambers and Adam Blumberg overseeing the show on behalf of the company.

eOne will pitch the Black Jack to U.S. broadcasters and cable nets in L.A., and handle worldwide rights in all media.

Photo and image below: courtesy Vertical Inc.