new English translation has been released by Last Gasp (starting in 2004) with an introduction by Art Spiegelman, who has compared the work to his own work, Maus (which is about the experiences of Spiegelman's father during the Holocaust in Europe). Nakazawa planned to present a set of the series to US President Barack Obama to caution against nuclear proliferation. Media Films Live-action In 1976, 1977 and 1980, Tengo Yamada directed three live-action film adaptations. In 2009, a Hollywood producer expressed interest in a studio version of the manga. Barefoot Gen (1976) Barefoot Gen: Explosion of Tears (1977) Barefoot Gen: Part 3 Battle of Hiroshima (1980) Animated films Two animated films were based on the manga, in 1983 and 1986, both directed by Mori Masaki for a production company that Nakazawa founded. Barefoot Gen (1983) Barefoot Gen 2 (1986) Barefoot Gen 2 is set three years after the bomb fell. It focuses on the continuing survival of Gen and orphans in Hiroshima. Initially released individually on dub-only VHS tape by Streamline Pictures, and then dub-only DVD by Image Entertainment, Geneon eventually sold bilingual versions of the film on DVD as a set. In 2017, Discotek Media published both films on Blu-ray with both the Japanese and English languages available in it, on December 26. TV drama A two episode TV drama was produced by Fuji Television in 2007 and was aired over two days: Barefoot Gen (2007) Books 10 books have been published about Barefoot Gen. Theatre productions There have been a number of stage play adaptations of Barefoot Gen produced in Japan. In July 1996, the first stage adaptation in English was premiered at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, UK. The production was a collaboration between the Crucible Theatre and Theatre Zenshinza, Tokyo, Japan. In 1994 British theatre director Bryn Jones travelled to Japan to request Mr. Nakazawa's permission to adapt the first volume as a play. Permission was granted and Jones returned to Sheffield to prepare the production; research, design and dramatisation with the Crucible company, Tatsuo Suzuki and Fusako Kurahara. Mr. Nakazawa subsequently travelled to the UK to attend final rehearsals and gave post show talks after the opening performances. The final manuscript was adapted and dramatised by Tatsuo Suzuki and Bryn Jones and translated by Fusako Kurahara. The production received a Japan Festival Award 1997 for outstanding achievements in furthering the understanding of Japanese culture in the