Phoenix

（火の鳥）

• Author: Tezuka Osamu
• Demographic: Shonen/Seinen
• Premise: Rather than one continuous series, Phoenix is told as a collection of stories spread throughout time, spanning many different genres as well as characters. At the center of these stories is the Phoenix, a force of nature that presents itself as a large, beautiful bird that dies in a ball of fire and reincarnates from the ashes. Many of the stories are motivated by the characters’ desire to capture the Phoenix in order to drink its blood, which is reputed to grant immortality. Many characters are seen reincarnated throughout time, and some characters make appearances in multiple time periods.

This series was Tezuka’s self-proclaimed Magnum Opus, and it is clear that the story meant very dear to him. It highlights many of his personal values and philosophies, as well as showcasing some of his experimental attempts at storytelling through manga. After reading the stories, I find myself questioning the pursuit for endless life, and accept that life and history are bound to repeat. Unfortunately, the series was never completed, as Tezuka passed away before he could accomplish this. My personal favorite is the “Karma” chapter of the series, which tells the tale of two sculptors during the Nara period of Japan.